Study on particulate and metallic elements variation at daytime and nighttime period in urban atmosphere

Daily PM_2.5, PM_2.5–10 and TSP have been collected by Universal and PS‐1 sampler simultaneously at a site within Taichung between February and March 1999. The filters were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the elemental analysis of Ca, Fe, Mn, Pb, Cu, Zn and Cr. In general, the concentration of these metallic elements are higher in fine particles than in coarse particles. On average, PM₁₀ accounted for 67% of the TSP at daytime, while at nighttime PM₁₀ accounted for only 44% of the TSP. For PM_2.5, PM₂._5–10 and TSP concentrations, there were no significant differences between day and night period. The averaged concentrations of metallic elements in PM_2.5 at daytime were all higher than that at nighttime. Ca, Fe and Zn have large and variable PM_2.5 concentrations at both daytime and nighttime. For the daytime Zn and Pb account for the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. For the nighttime, Zn and Cr make the largest portion of the heavy metal elements. The concentrations of Mn were higher on fine particulates. The trace metals Cu and Cr in Taichung are probably due to particulates emitted by Taichung Fire Power Plants transported into the sampling area by the prevailing northwesterly wind.     

电镀企业周边大气颗粒物PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)和TSP中重金属分布特征及健康风险评价

以东莞市5个镇区为研究对象,采集电镀企业周边大气样品,分析了样品中重金属(包括As、Co、Cd、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Sb、V、Zn和Hg)的含量分布,使用富集因子(enrich factor)、地累积指数(index of geoaccumulation)、Hakanson法和美国国家环境保护局(US EPA)的人体暴露健康风险评价模型,对PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)、总悬浮颗粒物(TSP)中重金属进行人体健康风险评价。结果表明,PM_(2.5)、PM_(10)和TSP中As、Cd和Cr平均浓度皆超标。Cr、Ni和V元素在3种颗粒物中非富集,主要为自然源;As、Co、Cu、Pb和Zn,可能来源于自然源和叠加的工业污染。Cd、Hg和Sb浓度受人为污染影响严重。Cd、Sb、Cu、Zn、Pb为生物可利用元素(K>0.6),在环境中的可迁移性高且易于被生物体和人体吸收。Mn元素的非致癌风险值较其他重金属要高1~4个数量级,且儿童的非致癌暴露风险值HQ均高于成人的。3种颗粒物中重金属元素通过呼吸吸入途径产生的非致癌风险HI值均高于人体可接受的上限1.0,其主要贡献来源于Mn的影响,研究区非致癌风险较为严重。除PM_(10)中Co元素和TSP中Co、Cr的成人致癌风险CR值大于10-4之外,其余大部分重金属元素通过呼吸途径产生的致癌风险CR值均在可接受范围之内,此外,3种颗粒物中的成人的致癌暴露风险值CRT均高于儿童的CRT值,并且除了PM_(2.5)中儿童的重金属致癌暴露风险CRT值(4.70E-05)低于人体可接受范围的上限(10-4),其余CRT值均高于10-4,致癌风险较为严重。     

PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> particulates and metallic elements (Ni,Cu, Zn,Cd and Pb) study in a mixed area of summer season in Shalu,Taiwan

PM_2.5 has become an important environmental issue in Taiwan during the past few years. Moreover, electricity increased significantly during the summertime and TTPP generated by coal burning base is the main electricity provider in central Taiwan. Therefore, summer season has become the main research target in this study. The ambient air concentrations of particulate matter PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ collected by using VAPS at a mixed characteristic sampling site were studied in central Taiwan. The results indicated that the average daytime PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were occurred in May and they were 44.75 and 57.77 µg/m³ in this study. The results also indicated that the average nighttime PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were occurred in June and they were 38.19 and 45.79 µg/m³ in this study. The average PM_2.5/PM₁₀ ratios were 0.7 for daytime, nighttime and 24-h sampling periods in the summer for this study. This value was ranked as the lowest ratios when compared to the other seasons in previous study. Noteworthy, the results further indicated that the metallic element Pb has the mean highest concentrations for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods when compared to those of the other metallic elements (Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd). The average mean highest metallic Pb concentrations in PM10 were 110.7, 203.0 and 207.2 ng/m³ for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods in this study. And there were 59.53, 105.2 and 106.6 ng/m³ for Pb in PM2.5 for 24-h, daytime and nighttime sampling periods, respectively. Moreover, the results further indicated that mean metallic element Pb concentrations on PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were all higher than those of the other elements for 24 h, day and nighttime.     

