# Target and Non-Target Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Emerging Aromatic Contaminants in Outdoor Dust from a Petrochemical-Impacted Residential Area

## TL;DR

This study analyzed dust from a petrochemical-impacted residential area to assess the presence and health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and related contaminants.

## Contribution

The study introduces a non-target screening approach to identify new aromatic contaminants and evaluates their toxicity and exposure pathways.

## Key findings

- Total concentrations of PAHs and derivatives ranged from 75.3–991 ng/g in dust samples.
- Non-target screening identified 29 potential aromatic compounds with higher acute toxicity than PAHs.
- Oral ingestion was the main exposure pathway for PAH-related contaminants in the study area.

## Abstract

The complex contamination characteristics and potential health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives remain poorly understood. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of 16 parent PAHs and 34 derivatives was conducted in outdoor dust samples collected from a residential area constructed on an abandoned petrochemical site. The results showed that the total concentrations of PAHs, oxidized PAHs, nitro-PAHs, brominated PAHs, and chlorinated PAHs were in the ranges of 75.3–991 ng/g, 9.27–142 ng/g, 1.68–265 ng/g, 15.2–100 ng/g, and 1.23–14.8 ng/g, respectively. Additionally, the non-target screening analysis identified 29 potential aromatic compounds in dust samples. Toxicity assessment indicated that several PAH derivatives and newly identified compounds exhibited stronger acute toxicity than PAHs (ECOSAR model prediction). Incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values of target compounds ranged from 1.54 × 10−7 to 2.95 × 10−6 for adults and from 5.08 × 10−8 to 9.75 × 10−7 for children. Oral ingestion was identified as the dominant exposure pathway, accounting for 83.5% of total exposure, followed by dermal contact (16.5%). Overall, these findings highlight the complexity of human exposure to PAHs and related aromatic contaminants in petrochemical-impacted residential areas and underscore the need for continued attention to their associated environmental and health risks.