INTRODUCTION: An industrial hygiene database has been constructed for the exposure assessment in a study of cancer risk among asphalt workers. AIM: To create models of bitumen and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure intensity among paving workers. METHODS: Individual exposure measurements from pavers (N = 1581) were collected from 8 countries. Correlation patterns between exposure measures were examined and factors affecting exposure were identified using statistical modelling. RESULTS: Inhalable dust appeared to be a good proxy of bitumen fume exposure. Bitumen fume and vapour levels were not correlated. Benzo(a)pyrene level appeared to be a good indicator of PAH exposure. All exposures steadily declined over the last 20 years. Mastic laying, re-paving, surface dressing, oil gravel paving and asphalt temperature were significant determinants of bitumen exposure. Coal tar use dictated PAH exposure levels. DISCUSSION: Bitumen fume, vapour and PAH have different determinants of exposure. For paving workers, exposure intensity can be assessed on the basis of time period and production characteristics.
INTRODUCTION: An industrial hygiene database has been constructed for the exposure assessment in a study of cancer risk among asphalt workers. AIM: To create models of bitumen and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) exposure intensity among paving workers. METHODS: Individual exposure measurements from pavers (N = 1581) were collected from 8 countries. Correlation patterns between exposure measures were examined and factors affecting exposure were identified using statistical modelling. RESULTS: Inhalable dust appeared to be a good proxy of bitumen fume exposure. Bitumen fume and vapour levels were not correlated. Benzo(a)pyrene level appeared to be a good indicator of PAH exposure. All exposures steadily declined over the last 20 years. Mastic laying, re-paving, surface dressing, oil gravel paving and asphalt temperature were significant determinants of bitumen exposure. Coal tar use dictated PAH exposure levels. DISCUSSION: Bitumen fume, vapour and PAH have different determinants of exposure. For paving workers, exposure intensity can be assessed on the basis of time period and production characteristics.
Authors: K Teschke; A F Olshan; J L Daniels; A J De Roos; C G Parks; M Schulz; T L Vaughan Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2002-09 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Sarah J Locke; Nicole C Deziel; Dong-Hee Koh; Barry I Graubard; Mark P Purdue; Melissa C Friesen Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2017-02 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Jon R Sobus; Joachim D Pleil; Michael D McClean; Robert F Herrick; Stephen M Rappaport Journal: Toxicol Lett Date: 2010-09-22 Impact factor: 4.372
Authors: Frank de Vocht; Igor Burstyn; Gilles Ferro; Ann Olsson; Mia Hashibe; Hans Kromhout; Paolo Boffetta Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2008-10-28 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Ann Olsson; Hans Kromhout; Michela Agostini; Johnni Hansen; Christina Funch Lassen; Christoffer Johansen; Kristina Kjaerheim; Sverre Langård; Isabelle Stücker; Wolfgang Ahrens; Thomas Behrens; Marja-Liisa Lindbohm; Pirjo Heikkilä; Dick Heederik; Lützen Portengen; Judith Shaham; Gilles Ferro; Frank de Vocht; Igor Burstyn; Paolo Boffetta Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2010-06-09 Impact factor: 9.031