Atmospheric Estrogenic Semi-Volatile Compounds and PAH in PM₂.₅ in Mexico City

Abstract

The quantification of semi-volatile organic compounds with potential endocrinedisrupting activity contained in fine atmospheric particles (PM₂.₅) is essential to understand their temporal behavior, identify their sources, and evaluate the health risks resulting from population exposure to said compounds. Since information and research outcomes regarding their presence in the atmosphere in developing countries are scarce, the main objective of this work was the development of a methodology devoted to extracting, characterizing, and quantifying, for the first time in Mexico, the concentration levels of three important groups of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) bonded to PM₂.₅ and collected during a year, namely: alkylphenols (4-n-nonylphenol (4NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4tOP)); bisphenols (bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol F (BPF)); natural and synthetic hormones (17β-estradiol (E₂), estriol (E₃) and 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE₂)). Further, priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) that also disrupt endocrine activity were analyzed. All compounds were determined by gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, and the concentration levels were analyzed for different climatic seasons. Cold-dry (CD) season displayed higher levels of 4NP, bisphenols, and hormones (between 0.71 (4NP) and 1860 pg m-³ (BPA)), as well as PAH concentrations (9.12 ng m-³). Regarding health effects, concentrations of alkylphenols, bisphenols, and hormones quantified had a value of estradiol equivalent concentration (EEQE2) between 0.07 and 0.17 ng m-³. PAH concentrations did not have carcinogenic and mutagenic risk with BaP(PEQ) < 1 ng m-³. These results can be used by policymakers in the design of strategies for air pollution control.