Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran

Background: This study evaluates the seasonal and annual variations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and SO₂ concentrations in Tehran’s ambient air from 2019 to 2021 and assesses their associated health risks.Methods: Non-carcinogenic health risks were quantified using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)...

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Main Authors: Fahimeh Ahmadian, Saeed Rajabi, Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System
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Online Access:https://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_50887_2c72485fd4c72850935e151638e1c809.pdf
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author Fahimeh Ahmadian
Saeed Rajabi
Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor
author_facet Fahimeh Ahmadian
Saeed Rajabi
Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor
author_sort Fahimeh Ahmadian
collection DOAJ
description Background: This study evaluates the seasonal and annual variations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and SO₂ concentrations in Tehran’s ambient air from 2019 to 2021 and assesses their associated health risks.Methods: Non-carcinogenic health risks were quantified using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodology. Sobol sensitivity analysis was conducted in R (version 4.1.2), andArcGIS (version 10.8.1) was used to map the spatial distribution of pollutants.Results: The annual mean concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and SO₂ ranged from 28.24–32.34 μg/m³, 69.57–82.22 μg/m³, and 14.94–17.98 μg/m³, respectively, exceeding WHO air quality guidelines. PM₂.₅ and SO₂ levels were highest in the west and southwest, while PM₁₀ was most prevalent in the east and northeast. The hazard quotient (HQ) for PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ exceeded 1 in 8- and 12-hour exposure scenarios, indicating significant health risks. However, the HQ for SO₂ remained below 1 across all exposure durations, suggesting no immediate health threat. At 3-hour exposures, the HQ for PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ was below 1, underscoring the role of exposure duration in health risks. Sobol sensitivity analysis identified PM₂.₅ concentration as the most influential factor affecting health risk.Conclusion: The findings highlight the urgent need for regulatory interventions to mitigate PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ pollution in Tehran, particularly in high-exposure regions. Effective control measures should prioritize reducing emissions to protect public health.
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spelling doaj-art-074100557ad44b87a637f52ed6edf3e42025-08-20T02:10:58ZengShiraz University of Medical SciencesJournal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System2345-22182345-38932025-04-0113216117310.30476/jhsss.2024.100664.184650887Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, IranFahimeh Ahmadian0Saeed Rajabi1Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor2Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranStudent Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranDepartment of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, IranBackground: This study evaluates the seasonal and annual variations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and SO₂ concentrations in Tehran’s ambient air from 2019 to 2021 and assesses their associated health risks.Methods: Non-carcinogenic health risks were quantified using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) methodology. Sobol sensitivity analysis was conducted in R (version 4.1.2), andArcGIS (version 10.8.1) was used to map the spatial distribution of pollutants.Results: The annual mean concentrations of PM₂.₅, PM₁₀, and SO₂ ranged from 28.24–32.34 μg/m³, 69.57–82.22 μg/m³, and 14.94–17.98 μg/m³, respectively, exceeding WHO air quality guidelines. PM₂.₅ and SO₂ levels were highest in the west and southwest, while PM₁₀ was most prevalent in the east and northeast. The hazard quotient (HQ) for PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ exceeded 1 in 8- and 12-hour exposure scenarios, indicating significant health risks. However, the HQ for SO₂ remained below 1 across all exposure durations, suggesting no immediate health threat. At 3-hour exposures, the HQ for PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ was below 1, underscoring the role of exposure duration in health risks. Sobol sensitivity analysis identified PM₂.₅ concentration as the most influential factor affecting health risk.Conclusion: The findings highlight the urgent need for regulatory interventions to mitigate PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ pollution in Tehran, particularly in high-exposure regions. Effective control measures should prioritize reducing emissions to protect public health.https://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_50887_2c72485fd4c72850935e151638e1c809.pdfair pollutantshealth risk assessmentparticulate matterssulfur dioxidesobol sensitivity analysis
spellingShingle Fahimeh Ahmadian
Saeed Rajabi
Abooalfazl Azhdarpoor
Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
Journal of Health Sciences and Surveillance System
air pollutants
health risk assessment
particulate matters
sulfur dioxide
sobol sensitivity analysis
title Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
title_full Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
title_fullStr Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
title_full_unstemmed Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
title_short Atmospheric Concentrations, Seasonal Variations, and Health Risk Assessment of PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 in Tehran Metropolis, Iran
title_sort atmospheric concentrations seasonal variations and health risk assessment of pm2 5 pm10 and so2 in tehran metropolis iran
topic air pollutants
health risk assessment
particulate matters
sulfur dioxide
sobol sensitivity analysis
url https://jhsss.sums.ac.ir/article_50887_2c72485fd4c72850935e151638e1c809.pdf
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AT abooalfazlazhdarpoor atmosphericconcentrationsseasonalvariationsandhealthriskassessmentofpm25pm10andso2intehranmetropolisiran