Primary investigation of the pollution status of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water and soil of Xuanwei and Fuyuan, Yunnan Province, China

Lung cancer incidence in Xuanwei and Fuyuan is extremely high. The air pollution, especially indoor airborne PAHs generated by burning smoky coals, has been considered as the most probable reason. The air pollution may affect drinking water and soil through dry and wet deposition. In this study, the concentrations of PAHs in water and soil samples from Xuanwei and Fuyuan were monitored to investigate the influence of atmospheric PAHs pollution on water and soil. No obvious PAHs pollution in water was found in these two areas, indicating that airborne PAHs have no apparent effect on the drinking water (well water). The smoky coal combustion from household and industry, such as the activities related to power plants, coking plants and chemical industries, is responsible for the soil PAHs pollution in these two areas. The soil pollution might be the reemission source and would pose long-term threat to the local environment and health of residents.