Characterization of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Mixed-Use Urban Community in Paterson, NJ: Concentrations and Sources

ABSTRACT

Exposure to ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a potential health concern for communities because many PAHs are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic. However, information on ambient concentrations of PAHs in communities is very limited. During the Urban Community Air Toxics Monitoring Project, Paterson City, NJ, PAH concentrations in ambient air PM₁₀ (particulate matter ≤ 10 μm in aerodynamic diameter) were measured from November 2005 through December 2006 in Paterson, a mixed-use urban community located in Passaic County, NJ. Three locations dominated by industrial, commercial, and mobile sources were chosen as monitoring sites. The comparison background site was located in Chester, NJ, which is approximately 58 km west/southwest of Paterson. The concentrations of all of the individual PAHs at all three Paterson sites were found to be significantly higher than those at the background site (P < 0.05). The PAH profiles obtained from the three sites with different land-use patterns showed that the contributions of heavier PAHs (molecular weight > 202) to the total PAHs were significantly higher at the industrial site than those at the commercial and mobile sites. Analysis of the diagnostic ratios between PAH isomers suggested that the diesel-powered vehicles were the major PAH sources in the Paterson area throughout the year. The operation of industrial facilities and other combustion sources also partially contributed to PAH air pollution in Paterson. The correlation of individual PAH, total PAH, and the correlation of total PAHs with other air co-pollutants (copper, iron, manganese, lead, zinc, elemental carbon, and organic carbon) within and between the sampling sites supported the conclusions obtained from the diagnostic ratio analysis.

IMPLICATIONS

The study provides a valuable approach to understand potential exposure in a mixed land-use urban community. Data obtained from the study (i.e., concentration and source profiles of PAHs at different sites in Paterson) are useful in helping to identify air pollution sources of concern. The findings of this research project may also be helpful in assisting regulatory agencies in developing effective strategies to control sources of air pollution and to better address community concerns.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was supported by EPA (grant no. SR05-035). Dr. Fan is supported in part by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)-sponsored University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey Center for Environmental Exposures and Disease (grant no. NIEHS P30ES005022). The authors thank Drs. Qingyu Meng, Robert Stiles, Kathy Black, and Ms. Martha Hernandez for help with field sampling. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the funding agency.