Atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during chimney sweeping. Issue 7 (July 1989)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Knecht, U; Bolm-Audorff, U; Woitowitz, H J
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 46:Issue 7(1989)
• Page Start: 479
• Page End: 482
• Publication Date: 1989-07
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.46.7.479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Air sampled from the breathing zone of chimney sweeps during "dirty work" and soot samples were analysed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). A total of 20 PAH were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 115 air samples and 18 soot samples. These included benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), chrysene, dibenz(a, h)anthracene, and indeno (1, 2, 3-cd)pyrene, all of which are animal carcinogens. The summed atmospheric concentration of these compounds depended on the type of fuel used and averaged 2.27 micrograms/m3 for oil fuel. If a mixture of oil and solid fuel was used the concentration was 5.06 micrograms/m3; pure solid fuel heating yielded 5.08 micrograms/m3. The air concentrations of BaP were 0.36, 0.83, and 0.82 micrograms/m3 respectively. The soot samples recovered after using the three different fuel types were 10.50, 109.10, and 51.25 mg BaP/kg. The maximum total concentrations of the five carcinogenic PAH were 243.70, 691.06, and 213.94 mg/kg respectively. The time weighted, shift mean concentrations of 0.02 to 0.21 micrograms/m3 benzo(a)pyrene obtained on 11 days form the basis for the industrial medical estimation of risk.