title: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons distribution and related carcinogenic potencies in roadside soil at major traffic intercepts within a developing city of Northern India.
abstract: The objective of the study was to ascertain contamination levels of soil with Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), their distribution behavior and human exposure during summer, winter and rainy seasons in one of the developing city of Jalandhar in the state of Punjab, India. PAHs concentration was measured at 10 different locations (within 3 m) in roadside soil, covering all major traffic intercepts of the city. Recovery range was between 30% and 70% with the lower value corresponds to the lower molecular weight PAHs compound. Identification and quantification of PAHs were done by GC-FID. Average PAHs concentrations (city average) were found to be 16.53, 4.04 and 7.82 microg g(-1), during summer, winter and rainy seasons respectively. Average concentrations of low and high carcinogenic PAHs during summer, winter and rainy seasons were found 5.1 and 31.29, 2.1 and 6.4, & 3.97 and 12.77 microg g(-1) respectively. The average ratios of low and high carcinogenic PAHs were found to be 1:6, 1:3 and 1:7.6 during summer, winter and rainy seasons at most intercepts. Dibenzo (ah) Anthracene and Benzo (a) Pyrene were the two individual PAH found in highest concentration during summer, winter and rainy seasons. It was worth also observed that high carcinogenic PAHs concentration was quite higher (around 85%) in comparison to low carcinogenic PAHs (around 15%) at most intercepts round the year. Five ringed PAHs were in highest concentration at all intercepts and seasons.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, Punjab-144 011, India.
authors.forename: Vaneet
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Kothiyal
mesh_terms: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000032:analysis*; D002947:Cities; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012987:Soil; D001335:Vehicle Emissions