Age-stratified probabilistic cancer and noncancer inhalation risks from volatile organic compounds near a major petrochemical complex in Rayong, Thailand
Communities residing near petrochemical complexes are chronically exposed to complex volatile organic compound (VOC) mixtures, but routine surveillance is often restricted to limited sentinel panels, which may lead to the underestimation of true health risks. This study assessed age-stratified probabilistic carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic inhalation risks near the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, Thailand, the world’s eighth-largest petrochemical hub.
During 2021–2023, six routinely monitored VOCs, namely, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, 1,3-butadiene, and vinyl chloride, were measured at two residential stations and one industrial fence-line station. An expanded 20-VOC panel was additionally analyzed at the fence-line station to capture broader industrial emissions. In this study, Thai-specific anthropometric data and the carcinogenic equivalence quotient framework were integrated into 10,000-iteration Monte Carlo simulations to estimate the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and hazard index (HI) for preschool children, school-aged children, adolescents, and adults. In addition, the annual number of VOC-attributable excess cancer cases in Rayong Province was also estimated.
The mean ELCRs were low at the community stations (4.10 × 10
− 7
to 3.08 × 10
− 6
) but increased markedly at the fence-line station (3.18 × 10
− 5
to 2.32 × 10
− 4
) and increased further under the expanded 20-VOC panel (5.00 × 10
− 5
to 3.61 × 10
− 4
). While the mean HI remained below 1.0 for the routine panel at all the stations, it exceeded 1.0 for all the age groups under the expanded 20-VOC panel (ranging from 2.04 to 4.83). Preschool children had the greatest noncarcinogenic burden, with a 95th -percentile HI of 10.8. Benzene and ethylbenzene were the main carcinogenic contributors at the two community stations, whereas vinyl chloride dominated both the carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks at the industrial fence line. The estimated number of adult VOC-attributable excess cancer cases increased from 2.79 in 2015 to 3.15 in 2023, accounting for 0.36% of the regional cancer burden.
Limited routine VOC monitoring may substantially underestimate petrochemical-related carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks. Age-stratified probabilistic assessment using an expanded VOC panel revealed substantial fence-line risks driven by specialty monomers, highlighting preschool children as a priority population for strengthened surveillance and site-specific risk management.
The results showed that no age group is fully protected, highlighting the need to include FA, AA, and acrolein in Brazilian air quality standards, to implement stricter controls on vehicle emissions, and to establish extensive, continuous atmospheric monitoring.
Mateus S. Moreira, Lícia P. S. Cruz· Air quality, atmosphere and...· 0 citations
The need for integrated mitigation strategies that address both environmental exposure and nutritional vulnerability to reduce the health impacts of As among primary schoolchildren from As-affected and apparently control areas is highlighted.
Sharmistha Majumder, Dona Roy, Archita Dey et al.· Exposure and Health· 0 citations
Mineral exploitation and energy consumption contribute to significant environmental pollution, threatening ecological stability and human health, especially in large coal mining areas. To evaluate environmental risks in the Yulin coal mining area, a study was carried out on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a representative river across different seasons. Multivariate statistical analysis and a positive matrix factorization (PMF) model were employed for source identification and quantitative allocation. To assess ecological-health risks linked to PAH concentrations and source orientation, an integrated methodology was applied, combining Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), PMF, and risk assessment models. Among all PAHs, BaA, BaP, BbF, InP, and DahA exhibited elevated concentrations, surpassing USEPA threshold values at many sampling sites. Seasonal variations were observed, with ∑PAH concentrations averaging 185.11 and 128.22 ng∙L-1 in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. PAHs in Kuye River were primarily influenced by coking/petroleum, coal combustion, traffic emissions, and fuel-wood burning, contributing 37.39%, 34.78%, 14.40%, and 13.44%, respectively, to total concentrations. Ecological risks associated with these source-specific PAHs were classified as moderate, mainly attributed to BaA derived from coal combustion sources. Non-carcinogenic risks for all population groups were within safe limits based on the USEPA hazard quotient threshold. In contrast, under conservative exposure assumptions, the average total carcinogenic risks for all six population groups associated with source-specific PAHs exceeded the USEPA acceptable risk level, with a relatively high probability of risk exceedance. Females aged 2 -15 years showed the highest estimated risks, and dermal exposure was estimated as the primary pathway. In addition, traffic emission sources and BaP were inferred as potential priorities for controlling carcinogenic risks. These results are screening-level estimates based on default parameters and require validation using local data. The findings highlight the importance of probabilistic risk assessment methods based on specific pollution sources and provide a scientific basis for comprehensive PAH risk assessment and prevention strategies in coal mining areas.