Cluster analysis of inorganic elements in particulate matter in the air environment of an equatorial urban coastal location

Concentrations of nine inorganic elements (Na, Zn, Ca, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cu, Cd and Al) in particulate matter (PM₁₀) in the air of an equatorial urban coastal location during 2009 were studied during summer and winter monsoon seasons using high-volume sampling techniques. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used to analyse the samples. The concentrations of most inorganic elements were higher during summer than winter, except for Cu and Zn. The main inorganic elements in PM₁₀ are Na, Zn and Ca. High concentrations of Na and Ca are due to marine aerosols. Analysis of enrichment factors showed that inorganic elements are from non-crustal sources. Cluster analysis identified five clusters in the summer and six in the winter: (1) PM₁₀–Ni, (2) Zn–Na, (3) Fe–Cu–Ca–Cd, (4) Mn and (5) Al for summer; and (1) PM₁₀, (2) Zn, (3) Fe–Ni, (4) Cu–Ca–Na–Cd, (5) Mn and (6) Al for winter. Combining both correlation and cluster analysis, it was found that Fe–Cu–Cd was from industry/vehicle emissions, Zn was from resuspended soil, Mn was from metallurgical processes, Ni was from a nearby power plant and Al was from crustal sources. Inorganic element concentrations could be a good indicator of local sources of PM₁₀.     

Study of the ambient air metallic elements Cr,Cu, Zn,Cd and Pb at HAF sampling sites

This study characterized diurnal variations in the compositions of total suspended particulates (TSP) and dry deposits of particulates from ambient air, and the metallic elements that are contained in them at harbor, airport and farmland (HAF) sampling sites from August, 2013 to July, 2014. Two-way ANOVA of the amounts of metallic elements in the TSP and dry deposits was carried out in all four seasons at the HAF sampling sites. The metallic elements Cr and Cu originated in local emission sources at the airport. Metallic elements Zn and Pb originated in local emission sources at the harbor. Finally, metallic element Cd originated in local emissions form farmland. The following results were also obtained. (1) The metallic composition of the TSP differed significantly from that of the dry deposits in all four seasons at the harbor and farmland sampling sites, but not at the airport sampling site. (2) High correlations coefficients were found between the amounts of metallic elements Cr and Cu in the TSP and those in the dry deposits at the airport sampling site. (3) Pb was present in the TSP and the dry deposits at the harbor sampling site.     

Characteristics,sources and health risk assessment of toxic heavy metals in PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> at a megacity of southwest China

Twenty trace elements in fine particulate matters (i.e., PM_2.5) at urban Chengdu, a southwest megacity of China, were determined to study the characteristics, sources and human health risk of particulate toxic heavy metals. This work mainly focused on eight toxic heavy metal elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). The average concentration of PM_2.5 was 165.1 ± 84.7 µg m^?3 during the study period, significantly exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (35 µg m^?3 in annual average). The particulate heavy metal pollution was very serious in which Cd and As concentrations in PM_2.5 significantly surpassed the WHO standard. The enrichment factor values of heavy metals were typically higher than 10, suggesting that they were mainly influenced by anthropogenic sources. More specifically, the Cr, Mn and Ni were slightly enriched, Cu was highly enriched, while As, Cd, Pb and Zn were severely enriched. The results of correlation analysis showed that Cd may come from metallurgy and mechanical manufacturing emissions, and the other metals were predominately influenced by traffic emissions and coal combustion. The results of health risk assessment indicated that As, Mn and Cd would pose a significant non-carcinogenic health risk to both children and adults, while Cr would cause carcinogenic risk. Other toxic heavy metals were within a safe level.     

