Determination of Inhalation Exposure to 1-Nitropyrene in Workplace Atmospheres and Urban Dwellings

Abstract

1-Nitropyrene (1-NP) is found as a particle-associated product of diesel combustion. It has been suggested that 1-NP may be used as a marker for diesel exhaust particle exposure. It was the objective of this study to determine the inhalation exposure to 1-NP of diesel mechanics (n = 5) in a workshop for buses and exposure of low occupational exposed office workers (n = 11). Airborne particulate matter (APM) was collected at fixed locations on the workplace and in the breathing zones of workers and analysed for 1-NP by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). During the workday the bus garage workers were exposed to higher concentrations of 1-NP (<1.0–70.6 pg/m3), compared to the office workers (<1.0–11.1 pg/m3). Inhalation exposures to 1-NP were approximately one order of magnitude higher during work hours compared to off-work hours. For office personnel there was no difference between exposure concentrations during the workday and off-work hours.