The aim of this study was to evaluate possible sources, toxicity and human health risk via inhalation of particulate matter (PM₁₀) bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). During November 2013–January 2014, 54 PM₁₀ samples were collected from a tropical city of north-west India and analysed for sixteen priority PAHs (∑₁₆PAHs). The concentration of ∑₁₆PAHs ranged between 18 and 164 ng m⁻³ with an average of 96 ± 48 ng m⁻³. The concentration of seven carcinogenic PAHs (C-PAHs) accounted for 22.68% of ∑₁₆PAHs. The carcinogenic potency of 16 PAHs as benzo(a)pyrene equivalent (BaP_eq) ranged between 2.49 and 11.37 ng m⁻³. Composition profile and results of source apportionment indices suggested mixed pyrogenic sources. Back trajectory analysis revealed that the level of PAHs in ambient air (PM₁₀) at Amritsar might have been influenced by long-range atmospheric transport and various local emission sources. The BaP_eq-based PAH concentrations are used to estimate daily exposure level through inhalation pathways. The estimated inhalation cancer risk (CR) for human adults (8.5 × 10^–9–6.5 × 10^–6) and children (1.6 × 10^–8–1.2 × 10^–5) was within the stipulated acceptable limit. However, due to limitations in the exposure through inhalation, and lack of data on exposure through diet, total daily intake of PAHs and CR could not be estimated.

本研究的目的是通过吸入颗粒物 (PM ₁₀ ) 结合的多环芳烃 (PAH)来评估可能的来源、毒性和人类健康风险。2013 年 11 月至 2014 年 1 月期间，从印度西北部的一个热带城市收集了54 个 PM ₁₀样本，并分析了 16 种优先多环芳烃（∑ ₁₆多环芳烃）。∑ ₁₆ PAH的浓度介于 18 和 164 ng m ^{-3 之间}，平均为 96 ± 48 ng m ^-3。7 种致癌多环芳烃 (C-PAHs) 的浓度占 ∑ ₁₆多环芳烃的22.68% 。以苯并 (a) 芘当量 (BaP _eq )计算的 16 种多环芳烃的致癌效力介于 2.49 和 11.37 ng m 之间^－3．源分配指数的成分分布和结果表明混合热源。回溯轨迹分析显示，阿姆利则环境空气 (PM ₁₀ )中多环芳烃的水平可能受到远距离大气传输和各种当地排放源的影响。基于 BaP _eq的 PAH 浓度用于估计通过吸入途径的每日暴露水平。成人 (8.5 × 10 ^–9 –6.5 × 10 ^–6 ) 和儿童 (1.6 × 10 ^–8 –1.2 × 10 ^–5 ) 的估计吸入性癌症风险 (CR))在规定的可接受限度内。然而，由于吸入暴露的限制，以及缺乏饮食暴露的数据，多环芳烃和 CR 的每日总摄入量无法估计。