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. 2022 Nov 1;19(21):14281.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114281.

Chemical Composition, Sources, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5 and PM10 in Urban Sites of Bangkok, Thailand

Mushtaq Ahmad  1   2 , Thanaphum Manjantrarat  1 , Wachiraya Rattanawongsa  3 , Phitchaya Muensri  3 , Rattaporn Saenmuangchin  3 , Annop Klamchuen  3 , Sasitorn Aueviriyavit  3 , Kanokwan Sukrak  1 , Wiyong Kangwansupamonkon  3   4 , Sirima Panyametheekul  1   5   6
Affiliations

Chemical Composition, Sources, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5 and PM10 in Urban Sites of Bangkok, Thailand

Mushtaq Ahmad et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Of late, air pollution in Asia has increased, particularly in built-up areas due to rapid industrialization and urbanization. The present study sets out to examine the impact that pollution can have on the health of people living in the inner city of Bangkok, Thailand. Consequently, in 2021, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and coarse particulate matter (PM10) chemical composition and sources are evaluated at three locations in Bangkok. To identify the possible sources of such particulates, therefore, the principal component analysis (PCA) technique is duly carried out. As determined via PCA, the major sources of air pollution in Bangkok are local emission sources and sea salt. The most significant local sources of PM2.5 and PM10 in Bangkok include primary combustion, such as vehicle emissions, coal combustion, biomass burning, secondary aerosol formation, industrial emissions, and dust sources. Except for the hazard quotient (HQ) of Ni and Mn of PM2.5 for adults, the HQ values of As, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Ni of both PM2.5 and PM10 were below the safe level (HQ = 1) for adults and children. This indicates that exposure to these metals would have non-carcinogenic health effects. Except for the carcinogenic risk (HI) value of Cr of PM2.5 and PM10, which can cause cancer in adults, at Bangna and Din Daeng, the HI values of Cd, Ni, As, and Pb of PM2.5 and PM10 are below the limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). Ni and Mn pose non-carcinogenic risks, whereas Cr poses carcinogenic risks to adults via inhalation, a serious threat to the residents of Bangkok.

Keywords: air pollution; fine and coarse particles; principal component analysis; risk assessment; source apportionment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The map of Bangkok metropolitan area, highlighting the sampling locations (Ari, Din Daeng, and Bangna).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Meteorological parameters, such as temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and wind direction, during the sampling period in Bangkok metropolitan area, Thailand.
Figure 3
Figure 3
PM and its carbonaceous species at Ari, Din Daeng, and Bangna, Bangkok, Thailand.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Scatter plots for OC and EC: PM2.5 and PM10 for Ari, Din Daeng, and Bangna, Bangkok, Thailand.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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