ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the pollution characteristics and potential health risks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Qingshan District, Wuhan. Methods The PM2.5 samples were collected in Qingshan District of Wuhan for 7 days every and each month from the year 2016 to 2017. The components were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The potential health risks were assessed based on the standard method recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Results The average annual mass concentration of PM2.5 was 60.06 μg/m3, exceeding the ambient air quality standard of China. The average annual mass concentration of 4 water-soluble anions and cations was 17.80 μg/m3, accounting for 31.40% of PM2.5. The sum of NO3- and SO42- accounted for more than 70% of the total ions with an average ratio of 0.72, and the source was mainly the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. The average annual mass concentration of 12 metal elements in PM2.5 was 0.27 μg/m3, with the main elements being Al, Pb, and Mn. The average concentration of As and Cr exceeded the annual average limit of ambient air quality standards. The annual average concentration of 16 types of PAHs was 15.72 ng/m3, of which the average BaP concentration was 1.32 ng/m3 in 2016, which was higher than the second-level limit in China, and 0.63 ng/m3 in 2017, which was lower than the limit. The risk assessment results showed that the percentile distribution of chronic non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects of both PAHs and As was relatively high, while Mn had certain chronic non-carcinogenic health risks, and Cr and Cd had certain carcinogenic risks. Conclusion In recent years, the air quality pollution in Qingshan District of Wuhan had been reduced, but it was still higher than the secondary air quality standard of China. The chronic non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic effects of some elements in PM2.5 exceeded acceptable levels, , which should be further emphasized.