Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Dec 24;48(2):66. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02940-9.
ABSTRACT
In recent years, India has witnessed an alarming rise in air pollution levels, raising growing concerns among health and environmental experts. This study evaluates the inhalation cancer risk associated with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in two rapidly developing yet under-monitored regions of India. Ambient air samples were analyzed for 16 priority PAHs, and the carcinogenic risk was assessed using Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) estimates through Monte Carlo simulations for both adults and children. The results indicated season and site-specific variations in PAH concentrations, with winter months showing higher cumulative BaP equivalent (BaPeq) levels. Adults consistently exhibited higher ILCR values than children, exceeding the acceptable risk threshold of 1 × 10-6 in several scenarios.Global sensitivity analysis using the Sobol’ method revealed that BaPeq concentration, exposure duration, and body weight were the most influential parameters affecting ILCR outcomes. Statistical validation using ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc test confirmed significant seasonal and demographic variability. These findings emphasize the need for refined toxicity values and exposure inputs to improve human health risk assessments in India. This work combines field monitoring, probabilistic modelling, and uncertainty-based analysis to support evidence-driven air quality management, aligning with the goals of India’s clean air strategies.
PMID:41444846 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02940-9
