Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts

<b>Background:</b> Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) are high in Saudi cities due to industry and traffic, often exceeding safety limits. This study assesses PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> and health risks in Riya...

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Main Authors: Hattan A. Alharbi, Ahmed I. Rushdi, Abdulqader Bazeyad, Khalid F. Al-Mutlaq
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Toxics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/424
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author Hattan A. Alharbi
Ahmed I. Rushdi
Abdulqader Bazeyad
Khalid F. Al-Mutlaq
author_facet Hattan A. Alharbi
Ahmed I. Rushdi
Abdulqader Bazeyad
Khalid F. Al-Mutlaq
author_sort Hattan A. Alharbi
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) are high in Saudi cities due to industry and traffic, often exceeding safety limits. This study assesses PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> and health risks in Riyadh’s desert environment. <b>Method:</b> High-purity chemicals and PAH standards were used. Air samples were collected at King Saud University, extracted, cleaned, and analyzed by GC-MS. QA/QC ensured accuracy, with RSDs of 4.6–7.9%. <b>Results:</b> Seasonal temperature shifts in Riyadh influence PM and PAH levels. Higher summer temperatures raise PM/PAH, posing health risks, especially via inhalation. Winter favors PAH accumulation on particles. <b>Conclusions:</b> Seasonal temperature shifts significantly affect PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>10</sub>, and PAH levels in Riyadh, with summer posing the highest health risks. Inhalation is the main exposure route, especially for PM<sub>2.5</sub>.
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issn 2305-6304
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publisher MDPI AG
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series Toxics
spelling doaj-art-c603eb6b66f645b59abde1e9f976de232025-08-20T03:27:22ZengMDPI AGToxics2305-63042025-05-0113642410.3390/toxics13060424Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health ImpactsHattan A. Alharbi0Ahmed I. Rushdi1Abdulqader Bazeyad2Khalid F. Al-Mutlaq3Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaETAL, 2951 SE Midvale Dr., Corvallis, OR 97333, USADepartment of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia<b>Background:</b> Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) are high in Saudi cities due to industry and traffic, often exceeding safety limits. This study assesses PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> and health risks in Riyadh’s desert environment. <b>Method:</b> High-purity chemicals and PAH standards were used. Air samples were collected at King Saud University, extracted, cleaned, and analyzed by GC-MS. QA/QC ensured accuracy, with RSDs of 4.6–7.9%. <b>Results:</b> Seasonal temperature shifts in Riyadh influence PM and PAH levels. Higher summer temperatures raise PM/PAH, posing health risks, especially via inhalation. Winter favors PAH accumulation on particles. <b>Conclusions:</b> Seasonal temperature shifts significantly affect PM<sub>2.5</sub>, PM<sub>10</sub>, and PAH levels in Riyadh, with summer posing the highest health risks. Inhalation is the main exposure route, especially for PM<sub>2.5</sub>.https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/424PAHsPM<sub>2.5</sub>PM<sub>10</sub>Riyadhair qualityhealth risks
spellingShingle Hattan A. Alharbi
Ahmed I. Rushdi
Abdulqader Bazeyad
Khalid F. Al-Mutlaq
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts
Toxics
PAHs
PM<sub>2.5</sub>
PM<sub>10</sub>
Riyadh
air quality
health risks
title Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts
title_full Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts
title_fullStr Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts
title_full_unstemmed Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts
title_short Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Atmospheric PM<sub>2.5</sub> and PM<sub>10</sub> of Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia: Levels, Temporal Variation, and Health Impacts
title_sort polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in atmospheric pm sub 2 5 sub and pm sub 10 sub of riyadh city saudi arabia levels temporal variation and health impacts
topic PAHs
PM<sub>2.5</sub>
PM<sub>10</sub>
Riyadh
air quality
health risks
url https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/13/6/424
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