Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from industrial stack emissions in a Brazilian urban area.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analysed in gas and particulate phase emitted by industrial stacks in the urban area of Divinópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Higher concentrations of PAHs were found in the gas phase than the particulate phase. The carcinogenic potency of PAHs relative to benzo(a)pyrene was estimated for samples. Benzo(a)pyrene equivalents ranged from 0.01 to 1061.66 ng m⁻³. The estimated risk of lifetime lung cancer was 8.1 × 10⁻³. PAH emission sources were evaluated by diagnostic ratio and principal component analysis (PCA). Diagnostic ratios of PAHs indicated the use of coal/biomass and oil combustion in the evaluated industries. The PCA suggested that the industries are using a fuel mix, contrary to the information provided by the industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]