A comparative study on arsenic fractions in indoor/outdoor particulate matters: a case in Baoding, China.

The distribution and bioavailability of arsenic (As) in indoor/outdoor total suspended particulates (TSP), inhalable particulate matters (PM), and fine particulate matters (PM) in Baoding, China were investigated. The average I/O ratios for TSP, PM, and PM were 0.52, 0.66, and 0.96, respectively. There was no significant correlation between indoor/outdoor TSP, PM, and PM. The indoor/outdoor concentrations of As surpassed the limited value of As. I/O ratios of arsenic in TSP, PM, and PM were 0.52, 0.58, and 0.55, respectively. The contents of arsenic in different fractions were mainly affected by the total concentrations of arsenic in particulate matters (PM) rather than the particle sizes for TSP and PM. Arsenic was mainly in non-specifically sorbed fraction (F1) in both indoor and outdoor PM. The evaluated carcinogenic risk (CR) was within the safe level. The bioavailability of As increased with particle size decreasing for both indoor and outdoor PM. The potential bioavailability of As in outdoor particles was higher than that of indoor particles with the same size, especially PM.