Indoor Exposure and Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) via Public Facilities PM2.5, Korea (II)

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the pollution level (gaseous and particle phase) in the public facilities for the PAHs, non-regulated materials, forecast the risk level by the health risk assessment (HRA) and propose the guideline level. PAH assessments through sampling of particulate matter of diameter ⁄ ⁄2.5 μm (PM 2.5 ). The user and worker exposure scenario for the PAHs consists of 24-hour exposure scenario (WIES) assuming the worst case and the normal exposure scenario (MIES) based on the survey. This study investigated 20 PAH substances selected out of 32 substances known to be carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic. The risk assessment applies major toxic equivalency factor (TEF) proposed from existing studies and estaimates individual Excess Cancer Risk (ECR). The study assesses the fine dusts (PM 2.5 ) and the exposure levels of the gaseous and particle PAH materials for 6 spots in each 8 facility, e.g. underground subway stations, child-care facilities, elderly care facilities, super market, indoor parking lot, terminal waiting room, internet café (PCrooms), movie theater. For internet café (PC-rooms) in particular, that marks the highest PM 2.5 concentration and the average concentration of 10 spots (2 spots for each cafe) is 73.3 μg/m 3 (range: 6.8-185.2 μg/m 3 ). The high level of PM 2.5 seen in internet cafes was likely due to indoor smoking in most cases. For the gaseous PAHs, the detection frequency for 4-5 rings shows high and the elements with 6 rings shows low frequency. For the particle PAHs, the detection frequency for 2-3 rings shows low and the elements with 6 rings show high frequency. As a result, it is investigated that the most important PAHs are the naphthalene, acenaphthene and phenanthrene from the study of Kim et al. (2013) and this annual study. The health risk assessment demonstrates that each facility shows the level of 10 --6 -10 --4 . Considering standards and local source of pollution levels, it is judged that the management standard of the benzo (a)pyrene, one of the PAHs, shall be managed with the range of 0.5-1.2 ng/m 3 . Smoking and ventilation were considered as the most important PAHs exposure associated with public facility PM 2.5 . This study only estimated for inhalation health risk of PAHs and focused on the associated cancer risk, while multiple measurements would be necessary for public health and policy.

Effects of Environmental Air Pollution on Pulmonary Function Level of Residents in Korean Industrial Complexes

“…It is located near the Gwangyang industrial complex, which is populated by large oil refineries and petrochemical manufacturing plants [ 9 , 10 ]. A number of studies have been conducted and reported that the levels of environmental air pollution—including nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O 3 ), dioxins, toxic metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter (PM)—were significantly increasing in the atmosphere, soil, and aquatic environments in these industrial complexes, which have been most affected [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Several studies concluded that chronic exposure to low levels of hazardous pollutants were significantly related to adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems among the residents living closer to Gwangyang and Yeosu industrial complexes in Korea [ 12 , 14 ].…”

Indoor Air Quality in Healthcare and Care Facilities: Chemical Pollutants and Microbiological Contaminants

“…These studies did not provide a quantification of a large range of chemical pollutants and microbiological contamination. To the best of authors' knowledge, only one indoor air quality study has been performed in pharmacies [8], and none in general practitioner's offices.…”