Characterization of ambient PM1 at a suburban site of Agra: chemical composition, sources, health risk and potential cytotoxicity

The present study was conducted at a University campus of Agra to determine concentrations of crustal and trace elements in submicron mode (PM1) particles to reveal sources and detrimental effects of PM1-bound metals (Cr, Cd, Mn, Zn, As, Co, Pb, Cu and Ni) in samples collected in the foggy (1 December 2016-17 January 2017) and non-foggy periods (1 April 2016-30 June 2016). Samples were collected twice a week on preweighed quartz fibre filters (QM-A 47 mm) for 24 h using Envirotech APM 577 (flow rate 10 l min(-1)). Mass concentration of PM1 was 135.0 +/- 28.2 and 54.0 +/- 18.5 mu g/m(3) during foggy and non-foggy period, respectively; crustal and trace elements were 13 and 4% during foggy and 11 and 3% in the non-foggy period. Source identification by PCA (principal component analysis) suggested that biomass burning and coal combustion was the prominent sources in foggy period followed by resuspended soil dust, industrial and vehicular emission, whereas in non-foggy period resuspended soil dust was dominant followed by biomass burning and coal combustion, industrial and vehicular emissions. In both episodes, Mn has the highest Hq (hazard quotient) value and Cr has the highest IlcR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) value for both adults and children. In vitro cytotoxicity impact on macrophage (J774) cells was also tested using MTT assay which revealed decreasing cell viability with increasing particle mass.

Automated summary

This study was conducted at a University campus in Agra to determine concentrations of crustal and trace elements in submicron mode particles, revealing sources and detrimental effects of PM1-bound metals during foggy and non-foggy periods. The results showed that manganese and chromium posed the highest health risks, with manganese being more prominent during foggy periods, while chromium was more concerning during non-foggy periods. Additionally, the study demonstrated that PM1 particles could decrease cell viability in macrophages.