Exposure to atmospheric particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the vicinity of two cement plants in Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

Total Suspended Particle (TSP) samples (n = 110) were collected daily from two sites located in the vicinity of a large industrial complex dedicated to cement manufacturing in Córdoba province, Argentina. The levels of 14 out of the 16 target Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined. The results obtained show the contribution of this industrial activity to local dust and particle-bound PAH levels, affecting two of the closest neighborhoods in the area (Yocsina and Malagueño). Individual PAHs ranged from 0.01 to 6.81 ng m−3, and mean concentrations of Σ14PAHs in Yocsina and Malagueño were 6.97 and 18.13 ng m−3, respectively. Of these PAHs, Naphthalene (Naph), Fluorene (Flu) and Phenanthrene (Phen) were the most abundant. Source apportionment analysis revealed that Phen, Naph and Acenaphthene (Ace) originated from the cement plant emissions, whereas Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DahA) and Anthracene (Anth) came from vehicle emissions and biomass combustion. A multiple linear regression model revealed that 56% of the variation in the total PAH concentrations may be explained by temperature, wind speed, wind direction and TSP. To assess PAH dispersion, TSP stack emissions from both cement plants were estimated using AERMOD, the steady-state plume model. The results revealed the local impact of stack emissions surrounding Yocsina neighborhood. In contrast, the main emission sources of the high PAH levels at the Malagueño sampling site were vehicular traffic, house heating and a concrete products factory, rather than the cement stacks. The lifetime lung cancer risk at the Malagueño sampling site exceeded the permissible standards established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization, thereby representing a major environmental risk to human health.