Determination of inhalation exposure to 1-nitropyrene in workplace atmospheres and urban dwellings

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) is found as a particle-associated product of diesel co mbustion. It has been suggested that 1-NP may be used as a marker for diese l exhaust particle exposure. It was the objective of this study to determin e the inhalation exposure to 1-NP of diesel mechanics (n = 5) in a workshop for buses and exposure ag low occupational exposed office workers (n = 11) . Airborne particulate matter (APM) was collected at fixed locations on the workplace and in the breathing zones of workers and analysed for 1-NP by g as chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). During the workday the bus garage workers were exposed to higher concentrations of 1-NP (<1.0 - 70.6 p g/m(3)), compared to the office workers (<1.0 - 11.1 pg/m(3)). Inhalation e xposures to 1-NP were approximately one order of magnitude higher during wo rk hours compared to off-work hours. For office personnel there was no diff erence between exposure concentrations during the workday and off-work hour s.