Atmospheric Concentration of Trace Metals in PM2.5 and Their Bioavailability in Different Areas of Gwalior Region

Abstract

The contemporary study aims to explore the concentration of particulate matter (PM), sources and their inherent health risk of exposure in different urban and rural areas of Gwalior, India. In the month of June and July in 2017, with the help of fine particulate sampler, the fine particles (PM2.5) were collected on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter paper. The average mass concentration of PM2.5 was 63.02±27.71μg/m (urban) and 73.07±32.17 μg/m (rural). The metal concentration of PM2.5 was characterized using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results publicised that mostly the toxic metals were primarilypresent in bioavailable fractions. The estimated bioavailable fractions of chromium and lead were 86.62 μg/m and 28.96 μg/m respectively shows the incremental cancer risk, indicating the potential impact on residents of urban and rural areas.