Health risk assessment of trace elements of ambient PM 2.5 under monsoon patterns
Journal
Chemosphere
Journal Volume
264
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
In order to identify the contribution to health risk derived from various emission sources, this study investigated monsoon variations in PM2.5 mass and concentrations of the associated trace elements in a region with complex pollution sources in central Taiwan. This study applied the Chemical Mass Balance model to analyze the source contribution of PM2.5. The source apportionment to obtain the risk contribution of different sources were conducted for different monsoon periods according to the monsoon patterns. In this way, the contributions of individual sources and chemicals to health risk under different monsoon types can be understood to support development of effective control strategies. Among the top contributors of PM2.5 during the north-east monsoon were Secondary Aerosol 28.93% >Coal Boiler 19.82% >Crustal Dust 15.99%; in south-west monsoon were Coal Boiler 37.29% >Traffic Emission 21.19% >Secondary Aerosol 17.84%. The total risk of cancer was above the acceptable risk (3.07 × 10−6), while the non-carcinogenic risk was within the acceptable range (0.262). The variation in the concentration and composition of PM2.5 was related to the change of monsoon type. During the north-east monsoon, the air mass had a long transmission distance and the PM2.5 concentration was relatively high. During the south-west monsoon, the air mass had a short transmission distance and the composition was mainly influenced by nearby emission sources, which resulted in higher risk due to chemical characteristics. To provide sound air quality management, attention should be paid to the composition of PM2.5 in addition to its concentration. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd
Subjects
Fine particulate matter; Receptor model; Risk assessment; Source apportionment; Trace element
Other Subjects
Aerosols; Air quality; Atmospheric thermodynamics; Boilers; Chemical analysis; Coal dust; Health; Health risks; Quality management; Trace elements; Transmissions; Chemical characteristic; Chemical mass balance model; Control strategies; PM2.5 concentration; Secondary aerosols; Source apportionment; Source contributions; Transmission distances; Risk assessment; aluminum; arsenic; barium; cadmium; calcium; chloride; chromium; coal; cobalt; copper; iron; lead; magnesium; manganese; nickel; potassium; selenium; sodium; strontium; trace element; vanadium; zinc; air mass; air quality; ambient air; cancer; chemical mass balance; concentration (composition); health risk; monsoon; particulate matter; pollutant source; risk assessment; source apportionment; trace element; aerosol; air quality; ambient air; Article; boiler; control strategy; dust; health hazard; monsoon climate; particulate matter 2.5; risk assessment; air pollutant; air pollution; environmental monitoring; particulate matter; risk assessment; season; Taiwan; Taiwan; Air Pollutants; Air Pollution; Environmental Monitoring; Particulate Matter; Risk Assessment; Seasons; Taiwan; Trace Elements
Type
journal article