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Occupational PAH exposures during prescribed pile burns.
M S Robinson1, T R Anthony, S R Littau
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA.
The Annals of Occupational Hygiene
|June 3, 2008
Summary
Wildland firefighters experienced low exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during prescribed pile burns. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) levels and pulmonary function did not significantly change after exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Fire Science
Background:
- Wildland firefighters face exposure to particulate matter and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
- Assessing exposure levels and health impacts is crucial for firefighter safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate firefighter exposure to particulate matter and PAHs during prescribed ponderosa pine slash pile burns.
- To determine if exposure correlates with changes in urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP), a PAH metabolite.
Main Methods:
- Conducted personal and area sampling for particulate and PAH exposure among 21 wildland firefighters.
- Collected pre- and post-exposure urine samples and measured pulmonary function.
- Analyzed urine for 1-HP and air samples for specific PAHs (naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluorene).
Main Results:
- Personal PAH exposures were low, with only three PAHs detected in vapor-phase samples.
- Condensed-phase PAHs in PM2.5 area samples were below 1 microg m(-3).
- No significant changes were observed in urinary 1-HP levels or pulmonary function post-exposure.
Conclusions:
- Prescribed pile burns in this study resulted in low overall PAH exposure for wildland firefighters.
- Urinary 1-HP testing did not indicate significant exposure or health effects from these specific burning conditions.
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