Health Risk Assessment of Four Important Ambient Air Pollutants in Hyderabad

Abstract

This research focuses on the exposures of key ambient air contaminants in ambient air samples obtained in several Hyderabad localities. India, in recent years, significant effort has been made in India to reduce air pollution. A systematic risk assessment approach was made to assess the exposure intake risk from PM10, PM2.5, and NOx. The Telangana state pollution control board (TSPCB) provided information for more than 20 locations from there we have collected the data for the years 2011, 2015, 2020, and 2021. These data were being used to assess the hypothetical health risks of ambient air sample exposures using the hazard quotient (HQ) for non-carcinogenic lifetime cancer risk and lifetime excess risk of cancer for carcinogenic pollutants. The exposure and dose related methodologies for inhalation dose were collected from USEPA, ASTDM, and ICRP websites. One of most polluting component of the atmosphere found to be PM10, followed by PM2.5 and NOx. Vehicle emissions and tyres abrasion are both responsible for high NOx levels. Re-suspension of road dust and particles created by industrial pollutants may contribute to high PM10 and 2.5 levels. Assessments of possible risk from hypothetical exposure to three hazardous pollutants in adults, children, and infants were determined to be significantly below the permissible limits, indicating no risk of cancer. Exposures to NOx, PM10, and PM 2.5 resulted in consistent exposures and HQ and HI values of 1 or less, indicating a lower likelihood of non-carcinogenic hazards. The calculation of cancer risk (ECR) of exposures of air pollutants indicated that children had higher chances of getting risk of cancer than adults in study area. Cancer risk calculations from inhalation dose to air pollutants indicate that children are more likely to develop cancer risk than adults in the study area.