OCCURRENCE OF PAHs IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND INCENSE BURNING AREA IN HA NOI ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT

Abstract

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds (PAHs) was investigated through the particulate matter of samples air samples collected in the ambient air and the incense burning area in Ha Noi. The concentration of PAHs in the incense burning area was higher than that in the ambient air. The mixture of PAHs in both sites was predominantly composed of PAHs 4 and more than 4 aromatic rings. Benzo(a)pyrene, (BaP), regarded one of the most toxic PAHs, was found in all samples, with the concentrations higher than the maximum concentrations defined by several EU Countries. The health risk assessment was conducted using the toxic equivalent factor (TEF) that was obtained by comparing the toxicity of individual PAHs to BaP. Derma contact was the main routes of exposure in the studied area. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model was used to find the risk level for human. The ILCR was higher than 10-3, indicating high health risk to community. The incense burning activity increases the risk to exposure human.