Evaluation of worker exposure to asphalt paving fumes using traditional and nontraditional techniques

Forty-five workers at 11 paving sites across the US were evaluated for exposure to paving asphalt fumes. Traditional measures of exposure such as total particulate matter and benzene soluble matter were monitored. In addition, total organic matter, which includes both the BSM residue and the more vo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American Industrial Hygiene Association journal 2002-09, Vol.63 (5), p.628-635
Main Authors: Kriech, Anthony J, Kurek, Joseph T, Wissel, Herbert L, Osborn, Linda V, Blackburn, Gary R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asphalt
Asphalt pavements
Bioassays
Carcinogens
Chloride
Chromatography
Correlation analysis
Emissions
Hydrocarbons
Kerosene
Laboratories
Mass spectrometry
Occupational safety
Scientific imaging
Studies
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Summary:Forty-five workers at 11 paving sites across the US were evaluated for exposure to paving asphalt fumes. Traditional measures of exposure such as total particulate matter and benzene soluble matter were monitored. In addition, total organic matter, which includes both the BSM residue and the more volatile components that pass through the filter and are collected on sorption material, was quantified and further characterized using a gas chromatography technique and a recently developed fluorescence test. The latter method, which indirectly estimates the content of four- to six-ring polycyclic aromatic compounds, is used as a predictor of carcinogenicity. The correlation between fluorescence emission intensity and carcinogenicity for 36 laboratory generated fume fractions, as measured in a mouse skin-painting bioassay, was then used to estimate the carcinogenic potential of worker monitoring samples. Emission levels, and therefore predicted carcinogenicity, for these samples were at least 17-fold below the value corresponding to a minimal carcinogenic effect. this result was consistent with more extensive chemical analysis of two of the samples, which showed the predominant constituents to be alkanes, monocycloparaffins, alkyl-benzenes, alkyl-napthalenes, and alkly-benzothiophenes.
ISSN:0002-8894