A quantitative evaluation of risk associated with occupational inhalation exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Polish production plants
Szymczak, W.
Medycyna Pracy 47(6): 547-557
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0465-5893 PMID: 9091758 Document Number: 462318
In the early eighties, carcinogenic components of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were classified by IARC as potentially carcinogenic to humans, but later epidemiological studies indicate an increased mortality from lung cancer among workers exposed to PAHs. In Poland the highest, although, diversified occupational inhalation exposure to PAHs is observed in the coke production, aluminium metallurgy and steel industries. The cancer risk among workers employed in these industrial plants was assessed in relation to concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene in the air zone of working posts. A wide range of results from 1.11 x 10(-11) to 1.4 x 10(-3), corresponding to the exposure size, was obtained. In order to show the relationship between occupational risk values and environmental exposure risk, both risks were compared using the same multistage model whose coefficients were estimated by employing the maximum likelihood method. It appeared that the occupational risk at working posts with benzo(a)pyrene concentration within allowable values is similar or lower than risk related with cigarette smoking or alimentary exposure (food intake).