Assessing pollution characteristics and human health risk of exposure to PM_2.5-bound trace metals in a suburban area in Hanoi, Vietnam

Abstract

Fine particles (PM_2.5) in the atmosphere, especially PM_2.5 bounded with trace metals, pose potentially adverse human health risks. This study aimed to characterize the trace elements in PM_2.5 in a suburban area of Hanoi from November 2019 to December 2020. The study area represented a mixture of industrial, agricultural, and residential areas. The results revealed that PM_2.5 mass was highest in winter due to the stable meteorological conditions, which disfavor the particulate matter dispersion in the atmosphere. Fe, Mg, Zn, K, and Al were the most abundant elements in PM_2.5, accounting for 29.6, 19.0, 16.3, 15.8, and 11.3% of the total concentration of metals, respectively. PM_2.5-bound trace metals were highest in winter, followed by autumn and spring. Principal component analysis with multiple linear regression (PCA/MLR) illustrated that crustal dust, pesticide, and industrial emissions contributed to 73.6% of the total contribution sources, while vehicle exhaust mixed with coal combustion accounted for 64.1% of the total contribution sources. The health risk assessments suggested that As (HQ = 4.7) and Cd (HQ = 3.1) had non-carcinogenic risks for adults. The cumulative carcinogenic risk of elements was within the acceptable range for both children and adults. Notably, the source of As should be paid attention to as the As high concentration exceeding the safe level for non-carcinogenic risks in the study area.

KEYWORDS:

• PM_2.5
• trace elements
• risk assessment
• principal components analysis
• Hanoi

Acknowledgment

We thank two anonymous referees, for their comments/suggestions which have helped us to improve the earlier version of the manuscript

Authors' contributions

Thi Phuong Mai Nguyen designed and wrote the manuscript draft, read, corrected, and approved the final manuscript. Thi Hieu Bui wrote the manuscript draft and approved the final manuscript. Y Nhu Nguyen and Khai Manh Nguyen contributed to the interpretation of the results. Thi Hue Nguyen evaluated the results and discussion of these results. Thuy Nguyen Ta and Thi Minh Hang Tran contributed to discussion of these results and the analysis of the samples. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is funded by Graduate University of Science and Technology under grant number GUST.STS.ĐT2019-MT01.