Occurrence and health risks assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in road dust and soil samples at Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Abstract

The status of PAH in the urban areas of Bangladesh is not known. For the first time, this study investigated concentration, spatial distributions, likely sources and potential toxicities of PAHs. 13 PAH compounds were analyzed in RDS (dust) and NS (soils) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). PAHs were enriched in relatively high molecular weight compounds (>3 rings), and Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene was the most abundant, indicating pyrogenic sources. Both in NS and RDS the concentrations of all PAHs were significantly associated to one another except high molecular weight PAHs (6 rings). There is no carcinogenic and health hazard for children and adults.

Keywords

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Health risk
• Air pollution
• Priority pollutants