Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the occupational environment during exposure to bitumen fumes

Bitumens are produced and commonly used in paving, roofing and flooring operations, as well as corrosion-protective materials in Polish industry. During these processes bitumens, heated to the temperature range from 140 degrees C to 200 degrees C, emit multicomponent mixtures of toxic substances into the workplace air. Assessment of workers' exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during road paving and production of roofing papers, asphalt-rubber blend and lute was the aim of this study. The results indicated that PAHs were detected in the breathing zone of all workers. Especially dangerous to human health was the process of roofing paper production. Exposure factors for PAHs (benzo [a] pyrene, benzo [a] anthracene, anthracene, dibenzo [a, h] antracene, benzo [b] fluoranthene, benzo [k] fluoranthene, indeno [1,2,3-c, d] pyrene, chrysene, benzo [g, h, i] perylene) went up to 20.88 mu g/m(3).