Trace elements in particulate matter of ambient air at petroleum filling stations

Size segregated suspended particulate matter (PM_2.5 and PM_10-2.5) in air at four major petroleum-filling stations in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, were monitored using double staged “Gent” stacked samplers to assess variations in mass loads and elemental concentrations of 25 elements. Na, Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Cs, Ta, W, and Pb were determined in both fractions by external ion beam proton-induced X-ray emission technique. Enrichment factors and pollution indices were calculated and results revealed that most elements were anthropogenic in both fractions with concentrations exceeding the World Health Organization guideline standards.     

PIXE characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 particulates sizes collected in Ikoyi Lagos,Nigeria

Ambient concentrations of PM₁₀ (x?≤?10?µm) and PM_2.5 (x?≤?2.5?µm) particulate fractions collected from Ikoyi Lagos, Nigeria, as well as their elemental compositions are presented in this study. Both size-segregated fractions were collected using a double staged ‘Gent’ stack filter unit sampler. Elemental characterizations of dust laden filters were carried out using proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. Twenty-two elements (Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb, Br, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ag, Cd, and Ta) were detected as well as their concentrations and correlations were determined for both particulate size fractions. Their correlation matrix result indicates that some of the trace elements detected could have common source origins or similar chemical properties. The results were similar to the levels observed in moderately polluted urban areas and there is need for source identification and apportionment using receptor models in future studies.     

Trace element contents in fine particulate matter (PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>) in urban school microenvironments near a contaminated beach with mine tailings,Chañaral,Chile

Air quality in schools is an important public health issue because children spend a considerable part of their daily life in classrooms. Particulate size and chemical composition has been associated with negative health effects. We studied levels of trace element concentrations in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) in indoor versus outdoor school settings from six schools in Chañaral, a coastal city with a beach severely polluted with mine tailings. Concentrations of trace elements were measured on two consecutive days during the summer and winter of 2012 and 2013 and determined using X-ray fluorescence. Source apportionment and element enrichment were measured using principal components analysis and enrichment factors. Trace elements were higher in indoor school spaces, especially in classrooms compared with outdoor environments. The most abundant elements were Na, Cl, S, Ca, Fe, K, Mn, Ti, and Si, associated with earth’s crust. Conversely, an extremely high enrichment factor was determined for Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr; heavy metals associated with systemic and carcinogenic risk effects, whose probably origin sources are industrial and mining activities. These results suggest that the main source of trace elements in PM_2.5 from these school microenvironments is a mixture of dust contaminated with mine tailings and marine aerosols. Policymakers should prioritize environmental management changes to minimize further environmental damage and its direct impact on the health of children exposed.     

Review of total suspended particles (TSP) and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> concentration variations in Asia during the years of 1998–2015

In Asian countries such as China, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, ambient air total suspended particulates and PM_2.5 concentration data were collected and discussed during the years of 1998–2015 in this study. The aim of the present study was to (1) investigate and collect ambient air total suspended particulates (TSP) and PM_2.5 concentrations for Asian countries during the past two decades. (2) Discuss, analyze and compare those particulates (TSP and PM_2.5) annual concentration distribution trends among those Asian countries during the past two decades. (3) Test the mean concentration differences in TSP and PM_2.5 among the Asian countries during the past decades. The results indicated that the mean TSP concentration order was shown as China > Malaysia > Pakistan > India > Taiwan > Korea > Japan. In addition, the mean PM_2.5 concentration order was shown as Vietnam > India > China > Hong Kong > Mongolia > Korea > Taiwan > Japan and the average percentages of PM_2.5 concentrations for Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Other (India and Vietnam) were 8, 21, 6, 8, 14, 13 and 30%, respectively, during the past two decades. Moreover, t test results revealed that there were significant mean TSP and PM_2.5 concentration differences for either China or India to any of the countries such as Taiwan, Korea and Japan in Asia during the past two decades for this study. Noteworthy, China and India are both occupied more than 60% of the TSP and PM_2.5 particulates concentrations out of all the Asia countries. As for Taiwan, the average PM_2.5 concentration displayed increasing trend in the years of 1998–1999. However, it showed decreasing trend in the years of 2000–2010. As for Korea, the average PM_2.5 concentrations showed decreasing trend during the years of 2001–2013. Finally, the average PM_2.5 concentrations for Mongolia displayed increasing trend in the years of 2004–2013.     

