Health risk assessment of heavy metals associated with Coarse and Quasi-accumulative airborne particulate matter in Mumbai City situated on the Western Coast of India

The present study investigates the concentration of airborne particulate matter (APM) for Coarse (>PM2.5, ) to Quasi accumulating (QAC) sizes (PM2.5−1.0, PM1.0−0.5, and PM0.5−0.25μm). APM samples were collected using a four-stage cascade impactor (Suitos) from a heavy traffic area of Mumbai on the Western Coast of India. Particulate samples were also analyzed for seven heavy metals i.e. Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn) and Manganese (Mn) using Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The total concentration of coarse particles and quasi-accumulating (QAC) ranged from 78.02 μg/m3 to 106.32 μg/m3 and 23.91 μg/m3 to 68.49 μg/m3 during the study period. The concentration of seven heavy metals associated with Coarse to (QAC) ranged from 0.45 μg/m3 to 33.40 μg/m3. Metals such as Fe, Cr, Mn, Cu, and Ni majorly contributed in coarse size while Cu, Pb, Ni, and Zn were found majorly in quasi-accumulating size particles. Among seven analyzed metals Fe comprised the highest concentration with a percentage 15.33%, while Cr was found in a minimum concentration of 0.21%. Calculated Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Hazard Index (HI) revealed that Ingestion and Dermal contact were the major exposure pathways in humans. HI values for heavy metals were below 1 in children and adults indicating that these have non-carcinogenic risks. Cancer risk assessment for Cr and Ni in children and adults were also found to be below the acceptable limit indicating safe levels of the above mentioned particulate matter in the area selected for study. [Display omitted] •Particulate concentrations were measured in Coarse and Quasi-accumulative sizes.•Seven heavy metals associated with APM were analyzed using ICP-AES.•Hazard index value indicated no health threat to children and adults.•Cancer risk from Cr and Ni was found to be below acceptable limits.