[Occupational exposure profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in coke oven workers].
OBJECTIVE
To study the characteristics of occupational exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke oven workers.


METHODS
Samples were collected individually and PAHs concentration in the ambient air were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were introduced to assess the carcinogenic potency.


RESULTS
The levels of PAHs occupational exposure in oven workers at topside was higher than at side oven and bottom oven (P < 0.05). Non-carcinogenic PAHs were more than 70% of total PAHs and benzo[a]pyrene accounted for 65.5% approximately 72.4% of total benzo[a]pyrene equivalents. Total occupational exposure level of PAHs in coke oven workers was positively related to the content of benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene, respectively (r(2) = 0.84, r(2) = 0.94, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Coke oven workers were exposed to a high level of PAHs which possessed some extent of carcinogenic potency, and benzo[a]pyrene is the chief carcinogenic substance.
Chen
Bo
B
Department of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Zheng
Li-xing
LX
Hu
Yun-ping
YP
Chen
Liang
L
Rong
Shun-xing
SX
Jia
Lin
L
Wang
Ning
N
Dong
Chen
C
Zhou
Yuan-fen
YF
Jin
Tai-yi
TY
D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003077:Coke; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity
D002273:Carcinogens; D003077:Coke; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene