Benzo[a]pyrene Levels Research Articles

Analysis of air particulate benzo[ a]pyrene by a specific enzyme immunoassay: correlation with chemical and atmospheric parameters

A specific and sensitive enzyme immunoassay for benzo[ a]pyrene (BaP) analysis in air particulate matter has been developed and validated. The low detection limit (1 ng/tube) and the rapidity of the assay permitted extensive study (daily for eighteen months) of BaP concentration in air particulate matter in the city of Bologna. For each assay air was aspirated for 24 h and passed through a cellulose filter which retained the particulate matter and, after a simple extraction step, the BaP was quantitatively analyzed. Pb, Cr, V, Ni and Cd and total particles were also measured from the same filter. Meteorological parameters including temperature, humidity, rain, wind, barometric pressure and cloudiness were recorded. Exhaust gases such as NO 2, CO and SO 2 were also monitored daily. The data were analyzed by a chemometrical approach involving univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis. The obtained results show a good predictive power of BaP with respect to the presence of metals and gases, and we were also able to identify two sources of BaP, i.e., heating and traffic. Weather conditions in general, and temperature and cloudiness in particular, play a major role in determining BaP levels. During spring and summer, BaP/Pb ratio was drastically reduced as a result of increased solar radiation and temperature, which may be a cause of BaP photodecomposition. The overall results suggest that BaP analysis of air particulate matter is useful in monitoring urban environmental pollution, and that this method could be complementary to conventional ones which identify markers such as gases or heavy metals, resulting in a more complete and detailed monitoring program of urban air pollution.

Benzo(a)pyrene in New Jersey--results from a twenty-seven-site study.

The study presented was designed to establish a baseline for benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) levels in New Jersey prior to any large scale fuel switching to coal and wood in residential, Industrial, and/or utility boilers in the state. In addition, this study was used to explore the variability of BaP levels at 27 sites in New Jersey and the possible relationships between BaP, total suspended particulates (TSP), cyclohexane- soluble organics (Cx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and coefficient of haze (COH) measurements. Samples were collected as part of the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection's statewide high-volume air sampling network. Benzo(a)pyrene was determined by the standard U.S. EPA procedure Involving ultrasonic extraction with cyclohexane followed by TLCfluorescence. Both urban/rural and seasonal differences in BaP levels are discussed, as are the relationships between the other criteria pollutants measured. In addition, source resolution is attempted employing state fuel-use rates a...

Oxygen consumption rates of grunion ( Leuresthes tenuis) embryos exposed to the petroleum hydrocarbon, benzo[ a]pyrene

Bioconcentration of [ 14C]benzo[ a]pyrene and effects of unlabeled benzo[ a]pyrene (BaP) accumulation on the routine oxygen consumption of embryonic grunion ( Leuresthes tenuis) were studied. At Day 15, bioconcentration factors over dissolved BaP levels ranged from 249 to 466. Weight-specific respiration rates at Days 14–15 were significantly increased ( P ≦ 0.05) at a mean BaP body burden of 0.51 ppm wet wt. Oxygen consumption rates of embryos containing 0.70 to 12.80 ppm BaP were not significantly different from control rates. Because in a previous study embryos containing 0.51 ppm BaP exhibited hatching and developmental rates similar to those of controls, their metabolic response to low-level hydrocarbon exposure may be an example of hormesis, an overcompensating metabolic regulation to inhibitory challenges.

Factors affecting plasma benzo[ a]pyrene levels in environmental studies

Benzo[ a]pyrene (BaP) is a useful indicator of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), airborne carcinogenic compounds. Radioimmunoassay was used to test for plasma BaP differences in 61 subjects divided into three groups based on geographic-demographic locale: urban-industrial, urban-residential, and outer suburban. The results showed that the urban-industrial area participants had a significantly higher mean plasma BaP level than did the outer suburban subjects. The urban-residential subjects did not have a significantly different mean plasma benzo[ a]pyrene level from either of the other two groups. Obesity, as measured by Quetelet's index, was found to have a significant correlation with BaP levels. These results indicate that radioimmunoassay of plasma for BaP may be used successfully to judge environmental exposure to PAHs, provided physiological considerations such as obesity are taken into account.

Contribution to the fluorometric method of analysis for atmospheric benzo(a)pyrene

The potentiality of the method for the determination of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in airborne particulates, based on the fluorescence measurements in H2SO4, was investigated. Stability of the BaP fluorescence in H2SO4, isolation of the BaP fraction by thin-layer chromatography and the effect of quenchers on the fluorescence intensity of BaP were studied and the results are discussed. The relative standard deviation of the method was determined to be 2.9 and 5.9% for BaP levels of 265 and 68 ng, respectively.

The rapid measurement of polycyclic hydrocarbons in air by microsublimation.

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