Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Human exposures to PAHs: an eastern United States pilot study

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Personal exposure monitoring for select polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was performed as part of the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) Pilot Study in Baltimore, MD and in four surrounding counties (NHEXAS-Maryland). An objective of this effort was to establish environmental exposure estimates for non-scripted subpopulations involved in their normal activities. Participants, children, and adults (ages 13–84) were randomly selected from urban, suburban, and rural areas near Baltimore. Twenty-four hour PM10 sample collections (∼5.8 m3) were performed using personal environmental monitors. Monitoring was performed for 47 households and 6 sampling Cycles during 1995–1996. A total of 233 personal air samples were available from the participants with eight PAHs speciated (e.g., chrysene, benzo(a)pyrene) as well as an aggregate grouping (total carcinogenic PAHs). Results indicate that ∼50 % of the selected samples had detectable concentrations for 3 to 5 of the individual PAHs depending upon spatial setting. Noted differences were observed between exposure concentrations from individuals living in rural areas as compared to urban/suburban environments. Mean benzo(a)pyrene concentrations were observed to be 0.10 ng/m3 across the entire sampling population. This represented a value well below the World Health Organization’s 1.0 ng/m3 ambient air guideline for this PAH.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ambe, Y., & Mukai, H. (1997). Long term stability of benzo[a]pyrene in stored atmospheric particulate matter samples. Chemosphere, 34(9–10), 2023–2028.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Binkova, B., Lewtas, J., Miskova, I., Lenicek, J., & Sram, R. (1995). DNA adducts and personal air monitoring of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in an environmentally exposed population. Carcinogenesis, 16(5), 1037–1046.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buck, R. J., Hammerstrom, K. A., & Ryan, P. B. (1995). Estimating long-term exposures from short-term measurements. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 5(3), 359–373.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CARB. (1994). Indoor air concentrations of phthalates and PAHs in Southern California homes (Vol. 94-10). Sacramento, CA: California Air Resources Board. Research Notes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cimberle, M. R., Bottino, P., & Valerio, F. (1983). Decomposition of benzo(a)pyrene deposited on glass-fiber filters and exposed to sunlight. Chemosphere, 12(3), 317–324.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clayton, C. A., Pellizzari, E. D., Whitmore, R. W., Quackenboss, J. J., Adgate, J., & Sexton, K. (2003). Distributions, associations, and partial aggregate exposure of pesticides and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in the Minnesota Children’s Pesticide Exposure Study (MNCPES). Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 13(2), 100–111. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Echols, S. L., MacIntosh, D. L., Hammerstrom, K. A., & Ryan, P. B. (1999). Temporal variability of microenvironmental time budgets in Maryland. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 9(5), 502–512.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, S. C., Jedrychowski, W., Butscher, M., Camann, D., Kieltyka, A., Mroz, E., et al. (2010). Prenatal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and children’s intelligence at 5 years of age in a prospective cohort study in Poland. Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(9), 1326–1331. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901070.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egeghy, P. P., Quackenboss, J. J., Sandra, C. C., & Ryan, P. B. (2005). Determinants of temporal variability in NHEXAS-Maryland environmental concentrations, exposures, and biomarkers. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 15(5), 388–397. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500415.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2011). Air quality standards. http://ec.europa/edu/environment/air/quality/standards.htm.