Distribution,geochemistry, and mineralogy of aerosols in the Angouran Mine area,northwest Iran

The Angouran Mine, located in northwest Iran, is the largest Zn–Pb producer in the Middle East. This study was designed to investigate the distribution, geochemistry, and mineralogy of the aerosols in the mining area and to assess their likely health impacts on the local residents. For this purpose, 36 aerosol samples were collected from 2014 to 2015 at nine sites located in mine district and upwind and downwind directions. The concentration of potentially toxic elements in the aerosols was determined using AAS instrument. Size, morphology, and mineralogy of the particles were studied using SEM and EDX spectra. The results indicate that the amount of total suspended particles in upwind, mine district, and downwind sites is 95.5, 463.4 and 287.5 µg/m³, respectively. The concentrations of PM_2.5 in the three locations are 8.9, 134.7, and 51.8 µg/m³, whereas the PM₁₀ contents are 2.9, 74.4, and 15.5 µg/m³, respectively. These observations point to the impact of mining activities on the concentration of aerosols in the local atmosphere. The values of air quality index also show the probable effects of the mining activities on the health of the local populations, especially for allergic peoples. The average concentration of Zn in the samples collected from the mining district (290 µg/kg) is much higher than its value in the upwind sites (27 µg/kg). The highest concentration of As (70 µg/kg), Cd (10 µg/kg), and Pb (3 µg/kg) is in downwind sites, which shows the negative impact of mining activities on the local air quality. Temporally, the highest concentration of the studied elements is recorded in spring season, especially for PM_2.5 collected in downwind stations. Based on the results of SEM and EDX spectra, three groups of minerals, i.e., carbonates, silicates, and sulfides, are present in the aerosol particles, confirming the local source for the aerosols. SEM analyses showed that the aerosol particles with dissimilar chemical composition have different morphologies such as irregular, rounded, elongated, and angular. On the basis of the results, the mining activities in the Angouran Zn–Pb Mine may have various short- and long-term consequences on the public health, especially due to high amount of the finer particles (PM_2.5) and the higher concentration of the potentially toxic elements in PM_2.5 which can penetrate into the lungs.

     

Observation of black carbon aerosol in Beijing, 2003

The objective of this study was to determine the black carbon concentration in Beijing in 2003. The aerosol properties were measured using an Aethalometer and a tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM) on the roof of the Physics Building of Peking University (39.99° N, 116.31° E) from July to August 2003 and from November 2003 to January 2004. The average black carbon (BC) concentrations in the summer and winter were 8.80 and 11.4 μg/m³, respectively. During winter, two different cyclone cut offs were installed at the inlet of an aethalometer. The BC mass concentration in TSP, PM₁₀, and PM_2.5 were obtained. The results indicated that in winter aerosol, 90% of BC exited in PM₁₀ and 82.6% of BC exited in PM_2.5. The BC in PM₁₀ accounted for 5.11% of the PM₁₀ mass.     

贵阳市冬季PM_(2.5)中典型重金属元素的化学形态分析与健康风险评价

为了更准确地研究重金属的生物有效性和对环境与人体的潜在生态危害,采用改进BCR法分析了贵阳市冬季PM_(2.5)中Cu、Mn、Co、Cd、Pb这5种重金属元素的化学形态,并评价了它们的生物有效性和健康风险。结果表明:不同重金属元素形态分布存在差异,Cu主要是弱酸溶态,其次是可氧化态;Mn主要是弱酸溶态,其次是残渣态;Co没有检测出可还原态,而在其他3种形态分布比较平均;Pb和Cd绝大部分都是弱酸溶态。生物有效性系数(K)分析结果表明:重金属生物有效性强弱顺序为CdPbMnCuCo,其中Cd和Pb的K0.8,属于生物可利用性元素;Mn、Cu、Co的K值在0.4~0.7之间,属于潜在生物可利用性元素。健康风险评价表明:成人的致癌风险比儿童大,尤其Cd对成年人存在潜在的致癌风险,且成年男性高于成年女性;Mn存在潜在非致癌风险,且对儿童的风险最大。     

