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Source apportionment of the carcinogenic potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) associated to airborne PM10 by a PMF model

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Abstract

In order to perform a study of the carcinogenic potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), benzo(a)pyrene equivalent (BaP-eq) concentration was calculated and modelled by a receptor model based on positive matrix factorization (PMF). Nineteen PAH associated to airborne PM10 of Zaragoza, Spain, were quantified during the sampling period 2001–2009 and used as potential variables by the PMF model. Afterwards, multiple linear regression analysis was used to quantify the potential sources of BaP-eq. Five sources were obtained as the optimal solution and vehicular emission was identified as the main carcinogenic source (35 %) followed by heavy-duty vehicles (28 %), light-oil combustion (18 %), natural gas (10 %) and coal combustion (9 %). Two of the most prevailing directions contributing to this carcinogenic character were the NE and N directions associated with a highway, industrial parks and a paper factory. The lifetime lung cancer risk exceeded the unit risk of 8.7 × 10−5 per ng/m3 BaP in both winter and autumn seasons and the most contributing source was the vehicular emission factor becoming an important issue in control strategies.

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Acknowledgements

Authors would like to thank Aula Dei-CSIC (Dr R. Gracia) for the meteorological data and the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICIIN) for supporting the project CGL2009-14113-C02-01 and the Plan E for the co-funding. They would also like to thank the MICIIN for the contract of A.I. and the MICYT for the Ramon y Cajal contract of J.M.L.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Carboquímica (ICB-CSIC), C/ Miguel Luesma Castán, 4, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain

    M. S. Callén, A. Iturmendi, J. M. López & A. M. Mastral

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  1. M. S. Callén
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  2. A. Iturmendi
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  3. J. M. López
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  4. A. M. Mastral
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Correspondence to M. S. Callén.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

Highlights

► Benzo(a)pyrene equivalent concentration was modelled by positive matrix factorization.

► Five sources associated with combustion processes were obtained by the PMF model.

► Vehicular emissions factor was identified as the dominant carcinogenic source.

► The impact of local PAH pollution sources was reflected by CPF.

► Lifetime lung cancer risk exceeded the WHO unit risk in winter and autumn seasons.

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Callén, M.S., Iturmendi, A., López, J.M. et al. Source apportionment of the carcinogenic potential of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) associated to airborne PM10 by a PMF model. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 2064–2076 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-2116-9

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