Pollution characteristics and health risk assessment of PM2.5-bound arsenic: a 7-year observation in the urban area of Jinan, China

The aim of the study was to analyze the temporal trends, pollution sources, and carcinogenic health risks associated with PM2.5-bound arsenic (As). A total of 588 PM2.5 samples were collected in Jinan during January 2014–December 2020. The content and distribution characteristics were determined for As and Al in PM2.5, and the pollution sources were identified based on enrichment factors (EFs). The health risk of inhalation exposure to As was estimated using the risk assessment methods recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The annual average concentration of As in PM2.5 was 4.5–17.5 ng m−3, which was 0.8–2.9 times higher than the limit ruled by the European Union and China’s Ambient Air Quality Standards (6 ng m−3). From 2014 to 2020, the As concentration gradually decreased from 17.5 to 4.9 ng m−3. After 2017, the concentration was close to the level required by the atmospheric quality standard (6 ng m−3). The PM2.5 and arsenic concentrations in the heating season were significantly higher than those in the non-heating season. The EF of As ranged from 144 to 607, which was higher than 10. The cancer risk of As in PM2.5 decreased to the lowest values (heating season 1.0 × 10–5 and non-heating season 7.1 × 10–6, respectively) in 2019. As in Jinan mainly came from anthropogenic pollution. The level of As pollution has been significantly reduced in recent years, but there is still a high risk of carcinogenesis. Air pollution control strategies and guidelines need to be implemented in urban areas, especially during the heating season in winter and spring.