Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in PM2.5in Industrial Areas

This study estimated the health risk of heavy metals in particulate matter <TEX>(PM)2.5</TEX> in a Gwangyang industrial complex. The <TEX>PM2.5</TEX> containing heavy metal was collected from January to November, 2008 using a denuder air sampler and by IC (Ion Chromatograph). The risk assessment was performed in a four-step process; hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment and risk characterization. In the hazard identification process, <TEX>Cr⁶⁺</TEX>, Ni, As, and Pb were categorized as human carcinogens and probable human carcinogens, while Ti, Mn, Se, P, <TEX>Cr³⁺</TEX>, Cu, and Zn were not classified as human carcinogens. It was found that the excess cancer risk by Central Tendency Exposure (CTE) of <TEX>Cr⁶⁺</TEX> and As in <TEX>PM2.5</TEX> was > <TEX>10⁻⁶</TEX>, and the total excess cancer risk posed by carcinogen heavy metals in <TEX>PM2.5</TEX> was > <TEX>10⁻⁶</TEX>. It was also determined that the total hazard index by CTE of non-carcinogen heavy metals in <TEX>PM2.5</TEX> was <1. Taken together, these results indicate a high cancer risk associated whit inhalation of heavy metal-containing<TEX>PM2.5</TEX> in industrial areas.