Characterizing metals in particulate pollution in communities at the fenceline of heavy industry: combining mobile monitoring and size-resolved filter measurements

Environ Sci Process Impacts. 2023 Sep 20;25(9):1491-1504. doi: 10.1039/d3em00142c.

Abstract

Exposures to metals from industrial emissions can pose important health risks. The Chester-Trainer-Marcus Hook area of southeastern Pennsylvania is home to multiple petrochemical plants, a refinery, and a waste incinerator, most abutting socio-economically disadvantaged residential communities. Existing information on fenceline community exposures is based on monitoring data with low temporal and spatial resolution and EPA models that incorporate industry self-reporting. During a 3 week sampling campaign in September 2021, size-resolved particulate matter (PM) metals concentrations were obtained at a fixed site in Chester and on-line mobile aerosol measurements were conducted around Chester-Trainer-Marcus Hook. Fixed-site arsenic, lead, antimony, cobalt, and manganese concentrations in total PM were higher (p < 0.001) than EPA model estimates, and arsenic, lead, and cadmium were predominantly observed in fine PM (<2.5 μm), the PM fraction which can penetrate deeply into the lungs. Hazard index analysis suggests adverse effects are not expected from exposures at the observed levels; however, additional chemical exposures, PM size fraction, and non-chemical stressors should be considered in future studies for accurate assessment of risk. Fixed-site MOUDI and nearby mobile aerosol measurements were moderately correlated (r ≥ 0.5) for aluminum, potassium and selenium. Source apportionment analyses suggested the presence of four major emissions sources (sea salt, mineral dust, general combustion, and non-exhaust vehicle emissions) in the study area. Elevated levels of combustion-related elements of health concern (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, antimony, and vanadium) were observed near the waste incinerator and other industrial facilities by mobile monitoring, as well as in residential-zoned areas in Chester. These results suggest potential co-exposures to harmful atmospheric metal/metalloids in communities surrounding the Chester-Trainer-Marcus Hook industrial area at levels that may exceed previous estimates from EPA modeling.

MeSH terms

  • Aerosols / analysis
  • Air Pollutants* / analysis
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • Antimony / analysis
  • Arsenic* / analysis
  • Cadmium / analysis
  • Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Metallurgy
  • Metals, Heavy* / analysis
  • Particulate Matter / analysis
  • Selenium* / analysis
  • Vanadium / analysis

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Antimony
  • Arsenic
  • Cadmium
  • Particulate Matter
  • Dust
  • Selenium
  • Vanadium
  • Aerosols
  • Metals, Heavy