Occurrence and risk assessment of herbicides and fungicides in atmospheric particulate matter in Hanoi, Vietnam

This study investigated the presence and potential health risks of herbicides and fungicides in atmospheric particulate matter (APM) in Hanoi, Vietnam, a rapidly developing city facing significant air pollution challenges. The researchers employed a sophisticated analytical technique, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-quadrupole time of flight-Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Fragment Ion Spectra (LC-QTOF-MS-SWATH), to screen for 187 different pesticides. Their analysis successfully quantified 22 pesticides, comprising 16 fungicides and 6 herbicides, in APM samples collected during both dry and rainy seasons. Notably, 19 of these pesticides were detected in APM in Vietnam for the first time. The study observed higher median total pesticide concentrations during the dry season compared to the rainy season, and night-time concentrations were approximately three times higher than daytime concentrations. Total pesticide levels ranged from 0.82 to 21.1 ng m−3, with a median of 3.63 ng m−3. The detection frequencies for nine pesticides exceeded 70%, and each sample typically contained between 7 and 14 different pesticides. The likely sources of these detected pesticides were identified as prevalent use in amenity turf protection (e.g., parks, public roads) and weed control (e.g., gardens, floriculture, agriculture). A comprehensive human health risk assessment was conducted, calculating total daily intake (DIair) and Hazard Quotients (HQs) for adults, children, and infants. The results indicated that all HQs and Hazard Indices (HIs) for the pesticides were below 1 for all population groups, suggesting negligible exposure risks from atmospheric pesticides in Hanoi. This research provides crucial baseline data for developing effective air pollution control strategies in Vietnam.

This study investigated the presence and potential health risks of herbicides and fungicides in atmospheric particulate matter (APM) in Hanoi, Vietnam, a rapidly developing city facing significant air pollution challenges. The researchers employed a sophisticated analytical technique, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-quadrupole time of flight-Sequential Window Acquisition of All Theoretical Fragment Ion Spectra (LC-QTOF-MS-SWATH), to screen for 187 different pesticides. Their analysis successfully quantified 22 pesticides, comprising 16 fungicides and 6 herbicides, in APM samples collected during both dry and rainy seasons. Notably, 19 of these pesticides were detected in APM in Vietnam for the first time. The study observed higher median total pesticide concentrations during the dry season compared to the rainy season, and night-time concentrations were approximately three times higher than daytime concentrations. Total pesticide levels ranged from 0.82 to 21.1 ng m−3, with a median of 3.63 ng m−3. The detection frequencies for nine pesticides exceeded 70%, and each sample typically contained between 7 and 14 different pesticides. The likely sources of these detected pesticides were identified as prevalent use in amenity turf protection (e.g., parks, public roads) and weed control (e.g., gardens, floriculture, agriculture). A comprehensive human health risk assessment was conducted, calculating total daily intake (DIair) and Hazard Quotients (HQs) for adults, children, and infants. The results indicated that all HQs and Hazard Indices (HIs) for the pesticides were below 1 for all population groups, suggesting negligible exposure risks from atmospheric pesticides in Hanoi. This research provides crucial baseline data for developing effective air pollution control