Contamination and risk assessment (based on bioaccessibility via ingestion and inhalation) of metal(loid)s in outdoor and indoor particles from urban centers of Guangzhou, China

Road dust, household air-conditioning (AC) filter dust and PM2.5 were collected to investigate the contamination of metal(loid)s (Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Sn, Sb, Hg and Pb) in outdoor and indoor urban environments of Guangzhou. Zinc was found to be the most abundant element in road dust and household PM2.5, while the concentration of Pb was the highest in AC filter dust. Enrichment factor (EF) was used to assess the influence of human activity on the contamination of these metal(loid)s. Ingestion and inhalation were the two exposure pathways applied for risk assessment. Physiologically based extraction test (PBET) was used to estimate the oral bioaccessibilities of metal(loid)s in road dust and AC filter dust. Respiratory bioaccessible fraction of metal(loid)s via household PM2.5 was extracted with lung simulating solution. Household AC filter dust was more hazardous to human health than road dust, especially to children. Arsenic was found to be the most risky element based on the risk assessment. •The average content of Zn was the highest in road dust.•The average content of Pb was the highest in household AC filter dust.•Cr, Ni, Hg and Pb Contamination were significantly elevated in residential houses.•Mobilization of metal(loid)s was significantly correlated from stomach to intestine.•As was observed as the most risky element via ingestion and inhalation of particles.