Measurement of ambient particulate matter (PM_1.0, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) in Khulna City of Bangladesh and their implications for human health

Atmospheric particles have been significantly affecting urban air quality and urban-oriented living in an increasing share of the population in Bangladesh. This study assessed the concentration of PM_1.0, PM_2.5, and PM₁₀ in Khulna, one of the largest cities in Bangladesh located near the Bay of Bengal. The maximum average concentrations were recorded 415 ± 184.01 µg/m³ for PM₁₀, 302 ± 109.89 µg/m³ for PM_2.5, and 143 ± 45.05 µg/m³ for PM_1.0. These values are several times higher than the World Health Organization air quality standard and Bangladesh National Ambient Air Quality Standard. According to the size and fractional distribution of PM, most of the monitoring locations were dominated by fine particles. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to exposure to ambient PM_1.0, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ were also quantified to illustrate the relevant potential human health risks. The excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) values of PM_1.0 ranged from 8.6E0–4 to 6.0E–07 and PM_2.5 varied between 8.6E–04 and 6.0E–07 exceeded the allowable limit at every location indicating the potential cancer-developing risk to the urban population. The health quotient (HQ) values also crossed the least permissible value at most of the locations depicting strong non-carcinogenic risks. Average HQ values of PM_2.5 varied from 1.07 to 20.13 while PM10 ranged from 0.44 to 8.3. This research revealed children and elderly people as the most vulnerable age groups with the highest carcinogenic risks through exposure to atmospheric PM in Khulna city. Therefore, air pollution reduction plans and risk mitigation strategies should be developed and implemented by the government authorities.