Characterization of chemical species in universal sampler (PM2.5 and PM2.5–10) aerosols in suburban area of central Taiwan

Aerosol samples of particulate and chemical species for PM₁₀ (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 μm) collected by Universal sampler were studied from June to August 1998 in the suburban area of central Taiwan. The ratios of PM_2.5/PM_2.5–10 displayed that the fine particles (particle size < 2.5 μm) are prevailing in the suburban site. Ion Chromatography was used to analyze for the water‐soluble ions: sulphate and nitrate in the Universal samples. Also, the collected samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the elemental analysis of Ca, Fe, Pb, Cu and Cr. The results indicated that the crustal elements (Ca and Fe) and resuspended matters were dominated in the coarse particulate mode while the anthropogenic elements (Cr, Pb, Cu) and sulphate components are mainly in the fine particle fraction. The results also showed that the sulphate and nitrate make the largest portion of the chemical species collected by Universal sampler (PMio). The concentrations of heavy metals in THU are generally high, owing to the higher motor vehicle and industrial density nearby. The degree of pollution from this source differs from day to day, depending on the motor vehicle density.     

Outdoor air particle-bound trace metals in four selected communities in Ibadan,Nigeria

Trace metal concentrations were determined in particulate matter (PM₁₀) in ambient air of four purposively selected residential areas in Ibadan, Nigeria namely Bodija market (BM), Ojo Park (OP), Oluyole Estate (OE) and University of Ibadan (UI). PM₁₀ was determined in the morning (7–10 a.m.) and afternoon (2–5 p.m.) for 12 weeks in the dry season months of January–March using a volumetric sampler following standard procedures and levels compared with WHO guideline limits. Glass-fibre filter papers exposed to the particulate matter were digested using appropriate acid mixtures, and the digest analysed for trace metals including Ni, Cr, Mn, Zn, and Pb using ICPMS method and levels compared with WHO limits. Data was analysed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation test at 5 % level of significance. The highest mean PM₁₀ concentrations 502.3 ± 39.9 μg/m³ were recorded in the afternoon period at BM, while the lowest concentration 220.6 ± 69.9 μg/m³ was observed in the morning hours at UI. There was a significant difference between the PM₁₀ levels across the various locations (p < 0.05), and all the levels were higher than WHO limit of 50 μg/m³. The highest levels of Ni, Zn and Pb were recorded at BM, which also had the highest PM₁₀ burden. The trend in Pb levels across the locations was BM > UI > OP > OE with the highest level 5.70 μg/m³ in BM nearly fourfolds WHO limits of 1.5 μg/m³. There was a significant correlation between PM₁₀ and Ni (p < 0.05).Urban communities with increased human activities especially motor traffic recorded both higher levels of PM₁₀ and toxic trace metals. There is need to carry out source apportionment to establish the origin of these trace metals in future studies.     

Evaluation of the levels and sources of trace elements in urban particulate matter

An assessment of air quality of Belgrade, Serbia, was performed by determining the trace element content in airborne daily PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 samples collected from a central urban area. The ambient concentrations of Zn were the highest in PM_2.5 (1,998.0 ng m⁻³). Multivariate receptor modelling (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) has been applied to determine the contribution of different sources of specific metallic components in airborne particles. The obtained results showed that vehicle traffic and fossil fuel combustion in stationary objects were the main sources of trace metals in Belgrade urban aerosols.     

Environmental impact of leaching of trace elements from fly ash dumps on aquatic ecosystems

Ten sampling points were selected in Kanhan River, situated near the ash dump sites of Koradi Thermal Power Plant, Nagpur. The leaching of trace elements from fly ash dumps was experimentally determined by acid digestion, batch leaching and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure tests. Elemental concentrations in river water, sediment, plankton and five commonly prevailing fish species (Catla catla, Labeo bata, Cyprinus carpio, Cirrhinus reba, Puntius ticto) were determined using a Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons. Metal concentrations (Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Ni, Cu and Pb) in river water were higher during the pre-monsoon season compared to the post-monsoon season. Zn (30.65?mg/kg) was observed to be the most predominant metal in plankton during the pre-monsoon season while, during the post-monsoon season, Fe (21.19?mg/kg) showed the maximum concentration. Muscles of C. catla had metal concentrations (Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu and Pb) above the permissible limits of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO 1983) during the pre-monsoon season. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) was found highest for Cr (37.5) in muscles of C. catla during the pre-monsoon season, while BAF was observed to be maximum in L. bata for Cu (28.09), which may be detrimental for human consumption.     

