Personal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Pilot Study of Teachers in El Paso, Texas
Background: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important component of urban air pollution. This study aimed to evaluate personal exposure to atmospheric PAHs in teachers working and residing in El Paso, Texas. Methods: Study participants carried air monitoring equipment in a backpack and wore silicone wristbands over a 24-hour period to serve as active and passive samplers, respectively. Results: Of the 25 PAHs measured, 23 compounds were detected in the filters, and 16 compounds were detected in the wristbands. Phenanthrene and naphthalene were the most abundant PAHs sequestered in both matrices. The filters captured more high molecular weight PAHs, whereas the wristbands captured more low molecular weight PAHs. As expected, concentrations of individual PAHs in filters and wristbands were not highly correlated, except in the case of 1-methylnaphthalene. Conclusion: The application of silicone wristbands as passive samples represents a useful, less burdensome exposure assessment technique with potential utility in environmental or occupational studies characterizing PAHs.