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A study was conducted to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in cokery workers of an oil shale processing facility in Estonia. Forty nine workers and ten referents participated in the study. Data on occupational history, health, smoking habits, and other relevant aspects were gathered in a detailed interview. Personal air samples were collected over the whole workshift using portable pumps. Skin wipe samples were obtained prior to and following the workshift. Air and skin samples analyzed for PAHs, pyrene (129000), and benzo(a)pyrene (50328) (BaP) by high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Post shift spot urine samples were gathered and analyzed for 1-hydroxypyrene (5315797) (1-HP). The concentrations of pyrene and BaP in the filter samples were 0.01 to 69.6 micrograms/cubic meter (microg/m3) and 0.02 to 39.6microg/m3, respectively. The respective mean values for pyrene and BaP were 8.1microg/m3 and 5.7 grams/m3. A very good correlation between pyrene and BaP concentrations was observed. Measured skin contamination for pyrene and BaP ranged up to 9.0 and 7.4 nanograms/cubic centimeter, which clearly demonstrated PAH skin contamination among the exposed workers. Exposed workers also exhibited increased urinary levels of 1-HP; a strong correlation was indicated between pyrene and 1-HP, and an even stronger correlation was seen for BaP and 1-HP. The authors conclude that the workers in the oil shale facility are exposed to high concentrations of PAHs. Diet and smoking habits were listed as influential factors.
Environmental Health Perspectives, 104(3):539-541, 1996. (22 references)
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