Assessment of organic contaminants at a paint manufacturing site: Implications for health risks and source identification

Abstract

The daily variation of organic contaminants, both gaseous and associated with suspended particulate matter (PM), was investigated within the estate of the National Company of Paintings in Lakhdaria, Algeria, spanning the period 2014-2015. The research emphasizes the chemical characterization of suspended PM, analyzing a range of organic compounds, including n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and highly polar organics (HPOC), such as phthalate esters and heterocyclic compounds. Vapors of PAHs and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) were also analyzed. Low molecular weight compounds were primarily associated with the gas phase (two-ring PAHs, approximately 95%; three-ring PAHs, around 70%), while high molecular weight congeners were mainly associated with the particle phase (six-ring PAHs, 55%). The concentrations of PCBs (ranging from 0.6 to 42 ng m–3) were higher than those reported in other cities in Algeria and Europe. The source reconciliation of organic contaminants through principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that the primary sources were petroleum combustion, industrial manufacturing, tobacco smoking, and vehicular traffic. The significance of tobacco smoke was further confirmed by the analysis of PAH diagnostic ratios. Differences in the rates of diagnostic ratios between gaseous and particulate PAHs were attributed to distinct contributions from sources such as industrial processes. Health risks for workers exposed to PAHs and PCBs in PM < 10 μm (PM10) were quantitatively assessed in terms of benzo[a]pyrene equivalent concentration and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). The ILCR presents novel findings showcasing heightened risks among workers exposed to specific PAHs within production areas, whereas those related to PCBs suggested a high potential of health risks for laboratory workers.