Characterization and preliminary risk assessment of road dust collected in Venice airport (Italy)

Road dust is a non-exhaust source that can significantly contribute to atmospheric particulate by resuspension. Beside the issue of the overcoming of guidelines limits for the air quality, the characterization of this matrix is of crucially high interest for the inherent toxicity of resuspended particles, that can act as carriers of heavy metals and toxic-carcinogenic components. In this paper, road dust collected in the Venice international airport is characterized with a multi-technique approach in order to identify the main pollutant sources and to highlight the differences between airside/landside places. The most polluted sites are identified and a preliminary risk assessment is performed taking into account ingestion, dermal intake and inhalation of fugitive particulate pathways. Specifically, the main sources are related to construction activities, anti-icing safety procedures, and brake, tire and road wear; streets are the most polluted landside places; PAHs, Na, Al, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd are more concentrated in airside area; as regards the risk assessment As, BaP, Cr, Sb, BaA, and BbF are the most critical pollutants. Considering the high number of people passing or working in this airport and the ongoing works related to its enlargement which promotes the emission and the resuspension of fugitive dusts, this research addresses a fundamental step for the protection of potential receptors.