Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece
Background: Thriassion Plain is considered the most industrialized area in Greece and thus a place where emissions of pollutants are expected to be elevated, leading to the degradation of air quality. Methods: Simultaneous determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dib...
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MDPI AG
2020-12-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/24/9023 |
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| author | Konstantinos G. Koukoulakis Panagiotis George Kanellopoulos Eirini Chrysochou Danae Costopoulou Irene Vassiliadou Leondios Leondiadis Evangelos Bakeas |
| author_facet | Konstantinos G. Koukoulakis Panagiotis George Kanellopoulos Eirini Chrysochou Danae Costopoulou Irene Vassiliadou Leondios Leondiadis Evangelos Bakeas |
| author_sort | Konstantinos G. Koukoulakis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Thriassion Plain is considered the most industrialized area in Greece and thus a place where emissions of pollutants are expected to be elevated, leading to the degradation of air quality. Methods: Simultaneous determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was performed in PM10 samples. SPSS statistical package was employed for statistical analysis and source apportionment purposes. Cancer risk was estimated from total persistent organic pollutants’ (POPs) dataset according to the available literature. Results: POPs concentrations in particulate matter were measured in similar levels compared to other studies in Greece and worldwide, with mean concentrations of ΣPAHs, ΣPCDD/Fs, dioxin like PCBs, and indicator PCBs being 7.07 ng m<sup>−3</sup>, 479 fg m<sup>−3</sup>, 1634 fg m<sup>−3</sup>, and 18.1 pg m<sup>−3</sup>, respectively. Seasonal variations were observed only for PAHS with higher concentrations during cold period. MDRs, D/F ratios, and principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted combustions as the main source of POPs’ emissions. Estimation of particles’ carcinogenic and mutagenic potential indicates the increased toxicity of PM10 during cold periods, and cancer risk assessment concludes that 3 to 4 people out of 100,000 may suffer from cancer due to POPs’ inhalation. Conclusions: Increased cancer risk for citizens leads to the necessity of chronic POPs’ monitoring in Thriassion Plain, and such strategies have to be a priority for Greek environmental authorities. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:59:41Z |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T13:59:41Z |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-06cd45097757469d8c815ffd30a2936f2023-11-21T01:14:56ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172020-12-011024902310.3390/app10249023Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in GreeceKonstantinos G. Koukoulakis0Panagiotis George Kanellopoulos1Eirini Chrysochou2Danae Costopoulou3Irene Vassiliadou4Leondios Leondiadis5Evangelos Bakeas6Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografos, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografos, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografos, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, GreeceMass Spectrometry and Dioxin Analysis Laboratory, INRASTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, Neapoleos 27, 15341 Athens, GreeceMass Spectrometry and Dioxin Analysis Laboratory, INRASTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, Neapoleos 27, 15341 Athens, GreeceMass Spectrometry and Dioxin Analysis Laboratory, INRASTES, NCSR “Demokritos”, Neapoleos 27, 15341 Athens, GreeceLaboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Zografos, Panepistimiopolis, 15784 Athens, GreeceBackground: Thriassion Plain is considered the most industrialized area in Greece and thus a place where emissions of pollutants are expected to be elevated, leading to the degradation of air quality. Methods: Simultaneous determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was performed in PM10 samples. SPSS statistical package was employed for statistical analysis and source apportionment purposes. Cancer risk was estimated from total persistent organic pollutants’ (POPs) dataset according to the available literature. Results: POPs concentrations in particulate matter were measured in similar levels compared to other studies in Greece and worldwide, with mean concentrations of ΣPAHs, ΣPCDD/Fs, dioxin like PCBs, and indicator PCBs being 7.07 ng m<sup>−3</sup>, 479 fg m<sup>−3</sup>, 1634 fg m<sup>−3</sup>, and 18.1 pg m<sup>−3</sup>, respectively. Seasonal variations were observed only for PAHS with higher concentrations during cold period. MDRs, D/F ratios, and principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted combustions as the main source of POPs’ emissions. Estimation of particles’ carcinogenic and mutagenic potential indicates the increased toxicity of PM10 during cold periods, and cancer risk assessment concludes that 3 to 4 people out of 100,000 may suffer from cancer due to POPs’ inhalation. Conclusions: Increased cancer risk for citizens leads to the necessity of chronic POPs’ monitoring in Thriassion Plain, and such strategies have to be a priority for Greek environmental authorities.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/24/9023POPsPAHsPCDD/FsPCBsindustrial siteGreece |
| spellingShingle | Konstantinos G. Koukoulakis Panagiotis George Kanellopoulos Eirini Chrysochou Danae Costopoulou Irene Vassiliadou Leondios Leondiadis Evangelos Bakeas Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece Applied Sciences POPs PAHs PCDD/Fs PCBs industrial site Greece |
| title | Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece |
| title_full | Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece |
| title_fullStr | Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece |
| title_full_unstemmed | Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece |
| title_short | Atmospheric Concentrations and Health Implications of PAHs, PCBs and PCDD/Fs in the Vicinity of a Heavily Industrialized Site in Greece |
| title_sort | atmospheric concentrations and health implications of pahs pcbs and pcdd fs in the vicinity of a heavily industrialized site in greece |
| topic | POPs PAHs PCDD/Fs PCBs industrial site Greece |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/10/24/9023 |
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