Airborne PM10 and lead concentrations at selected traffic junctions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Implications for human health

Özet

The airborne particulates pollution is a serious concern due to its adverse health impacts. This study was carriedout to assess the PM10 mass concentration and PM10-bound lead (Pb) at two major traffic junctions in Charsaddaand Upper Dir Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. A high-volume Reference Ambient Air Sampler(RAAS) was used to collect PM10 samples (n = 30) on glass fiber filters from April 2017 to September 2017. ThePM10 mass was determined by gravimetric analysis weighing each filter disc before and after sampling. ThePM10-bound Pb concentrations were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy afterfilters acid digestion. Health risks of PM10-bound Pb were evaluated numerically by hazard quotient (HQ) andhazard index (HI). The PM10 mass (24 h mean) was 4.6 times higher than the WHO guideline value for airquality. Likewise, the PM10-bound Pb was 1.3 times higher than the WHO guideline value. Mean PM10 concentrations were 254 ± 67 μg/m3 and 208 ± 85 μg/m3 and mean PM10-bound Pb concentrations were709 ± 206 ng/m3 and 638 ± 231 ng/m3 at the traffic junctions in Charsadda and Upper Dir Districts respectively. The mean HI values were less than 1 for the exposed adults and children indicating that health effects areunlikely to occur in the exposed population. Measures should be taken to monitor the airborne PM10 on regularbasis and reduce its emissions into the air.