Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons
Levels of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and p-Xylene) were determined in the ambient air of two urban sites located in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) during two climatic seasons of 2023. The study revealed that BTEX compounds in Santa Catarina and Obispado had the following relative...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/2/183 |
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| author | Rosa Maria Ceron Breton Julia Griselda Ceron Breton Maria de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes Alberto Antonio Espinosa Guzman Rocio Garcia Martinez Claudia Alejandra Aguilar Ucan Carlos Montalvo Romero Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino Simon Eduardo Carranco Lozada Martha Patricia Uc Chi Stephanie Martinez Morales |
| author_facet | Rosa Maria Ceron Breton Julia Griselda Ceron Breton Maria de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes Alberto Antonio Espinosa Guzman Rocio Garcia Martinez Claudia Alejandra Aguilar Ucan Carlos Montalvo Romero Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino Simon Eduardo Carranco Lozada Martha Patricia Uc Chi Stephanie Martinez Morales |
| author_sort | Rosa Maria Ceron Breton |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Levels of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and p-Xylene) were determined in the ambient air of two urban sites located in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) during two climatic seasons of 2023. The study revealed that BTEX compounds in Santa Catarina and Obispado had the following relative abundance: p-Xylene (20.09 µg m<sup>−3</sup>) > Toluene (19.50 µg m<sup>−3</sup>) > Ethylbenzene (19.34 µg m<sup>−3</sup>) > Benzene (17.39 µg m<sup>−3</sup>). Their concentrations were consistent with global reports, showing diurnal and seasonal variability. Levels were higher during the dry season due to elevated temperatures, low wind speeds, and lack of precipitation, which reduced pollutant dispersion. BTEX concentrations in Santa Catarina (industrial site) and Obispado (urban site) were influenced by local activities like industrial processes, area sources, and vehicular traffic. Wind rose analysis confirmed the influence of local sources, with higher BTEX levels when winds came from the east. This was linked to pollutant transport within MAM and thermal inversions trapping pollutants during the dry season. Benzene/Toluene (B/T) and p-Xylene/Ethylbenzene (X/E) ratios showed that the sampling sites were influenced by vehicular sources and local fresh emissions. Benzene inhalation has an unacceptable lifetime cancer risk, urging MAM authorities to implement stricter regulations to protect public health. While non-cancer risks were within acceptable limits, controlling Benzene and p-Xylene emissions remains critical to improving air quality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ecc7d430244f4192aa730ede8b043f7a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-ecc7d430244f4192aa730ede8b043f7a2025-08-20T02:44:36ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332025-02-0116218310.3390/atmos16020183Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic SeasonsRosa Maria Ceron Breton0Julia Griselda Ceron Breton1Maria de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes2Alberto Antonio Espinosa Guzman3Rocio Garcia Martinez4Claudia Alejandra Aguilar Ucan5Carlos Montalvo Romero6Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino7Simon Eduardo Carranco Lozada8Martha Patricia Uc Chi9Stephanie Martinez Morales10Chemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoChemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoInstitute of Atmosphere Science and Climatic Change, National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, MexicoCorrosion Research Center, Autonomous University of Campeche, Campeche 24079, MexicoInstitute of Atmosphere Science and Climatic Change, National University of Mexico, Mexico City 04510, MexicoChemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoChemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoChemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoCECyT 15, National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico City 12100, MexicoChemistry Faculty, Autonomous University of Carmen, Ciudad del Carmen 24180, MexicoIPICYT, Potosino Institute of Scientific and Technological Research, San Luis Potosi 78216, MexicoLevels of BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene and p-Xylene) were determined in the ambient air of two urban sites located in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey (MAM) during two climatic seasons of 2023. The study revealed that BTEX compounds in Santa Catarina and Obispado had the following relative abundance: p-Xylene (20.09 µg m<sup>−3</sup>) > Toluene (19.50 µg m<sup>−3</sup>) > Ethylbenzene (19.34 µg m<sup>−3</sup>) > Benzene (17.39 µg m<sup>−3</sup>). Their concentrations were consistent with global reports, showing diurnal and seasonal variability. Levels were higher during the dry season due to elevated temperatures, low wind speeds, and lack of precipitation, which reduced pollutant dispersion. BTEX concentrations in Santa Catarina (industrial site) and Obispado (urban site) were influenced by local activities like industrial processes, area sources, and vehicular traffic. Wind rose analysis confirmed the influence of local sources, with higher BTEX levels when winds came from the east. This was linked to pollutant transport within MAM and thermal inversions trapping pollutants during the dry season. Benzene/Toluene (B/T) and p-Xylene/Ethylbenzene (X/E) ratios showed that the sampling sites were influenced by vehicular sources and local fresh emissions. Benzene inhalation has an unacceptable lifetime cancer risk, urging MAM authorities to implement stricter regulations to protect public health. While non-cancer risks were within acceptable limits, controlling Benzene and p-Xylene emissions remains critical to improving air quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/2/183BTEXhealth riskdiurnal variabilityseasonal variabilityMexico |
| spellingShingle | Rosa Maria Ceron Breton Julia Griselda Ceron Breton Maria de la Luz Espinosa Fuentes Alberto Antonio Espinosa Guzman Rocio Garcia Martinez Claudia Alejandra Aguilar Ucan Carlos Montalvo Romero Reyna del Carmen Lara Severino Simon Eduardo Carranco Lozada Martha Patricia Uc Chi Stephanie Martinez Morales Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons Atmosphere BTEX health risk diurnal variability seasonal variability Mexico |
| title | Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons |
| title_full | Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons |
| title_fullStr | Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons |
| title_short | Health Risk Assessment by Exposure to BTEX Ambient Levels in the Metropolitan Area of Monterrey During Two Climatic Seasons |
| title_sort | health risk assessment by exposure to btex ambient levels in the metropolitan area of monterrey during two climatic seasons |
| topic | BTEX health risk diurnal variability seasonal variability Mexico |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/16/2/183 |
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