CSIR-National Physical Laboratory, Dr. K. S. Krishnan Road, New Delhi, 110012, India.
Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, India.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 2024 May;86(4):393-409. doi: 10.1007/s00244-024-01070-0. Epub 2024 May 28.
This study investigated the concentrations, seasonal variations, sources, and human health risks associated with exposure to heavy elements (As, Al, Pb, Cr, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Ni) of PM at an urban location of Delhi (28° 38' N, 77° 10' E; 218 m amsl), India, from January 2013 to December 2021. The average mass concentration of PM throughout the study period was estimated as 127 ± 77 µg m, which is exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) limit (annual: 40 µg m; 24 h: 60 µg m). The seasonal mass concentrations of PM exhibited at the order of post-monsoon (192 ± 110 µgm) > winter (158 ± 70 µgm) > summer (92 ± 44 µgm) and > monsoon (67 ± 32 µgm). The heavy elements, Al (1.19 µg m), Zn (0.49 µg m), Pb (0.43 µg m), Cr (0.21 µg m), Cu (0.21 µg m), Mn (0.07 µg m), and Ni (0.14 µg m) exhibited varying concentrations in PM, with the highest levels observed in the post-monsoon season, followed by winter, summer, and monsoon seasons. Six primary sources throughout the study period, contributing to PM were identified by positive matrix factorization (PMF), such as dust (paved/crustal/soil dust: 29.9%), vehicular emissions (17.2%), biomass burning (15.4%), combustion (14%), industrial emissions (14.2%), and Br-rich sources (9.2%). Health risk assessments, including hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR), were computed based on heavy elements concentrations in PM. Elevated HQ values for Cr and Mn linked with adverse health impacts in both adults and children. High carcinogenic risk values were observed for Cr in both adults and children during the winter and post-monsoon seasons, as well as in adults during the summer and monsoon seasons. The combined HI value exceeding one suggests appreciable non-carcinogenic risks associated with the examined elements. The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the behaviour and risk mitigation of heavy elements in PM, contributing to the understanding of air quality and public health in the urban environment of Delhi.
本研究调查了德里市（28°38'N，77°10'E；218 米海拔）城区 PM 中重金属（As、Al、Pb、Cr、Mn、Cu、Zn 和 Ni）的浓度、季节性变化、来源及与人体健康相关的风险，研究时间为 2013 年 1 月至 2021 年 12 月。整个研究期间，PM 的平均质量浓度估计为 127±77µg·m，超过了国家环境空气质量标准（NAAQS）限值（年平均值：40µg·m；24 小时平均值：60µg·m）。PM 的季节性质量浓度依次为：后季风期（192±110µgm）>冬季（158±70µgm）>夏季（92±44µgm）>季风期（67±32µgm）。Al（1.19µg·m）、Zn（0.49µg·m）、Pb（0.43µg·m）、Cr（0.21µg·m）、Cu（0.21µg·m）、Mn（0.07µg·m）和 Ni（0.14µg·m）等重金属在 PM 中表现出不同的浓度，后季风期浓度最高，其次是冬季、夏季和季风期。通过正定矩阵因子分析（PMF）确定了整个研究期间对 PM 有贡献的六个主要来源，分别为：尘土（铺砌/地壳/土壤尘土：29.9%）、机动车排放（17.2%）、生物质燃烧（15.4%）、燃烧（14%）、工业排放（14.2%）和富 Br 源（9.2%）。根据 PM 中重金属的浓度，对健康风险评估（包括危害商数（HQ）、健康指数（HI）和致癌风险（CR））进行了计算。Cr 和 Mn 的 HQ 值升高与成人和儿童的不良健康影响有关。冬季和后季风期，Cr 的致癌风险值在成人和儿童中均较高，夏季和季风期，Cr 的致癌风险值在成人中也较高。综合 HI 值超过 1 表明与所研究元素相关的非致癌风险相当大。本研究结果为 PM 中重金属的行为和缓解风险提供了有价值的见解，有助于理解德里城市环境中的空气质量和公共健康。
