Urbanization-related changes over the last 20 years in occurrence, sources, and human health risks of soil PAHs in rural Tianjin, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major pollutants in urban areas, and thus present a high risk to the resident health. However, studies on local PAH emissions associated health risks related urbanization scarce. Here, concentrations of PAHs were determined 57 surface soil samples obtained from two rural districts 2018 Tianjin, China. The sources, risks, linkage between contamination soils compared with data 2001 previous study investigate changes induced by urbanization. Results show an increase 2018, particular predominance anthracene dibenz[a,h]anthracene. sources changed coal combustion 32.9%, petroleum 32.1%, traffic 22.1% 2001, 63.7%, biomass 18.7% 2018. carcinogenic residents also increased safe level low level, dermal contact was prevailing pathway exposure. cancer is mainly due sources.