Concentrations, sources, and exposure profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in particulate matter (PM(10)) in the north central part of India.

Airborne particulates (PM(10)) from four different areas within Agra city (a semi-arid region) were collected using respirable dust samplers during the winter season (Nov. 2005-Feb 2006) and were then extracted with methylene chloride using an automated Soxhlet Extraction System (Soxtherm). The extracts were analyzed for 17 target polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the heterocycle carbazole. The average concentration of total PAH (TPAH) ranged from 8.04 to 97.93 ng m(-3). The industrial site had the highest TPAH concentration followed by the residential, roadside, and agricultural sites. Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, and benzo(b)fluoranthene were the predominant compounds found in the samples collected from all of the sites. The average B(a)P-equivalent exposure, calculated by using toxic equivalent factors derived from literature and the USEPA, was approximately 7.6 ng m(-3). Source identification using factor analysis identified prominent three, four, four, and four probable factors at industrial, residential, roadside, and agricultural sites, respectively.