  • IARC. (1983). Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons. Part I. Chemical, environmental, and experimental data. In Evaluation of the carcinogenic risk of chemicals to humans. IARC monographs. Lyon, France: International Agency for Research on Cancer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jedrychowski, W., Whyatt, R. M., Camann, D. E., Bawle, U. V., Peki, K., Spengler, J. D., et al. (2003). Effect of prenatal PAH exposure on birth outcomes and neurocognitive development in a cohort of newborns in Poland. Study design and preliminary ambient data. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 16(1), 21–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebowitz, M. D., O’Rourke, M. K., Gordon, S., Moschandreas, D. J., Buckley, T., & Nishioka, M. (1995). Population-based exposure measurements in Arizona: a phase I field study in support of the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 5(3), 297–325.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Y. N., Tao, S., Yang, Y. F., Dou, H., Yang, Y., & Coveney, R. M. (2007). Inhalation exposure of traffic police officers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the winter in Beijing, China. Science of the Total Environment, 383(1–3), 98–105. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.05.008.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lobscheid, A. B., & McKone, T. E. (2004). Constraining uncertainties about the sources and magnitude of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in ambient air: the state of Minnesota as a case study. Atmospheric Environment, 38(33), 5501–5515. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.06.035.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luch, A. (2005). The carcinogenic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. London: Imperial College Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh, D. L., Hammerstrom, K., & Ryan, P. B. (1999). Longitudinal exposure to selected pesticides in drinking water. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 5(3), 575–588.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh, D. L., Kabiru, C., Scanlon, K. A., & Ryan, P. B. (2000). Longitudinal investigation of exposure to arsenic, cadmium, chromium and lead via beverage consumption. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 10(2), 196–205.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacIntosh, D. L., Kabiru, C., Echols, S. L., & Ryan, P. B. (2001). Dietary exposure to chlorpyrifos and levels of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol in urine. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 11(4), 279–285. doi:10.1038/sj.jea.7500167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R. L., Garfinkel, R., Horton, M., Camann, D., Perera, F. P., Whyatt, R. M., et al. (2004). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, environmental tobacco smoke, and respiratory symptoms in an inner-city birth cohort. Chest, 126(4), 1071–1078. doi:10.1378/chest.126.4.1071.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, M., Sheldon, L., & Croghan, C. (2004). A pilot study of children’s total exposure to persistent pesticides and other persistent organic pollutnats (CTEPP). EPA/600/R-04/193. Research Triangle Park, NC: USEPA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Narvaez, R. F., Hoepner, L., Chillrud, S. N., Yan, B. Z., Garfinkel, R., Whyatt, R., et al. (2008). Spatial and temporal trends of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other traffic-related airborne pollutants in New York City. Environmental Science & Technology, 42(19), 7330–7335. doi:10.1021/Es801273h.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. A., Turlington, J., Duvall, R. V., Vicdow, S. R., Stevens, C. D., & Williams, R. (2008). Indoor and outdoor concentrations of organic and inorganic molecular markers: Source apportionment of PM2.5 using low-volume samples. Atmospheric Environment, 42(8), 1742–1751. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2007.11.035.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, Y., MacIntosh, D. L., & Ryan, P. B. (2001). A longitudinal investigation of aggregate oral intake of copper. Journal of Nutrition, 131(8), 2171–2176.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pang, Y., MacIntosh, D. L., Camann, D. E., & Ryan, P. B. (2002). Analysis of aggregate exposure to chlorpyrifos in the NHEXAS-Maryland investigation. Environmental Health Perspectives, 110(3), 235–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pellizzari, E., Lioy, P., Quackenboss, J., Whitmore, R., Clayton, A., Freeman, N., et al. (1995). Population-based exposure measurements in Epa Region-5—a phase-I field-study in support of the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 5(3), 327–358.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perico, A., Gottardi, M., Boddi, V., Bavazzano, P., & Lanciotti, E. (2001). Assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in police in Florence, Italy, through personal air sampling and biological monitoring of the urinary metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene. Archives of Environmental Health, 56(6), 506–512. doi:10.1080/00039890109602899.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rodes, C. E., Lawless, P. A., Evans, G. F., Sheldon, L. S., Williams, R. W., Vette, A. F., et al. (2001). The relationships between personal PM exposures for elderly populations and indoor and outdoor concentrations for three retirement center scenarios. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 11(2), 103–115.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa, M. J., Jung, K. H., Perzanowski, M. S., Kelvin, E. A., Darling, K. W., Camann, D. E., et al. (2011). Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, environmental tobacco smoke and asthma. Respiratory Medicine, 105(6), 869–876. doi:10.1016/j.rmed.2010.11.022.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, P. B., Huet, N., & MacIntosh, D. L. (2000). Longitudinal investigation of exposure to arsenic, cadmium, and lead in drinking water. Environmental Health Perspectives, 108(8), 731–735.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, P. B., Scanlon, K. A., & MacIntosh, D. L. (2001). Analysis of dietary intake of selected metals in the NHEXAS-Maryland investigation. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(2), 121–128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watts, R., Lewtas, J., Stevens, R., Hartlage, T., Pinto, J., Williams, R., et al. (1994). Czech-United-States Epa Health Study—assessment of personal and ambient air exposures to Pah and organic mutagens in the teplice district of Northern Bohemia. International Journal of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, 56(4), 271–287.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (1987). Air quality guidelines for Europe. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Publications, European Series No. 23, WHO Regional Office for Europe.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (2000). Air quality guidelines for Europe. Copenhagen, Denmark: WHO Regional Publications, European Series No. 91, WHO Regional Office for Europe.

