Evaluation of Passive Silicone Samplers Compared to Active Sampling Methods for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health and Safety
• Occupational Exposure Monitoring
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Firefighters face significant occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from incomplete combustion during fire incidents and training.
• Traditional active air sampling methods are often impractical for firefighters due to demanding work environments, bulky equipment, and time constraints.
• Passive sampling offers a potential alternative for monitoring exposures in challenging conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of silicone passive samplers for measuring firefighter exposure to PAHs.
• To determine the statistical relationship between PAH measurements obtained from silicone wristbands and traditional active air sampling methods.
• To assess the utility of silicone samplers in extreme environments encountered by firefighters.

Main Methods:

• Silicone wristbands were deployed alongside active air sampling devices during controlled burn experiments.
• Paired sampling was conducted to compare PAH concentrations measured by both methods.
• Statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between silicone-based and active air sample results.

Main Results:

• Silicone wristband measurements demonstrated a strong correlation with active air samples for dominant PAHs, specifically naphthalene and phenanthrene.
• Detection of PAHs using silicone samplers was limited when ambient air concentrations were low, as indicated by active samples.
• The study identified specific conditions (high PAH levels, low off-gassing potential) where silicone samplers are most effective.

Conclusions:

• Silicone passive samplers, such as wristbands, represent a viable and practical alternative for monitoring firefighter exposure to PAHs in extreme environments.
• These samplers show strong correlation with active methods for key PAHs but have limitations at lower concentrations.
• Industrial hygienists can utilize silicone samplers as a valuable tool for assessing PAH exposure during emergency response and training activities where traditional methods are challenging.