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Benzene homologues are important chemical precursors to the formation of ground-level ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere, in addition, some toxic species are harmful to human health. Strict countermeasures have been taken to fight air pollution since 2013, and total amount control of volatile organic compounds is being promoted in China at present. Therefore, it is important to understand the pollution situation and the control status of ambient benzene homologues in China. This paper reviews research progress from published papers on pollution characteristics, atmospheric photochemical reactivity, health risk assessment and source identification of ambient benzene homologues in recent years in China, and also summarizes policies and countermeasures for the control of ambient benzene homologues and the relevant achievements. The total ambient levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes (BTEX) shows a declining tendency from 2001 to 2016 in China. The mass concentrations of BTEX are generally higher in southern regions than in northern regions, and they present vertical decreasing variation characteristics with increasing altitude within the height range of about 5500 m. Toluene has the highest ozone formation potential and SOA formation potential both in urban areas and background areas, while benzene poses an obvious carcinogenic risk to the exposed adult populations in urban areas. Source identification of ambient benzene homologues suggested that local governments should adopt differentiated control strategies for ambient benzene homologues. Several recommendations are put forward for future research and policy-making on the control of ambient benzene homologues in China. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PM2.5 level has decreased significantly in Beijing in recent years due to the strict air quality control measures taken in Jingjinji Region and the surrounding areas. However, the variation characteristics of the concentrations of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Beijing in recent years are still not so clear. In order to understand the pollution status of PM2.5-bound PAHs in Beijing, fifteen PAHs were measured in a typical urban area of Beijing from 1 March to 20 March 2018. The average mass concentration of the 15 PAHs was 21 ng/m3 and higher in the nighttime than that in the daytime. The proportion of 4-ring PAHs in 15 PAHs was highest (43%), while 6-ring PAHs was lowest (10%). The levels of PAHs were higher during heavy pollution episodes than those in non-heavy pollution episodes, and the proportions of 5- and 6-ring PAHs were increased during a heavy pollution episode. PAHs posed obvious carcinogenic risks to the exposed populations, and the risk was higher during heavy pollution episodes than the average value of the whole monitoring period. The main sources of PAHs were traffic emissions and coal/biomass burning. Air masses from the south-southeast had a great influence on the PM2.5 levels during a heavy pollution episode. It is recommended that not only the PM2.5 levels but also the PAHs levels bounded in PM2.5 should be controlled to protect human health in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty-three atmospheric volatile halogenated hydrocarbons (VHHs) were detected in a typical urban area of Beijing, China from 24 August to 4 September, 2012. The mean and range in daily mass concentrations of the 23 VHHs were 30.53 and 13.45–76.33 µg/m3, respectively. Seven of those VHHs were controlled ozone-depleting substances in China, with a mean of 12.95 µg/m3, accounting for 42.43% of the total. Compared with other national and international cities, the concentrations of the selected 11 VHHs in this study were relatively higher. Dichloroethane had the highest mass concentration, followed by difluorochloromethane. Maxima of total VHHs occurred within the period 8:30–9:00 a.m., while minima occurred during 1:30–2:00 p.m. Source apportionment suggested that the main sources of VHHs in the study area were solvents usage and industrial processes, leakage of chlorofluorocarbons banks, refrigerants, and fumigant usage. Among the selected 7 VHHs, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene posed potential carcinogenic risks to exposed populations, while none of the selected 11 VHHs posed appreciable non-carcinogenic risks to exposed populations. The carcinogenic risks from atmospheric VHHs in Beijing are higher than in other Chinese cities, indicating that it is necessary to implement immediate control measures for atmospheric VHHs in Beijing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To evaluate the influence of the implementation of emission reduction measures on air quality during the 2015 China Victory Day Parade, the characteristics of organic aerosols in particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM 2.5) were analyzed from 11 August to 10 September 2015 in Beijing, China. The average concentration of PM 2.5 decreased by 64% during the 2015 China Victory Day Parade compared with that before the event. Local emissions were the main PM 2.5 sources during the 2015 China Victory Day Parade; cooking and traffic emission were two significant contributors. During the 2015 China Victory Day Parade, the average concentrations of levoglucosan and dehydroabietic acid decreased by 31% and 12%, respectively, indicating the significant effects of regional air pollution controls on air quality. 