Investigation of the presence of amino and nitro polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a Soderberg primary aluminum smelter

An excessive risk of bladder cancer among Soderberg primary aluminum smelter potroom workers has been reported by several authors, and to date, a causal agent has not been identified. Certain nitro and amino polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are either known or suspected human bladder carcinog...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Industrial Hygiene Association journal 2002-11, Vol.63 (6), p.721
Main Authors: Farant, Jean-Pierre, Ogilvie, David
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aluminum
Bladder cancer
Cancer
Carcinogens
Electrodes
Hydrocarbons
Laboratories
Membrane filters
Occupational safety
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Risk
Statistical analysis
Studies
Ventilation
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Summary:An excessive risk of bladder cancer among Soderberg primary aluminum smelter potroom workers has been reported by several authors, and to date, a causal agent has not been identified. Certain nitro and amino polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are either known or suspected human bladder carcinogens, and their presence in this work environment would be cause for concern. In fact, one of these, 2-aminonaphthalene, has been found in both the air and the coal tar pitch used to fabricate process electrodes following an investigation in a Soderberg plant. During the present study, monitoring was conducted in a primary Soderberg aluminum smelter over a 3-week period using novel methods having very good specificity, reproducibility, and sensitivity. Results indicated that 11-aminonaphthalene and 2-aminonaphthalene and 1-nitronaphthalene and 2-nitronaphthalene were present at low partsper-million levels in the coal tar pitch used to prepare the process electrodes.
ISSN:0002-8894
DOI:10.1202/0002-8894(2002)063<0721:IOTPOA>2.0.CO;2