The Benzo(a)pyrene Total Toxicity Equivalent of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soils of Moscow and Assessment of Carcinogenic Risk to Human Beings

Abstract

The values of the benzo(a)pyrene total toxicity equivalent (B(a)P-TEQ) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface layers of Moscow soils are given in this paper. The value of B(a)P-TEQ for eight potentially carcinogenic PAHs in soils ranges from 14.1 to 1995.6 μg/kg with an average value of 299.4 μg/kg and a median of 132.8 μg/kg. In the functional zones of the city, the greatest value of B(a)P-TEQ in soil is observed in the residential and transport areas, while the administrative districts with the highest level are the Southeastern and Central districts. The main contribution to the total toxicity equivalent of PAHs is made by dibenz(a,h)anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene. For 85% of the analyzed soils in the city, the value of ₈B(a)P-TPQ is <600 μg/kg, which, according to the Canadian Ministry of Ecology, corresponds to a carcinogenic risk for a person of less than 10^–6. For 15% of soils, this indicator lies in the range of 775.6–1995.6 μg/kg, which corresponds to risk in the range of 10^–6–10^–5.