Abstract:
The present work investigates the health risks associated with the inhalation exposure of particulate
bound polyaromatic hydrocarbons in selected indoor environment in Kandy city. Particulate samples from five
different types of indoor environments were collected for chemical analysis of 16PAH priority pollutants listed by
USEPA. Categorization of locations was based on the degree of urbanization, type of fuel used for cooking and
proximity to road from the location. Key meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, ambient
temperature and relative humidity were also measured. The collected samples were analysed using a high
performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), after the necessary extraction and cleaning up of the sample. The total
concentrations of particulate PAHs are in the range of 0.386 ng/m3 to 14.65 ng/m3. The comparison of PAH levels
at different categories of environment indicate that the degree of urbanization, fuel type and proximity to road
influences the total concentrations of particulate PAHs. The dominant particulates of PAHs measured at the selected
environments are naphthalene, acenaphthylene, acenaphthene. Then benzo[a]pyrene [B(a)P] indicating particulate
PAHs are contributed by a mixture of both diesel and petrol engine type of vehicles, and biomass combustion. The
total BaPeq concentrations at different environmental categories ranged from 0.06 to 3.08 ng/m3. The total BaP
equivalency results showed the potential health risk to cancer due to inhalation exposure is of concern for residents
living in high urban area with usage of wood as fuel. Since the total BaPeq concentrations for this category was
higher. Very close to, or slightly exceeded the maximum permissible risk level of 1 ng/m3 of benzo(a)pyrene in
other categories also.
