Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons study and toxic equivalency factor (TEFs) in Tehran, Iran.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic pollutants released by various urban combustion sources. Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a representative member of the class of PAHs. Health risk assessment associated with inhalatory PAHs uptake is often estimated on the basis of the BaP concentrations in air. Atmospheric particulate PAHs concentrations were measured at five locations in Tehran, Iran. Sixteen PAHs were extracted from the airborne particles and analyzed by HPLC. Total PAHs concentrations (16 compounds) at five station Arjanteen, Enghelab, Azadi, Bahman, Haft Houz were respectively, 70.2, 96.5, 130, 79.1, 44.1 ng/m(3). The information obtain from the present study indicated that mean of human carcinogens are: benzo[a]antheracene (0.17-4.76 ng/m(3)), chrysene (1.74-3.62 ng/m(3)), benzo[b]fluoranthene (0-5.25 ng/m(3)), benzo[k]fluoranthene (0.32-1.72 ng/m(3)), benzo[a]pyrene (1.41-3.82 ng/m(3)), dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (0.33-2.13 ng/m(3)), and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (0.25-11.08 ng/m(3)). The development and the establishment of a toxicity equivalency factor (TEF) are used in the assessment of mixtures containing PAHs. The contribution of the carcinogenic potency of BaP alone is in the range of 49.6-76.3% of the total carcinogenic activity. The annual number of lung cancer cases (persons per million) among Tehran residents (population = 10 millions) attributable to these carcinogenic PAHs compounds in 2005 was estimated at 58 persons per million. In Tehran urban areas vehicular emission are the primary contributor to PAHs concentrations, with additional local contributors like industrials emissions.