title: Characterizations of particle-bound trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) within Tibetan tents of south Tibetan Plateau, China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure to trace metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on particulates is of a serious health concern. Levels of some trace metals in total suspended particulate and 13 PAHs of fine particulate matter were measured from nomadic tents in the southern Tibetan Plateau in summer 2010.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The indoor air within the tents was seriously polluted, mainly due to yak dung combustion. Average trace metal concentrations were much higher (range of indoor/outdoor ratio 61-291) than those of the outdoor air. Additionally, enrichment factors of most trace metals of indoor air were similar to those of outdoor air, indicating outdoor air quality of the studied area was possibly influenced by pollutants emitted from local tents. Mean concentrations of total PAHs and BaP within tents was 5372.45 and 364.79 ng/m(3), hundred times higher than that of outdoor air of the Tibetan Plateau. Three- and four-ring PAHs were the predominant components. The diagnostic ratio of BaA/(BaA + Chr) was 0.33. Since Tibetan women typically spend longer time within the tents, they were exposed to PAHs (BaP exposure = 1.81 μg/m(3)) about two times of other family members. Among all the PAHs, Bap contributed the most (82.6%) of the total carcinogenicity. Similarly, the excess lifetime cancer risk for women and other family members were 2.75 × 10(-4) and 1.27 × 10(-4), respectively, indicating Tibetan herdsmen, especially women who are in charge of most house chores were at risk for adverse health effects.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Tibetan Environment Changes and Land Surface Processes, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Chaoliu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shichang
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qianggong
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Guor Cheng
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols / Q000032:analysis; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002681:China; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000393:Air Pollutants; D008670:Metals; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons