Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 Particle Fractions and Their Carcinogenic Activity

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the first atmospheric pollutants identified as suspected carcinogens. The aim of this study was to compare concentrations of PAHs bound to particle fractions PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 and to estimate their carcinogenic potency. Measurements of ten PAHs were carried out in 2014 at an urban location in the northern part of Zagreb, Croatia. The total carcinogenic potency (TCP) of PAHs was estimated by calculating benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentrations using toxic equivalence factors. The average TCPs for the overall period were 4.287, 1.898 and 1.630 ng/m3 for PM10, PM2.5 and PM1, respectively. The lowest TCP was recorded in summer and the highest in winter. The highest contributions to the TCP were from benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and benzo(b)fluoranthene, together contributing 91-94% across all fractions and seasons.