DETERMINATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL REFERENCE CONCENTRATION OF 6 PAHS IN URBAN AREAS (PAVIA, ITALY)

We propose a sampling strategy, using individual dosimetry to measure the daily inhaled quantity of PAHs in urban air. The method was applie d to monitor 56 subjects living in an Italian town (Pavia; 80 000 inha bitants) and the Environmental Reference Concentration (E.R.C.) of six PAHs (classified as 'possible' carcinogenic agents for humans) was de termined. The individual environmental samplings took place in two dif ferent seasons (winter and summer), for persons living in four differe nt urban areas with different traffic density. Subjects were selected using a specific questionnaire designed to collect information on indo or and indoor + outdoor exposure times. The mean +/- S.D. value of Ben zo[a]pyrene [BaP] was 0.37 +/- 0.15 ng m(-3) in winter and 0.12 +/- 0. 07 ng m(-3) in summer. Assuming 18 m(3) as the daily inhaled quantity the estimate of the BaP inhaled quantity was 6.66 ng/day in winter and 2.16 ng/day in summer. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.