EXPOSURE TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS IN A NEW COKING PLANT

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are produced by many industrial processes in the working environment. According to many studies, the highest exposure levels are measured in coking plants and foundries. T he purpose of this study was to measure PAH exposures in the working a reas of a new coking plant. This study is part of a more comprehensive follow-up study to develop reliable and useful biomonitoring methods for PAH exposure. Exposure measurements were conducted during 1988-90 at a new Finnish coking plant. Personal and stationary sampling were c arried out in different areas of the factory. Samples were collected b y using both dust and gas sampling method. Twelve PAH compounds were i dentified and quantified. The highest exposure levels,were found in th e working areas on the top of the battery ,where the Finnish threshold limit value (time rt weighted average) of benzo(a)pyrene (10 mu g/m(3 )) was generally exceeded both in personal and stationary samples. Els ewhere on the battery only a few measurements exceeded the threshold l imit value.