Aims: To assess and classify exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in some specific working areas of a steel foundry operating with a continuous casting process and evaluate biomonitoring data in different job tasks.
Methods: Exposure to dusts and six PAHs classified as carcinogenic by EU directives was studied in a cohort of 35 male foundry workers (aged 41.1 +/- 6.9 years), who were examined both prior to and at the end of the work-shift (06:00 a.m.-02:00 p.m.) in two different periods. The urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-P) was measured as a biomarker of exposure to pyrene.
Results: PAHs concentrations ranged from 461.8 to 935.6 ng/m3 near the continuous casting area, whereas lower values were measured near the ladle furnace. End of shift 1-OH-P values were higher in 11 non-smoking workers involved in continuous casting process as compared to those employed in mantenance and furnace areas (median of the second determination: 5.70 microg/g creatinine--range: 1.24-21.24 vs 1.17 microg/g creatinine--range: 0.23-4.49; p< 0.001). 1-OH-P excretion was significantly correlated with both the sum of six carcinogenic PAHs and pyrene airborne concentrations. In two biomonitoring sessions, 9.1% and 34.3% of the workers respectively showed end-of-shift 1-OH-P values exceeding the occupational exposure limit (OEL) (4.4 microg/g creatinine or 2.3 micromol/mol(-1) creatinine) recommended for coke-oven workers.
Conclusions: 1-OH-P is a useful biomarker in assessing PAH exposure and is associated with job category at a Steelplant. Due to exposure variability, to assess risk associated with PAHs exposure, biological monitoring should be carried out periodically.