Molecular characteristics, source contributions, and exposure risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the core city of Central Plains Economic Region, China: Insights from the variation of haze levels

In this study, molecular characteristics, source contributions, and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM2.5 for four haze levels in Zhengzhou, a megacity in central China with severe air pollution problems, have been analyzed. The concentrations of PAHs and PM2.5 on heavy haze (HH) days were 63% and 122% higher than non-haze (NH) days. The occurrence of high PAH concentration was often accompanied by the northwest wind along with adverse meteorological conditions that limit regional dispersion. The source apportionment results indicated that almost all sources contributed more PAH concentration on haze days. In particular, coal combustion and vehicle emissions contributions were almost doubled on HH days. The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) of PAHs has been assessed. BaP and DahA showed relatively high contributions to ILCR, and 31%–48% of ILCR is due to exposure to PAHs on high HH days.