PM2.5-Bound Metals in a High-Tech Industrial Area of Northern Taiwan: Spatial Distribution, Sources, and Health Risks
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) is an imperative environmental health concern because its elemental composition and toxicity vary substantially with emission sources. However, the characteristics and health implications of PM 2.5 -bound metals in high-tech industrial regions remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated the concentrations, elemental composition, spatial distribution, source contributions, and potential health risks of PM 2.5 -bound metals in a high-tech industrial region of northern Taiwan. Ambient PM 2.5 samples were collected at 71 sites during two monitoring campaigns conducted in 2019 and 2020. The mean PM 2.5 concentration was 19.33 ± 8.97 µg m⁻³, with higher concentrations in autumn (23.51 ± 10.40 µg m⁻³) than in summer (14.57 ± 6.51 µg m⁻³), and localized hotspots were observed near industrial parks. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry identified 30 particulate elements, with a mean total metal concentration of 736.85 ± 751.20 ng m⁻³. The metal profile was dominated by Zn, Ba, Cu, Pb, and Mn. Positive Matrix Factorization identified four major sources of particulate metals: fossil fuel combustion (33.1%), soil and road dust resuspension (29.3%), metal-related industrial emissions (22.3%), and tire and brake wear (22.3%). Probabilistic health-risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation estimated a combined lifetime incremental cancer risk (ILCR) of 2.60 × 10⁻⁴, exceeding the commonly applied acceptable risk level of 1 × 10⁻⁶, with As and Cr as the principal contributors. Non-carcinogenic risks were substantially higher for children than adults, with hazard indices (HI) of 4.65 and 0.69, respectively, and were primarily associated with incidental ingestion of contaminated dust. Conclusively, the findings indicate that PM 2.5 mass concentration alone may not adequately reflect the health risks of metal-rich particulate pollution in high-tech industrial environments. Source-specific controls targeting industrial metal emissions and traffic-related non-exhaust emissions, together with continued spatially resolved monitoring of toxic metals, are warranted to reduce potential health risks to nearby populations.
Source: Research Square
Authors: Tzu-Ting Yang, Hsiao-Yun Chiou, Tser-Sheng Lin
Institutions: Yuanpei University, National United University
Language: English
Topic: Heavy metals in environment
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212242551