The Health Risks of Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Upper North Thailand. (7th April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kongpran, Jira; Kliengchuay, Wissanupong; Niampradit, Sarima; Sahanavin, Narut; Siriratruengsuk, Weerayuth; Tantrakarnapa, Kraichat
• Is Part Of: GeoHealth. Volume 5:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-04-07
• Subjects: health risk assessment -- north Thailand -- PAHs -- PM2.5; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.98
• DOI: 10.1029/2020GH000352
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-1403

Abstract

Abstract: Every year, Northern Thailand faces haze pollution during the haze episode. The particulate matter (PM), including fine fraction (PM2.5 ), a coarse fraction (PM2.5–10 ), and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), was measured in six provinces in upper north Thailand during the haze and non‐haze episodes in 2018. Eighty‐three percent of the PM2.5 measurements (21.8–194.0 µg/m 3 ) during the haze episode exceeded the national ambient air quality standard in Thailand. All 16 PAHs were detected in the study area in both periods. The average concentration of total PAHs (particle‐bound and gas‐phase) during the haze episode was 134.7 ± 80.4 ng/m 3, which was about 26 times higher than those in the non‐haze (5.1 ± 9.7 µg/m 3 ). Naphthalene and acenaphthene were the dominant PAHs in the gas phase; whereas, indeno[123‐cd] pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and Benzo[ghi]Perylene were dominant in the particle‐bound phase. The estimated inhalation excess cancer risk from PAHs exposure was 9.3 × 10 −4 and 2.5 × 10 −5 in the haze episode and non‐haze, respectively. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis revealed that PAHs were derived from mixed sources of vehicle emission and solid combustion in the haze episode and vehicle emission in the non‐haze period. High pollution levels of PM and large cancer risk attributable to the exposure of PAHs in the haze episode suggest urgent countermeasures to reduce the source emission, especially from the solid combustion in the area. Plain Language Summary: Northern Thailand has been faced with air pollution every year, particularly in the dry season. The concerning pollutant is particulate matter (PM), namely: fine particle (PM2.5 ) and coarse particles (PM2.5–10 ). Some hazard substances were contaminated in the air and also bounded inside PMs like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), some of them are classified as harmful to human health. This study investigated the PM2.5 concentrations and PAHs in the upper north of Thailand. PM2.5 concentrations was exceeded the national ambient air quality standard of Thailand in dry period so‐called haze period, moreover, PAHs concentration on haze period was 26 times higher than the non‐haze period. This research indicated that cancer risk due to PAHs exposure during the haze period was 9.3 × 10 −4 whereas it was 2.5 × 10 −5 in the non‐haze period. The findings of this research will be scientific information supporting the local government to provide intervention or mitigation measures to reduce air pollution or preparedness response plan. Key Points: Eighty‐three percent of the PM2.5 measurements (21.8–194.0 μg/m 3 ) during the haze episode exceeded the ambient air quality standard in Thailand The average concentration of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the haze episode was about 26 times higher than those in the non‐haze Indeno[123‐cd] pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and Benzo[ghi]Perylene were dominant in the particle‐bound phase