This study estimated the health risk of heavy metals in particulate matter (PM)_2.5 in a Gwangyang industrial complex. The PM_2.5 containing heavy metal was collected from January to November, 2008 using a denuder air sampler and by IC (Ion Chromatograph). The risk assessment was performed in a four-step process; hazard identification, exposure assessment, dose-response assessment and risk characterization. In the hazard identification process, Cr⁶⁺, Ni, As, and Pb were categorized as human carcinogens and probable human carcinogens, while Ti, Mn, Se, P, Cr³⁺, Cu, and Zn were not classified as human carcinogens. It was found that the excess cancer risk by Central Tendency Exposure (CTE) of Cr⁶⁺ and As in PM_2.5 was >10⁻⁶, and the total excess cancer risk posed by carcinogen heavy metals in PM_2.5 was >10⁻⁶. It was also determined that the total hazard index by CTE of non-carcinogen heavy metals in PM_2.5 was <1. Taken together, these results indicate a high cancer risk associated whit inhalation of heavy metal-containing PM_2.5 in industrial areas.

KeywordsPM_2.5, risk assessment, human carcinogen, heavy metal