Broad Exposure Screening of Air Pollutants in the Occupational Environment of Swedish Soldiers Deployed in Afghanistan

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to perform an initial characterization of Swedish soldiers' exposure to air pollutants in Afghanistan and screen for potential health hazards. Stationary monitoring was performed in two military camps, International Security Assistance Force Headquarters in Kabul and Camp Northern Lights in Mazar-e Sharif, at both outdoor and indoor locations. A broad screening including particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), oxygenated PAHs, n-alkanes, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide, toxic metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was performed over 2 weeks in the autumn of 2009. The results were compared to current air quality guidelines. Particulate matter was identified as the main potential health hazard since military exposure guidelines for marginal effects were exceeded outdoors. In addition, especially in Kabul, levels of particle-bound PAHs and oxy-PAHs were high, whereas levels of toxic metals were generally low. Among gaseous pollutants, elevated NO2 levels in Kabul supported combustion as a major contributor to the poor air quality. VOC levels were generally low, but levels of some pollutants exceeded current guidelines. Because of elevated concentrations of particles with a high content of toxic organics, further monitoring and characterization of the occupational environment are warranted.