Uptake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Among Trainers in a Fire-Fighting Training Facility

The exposure of fire-fighting trainers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was assessed by personal air sampling. Uptake of PAH was determined by biological monitoring, measuring a metabolite of pyrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, in urine. Eight-hour time-weighted average concentrations benzo(a)pyrene o...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Industrial Hygiene Association journal 1997-01, Vol.58 (1), p.23-28
Main Authors: Feunekes, F.D.J.R., Jongeneelen, F.J., Laana, H.v.d., Schoonhof, F.H.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis
Applied sciences
Atmospheric pollution
Biomarkers
Cancer
Carbon monoxide
Carcinogens
Carcinogens - analysis
Case-Control Studies
Creatinine
Environmental Monitoring
Exact sciences and technology
Female
Firefighters
Fires
Fires - prevention & control
Humans
Hydrocarbons
Indoor pollution and occupational exposure
Male
Occupational safety
Pollution
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis
Protective clothing
Pyrenes - metabolism
Skin
Smoking
Smoking - adverse effects
Statistical analysis
Students
Studies
Urine
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The exposure of fire-fighting trainers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) was assessed by personal air sampling. Uptake of PAH was determined by biological monitoring, measuring a metabolite of pyrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, in urine. Eight-hour time-weighted average concentrations benzo(a)pyrene of 0.029 ug/m3 (instructor), 0.045 ug/m3 (safety officer), and 0.16 ug/m3 (fire assistant) were found. Both tobacco smoking and exposure to smoke from fire appeared to be significant sources of increased 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in fire-fighting trainers. There was evidence of exposure and uptake of PAH among fire-fighting instructors despite the short time of effective exposure and the routine use of protective respirators and protective clothing. Though the uptake of PAH was much lower than found in coke-oven workers, who are known to have an increased relative risk of cancer, a long-term health risk for fire-fighting trainers cannot be excluded. Biological monitoring with urinary 1-hydroxypyrene may be useful in tracing highly exposed persons and in monitoring the effectiveness of control measures.
ISSN:0002-8894
2163-369X
DOI:10.1080/15428119791013035