Multimedia and Multipathway Aggregate Exposure Assessment for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons to the Inhabitant in Taean County After Hebei-Spirit Oil Spill

Abstract

PP-30-115 Background/Aims: Two years after the Hebei-Spirit oil spill occurred, aggregate exposure assessment to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including alkylated PAHs was conducted for the inhabitants in Taean county, multimedia and multipathway aggregate exposure assessment for PAHs were conducted for 45 nonsmoking residents in the following 2 age groups; children (11–13 years), adult (>20). Methods: A total of 34 PAHs were analyzed in several types of samples for inhalation exposure route (ambient air), ingestion exposure route (soil, house dust, 24-hour duplicate diet, fish, and shellfish collected near the spill area), and dermal exposure route (soil and floor dust). Results: PAHs concentrations ranged from 0.27 to 8.26 ng/m3 for air, 0.72 to 69.37 ng/g for food, 1.39 to 49.90 ng/g for fish and shellfish, 0.11 to 80.66 ng/m2 for floor dust, and 0.36 to 55.32 ng/g for soil. The average daily PAHs exposures of children and adult were 126.89 (geometric mean: 99.38) ng/kg/d and 135.79 (43.92) ng/kg/d, respectively. Conclusion: The exposure levels were lower than those (15 PAHs) obtained in other urban and rural areas of Korea. Food intake was found as a major exposure route (>99%). Fish and shellfish caught from Taean county contributed to only 10% of 34 PAHs exposure through food intake. It is confirmed that the exposure level to PAHs, including alkylated PAH, was recovered to the baseline condition within the 2 years after the Hebei-Spirit oil spill.