Ying Dong, Xinlin He, Ya-ning Zhang et al.· Ecotoxicology and Environmen...· 0 citations
Abstract Naturally occurring radon in groundwater represents a significant public health concern due to exposure through both ingestion and inhalation. This study investigated radon concentrations across 30 groundwater samples collected from northeastern Iraq, together with associated physicochemical parameters and radiological risk assessments. Measured radon concentrations spanned from 2.9 to 29.7 Bq L−1, with a mean of 12.5 Bq L−1. Approximately 43.3 % of the sampled sites exceeded the USEPA guideline, whereas all concentrations remained below the WHO and UNSCEAR limits. Radiological health risk indicators, including annual effective dose via ingestion and inhalation pathways and excess lifetime cancer risk, were evaluated across three different age groups. Although the overall total annual effective dose remained beneath the WHO recommended limit of 0.1 mSv y−1, infants recorded higher dose values than both children and adults, with five sampling locations surpassing this threshold specifically for the infant group. Excess lifetime cancer risk estimates across all age categories fell within USEPA acceptable boundaries. Pearson correlation, skewness, kurtosis, and Shapiro-Wilk statistical tests were applied to examine relationships between radon levels and water quality indicators. Findings highlight the need for targeted mitigation interventions, continuous environmental monitoring, and community awareness initiatives to reduce long-term waterborne radon health risks.
Focused interventions in low- and middle-SDI countries and rapidly industrializing regions are needed, including strengthened occupational exposure regulations, improved workplace arsenic monitoring, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, and regular health surveillance for workers in high-risk industries, to reduce inequalities and mitigate public health threats.
Di Wu, Xinxiao Li, Minghan Luo et al.· Medicine· 0 citations
Barbecue (Moo Kratha) restaurants are prevalent in Chiang Mai City, Thailand. However, their PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emissions, compounded by the region’s severe seasonal smoke haze, remain poorly characterized. This study investigated the chemical composition and carcinogenic risk of PM2.5-bound PAHs in this present environment. Ten PM2.5 samples were collected from ten charcoal Moo Kratha restaurants during peak evening hours in February 2026 (early dry season) using a portable air sampler operated as a fixed-location (area) sampler positioned at the customer dining table (2 L min−1, 180 min) on quartz fiber filters, and the 16 US EPA priority PAHs were analyzed by GC-MS. Carcinogenic risk was assessed using benzo[a]pyrene toxicity equivalent (TEQBaP) concentrations and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for adult and child customers (diners) via the inhalation pathway. The mean concentrations of PM2.5 and total PAHs were 87.64 µg m−3 and 132.74 ng m−3, respectively, with carcinogenic PAHs contributing 52.3%; the mean TEQBaP of 15.34 ng m−3 provides an internal index of the carcinogenic potency of the PAH mixture. The mean inhalation ILCR for a frequent diner was 2.82 × 10−5 for adults and 2.12 × 10−5 for children, rising to 6.16 × 10−5 and 4.62 × 10−5, respectively, at the most contaminated site; even an occasional (monthly) diner exceeded the 10−6 negligible threshold. These findings indicate that charcoal Moo Kratha restaurants are distinct, persistent sources of carcinogenic PAHs that place diners within the upper part of the tolerable cancer-risk range; worker exposure is expected to be higher but was not quantified here, underlining the need for ventilation and occupational-health strategies.
