TY - JOUR
T1 - Measurement of personal exposure to volatile organic compounds and particle associated PAH in three UK regions
AU - Saborit, Juana Mari Delgado
AU - Aquilina, Noel J.
AU - Meddings, Claire
AU - Baker, Stephen
AU - Vardoulakis, Sotiris
AU - Harrison, Roy M.
PY - 2009/6/15
Y1 - 2009/6/15
N2 - Personal exposures to 15 volatile organic compounds (VOC) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of 100 adult nonsmokers living in three UK areas, namely London, West Midlands, and rural South Wales, were measured using an actively pumped sampler carried around by the volunteers for 5/1 (VOC/PAH) consecutive 24-h periods, following their normal lifestyle. Results from personal exposure measurements categorized by geographical location, type of dwelling, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are presented. The average personal exposure concentration to benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzo(a)pyrene representing the main carcinogenic components of the VOC and PAH mixture were 2.2±2.5 μg/m3, 0.4±0.7 μg/m 3, and 0.3±0.7 ng/m3 respectively. The association of a number of generic factors with personal exposure concentrations was investigated, including firstline property, traffic, the presence of an integral garage, and ETS. Only living in houses with integral garages and being exposed to ETS were identified as unequivocal contributors to VOC personal exposure, while only ETS had a clear effect upon PAH personal exposures. The measurements of personal exposures were compared with health-based European and UK air quality guidelines, with some exceedences occurring. Activities contributing to high personal exposures included the use of a fireplace in the home, ETS exposure, DIY (i.e., construction and craftwork activities), and photocopying, among others.
AB - Personal exposures to 15 volatile organic compounds (VOC) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of 100 adult nonsmokers living in three UK areas, namely London, West Midlands, and rural South Wales, were measured using an actively pumped sampler carried around by the volunteers for 5/1 (VOC/PAH) consecutive 24-h periods, following their normal lifestyle. Results from personal exposure measurements categorized by geographical location, type of dwelling, and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) are presented. The average personal exposure concentration to benzene, 1,3-butadiene, and benzo(a)pyrene representing the main carcinogenic components of the VOC and PAH mixture were 2.2±2.5 μg/m3, 0.4±0.7 μg/m 3, and 0.3±0.7 ng/m3 respectively. The association of a number of generic factors with personal exposure concentrations was investigated, including firstline property, traffic, the presence of an integral garage, and ETS. Only living in houses with integral garages and being exposed to ETS were identified as unequivocal contributors to VOC personal exposure, while only ETS had a clear effect upon PAH personal exposures. The measurements of personal exposures were compared with health-based European and UK air quality guidelines, with some exceedences occurring. Activities contributing to high personal exposures included the use of a fireplace in the home, ETS exposure, DIY (i.e., construction and craftwork activities), and photocopying, among others.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67449141705&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1021/es9005042
DO - 10.1021/es9005042
M3 - Article
C2 - 19603680
AN - SCOPUS:67449141705
SN - 0013-936X
VL - 43
SP - 4582
EP - 4588
JO - Environmental Science and Technology
JF - Environmental Science and Technology
IS - 12
ER -