Size-dependent distribution and inhalation cancer risk of particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a typical e-waste recycling and an urban site

• Particle-bound PAHs were dominantly distributed in fine particles.
• Dry and wet deposition fluxes of PAHs were size-dependent.
• Accumulation mode particles contributed the most to inhalation cancer risk.
• Residents living in both study sites are subject to potential health risk.

Atmospheric particle size distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a typical e-waste recycling zone and an urban site (Guangzhou) in southern China featured a unimodal peak in 0.56–1.8 μm for 4–6 ring PAHs but no obvious peak for 2–3 ring PAHs at both sites. The atmospheric deposition fluxes of PAHs were estimated at 5.4 ± 2.3 μg m−2 d−1 in the e-waste recycling zone and 3.1 ± 0.6 μg m−2 d−1 in Guangzhou. In addition, dry and wet deposition fluxes of PAHs were dominated by coarse (Dp > 1.8 μm) and fine particles (Dp < 1.8 μm), respectively. Fine particles predominated the deposition of PAHs in the lung. The results estimated by incremental inhalation cancer risk suggested that particle-bound PAHs posed serious threat to human health within the e-waste recycling zone and Guangzhou.