Trace metal content in inhalable particulate matter (PM<Subscript>2.5–10</Subscript> and PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript>) collected from historical mine waste deposits using a laboratory-based approach

Mine wastes and tailings are considered hazardous to human health because of their potential to generate large quantities of highly toxic emissions of particulate matter (PM). Human exposure to As and other trace metals in PM may occur via inhalation of airborne particulates or through ingestion of contaminated dust. This study describes a laboratory-based method for extracting PM_2.5–10 (coarse) and PM_2.5 (fine) particles from As-rich mine waste samples collected from an historical gold mining region in regional, Victoria, Australia. We also report on the trace metal and metalloid content of the coarse and fine fraction, with an emphasis on As as an element of potential concern. Laser diffraction analysis showed that the proportions of coarse and fine particles in the bulk samples ranged between 3.4–26.6 and 0.6–7.6 %, respectively. Arsenic concentrations were greater in the fine fraction (1680–26,100 mg kg^?1) compared with the coarse fraction (1210–22,000 mg kg^?1), and Co, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sb and Zn were found to be present in the fine fraction at levels around twice those occurring in the coarse. These results are of particular concern given that fine particles can accumulate in the human respiratory system. Our study demonstrates that mine wastes may be an important source of metal-enriched PM for mining communities.     

Biomagnification of trace elements in a benthic food web: the case study of Deer Island (Northern Yellow Sea)

In this study, we investigated the concentrations of ten trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As) and their trophodynamics in a benthic food chain of Deer Island, Northern Yellow Sea. The concentrations of Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As in the food chain ranged from 3.2 to 23.2, from 71 to 227, from 7.4 to 45.6, from 0.44 to 5.80, from 0.73 to 7.60, from 0.14 to 1.65, from 0.68 to 6.70, from 0.08 to 1.86, from 0.08 to 1.18, and from 0.24 to 3.92 mg kg^?1 dry weight, respectively. Among these trace elements, the linear regression between the log-transformed concentrations of Hg and Cd and δ¹⁵N values showed statistically significant increase (p<0.05) with the slopes of 0.134 and 0.144, indicating biomagnification of Hg and Cd occurred in the benthic food chain of Deer Island. While the linear regression for other eight trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, Ni, Cr, Pb and As) were characterised by extensive scatter with non-significant correlation coefficients (R ²=0.002–0.235) and slopes (p=0.079–0.875), indicating there were not biomagnified or biodiluted of these trace elements.     

Metals and metalloids in PM10 in Nandan County,Guangxi, China,and the health risks posed

Intense mining, smelting, and tailing activities of polymetallic ore deposits have affected the environment in Nandan County, Guangxi, China. Samples of particulates with aerodynamic diameters low or equal 10 μm (PM₁₀) were collected in Nandan County to investigate the concentrations of and health risks posed by 17 metals and metalloids in the PM₁₀. The metal and metalloid concentrations were lower than those found in other industrial cities. The mean Cr concentration was 7.48 ng/m³. Significant higher metal and metalloid concentrations were found in PM₁₀ from mining areas (Dachang and Chehe) than from the control area (Liuzhai) (p < 0.05). Principal component analysis indicated that the main sources of Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, Na, and Sr were resuspension of the soil produced through mineral erosion, the main sources of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn were smelting and mining activities, and the main source of Ni was fossil fuel combustion. Higher non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were posed in Dachang and Chehe than in Liuzhai. The non-carcinogenic risks posed to adults and children by individual metals and metalloids in PM₁₀ at all the sites were low, but the non-carcinogenic risks posed to children by all the metals and metalloids together exceeded the safe level (i.e., risk value > 1). The carcinogenic risks posed by Cd, Ni, and Pb were negligible at all sites, while As, Co, and Cr posed potential carcinogenic risks to the residents.