Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in a number of industrial sectors

Abstract

Although the carcinogenicity of a number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) has been well-documented, the absence of an adequate analytical method has obliged studies of the exposure of Québec workers to focus on other, less specific contaminants, such as pitch. Further, neither industry-specific exposure profiles nor vapour/particle partition profiles of airborne PAH have been studied in Québec settings. This project was therefore undertaken to establish a sampling protocol allowing worker exposure to be adequately characterized, and to document the exposure profiles of a number of key industrial sectors.

The project comprised three phases: laboratory research, field validation, and determination, by CSST (Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail du Québec, Québec Occupational Health and Safety Commission) industrial hygienists, of the exposure profiles of high-risk workstations. The method developed in the laboratory has a 95% confidence interval of ±10% for 12 PAH species in either the particulate or vapour phase. Field studies indicate that the temperature at which sampling is performed influences the final results, and ultimately, the evaluation of worker exposure. Finally, the industrial profiles indicate that environmental and medical surveillance programs should be developed for workers in the aluminum smelting and refractory brick production sectors, and for workers employed at a number of sites in steel mills. On the other hand, the exposure profile of workers employed in paving and roofing, and at a number of sites in steel foundries and silicon carbide plants is much less significant. As a result of these projects, various plants have modified their PAH emission sources or taken other preventive measures.

Produced Under this Project

Scientific Reports

Hydrocarbon mixtures in the workplace E-007
Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in different industrial sectors Research Summary: PR-048

Scientific Publications

Evaluation of worker exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Lesage J., Perrault G., Durand A.
Source :
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, vol. 48, no 9, 1987, p. 753-759
Evaluation of workers exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Lesage J., Perrault G., Durand P.
Source :
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, vol. 18, 1987, p. 753-759
Evaluation of occupational exposures to aliphatic acetates
Drolet D., Lesage J., Perrault G.
Source :
in 3rd International Congress on Analytical Techniques in Environmental Chemistry and 14th Annual symposium on the analytical chemistry of pollutants, (Novembre 1984 : Barcelone, Espagne), 1984
Les hydrocarbures dans l'air en milieu de travail: Les normes sont-elles dépassées par la technique?
Drolet D., Lesage J., Perrault G.
Source :
in Congrès de l'Institut de chimie du Canada, (67e : juin 1984 : Montréal, Canada), 1984
Problématique des brais de houille et des hydrocarbures polycycliques aromatiques
Cousineau J., Drolet D.
Source :
in VIe congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle du Québec / AHIQ, (6e : mai 1984 : Montréal, Canada), 1984
Problèmes reliés à l'analyse des hydrocarbures dans l'air
Drolet D., Goyer N.
Source :
in Congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle du Québec / AHIQ, (5e : mai 1983 : Québec, Canada), 1983
Validation des dosimètres passifs pour des mélanges d'hydrocarbures: l'essence sans plomb et l'Avgaz
Dassylva N., Drolet D.
Source :
in XIIe congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle au Québec / AHIQ, (12e : 3-4 mai, 1990 : Hull, Canada), 1990, p. 4
Les dosimètres passifs
Drolet D.
Source :
Travail et santé, vol. 4, no 3, 1988, p. 10-11
Evaluation of Worker Exposure to Coal Tar and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Lesage J., Ostiguy C.
Source :
American Society for Mass Spectrometry Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics (June 1992 : Washington D.C.), 1992
Évaluation de l'exposition des travailleurs québécois de l'aluminium aux brais de houille et aux hydrocarbures polycycliques aromatiques (HPA)
Ostiguy C., Lesage J.
Source :
in Compte-rendu du 5e colloque sur les substances toxiques (5e : 1-2 avril, 1992 : Montréal, Canada), 1992, p. 229
Étude des profils d'exposition aux HPA chez les travailleurs québécois de l'aluminium
Lesage J., Ostiguy C.
Source :
in Tourné vers l'hygiène : 13e Congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle au Québec / AHIQ (13e : 1-3 mai, 1991 : Sherbrooke), 1991, p. 33
Évaluation des hydrocarbures polycycliques aromatiques en milieu de travail
Lesage J., Lajoie A., Perrault G.
Source :
in VIe congrès de l'Association pour l'hygiène industrielle du Québec / AHIQ, (6e : mai 1984 : Montréal, Canada), 1984
Sampling and analytical method to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aluminum refineries, paving and roofing operations and other industries using coal, coke of coal tar pitch
Perrault G., Lesage J., Lajoie A.
Source :
in American Industrial Hygiene Conference, (May 1985 : Las Vegas, California, USA), 1985
Deux exemples de recherche appliquée, l'exposition aux HPA et la protection contre les chutes en hauteur
Lajoie A.
Source :
in 54e congrès de l'Association Canadienne-française pour l'Avancement des Sciences / ACFAS, (54e : 12-16 mai, 1986 : Montréal, Canada), 1986

Additional Information

Type: Project

Number: 0083-0200

Status: Completed

Year of completion: 1984

Research Field: Chemical and Biological Hazard Prevention

Team:

Guy Perrault (IRSST)
Jacques Lesage (IRSST)