TITLE:
Health Risks Associated with Heavy Metals in Fine Particulate Matter: A Case Study in Delhi City, India
AUTHORS:
Isha Khanna, Mukesh Khare, Prashant Gargava
KEYWORDS:
Fine PM, Heavy Metals, Excess Cancer Risk, Kerbside, National Highway
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.3 No.2,
April
1,
2015
ABSTRACT:
The concentrations of twenty
five heavy metals adsorbed to fine fraction of particulate matter, PM2.5 (d ≤
2.5 μm) have been experimentally analysed at a sampling site located at the
kerbside along a National Highway in Delhi city, India. The sampling has been
carried out for 12-hour using Ecotech Intruments, APM550. The PM2.5 has been
collected on PTFE filter papers for the winter season. Later, the filter papers
have been analysed for various heavy metal concentrations using ED-XRF. It has
been observed that the metals concentrations are in this trend: Si > K >
S > Ca = Fe > Zn = Pb > Br. it is observed that Si has high
co-relation with Ca, Fe and K, which may be due to crustal origin of all three
elements; while S, Br and Pb may be from vehicular exhaust emissions and/or abrasions
due to brake and tyre wear. The potential health risks associated with
different carcinogenic heavy metals have also been calculated. One of the
health risk indicators, the excess cancer risk (ECR), is found to be in the
order as As > Cd > Pb > Cr > Ni.