On the nature of heavy metals in particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and their health impact assessment for a desert city in Iran, Birjand

Introduction: Air pollution is the leading environmental risk factor for health. This study aimed to assess heavy metals in Particulate Matter (PM10, PM2.5) and their health impact assessment for a desert city in Iran, Birjand. Materials and methods: In this study, the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were measured from September 2019 to March 2020. Measurements were performed once every six days for 24 h using high-volume samplers. Moreover, health-related effects attributed to the suspended particles were estimated using the AirQ2.2.3. Results: Mean and standard deviation of PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were 97.5±38.7 μg/m3 and 36.3±19.1 μg/m3, respectively. The mean metal concentrations in PM2.5 were in the Co Cd Ce V order, while the metal concentrations in PM10 were in the Cd As Ce V order. The lowest and highest number of deaths attributed to PM2.5 per 100,000 persons were related to ischemic heart disease (1.73) and chronic respiratory disease (18.35). The highest number of deaths attributed to PM10 per 100,000 persons was related to chronic bronchitis in adults (35.74). Conclusion: This study revealed that particle-based air pollution negatively affects health as caused by heavy metals, whereas further research is required to determine the effects of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols on human health. Monitoring the elemental composition of atmospheric particles can contribute to better air quality management.