Geographical and temporal patterns of air-borne and personal 1,1,1-trichloroethane exposure in Piedmont region (Italy).

During the summer of 1989 and the winter 1989-1990, we initiated measurements of 1,1,1-trichloroethane concentrations in indoor, outdoor, and 'personal' air, in urban and rural sites. In the Piedmont region (North-Western Italy) we have carried out an atmospheric monitoring study: in the centre of Turin city (urban site), in Cuorgnè (rural site), and in Banchetta (remote site). First results confirm a higher winter contamination (11.67 vs. 2.79 micrograms/m3) and a higher contamination at the urban site, compared to rural and remote sites. Excluding Cuorgnè in the summer, all indoor/outdoor ratios are greater than 1 and, in all cases, the 'personal' air shows higher 1,1,1-trichloroethane levels than indoor and outdoor air. In Turin the relationships between winter and summer all show a higher winter contamination, while, in Cuorgnè no differences are proven.