Contamination, source apportionment and health risk assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in soils of Bandar Abbas county central district

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) constitute a large class of organic compounds that are composed of two or more fused aromatic rings. Due to their potential mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects on human health, PAHs have attracted particular concern. Therefore, in this study it was attempted to measure the PAHs concentration in the study area to evaluate the health risk.
36 samples were taken from the central district in Bandar Abbas county to investigate the degree of contamination, sources and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Analysis of the samples was performed using gas chromatography. ÎØÇی ÊÑÌãåAlso, PMF Model was used to determine the possible sources.
The total PAHs concentration had a mean value of 1. 48 mg/kg in the soil samples. The total incremental life time cancer risk (ILCR) due to exposure to PAHs in soil is 1. 06 × 10−6 for an adult and 4. 95 × 10−6 for children. The results estimated for ILCR indicated that residents live in the central district of Bandar Abbas county are potentially exposed to cancer risk via both dust ingestion and dermal contact.
The ecological risk assessment of PAHs showed that the levels of all types of PAHs were lower than the lower value of effects range, except for dibenzo (a, h) antheracene and acenaphthene. The estimated results of ILCR indicated that Bandar Abbas county central district residents are potentially exposed to cancer risk via both ingestion and dermal contact. The PMF analysis identified four sources that were included fossil fuel combustion (14%), biomass combustion (13%), vehicular emissions (36%) and fossil fuel combustion/unburned petroleum (37%).