FTIR analysis and evaluation of carcinogenic and mutagenic risks of nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in PM1.0

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 541; pp. 1151 - 1160
• Main Authors: Schneider, Ismael Luís, Teixeira, Elba Calesso, Agudelo-Castañeda, Dayana Milena, Silva e Silva, Gabriel, Balzaretti, Naira, Braga, Marcel Ferreira, Oliveira, Luís Felipe Silva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 15.01.2016
• Subjects: Carcinogenicity Tests; Carcinogens - analysis; Emissivity; Environmental Monitoring - methods; FTIR; Mutagens - analysis; NPAH; Particulate Matter - analysis; Particulate Matter - toxicity; PM1.0; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - toxicity; Risk Assessment; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Toxicity; Transmittance; Emissivity; Toxicity; NPAH; Transmittance; PM1.0; FTIR; PM(1.0)
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.09.142

Nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) represent a group of organic compounds of significant interest due to their presence in airborne particulates of urban centers, wide distribution in the environment, and mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. These compounds, associated with atmospheric particles of size <1μm, have been reported as a major risk to human health. This study aims at identifying the spectral features of NPAHs (1-nitropyrene, 2-nitrofluorene, and 6-nitrochrysene) in emissivity and transmittance spectra of samples of particulate matter <1μm (PM1.0) using infrared spectrometry. Carcinogenic and mutagenic risks of the studied NPAHs associated with PM1.0 samples were also determined for two sampling sites: Canoas and Sapucaia do Sul. The results showed that NPAH standard spectra can effectively identify NPAHs in PM1.0 samples. The transmittance and emissivity sample spectra showed broader bands and lower relative intensity than the standard NPAH spectra. The carcinogenic risk and the total mutagenic risk were calculated using the toxic equivalent factors and mutagenic potency factors, respectively. Canoas showed the highest total carcinogenic risk, while Sapucaia do Sul had the highest mutagenic risk. The seasonal analysis suggested that in the study area the ambient air is more toxic during the cold periods. These findings might of significant importance for the decision and policy making authorities. [Display omitted] •Emissivity and transmittance spectra of nitro-PAHs in PM1.0 samples using FTIR•Solid standards results allowed effectively identifying nitro-PAHs in PM1.0.•Main spectral features of nitro-PAHs occurred between 1300 and 1600cm−1.•Samples showed broader bands with lower intensity than the NPAH standards.•PM1.0 samples presented higher carcinogenic than mutagenic risk.