17 α (H), 21 β (H)-30-Norhopane and 17 α (H), 21 β (H)-hopane concentrations decreased continuously throughout the entire study period, suggesting the significant effect of the "odd-even" traffic restrictions implemented. Similarly, o -phthalic acid, succinic acid, and 2,3-dihydroxy-4-oxopentanoic acid (DPA) concentrations also significantly decreased during the Parade, with reductions of 63, 50, and 61%, respectively, compared with before the event. Photochemical oxidation played an important role in the formation of o -phthalic acid, while the formation of DPA was influenced by both photochemical oxidation and liquid-phase chemical reactions. The lung cancer risk, caused by inhalation exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, to the exposed populations decreased by 40% during the 2015 China Victory Day Parade, the enhanced control measures implemented during Parade Blue would also have positive influence on the human health. Highlights • Cooking and traffic emission are the mainly sources of PM 2.5 during Parade Blue. • Concentrations of organic aerosols significantly decrease during Parade Blue. • The enhanced control measures would have positive influence on the human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) are crucial water supply sources in the southern margin of Junggar Basin in Xinjiang. The sources of toxic components in SW and GW and their negative effects on human health are of great concern. A total of 40 SW and 596 GW samples were collected at the oasis belt to analyze distribution, sources and potential health risks of inorganic pollutants in SW and GW. Results revealed that SW quality was severely affected by Hg, 30.0% of which had Hg concentration greater than the national drinking water standard. High Hg SW was mainly distributed near Manas County and Urumqi City. GW quality was mostly affected by SO 4 2−, 24.7% of which had SO 4 2− concentration greater than the national drinking water standard. High SO 4 2− GW primarily occurred in the northwest and middle of the study area. Source apportionment of inorganic pollutants identified geological background, municipal wastewater disposal, water-rock interaction, geological environment, geological structure and industrial emission were the prominent potential sources of inorganic pollution in SW, with contribution rates of 1.2%, 10.0%, 43.6%, 35.1%, 6.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Five potential pollution sources in GW (including geological background, municipal wastewater disposal, water-rock interaction, geological environment and aquifer burial depth) were identified, with contribution rates of 0.7%, 9.6%, 77.6%, 11.1% and 1.0%, respectively. Probabilistic health risk assessment showed that Cl− and As in SW and GW were the main inorganic pollutants threatening human health. Non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children were negligible, while carcinogenic risks cannot be negligible. Furthermore, the contribution of potential pollution sources to health risks was quantified using positive matrix factorization coupling with health risk assessment model. Based on which, we offered the suggestion that water quality improvement in contaminated areas should be implemented in combination with pollution monitoring systems. • The main inorganic pollutants were Hg in surface water and SO 4 2− in groundwater. • Sources of toxic components in surface water and groundwater were identified. • PMF and HRA models were used to quantify health risk contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitrated derivatives (NPAHs) attract continuous attention due to their distinct carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. To investigate the characteristics, sources, formation mechanism and health risk assessment of PAHs and NPAHs, PM 2.5 were collected at an urban site in Beijing from 2017 to 2018. The highest PAHs and NPAHs concentrations were 77.92 ± 54.62 ng/m3 and 963.71 ± 695.06 pg/m3 in the winter campaign, which were several times larger than those in other seasonal campaigns. Distinct diurnal variations of nocturnal levels higher than daytime levels were shown for PAHs and NPAHs. Source analysis indicated that besides vehicle exhaust, biomass burning and coal combustion were important sources of PAHs and NPAHs in the fall and winter campaigns. Secondary formation in atmosphere was another source of NPAHs especially in the spring and summer campaigns. NO 2 and RH could positively influence the heterogeneous formation of NPAHs when RH was less than 60%. Quantum calculation results confirmed the formation pathway of 2N‐FLA from the OH/NO 3 -initiated oxidation of FLA. The results of health risk assessment showed the potential health risks for the residents, especially in the winter campaign. These results indicated that PAHs and NPAHs still deserve attention following with the decrease concentrations of particulate matter. [Display omitted] • Formation mechanism of NPAHs was studied by observations and quantum calculation. • Diesel vehicle exhaust was a critical primary source of PAHs and NPAHs in Beijing. • NO 2 and RH could positively influence the secondary formation of NPAHs. • Relatively high health risk for cancer existed for the adolescent and adult groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]