| Title: | Altitudinal and spatial variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Nepal: Implications on source apportionment and risk assessment |
| Author(s): | Yadav IC; Devi NL; Li J; Zhang G; |
| Address: | "State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China; Department of International Environmental and Agricultural Science (IEAS), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) 3-5-8, Saiwai-Cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 1838509, Japan. Electronic address: icyadav.bhu@gmail.com. Centre for Environmental Sciences, Central University of South Bihar, BIT Campus Patna, 800014, Bihar, India. State Key Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.075 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1879-1298 (Electronic) 0045-6535 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Although several global/regional studies have detailed the high level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urban areas worldwide, unfortunately, Nepal has never been part of any global/regional regular monitoring plan. Despite few sporadic studies exist, the systematic monitoring and integrated concentration of PAHs in urban region of Nepal are lacking. In this study, the concentrations, sources, and health risk assessment of 16 PAHs in air (n?ª+=?ª+34) were investigated in suspected source areas/more densely populated regions of Nepal. Four potential source areas in Nepal were focused as it was conjectured that urban centers in plain areas (Birgunj and Biratnagar) would possibly be more influenced by PAHs as a result of intense biomass/crop residue burning than those in hilly areas (Kathmandu and Pokhara). The overall concentrations of summation operator(16)PAHs ranged from 4.3 to 131?ª+ng/m(3) (median 33.3?ª+ng/m(3)). summation operator(16)PAH concentrations in plain areas were two folds higher than those in hilly areas. PHE was the most abundant followed by FLUA, PYR, and NAP, which accounted for 36%, 15%, 12%, and 9% of summation operator(16)PAHs, respectively. Principal component analysis confirmed that PAHs in highly urbanized areas (Kathmandu and Pokhara) were related to diesel exhausts and coal combustion, while PAHs in less urbanized regions (Birgunj and Biratnagar) originated from biomass and domestic wood combustions. Furthermore, in the urban areas of Nepal, vehicular emission could also influence atmospheric PAHs. The lifetime cancer risk per million populations due to PAH exposures was estimated to be higher for plain areas than that for hilly areas, suggesting a relatively greater risk of cancer in people living in plain areas" |
| Keywords: | Air Pollutants/*analysis Altitude China Coal/analysis *Environmental Monitoring Humans Nepal Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/*analysis Risk Assessment Urbanization Vehicle Emissions/analysis Wood/chemistry Biomass burning Diesel exhausts Petrogenic Pyrog; |
| Notes: | "MedlineYadav, Ishwar Chandra Devi, Ningombam Linthoingambi Li, Jun Zhang, Gan eng England 2018/02/09 Chemosphere. 2018 May; 198:386-396. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.01.075. Epub 2018 Feb 3" |
