Exposure to benzene, toluene, xylenes and total hydrocarbons among snowmobile drivers in Sweden.
The exposure to benzene, toluene, xylenes and total hydrocarbons among 25 individuals exposed to exhaust from a snowmobile equipped with a two-stroke engine has been evaluated. Sampling was performed by pumped and diffusive sampling in parallel. There was a relatively bad agreement between the two air-sampling methods. The bad agreement can in part be explained by back diffusion of the substances from the samplers, a high face velocity, and deposition of droplets of unburned gasoline onto or in the vicinity of the samplers. The levels of benzene ranged from not detectable (< or =0.01 mgm(-3)) to 2.5 mgm(-3). For toluene, xylenes and total hydrocarbons the exposure was 0.10-12.0, < or =0.05-13.0 and 0.90-273 mgm(-3) respectively. The result from two measurements on individuals travelling on an open sleigh at the rear of the vehicle indicated higher levels of benzene, 0.7-0.8 mgm(-3). Children are often riding as a passenger on a sledge and may thus have a higher exposure than their parents. This study indicates that spare time driving a snowmobile may cause a considerable exposure to benzene. Using a four-stroke engine equipped with a catalyst could reduce the exposure. To reduce the exposure for the passenger on a sleigh an extension of the exhaust pipe may be effective.
Eriksson
Kåre
K
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital of Northern Sweden, SE 901 85 Umeå, Sweden. kare.eriksson@niwl.se
Tjärner
Dan
D
Marqvardsen
Inger
I
Järvholm
Bengt
B
D001554:Benzene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D013548:Sweden; D014050:Toluene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D014992:Xylenes / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D014992:Xylenes; D014050:Toluene; D001554:Benzene