Characteristics of PAHs, PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs in atmospheric fine particulate matter in Dalian, China

Organic species in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) may exhibit significant health risks. The level, composition and sources of PM2.5-bound organic pollutants are temporally and spatially highly variable. In this study, the pollution characteristics and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/furans (PCDD/Fs) in PM2.5 of Dalian were investigated. PM2.5-bound organic pollutants in Dalian were generally lower than other regions in China and other countries, significant seasonal changes were observed, higher levels appeared in winter than in summer. Concentrations of 16 PAHs were 2.07 ng/m3 and 13.99 ng/m3 in summer and winter, respectively. PAHs with 4-ring and 5-ring were the dominant components. Diagnostic analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that PAHs mainly originate from petroleum emissions and combustion. Concentrations of PCDD/Fs, PCBs and PCNs in PM2.5 ranged from 0.05 to 3.27, 0.04–0.65 and 0.05–1.42 pg/m3, respectively. PCDD/Fs and PCBs were mainly consisted of high-chlorinated homologues during the sampling period. High-chlorinated PCNs were dominated only in winter, while low-chlorinated PCNs were dominated in summer, industrial thermal activity was one of the main sources of PCNs. The high correlation coefficients of the concentration of PAHs, PCBs, PCNs, and PCDD/Fs with that of SO2 indicated that combustion sources contributed more to PM2.5-bound organic pollutants than that of motor vehicle emissions. The incremental lifetime cancer risk induced by PM2.5-bound POPs is relatively lower in Dalian than other regions. [Display omitted] •Concentrations of PM2.5-bound POPs in Dalian exhibited obvious seasonal changes.•Source apportionment was performed using diagnostic analysis and PCA.•The ILCR induced by PM2.5-bound POPs is relatively low in Dalian.