Airborne PM10 and lead concentrations at selected traffic junctions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan: Implications for human health

Abstract The airborne particulates pollution is a serious concern due to its adverse health impacts. This study was carried out to assess the PM 10 mass concentration and PM 10 -bound lead (Pb) at two major traffic junctions in Charsadda and Upper Dir Districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. A high-volume Reference Ambient Air Sampler (RAAS) was used to collect PM 10 samples (n = 30) on glass fiber filters from April 2017 to September 2017. The PM 10 mass was determined by gravimetric analysis weighing each filter disc before and after sampling. The PM 10 -bound Pb concentrations were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy after filters acid digestion. Health risks of PM 10 -bound Pb were evaluated numerically by hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI). The PM 10 mass (24 h mean) was 4.6 times higher than the WHO guideline value for air quality. Likewise, the PM 10 -bound Pb was 1.3 times higher than the WHO guideline value. Mean PM 10 concentrations were 254 ± 67 μg/m 3 and 208 ± 85 μg/m 3 and mean PM 10 -bound Pb concentrations were 709 ± 206 ng/m 3 and 638 ± 231 ng/m 3 at the traffic junctions in Charsadda and Upper Dir Districts respectively. The mean HI values were less than 1 for the exposed adults and children indicating that health effects are unlikely to occur in the exposed population. Measures should be taken to monitor the airborne PM 10 on regular basis and reduce its emissions into the air.