Distribution, inhalation and health risk of PM2.5 related PAHs in indoor environments

To investigate the potential cancer risk resulting from exposure to air pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) bound to airborne particles (PM2.5) were assessed in one outdoor environment and four indoor environments before and during the Spring Festival of 2015. The average total PAH concentration was site dependent, and the concentration decreased before and during the Spring Festival. Fluoranthene (Flt) was the most commonly occurring among the 16 priority PAHs, and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) accounted for the largest portion of the total carcinogenic potency of PAHs in PM2.5. The average BaP levels, in both indoor and outdoor environments, considerably exceeded the maximum permissible risk level of 1 ng/m(3). Hazard quotients were found to be much less than 1, indicating little risk in terms of non-carcinogenic effects. Carcinogenic health risks resulting from possible carcinogens were determined to be much less than 1.00E-06. According to the California and WHO reference protocol, using empty room data to estimate the carcinogenic health risk produced values that were 10% lower than those calculated using outdoor environmental data.