Assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels and health risks in kitchen dust from wood, kerosene, and gas cooking systems in Cumilla, Bangladesh

• PAH Concentration Variation: Kitchen dust samples from wood stoves exhibited the highest total PAH concentrations compared to kerosene and gas stoves, indicating the influence of fuel type on PAH accumulation. • PAH Profile Distribution: Phenanthrene and fluoranthene were dominant in wood stove dust, while phenanthrene and naphthalene prevailed in both kerosene and gas stove dust, illustrating distinct PAH profiles across different cooking systems. • PAH Source Identification: Diagnostic ratios and cluster analysis suggested a combination of pyrogenic and petrogenic sources for PAHs in kitchen dust, with wood stoves contributing significantly to pyrogenic emissions. • Carcinogenic Risk Assessment: Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) calculations indicated elevated risks associated with PAH exposure from kitchen dust ingestion, surpassing safe limits recommended by USEPA, particularly prominent in wood stove environments. • Preferable Cooking System: Gas stoves emerged as a preferable option due to lower PAH emissions compared to wood and kerosene stoves, aligning with findings associating wood and kerosene stove usage with elevated cancer risks. This study investigates the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in kitchen dust from households in the Cumilla District of Bangladesh, utilizing three different cooking systems: wood, kerosene, and gas. Sixty dust samples were collected from various kitchen surfaces and analyzed for 18 PAH compounds. The extraction and analysis of PAHs were performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with selective ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The results indicated significant variations in PAH concentrations across different cooking systems, with the highest levels observed in kitchens using wood stoves, followed by kerosene and gas stoves. Diagnostic ratios were used to identify the sources of PAHs, revealing a combination of pyrogenic and petrogenic origins. Health risk assessments, including Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR) and Hazard Index (HI), were conducted to evaluate the potential risks associated with PAH exposure. The findings demonstrated a higher carcinogenic risk associated with wood stove systems, while kerosene and gas systems posed comparatively lower risks. The study's findings have practical implications for public health and policy development, as they underscore the need for continuous monitoring of indoor PAH levels and the development of policies to mitigate exposure, highlighting the critical importance of addressing indoor pollution to ensure public health safety.