Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the work atmosphere. II. Determination in a coke plant.

The content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in the work atmosphere of a coke plant was investigated on two occasions. Stationary, mobile, and personal sampling were used, and the samples were analyzed by glass capillary gas chromatography. Up to 39 PAH and heterocyclic compounds were indentified in the samples. By personal sampling, the occupational exposure to PAH was determined to vary between 5 and 1,000 mg/m3. A study of the occurrence of PAH on particulate matter revealed that 98% of the PAH was respirable. No significant variation in the relative distribution of the PAH components (PAH profile) was observed during the two sampling periods. The PAH profile for the coke plant was similar to that of a Søderberg aluminum plant, but different from that of a Søderberg paste plant.