Characteristics of perfluoroalkyl acids in atmospheric PM10 from the coastal cities of the Bohai and Yellow Seas, Northern China. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, ShuangYu; Liu, WeiJian; Xu, YunSong; Zhao, YongZhi; Wang, Pei; Wang, Xin; Li, XinYue; Cai, ChuanYang; Liu, Yang; Xiong, GuanNan; Tao, Shu; Liu, WenXin
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 243(2018)Part B
• Page Start: 1894
• Page End: 1903
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: PM10 -- Coastal city in northern China -- PFAAs -- Spatial distribution -- Compositional profile -- Seasonal variation; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: The concentration distributions, compositional profiles and seasonal variations of 17 perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameters < 10 μm) were determined in seven coastal cities of the Bohai and Yellow Seas. The detection rates of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and short-chain components (perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with ≤7 carbon atoms and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs) with ≤5 carbon atoms) were much higher than those of other long-chain PFAA species. The annual average concentration of total PFAAs in PM10 ranged from 23.6 pg/m 3 to 94.5 pg/m 3 for the sampling cities. The monthly mean concentrations of PFAAs in PM10 in some sampling cities reached a peak value in winter, while no significant seasonal differences presented in other cities. High concentrations of PFAAs in the northern cities generally occurred during the local heating period (from November to March). Generally, the dominant components of PFAAs were PFOA and perfluorobutyric acid (PFBA). Some significantly positive correlations ( p < 0.01) between the 10 dominant components were revealed in the sampling cities, which implied similar sources and fate behaviors. Based on the simulated 72-hr backward trajectory tracking of air masses, the clustering results demonstrated the sampling cities were affected mainly by the atmospheric transport in sequence from the northwest, the southwest and the open seas, and many transport trajectories of air masses passed by the local fluorine chemical manufacturers in Liaoning, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Hubei Provinces. The estimated average daily intake (ADI) corresponding to the residents in different age groups indicated insignificant contributions to PFOA and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exposures by inhalation of PM10 compared to ingestion by daily diet, while the higher ADI of PFOA than the reported levels for adults should be a concern. The calculated hazard ratios (HR) exhibited low noncancer risks by inhalation exposure to PFOA and PFOS in PM10 . Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Higher levels of PFAAs occurred during the local heating period. PFOA and PFBA were predominant in compositional profiles. Significant positive correlations occurred among the dominant components. Backward trajectory tracking indicated a remarkable influence from passing the fluorine industry. Local human health risks from inhalation exposure to PFOA and PFOS in PM10 were insignificant. Abstract : PFOA and PFBA were the dominant components of PFAAs in PM10 from the coastal cities of northern China, and higher concentrations of PFAAs occurred in the local heating period.