High cancer risk from inhalation exposure to PAHs in Fenhe Plain in winter: A particulate size distribution-based study

Abstract Fenhe Plain is a typical region polluted combinedly by coal combustion and coking activities with serious air pollution problem, especially in winter. In order to clarify the size distribution and health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in winter of the Fenhe Plain, the respirable aerosol particles (PM10) were collected by cascade impactor, and 17 PAHs were analyzed. The results showed that the average mass concentration of PM10-bound PAHs was 689.19 ng/m3, which was higher than that in many other domestic and overseas cities. The particulate PAHs mainly distributed in the