  • Williams, R., Meares, J., Brooks, L., Watts, R., & Lemieux, P. (1994). Priority pollutant Pah analysis of incinerator emission particles using Hplc and optimized fluorescence detection. International Journal of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, 54(4), 299–314.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, R., Watts, R., Hartlage, T., Phillips, L., Lewtas, J., Dobias, L., et al. (1997). Ostrava Human Exposure and Biomarker Study. USEPA/600/R-97-069. Research Triangle Park, NC: USEPA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, R., Watts, R. R., Stevens, R. K., Stone, C. L., & Lewtas, J. (1999). Evaluation of a personal air sampler for twenty-four hour collection of fine particles and semivolatile organics. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 9(2), 158–166.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, R., Suggs, J., Zweidinger, R., Evans, G., Creason, J., Kwok, R., et al. (2000). The 1998 Baltimore Particulate Matter Epidemiology-Exposure Study: part 1. Comparison of ambient, residential outdoor, indoor and apartment particulate matter monitoring. Journal of Exposure Analysis and Environmental Epidemiology, 10(6 Pt 1), 518–532.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, R., Suggs, J., Rea, A., Leovic, K., Vette, A., Croghan, C., et al. (2003). The Research Triangle Park particulate matter panel study: PM mass concentration relationships. Atmospheric Environment, 37(38), 5349–5363. doi:10.1016/j.atmosenv.2003.09.019.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, N., & Chuang, J. (1991). Indoor air levels of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and realted compounds in an eight-home pilot study. In M. Cooke, K. Loening, & J. Merrit (Eds.), Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: measurements, means and metabolism (pp. 1053–1064). Columbus, Ohio: Battelle Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the work of Robert Clickner and the staff from Westat Inc., who were involved in the daily personal monitoring effort conducted throughout the pilot study. Laura Kildosher (North Carolina State University), Karen Hammerstrom (US EPA), and Stephen Hern (EPA-retired) are acknowledged for their contributions in executing the study. Carlton Witherspoon (Alion Science and Technology) is acknowledged for assisting with the HPLC analyses. David L. MacIntosh is acknowledged for his contribution to the design, implementation, and data management work for the NHEXAS studies. Lance Waller is acknowledged for providing part of Fig. 1. Data collection was supported by the US Environmental Protection Agency under cooperative agreement Number CR822038-1.

Disclaimer

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Research and Development wholly funded and managed the research described here. It has been subjected to the Agency’s review and is approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation for use.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27711, USA

    Ron Williams & Carry Croghan

  2. Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    P. Barry Ryan

Authors
  1. Ron Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carry Croghan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Barry Ryan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Barry Ryan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Williams, R., Croghan, C. & Ryan, P.B. Human exposures to PAHs: an eastern United States pilot study. Environ Monit Assess 185, 1011–1023 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2610-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-012-2610-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation