Occurrence, source, and risk assessment of atmospheric parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal cities of the Bohai and Yellow Seas, China

Parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAHs) in the ambient air of the coastal cities near the Bohai and Yellow Seas were measured over a full year. The range and geometric average of total PPAH29 (29 species) were 5.16-1.22 × 103 and 118 ng/m3, respectively, with 77 ± 14% in a gaseous phase. The 16 priority components accounted for 90 ± 4% of the total mass concentration. The incremental life cancer risk (ILCR) via inhalation exposure to the PPAHs (3.17 × 10−4) was underestimated by 80%, as only the priority PPAHs were considered. The air concentrations of PPAHs in the Bohai Sea area were generally higher (p