PAHs in airborne particles from center area of city in heating period

Total suspended particles (TSP) samples from 7 stations of various functional areas in the center region of Shanghai were collected and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during 2008 winter, and the source of the PAHs was also distinguished. The results show that TSP concentrations were higher than the value World Health Organization recommended (Value of Average daily<;60;0.12mg/m³), there was difference in total PAH concentration among 7 samples between 0.10 mg/m³ and 0.24mg/m³. The contents of PAHs gradually decreased from the outer to the inner ring. There is a peak in campus because of its surrounding. The PAHs may come from the oil and incomplete burning of coal. Based on the measured concentration of the PAHs, BaP equivalent (BaP_eq) was derived based on Toxicity Equivalent Factors (TEFs) of the PAHs. The total BaP_eq values of different stations were higher than the value World Health Organization recommended (1ng/m³), from 2.796 ng/m³ to 7.491ng/m³. The contributions of PAHs with five and six rings contributed 80% of the total toxicity, while they accounted for only 30% of the total concentration. The PAHs of each function area mainly come from local pollution emissions.