Source Profile Analysis, Source Apportionment, and Potential Health Risk of Ambient Particle-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Areas of Specific Interest

Ambient particulate matter (PM10) and its chemical composition in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in areas of specific interest, between September 2015 and July 2016. The principal aim of this study was to assess the different PAH source profiles in each area, as well as their potential health risk. In particular, the studied areas were (a) the semiurban industrialized zone of the Municipality of Peloponnese (Meligalas, Messini) of Messinia prefecture, due to the intensive olive-productive activity in the extensive area, (b) the industrialized zone of Oinofyta in Voiotia prefecture, and (c) the urban/traffic center of Athens (Aristotelous). Intense spatial and seasonal variations in PAH levels were observed among the study areas collectively, but also for each one individually. During the winter period, the total PAHs average concentration was 11.45 and 9.84 ng/m3 at Meligalas–Skala (S1, S2 stations), 8.84 ng/m3 at Messini (S3 station), and 6.30 ng/m3 at the center of Athens (Aristotelous). During the summer campaign, the corresponding levels were 0.99, 1.20, and 0.70 ng/m3 (S1, S2, and S3 stations), and 5.84 ng/m3 (Aristotelous), respectively. The highest potential cancer risk of the PAHs mixture was estimated based on winter season measurements taken at the Municipality of Peloponnese. In order to determine PAH sources, two different source apportionment techniques were applied, i.e., diagnostic ratios (DRs) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model.