Spatial distribution, sources identification, and health risk assessment polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds and polychlorinated biphenyl compounds in total suspended particulates (TSP) in the air of South Pars Industrial region-Iran

• Published in: Environmental geochemistry and health 2023-05, Vol.45 (5), p.1635-1653
• Main Authors: Ghadrshenas, Alireza, Tabatabaie, Tayebeh, Amiri, Fazel, Pazira, Abdul Rahim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air sampling; Aromatic compounds; Aromatic hydrocarbons; Biphenyl Compounds - analysis; Cancer; Carcinogenesis; Carcinogens; Carcinogens - analysis; Carcinogens - toxicity; Chromatography; Coal - analysis; Combustion; Disposal sites; Distribution; Dust - analysis; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Environmental protection; Fossils; Gas chromatography; Geochemistry; Geographical information systems; Health risks; Humans; Industrial areas; Industrial energy; Ingestion; Iran; Mass spectrometry; Mass spectroscopy; Neoplasms - chemically induced; Neoplasms - epidemiology; Original Paper; Particulates; PCB; Petrochemicals; Pigments; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Polychlorinated Biphenyls - analysis; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Compounds - analysis; Power plants; Public Health; Residential areas; Risk Assessment; Soil Science & Conservation; Spatial distribution; Sugarcane; Suspended particulate matter; Terrestrial Pollution; Urban areas; Waste disposal; Waste disposal sites
• ISSN: 0269-4042; 1573-2983
• DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01286-w

South Pars Industrial Energy Zone, located in the southwest of Iran along the Persian Gulf coast, encompasses many industrial units in the vicinity of urban areas. This research study investigated the effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human health and the environment. Suspended particulate matters (SPM) in the air sampled, in summer and winter 2019, from ten stations next to industrial units and residential areas. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Spatial distribution maps of pollutants in the region were prepared using GIS software. The highest carcinogenic risk due to PAHs and PCBs measured as ( 6.07 × 10 - 6 ± 1.85822 × 10 - 6 ) and ( 8.80 × 10 - 8 ± 2.76786 × 10 - 8 ) , respectively. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency limit ( 1 × 10 - 6 ), the cancer risks from PAH compounds were significant and need further investigation. The PCB cancer risks were within acceptable ranges. The highest adsorption ratios for PAHs were obtained through skin and PCBs by ingestion. The maximum measured non-carcinogenic hazard indexes (HI) turned out to be 0.037 and 0.023 for PAH and PCB, respectively, and were reported as acceptable risks. The predominant source of PAH in industrial areas was liquid fossil combustion, and in urban areas replaced by coal-wood-sugarcane combustion. Petrochemical complexes, flares, power plants (69%), electric waste disposal sites, and commercial pigments (31%) were reported as PCB sources. Industries activities were the most effective factors in producing the highest level of carcinogenic compounds in the region, and it is necessary to include essential measures in the reform programs.