Effects of open-air burning of metal scrap on ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations

Airborne concentrations of PAH were measured at five different sampling sites located within and outside the source region with uncontrolled open burning of metal scrap. The uncontrolled open burning was a significant source of ambient PAH in the vicinity of the source region. The profiles of various species of PAH from the metal scrap burning were different from those in an urban area, especially for particle-bound PAH. The amount of B(a)P in the source region was about 2–10 times greater than in the vicinity of the source region, and in urban areas caused by vehicle exhaust. Samples from the source region clearly showed mutagenicity. Particle-bound PAH exhibited higher mutagenic activity than PAH in the gas phase.