Characterization and Risk Assessment of Atmospheric PM2.5 and PM10 Particulate-Bound PAHs and NPAHs in Rwanda, Central-East Africa.
Environ Sci Technol
; 52(21): 12179-12187, 2018 11 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30351039
ABSTRACT
Exposure to airborne particulates is estimated as the largest cause of premature human mortality worldwide and is of particular concern in sub-Saharan Africa where emissions are high and data are lacking. Particulate matter (PM) contains several toxic organic species including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrated PAHs (NPAHs). This study provides the first characterization and source identification for PM10- and PM2.5-bound PAHs and NPAHs in sub-Saharan Africa during a three-month period that spanned dry and wet seasons at three locations in Rwanda. The 24-h mean PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were significantly higher in the dry than the wet season. PAH and NPAH concentrations at the urban roadside site were significantly higher than the urban background and rural site. Source identification using diagnostic ratio analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed diesel and gasoline-powered vehicles at the urban location and wood burning at the rural location as the major sources of PAHs and NPAHs. Our analysis demonstrates that PM concentrations and lifetime cancer risks resulting from inhalation exposure to PM-bound PAHs and NPAHs exceed World Health Organization safe limits. This study provides clear evidence that an immediate development of emission control measures is required.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
/
Air Pollutants
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Sci Technol
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
New Zealand
Publication country:
EEUU
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS
/
ESTADOS UNIDOS DA AMERICA
/
EUA
/
UNITED STATES
/
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
/
US
/
USA