On the nature of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with sporting walkways dust: Concentrations, sources and relative health risk

Abstract

Sporting walkways (SW) are a new innovation which may prove popular in many cities. As there is currently no information on possible health risks associated with their use, concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) associated with deposited dust sampled on SW in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, have been measured and interpreted in relation to sources and cancer risk. The average ∑PAHs (16 compounds) ranged between 1357 ng/g in residential areas and 3764 ng/g in central urban areas, with suburban areas between. The congener profile and diagnostic ratios of PAHs indicate a predominant source associated with petroleum combustion (pyrogenic source), most probably vehicular emissions. Carcinogenic potential is estimated from the sum of carcinogenic compound concentrations weighted by their individual potency relative to benzo(a)pyrene, and is found to be similar to household dust sampled in the same city, and lower than many other indoor and outdoor (road) dusts sampled across the world.