PM2.5-bound trace elements in a critically polluted industrial coal belt of India: seasonal patterns, source identification, and human health risk assessment.

The concentration of trace elements like Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, Co, and As in atmospheric particulate matter (PM_2.5) was estimated to investigate their seasonal variation, potential sources, and health risk at Jharia coalfield, India, during May 2018 to April 2019. Measured PM_2.5 (170 ± 45 μg/m³) exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (2009) by a factor of 4.25, the Clean Air Act, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (40 CFR part 50) by a factor of 11, and Air Quality Guidelines of World Health Organization (2005) by a factor of 16. Mean concentration of the trace elements were observed in the order of Fe > Mn > Cu > Zn > Cr > Pb > Co > Ni > Cd > As, highest being perceived at the monitoring sites affected by coal mine fire. The significantly higher HQ values posed by PM_2.5-bound Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and As and higher HI values (multi-elemental exposure) indicated potential non-carcinogenic risk to the residents of Dhanbad. Higher ECR values in the coal mining areas of JCF indicated higher carcinogenic risk to the population (adults > children) of Dhanbad due to inhalation of PM_2.5-bound Cr. Spontaneous combustion of coal in the mines, active mine fire, associated mining activities, heavy vehicular emission, and re-suspended road dust were recognized as the potential sources of the trace elements from the results of PCA and Pearson correlation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]