Particle size distributions and health risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furans, polychlorinated biphenyls, and polychlorinated naphthalenes in atmospheric particles around two secondary copper smelters in Shandong Province, China

摘要

Sixteen samples of atmospheric particles in four size fractions (diameter: 10 mm, 5-10 mm, 2.5-5 mm, and 2.5 mm) were collected around two secondary copper smelters in Shandong Province, China. The levels, particle size distributions, and potential health risks of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/furans (PCDD/Fs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs), and polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) in these samples were analyzed. The concentration ranges for the PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and PCNs were 3.13-5.77 pg m(-3), 0.43-0.56 pg m(-3), and 4.76-9.89 pg m(-3), respectively. All of the compounds accumulated strongly in the particles with diameters of 2.5 mm. The congener profiles of PCDD/Fs in particles of various sizes were similar, and were consistent with those in stack gases from local secondary copper smelters. However, the congener profiles of dl-PCBs and PCNs in the particles with diameters of 2.5 mm differed from those for the other particle size fractions. The proportion of highly chlorinated homologs in particles with diameters of 2.5 mm was much higher than that of particles with diameters of 2.5 mm. The results of a risk assessment indicated that the contribution of PCDD/Fs to the total carcinogenic risk (PCDD/Fs thorn dl-PCBs thorn PCNs) was 95%. For the PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and PCNs, 78%, 71%, and 86% of the carcinogenic risk was associated with the 2.5 mm fraction, respectively. This study improves our understanding of the particle size distributions and human health risks of exposure to PCDD/Fs, dl-PCBs, and PCNs in the atmosphere around secondary copper smelters. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.