Characteristics and Risks of Composite Pollutants Formed by Particulate Matter and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons During Combustion of C1 Bituminous Coal in Xuanwei Area

Since the 1980s, Xuanwei, Yunnan Province, China, has remained a global hotspot for lung cancer incidence and mortality. Extensive multi-disciplinary research—spanning epidemiology, atmospheric science, and molecular biology—suggests that this health crisis is not driven by a solitary variable but is the consequence of synergistic interactions among multiple high-risk factors. While the domestic use of bituminous coal and resultant indoor air pollution are identified as primary drivers, the specific contributions of stove typologies and behavioral habits warrant further investigation. This paper systematically analyzes the etiology of high lung cancer rates in Xuanwei, focusing on the characterization and health risks of fine particulate matter PM2.5) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) generated during coal combustion.