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Concentrations, particle-size distributions, and indoor/outdoor differences of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a middle school classroom in Xi’an, China

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) attached to particulate matter can affect respiratory health, especially the health of children, but information on the air quality in schools is generally lacking. This study investigated the PAH concentrations in a naturally ventilated classroom in Xi’an, China, from 16 to 31 May 2012. Particulate PAH concentrations were measured for samples collected on five-stage cascade impactors deployed inside the classroom and outside. PM2.5-bound PAH concentrations were 53.2 ng m−3 indoors and 72.9 ng m−3 outdoors. PAHs attached to very fine particles (VFPs) accounted for ~70 % of the total PAHs. The PAH concentrations indoors were affected by the students’ activities, cleaning, and smoking, while outdoors, the main sources were motor vehicle emissions and contaminated road dust. Particle-bound PAHs infiltrated the classroom through open windows, but the activities of the students and staff were also associated with an increase of PAHs attached to particles larger than 1.0 µm, most likely through resuspension. Cycles in the sources led to PAH concentrations 2–3 times higher on weekdays compared to weekends, both indoors and outdoors. PAH toxicity risks inside the classroom were substantially lower than those outdoors, and the highest risks were associated with VFPs.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Shaanxi program (2012KTZB03-01) and a project of the International (Regional) Cooperation and Exchange Projects, Research Fund for International Young Scientists of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (grant no. 41150110474). This study was also supported by the New Teachers’ Scientific Research Support Plan of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU-HRT-002) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

    Hongmei Xu

  2. Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry and Physics, SKLLQG, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi’an, China

    Hongmei Xu, Benjamin Guinot, Xinyi Niu, Junji Cao, Steven Sai Hang Ho & Suixin Liu

  3. Laboratoire d’Aerologie, Observatory Midi-Pyrenees, CNRS-Université Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France

    Benjamin Guinot

  4. School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

    Xinyi Niu

  5. Institute of Global Environmental Change, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China

    Junji Cao

  6. School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Kin Fai Ho

  7. Department of Environmental Health, School of Publich Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China

    Zhuohui Zhao

  8. Hong Kong Premium Services and Research Laboratory, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China

    Steven Sai Hang Ho

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Xu, H., Guinot, B., Niu, X. et al. Concentrations, particle-size distributions, and indoor/outdoor differences of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a middle school classroom in Xi’an, China. Environ Geochem Health 37, 861–873 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-014-9662-z

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