Indoor generated PM2.5 compositions and volatile organic compounds: Potential sources and health risk implications

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 255; p. 126932
• Main Authors: Idris, Siti Amira ‘Ainaa’, Hanafiah, Marlia M., Khan, Md Firoz, Hamid, Haris Hafizal Abd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2020
• Subjects: BTEX; Heavy metals; Human toxicity; Indoor air quality; Particulate matter; Human toxicity; BTEX; Particulate matter; Heavy metals; Indoor air quality
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126932

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential sources of heavy metals in fine air particles (PM2.5) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and isomeric xylenes (BTEX) in gas phase indoor air. PM2.5 samples were collected using a low volume sampler. BTEX samples were collected using passive sampling onto sorbent tubes and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the lower and upper floors of the evaluated building, the concentrations of PM2.5 were 96.4 ± 2.70 μg/m3 and 80.2 ± 3.11 μg/m3, respectively. The compositions of heavy metals in PM2.5 were predominated by iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and aluminum (Al) with concentration of 500 ± 50.07 ng/m3, 466 ± 77.38 ng/m3, and 422 ± 147.38 ng/m3. A principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the main sources of BTEX were originated from vehicle emissions and exacerbate because of temperature variations. Hazard quotient results for BTEX showed that the compounds were below acceptable limits and thus did not possess potential carcinogenic risks. However, a measured output of lifetime cancer probability revealed that benzene and ethylbenzene posed definite carcinogenic risks. Pollutants that originated from heavy traffic next to the sampling site contributed to the indoor pollution. [Display omitted] •Potential sources of heavy metals in indoor PM2.5 and BTEXs were investigated.•The hazard quotients of BTEX were in acceptable limit.•Integrated lifetime cancer risk of benzene exceeds the risk level.•Transportation, soil dust and anthropogenic activities were predominant sources.