Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China

IF 10.3 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Environment International Pub Date : 2025-04-01 DOI:10.1016/j.envint.2025.109439

Mo Yang , Xuan Liu , Shu-Li Xu , Xin-Feng Wang , Marjut Roponen , Nan-Xiang Jin , Jing-Wen Huang , Qi-Zhen Wu , Chu Chu , Ming-Kun Sun , Wen-Wen Bao , Li-Zi Lin , Zhao-Huan Gui , Ru-Qing Liu , Li-Wen Hu , Bin Xu , Guang-Hui Dong , Pasi I. Jalava

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Abstract

Most studies focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in dust or particle phase, leaving PFAS in PM₁ particles in urban areas poorly understood. This study investigated PFAS levels and sources in ambient PM₁ from 94 primary and secondary schools across six cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during October to December 2018. We analyzed 32 PFAS compounds in PM₁, with total PFAS levels at 58.92 pg/m³, ranging from 7.33 to 341.77 pg/m³. Perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) dominated (median: 38.85 pg/m³), followed by perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, median: 11.92 pg/m³), alternatives (median: 1.24 pg/m³), and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors (median: 0.29 pg/m³). The main source for PFAS was organic synthesis industries (47.91 %). Air masses originated from southern China, the east coast, and the South China Sea. PFAS showed positive correlations with cations and anions. Health risk assessment using estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) found very low inhalation risk (HQ < 1). Our results highlight pollution from local industrial production and the eastern coastal areas as being the primary contributor to airborne PFAS in PRD schools. Elevated PFAS levels in PM₁ present potential health risks, and their interactions with other pollutants in PM₁ reflect their complex origins and behaviors.

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珠江三角洲地区环境PM1中全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质的浓度、来源及健康风险

大多数研究集中在粉尘或颗粒阶段的全氟烷基和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）浓度，对城市地区PM1颗粒中的PFAS知之甚少。本研究调查了2018年10月至12月珠江三角洲6个城市94所中小学环境PM1中PFAS的水平和来源。我们分析了PM1中的32种PFAS化合物，总PFAS水平为58.92 pg/m3，范围为7.33至341.77 pg/m3。全氟烷基磺酸（pfsa）占主导地位（中位数：38.85 pg/m3），其次是全氟烷基羧酸（PFCAs，中位数：11.92 pg/m3）、替代品（中位数：1.24 pg/m3）和全氟烷基酸（PFAA）前体（中位数：0.29 pg/m3）。PFAS的主要来源是有机合成工业（47.91 %）。气团主要来自中国南部、东海岸和南海。PFAS与阳离子、阴离子呈正相关。使用估计每日摄入量（EDI）和危害商（HQ）进行的健康风险评估发现，吸入风险非常低(HQ <；1)我们的研究结果强调，本地工业生产和东部沿海地区的污染是珠三角学校空气中PFAS的主要来源。PM1中PFAS水平升高存在潜在的健康风险，它们与PM1中其他污染物的相互作用反映了它们复杂的起源和行为。

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来源期刊

Environment International 环境科学-环境科学

CiteScore

21.90

自引率

3.40%

发文量

734

审稿时长

2.8 months

期刊介绍： Environmental Health publishes manuscripts focusing on critical aspects of environmental and occupational medicine, including studies in toxicology and epidemiology, to illuminate the human health implications of exposure to environmental hazards. The journal adopts an open-access model and practices open peer review. It caters to scientists and practitioners across all environmental science domains, directly or indirectly impacting human health and well-being. With a commitment to enhancing the prevention of environmentally-related health risks, Environmental Health serves as a public health journal for the community and scientists engaged in matters of public health significance concerning the environment.