Characterization and risk assessment of BTEX in ambient air of a Middle Eastern City

[Display omitted] •BTEXs and their spatial distribution, source identification and risk assessment were analyzed.•The ILCR for benzene and ethylbenzene were 6.49 × 10−7-1.27 × 10-5 and 1.21 × 10−7- 2.37 × 10-6.•Strong correlation among individual BTEXs suggests that traffic is the main source contributing. The present study aimed to assess BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) concentrations, their sources and health risk estimates in Shiraz, the fifth-most populous city in Iran. Air samples were collected from 19 sampling stations across Shiraz using passive samplers. Identification and quantification of BTEX were conducted by a Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Spatial distribution of BTEX compounds were mapped by inverse distance weighting (IDW) procedure. Monte Carlo simulation was employed to assess the corresponding carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of BTEX concentrations. BTEX concentrations were higher than current levels in Western countries but lower than concentrations measured in East Asia. Analysis of individual BTEX ratios and their strong correlation indicated that fresh traffic emissions were the main contributor to these compounds in Shiraz, with additional sources contributing to toluene (e.g. industrial solvent use) and benzene (e.g. evaporative emissions). The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for benzene and ethylbenzene were estimated to be 6.49 × 10−7- 1.27 × 10-5 and 1.21 × 10−7- 2.37 × 10-6, respectively, exceeding the WHO and EPA recommendations. The current evaluation of BTEX sources and associated health risks will assist policymakers to define action plans to minimize BTEX exposure in Shiraz and similar cities in the Middle East.