Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China

Most studies focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in dust or particle phase, leaving PFAS in PM1 particles in urban areas poorly understood. This study investigated PFAS levels and sources in ambient PM1 from 94 primary and secondary schools across six cities in the Pea...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mo Yang, Xuan Liu, Shu-Li Xu, Xin-Feng Wang, Marjut Roponen, Nan-Xiang Jin, Jing-Wen Huang, Qi-Zhen Wu, Chu Chu, Ming-Kun Sun, Wen-Wen Bao, Li-Zi Lin, Zhao-Huan Gui, Ru-Qing Liu, Li-Wen Hu, Bin Xu, Guang-Hui Dong, Pasi I. Jalava
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-04-01
Series:Environment International
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025001904
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850200921451003904
author Mo Yang
Xuan Liu
Shu-Li Xu
Xin-Feng Wang
Marjut Roponen
Nan-Xiang Jin
Jing-Wen Huang
Qi-Zhen Wu
Chu Chu
Ming-Kun Sun
Wen-Wen Bao
Li-Zi Lin
Zhao-Huan Gui
Ru-Qing Liu
Li-Wen Hu
Bin Xu
Guang-Hui Dong
Pasi I. Jalava
author_facet Mo Yang
Xuan Liu
Shu-Li Xu
Xin-Feng Wang
Marjut Roponen
Nan-Xiang Jin
Jing-Wen Huang
Qi-Zhen Wu
Chu Chu
Ming-Kun Sun
Wen-Wen Bao
Li-Zi Lin
Zhao-Huan Gui
Ru-Qing Liu
Li-Wen Hu
Bin Xu
Guang-Hui Dong
Pasi I. Jalava
author_sort Mo Yang
collection DOAJ
description Most studies focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in dust or particle phase, leaving PFAS in PM1 particles in urban areas poorly understood. This study investigated PFAS levels and sources in ambient PM1 from 94 primary and secondary schools across six cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during October to December 2018. We analyzed 32 PFAS compounds in PM1, with total PFAS levels at 58.92 pg/m3, ranging from 7.33 to 341.77 pg/m3. Perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) dominated (median: 38.85 pg/m3), followed by perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, median: 11.92 pg/m3), alternatives (median: 1.24 pg/m3), and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors (median: 0.29 pg/m3). The main source for PFAS was organic synthesis industries (47.91 %). Air masses originated from southern China, the east coast, and the South China Sea. PFAS showed positive correlations with cations and anions. Health risk assessment using estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) found very low inhalation risk (HQ < 1). Our results highlight pollution from local industrial production and the eastern coastal areas as being the primary contributor to airborne PFAS in PRD schools. Elevated PFAS levels in PM1 present potential health risks, and their interactions with other pollutants in PM1 reflect their complex origins and behaviors.
format Article
id doaj-art-d1d5116e12b14f749bc82a77dbbf4b49
institution OA Journals
issn 0160-4120
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Environment International
spelling doaj-art-d1d5116e12b14f749bc82a77dbbf4b492025-08-20T02:12:10ZengElsevierEnvironment International0160-41202025-04-0119810943910.1016/j.envint.2025.109439Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, ChinaMo Yang0Xuan Liu1Shu-Li Xu2Xin-Feng Wang3Marjut Roponen4Nan-Xiang Jin5Jing-Wen Huang6Qi-Zhen Wu7Chu Chu8Ming-Kun Sun9Wen-Wen Bao10Li-Zi Lin11Zhao-Huan Gui12Ru-Qing Liu13Li-Wen Hu14Bin Xu15Guang-Hui Dong16Pasi I. Jalava17Inhalation Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Science, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland; Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaWest China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, ChinaDepartment of Environmental and School Hygiene Supervision, Public Health Service Center, Bao’an District, Shenzhen 518126, ChinaEnvironment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, ChinaInhalation Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Science, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, FinlandA.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Neulaniementie 2, 70210 Kuopio, FinlandGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaGuangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, ChinaDepartment of Public Health, Nanning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning 530023, China; Corresponding author at: Department of Public Health, Nanning Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No 55 Xiangzhu Road, Xingning District, Nanning 530023, China.Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China; Corresponding author at: Joint International Research Laboratory of Environment and Health, Ministry of Education, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Environmental Pollution and Health Risk Assessment, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, 74 Zhongshan 2nd Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou 510080, China.Inhalation Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Science, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, FinlandMost studies focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) concentrations in dust or particle phase, leaving PFAS in PM1 particles in urban areas poorly understood. This study investigated PFAS levels and sources in ambient PM1 from 94 primary and secondary schools across six cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) during October to December 2018. We analyzed 32 PFAS compounds in PM1, with total PFAS levels at 58.92 pg/m3, ranging from 7.33 to 341.77 pg/m3. Perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs) dominated (median: 38.85 pg/m3), followed by perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs, median: 11.92 pg/m3), alternatives (median: 1.24 pg/m3), and perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) precursors (median: 0.29 pg/m3). The main source for PFAS was organic synthesis industries (47.91 %). Air masses originated from southern China, the east coast, and the South China Sea. PFAS showed positive correlations with cations and anions. Health risk assessment using estimated daily intake (EDI) and hazard quotient (HQ) found very low inhalation risk (HQ < 1). Our results highlight pollution from local industrial production and the eastern coastal areas as being the primary contributor to airborne PFAS in PRD schools. Elevated PFAS levels in PM1 present potential health risks, and their interactions with other pollutants in PM1 reflect their complex origins and behaviors.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025001904Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)PM1SourcePearl River Delta region (PRD)Health risk
spellingShingle Mo Yang
Xuan Liu
Shu-Li Xu
Xin-Feng Wang
Marjut Roponen
Nan-Xiang Jin
Jing-Wen Huang
Qi-Zhen Wu
Chu Chu
Ming-Kun Sun
Wen-Wen Bao
Li-Zi Lin
Zhao-Huan Gui
Ru-Qing Liu
Li-Wen Hu
Bin Xu
Guang-Hui Dong
Pasi I. Jalava
Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China
Environment International
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PM1
Source
Pearl River Delta region (PRD)
Health risk
title Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China
title_full Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China
title_fullStr Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China
title_full_unstemmed Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China
title_short Concentrations, sources and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient PM1 in the Pearl River Delta region, China
title_sort concentrations sources and health risks of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances in ambient pm1 in the pearl river delta region china
topic Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
PM1
Source
Pearl River Delta region (PRD)
Health risk
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412025001904
work_keys_str_mv AT moyang concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT xuanliu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT shulixu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT xinfengwang concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT marjutroponen concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT nanxiangjin concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT jingwenhuang concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT qizhenwu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT chuchu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT mingkunsun concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT wenwenbao concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT lizilin concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT zhaohuangui concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT ruqingliu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT liwenhu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT binxu concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT guanghuidong concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina
AT pasiijalava concentrationssourcesandhealthrisksofperandpolyfluoroalkylsubstancesinambientpm1inthepearlriverdeltaregionchina