Source attribution of personal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixture using concurrent personal, indoor, and outdoor measurements

Abstract

Objectives Relative importance of multiple indoor and outdoor venues on personal exposure concentrations to pro-carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) remains poorly understood. This is particularly challenging because many c-PAHs share sources and occur as a complex mixture. Accurate and precise apportionment of personal exposure according to exposure venues could aid in understanding of human health effects due to given source. Here, we partitioned indoor and personal exposure concentrations to seven c-PAHs and pyrene according to the indoor- and outdoor- origins. Methods A simultaneous, integrated monitoring of personal, indoor and outdoor concentrations of nine PAHs was conducted in 75 homes for a consecutive 48-hour period across a two-year period in Kraków, Poland. Due to few known indoor sources for chrysene, we used this PAH species as a tracer for infiltration of outdoor PAHs. Personal and indoor concentrations of seven c-PAHs and pyrene were apportioned to home indoor, non-home indoor and outdoor origin. Results Using Chrysenein / Chryseneout as proxy for an infiltration factor, Finf, infiltrated PAHs of outdoor origin are overall higher in concentration than those emitted from the indoor origin. Average contribution by the outdoor sources on B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F were 92%, 79%, and 78% across all seasons. In contrast, in homes where a household members smoked, average contribution by the outdoor sources on B[ghi]P, B[a]P, D[ah]A, and IP were lower (i.e., 67%, 65%, 67%, and 66%, respectively). Season-averaged contribution by the outdoor sources on personal exposure to B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F were 92%, 74%, and 77%, respectively. On the other hand, season-averaged home indoor source contribution on personal exposure to B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F were estimated at 6%, 15%, and 19%, respectively. Similar contributions by season-averaged home indoor sources on personal exposure were estimated at 28% for B[ghi]P, 31% for B[a]P, 25% for D[ah]A, and 28% for IP. Conclusion Of the seven c-PAHs, B[a]A, B[b]F, and B[k]F are enriched in indoor and personal exposure concentrations from the outdoor coal-combustion. B[ghi]P, B[a]P, D[a,h]A, and IP, PAHs with some of the highest carcinogenic and mutagenic potencies, are considerably enriched by cigarette smoke in addition to the outdoor sources.

Profile of Atmospheric PAHs in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Gujranwala Districts of Punjab Province (Pakistan)

“…In recent years, the passive air samplers (PAS) based on sorbent disks of polyurethane foam housed in stainless steel protective chambers are widely used for the sampling of atmospheric persistent organic pollutants. These devices do not require any electric pump and can be installed in many sites, and provide high retention capacity for many organic compounds (Harner et al, 2004;Choi and Spengler et al, 2014).…”

Estimation of chronic personal exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

“…Our earlier analyses showed that PAH of outdoor origin are the predominant contributor to personal exposure (Choi et al, 2008a; Choi and Spengler, 2014). Furthermore, proxy variables, such as home heating demand in degrees and wind speed, significantly predicted the ambient PAH concentrations (shown in Table S2).…”

“…As described elsewhere (Choi et al, 2008a; Choi et al, 2008b; Choi and Spengler, 2014), the home indoor and the home outdoor PAH monitoring were conducted concurrently with the personal exposure monitoring. For indoor monitoring, the backpack was placed in a room where the woman spent most of her time at home (i.e.…”

“…Human behavior patterns add additional uncertainty. Factors further influencing variability and hence the prediction of exposure include the individual’s proximity to sources (both indoors and out), meteorological conditions, combustion condition and fuel type, and building-related factors such as infiltration, dilution, and removal, among others (Choi and Spengler, 2014; Dubowsky et al, 1999; Li and Ro, 2000; McBride et al, 1999). Secondly, monitoring approaches and laboratory analysis methodologies for PAH remain inconsistent and, overall, cost prohibitive.…”

“…Based on our earlier observation, pregnant women in Kraków, our target population of interest, were exposed to a sharp seasonal variation in infiltrated PAH (Choi et al, 2008a). Furthermore, PAH of outdoor origin were the predominant contributor to indoor and personal PAH exposure concentrations (Choi and Spengler, 2014). While our earlier predictive models demonstrated overall excellent fit and performance, they were highly dependent on direct monitoring of personal exposure (Choi et al, 2008a).…”