Occupational exposures to particulate matter and PM2.5-associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at the Agbogbloshie waste recycling site in Ghana

Firefighters have an elevated risk of cancer, which is suspected to be caused by occupational and environmental exposure to fire smoke. Among many substances from fire smoke contaminants, one potential source of toxic exposure is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The goal of this paper is to identify the association between PAH exposure levels and contributing risk factors to derive best estimates of the effects of exposure on structural firefighters’ working environment in fire. We surveyed four databases (Embase, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) for this systematic literature review. Generic inverse variance method for random effects meta-analysis was applied for two exposure routes—dermal and inhalation. In dermal, the neck showed the highest dermal exposure increased after the fire activity. In inhalation, the meta-regression confirmed statistically significant increases in PAH concentrations for longer durations. We also summarized the scientific knowledge on occupational exposures to PAH in fire suppression activities. More research into uncontrolled emergency fires is needed with regard to newer chemical classes of fire smoke retardant and occupational exposure pathways. Evidence-based PAH exposure assessments are critical for determining exposure–dose relationships in large epidemiological studies of occupational risk factors.

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Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Male Semen Quality, and Reproductive Hormones: the MARCHS Study

Environmental Pollution ◽

10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116883 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 116883

Author(s):

Qing Chen ◽

Furong Wang ◽

Huan Yang ◽

Xiaogang Wang ◽

Aihua Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Semen Quality ◽

Fine Particulate Matter ◽

Reproductive Hormones ◽

Fine Particulate ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic

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Exposure to Atmospheric Particulate Matter-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Health Effects: A Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18042177 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 2177

Author(s):

Lu Yang ◽

Hao Zhang ◽

Xuan Zhang ◽

Wanli Xing ◽

Yan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Particulate Matter ◽

Real Time ◽

Health Effects ◽

Aromatic Hydrocarbons ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Personal Exposure ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Atmospheric Particulate Matter ◽

Polycyclic Aromatic

Particulate matter (PM) is a major factor contributing to air quality deterioration that enters the atmosphere as a consequence of various natural and anthropogenic activities. In PM, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a class of organic chemicals with at least two aromatic rings that are mainly directly emitted via the incomplete combustion of various organic materials. Numerous toxicological and epidemiological studies have proven adverse links between exposure to particulate matter-bound (PM-bound) PAHs and human health due to their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Among human exposure routes, inhalation is the main pathway regarding PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere. Moreover, the concentrations of PM-bound PAHs differ among people, microenvironments and areas. Hence, understanding the behaviour of PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere is crucial. However, because current techniques hardly monitor PAHs in real-time, timely feedback on PAHs including the characteristics of their concentration and composition, is not obtained via real-time analysis methods. Therefore, in this review, we summarize personal exposure, and indoor and outdoor PM-bound PAH concentrations for different participants, spaces, and cities worldwide in recent years. The main aims are to clarify the characteristics of PM-bound PAHs under different exposure conditions, in addition to the health effects and assessment methods of PAHs.

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