PM_2.5 Elements in the Rural Area of Jing-Jin-Ji Region in China: Source Identification and Health Risk Assessment

This study identified the potential sources of the elements in PM_2.5 and estimated the health risks of heavy metallic elements at a background site of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region (Jing-Jin-Ji region) in heating and non-heating periods. The results showed that Cu, Zn, Se, Pb, and As were enriched and six sources were identified. The health threats of solid fuel combustion and incinerator were more serious than other sources, especially in heating period. The intensified residential heating activities resulted in higher health risk from burning solid fuel in heating period. Among all the measured heavy metallic elements, the exposure levels of As and Pb were most alarming. Compared with adults, children were prone to higher risks. Ingestion was the primary way for both children and adults to expose under the health risk. To prevent a further deterioration of the environment safety of Xianghe, regulating solid fuel combustion and incinerator should be emphasized in Xianghe.