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Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor Air Toxics and Associated Human Health Risk in Edmonton, Canada
MD. AYNUL BARI, Sanchita Paul, Warren Kinderzierski, University at Albany, SUNY
Abstract Number: 381
Working Group: Indoor Aerosols
Abstract
Exposure to hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) or air toxics is of interest due to potential carcinogenic and other adverse health effects. There is a growing awareness and public health interest about the quality of air people breathe in indoor and outdoor environments. While government agencies have emphasized tackling urban ambient air pollution, less attention has been paid in assessing HAPs in indoor and outdoor (e.g., backyard) residential settings – which are key microenvironments for human exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between indoor/outdoor residential HAPs concentrations and their potential risk to public health. Indoor and outdoor HAPs concentrations, including volatile organic compounds and trace elements in PM1, were measured in 50 non-smoking homes of Edmonton, Alberta in both winter and summer 2010. For assessing risks associated with inhalation exposures, dose response criteria of the USEPA were used to screen HAPs concentrations. For chronic exposure, cancer and non-cancer risks were evaluated using USEPA inhalation unit risk and reference concentrations associated with the concentration for each HAP. Estimated 95th percentile (upper-bound) cancer risks of some indoor HAPs e.g., benzene, 1,3-butadiene, naphthalene, formaldehyde, and cadmium were above recommended USEPA acceptable risk (1x10–6) and Alberta cancer benchmark (1x10–5) targets, but below the USEPA tolerable risk (1x10–4). Estimated indoor non-cancer risks of 1,3-butadiene, trichloroethene, and naphthalene were above a safe level (>1) with the highest being observed for acrolein. Estimated risks for all outdoor HAPs were below the acceptable and safe levels except for acrolein (non-cancer risk). Findings of this study provide key information about current HAPs levels in residential homes and their associated public health risks. This can aid in developing useful information for reducing exposure to HAPs in residential settings through daily activities and household practices.