NIOSHTIC-2 Publications Search

Development of a flow-injection fluorescence method for estimation of total polycyclic aromatic compounds in asphalt fumes.

Neumeister CE; Olsen LD; Dollberg DD

Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 2003 Sep/Oct; 64(5):618-624

https://doi.org/10.1080/15428110308984854

20024040

Traditionally, measurements of specific polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) have been attempted as an estimate of asphalt fume exposure. However, asphalt fumes contain numerous alkyl substituted PACs, including PACs containing heteroatoms of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Many of these compounds coelute precluding the resolution of the individual compounds resulting in ambiguous data. Moreover, many researchers believe that some observed health hazards are associated with PACs overall and not just a few select PACs. Therefore, NIOSH method 5800 was developed to evaluate total PACs as a chemical class in asphalt fumes. Asphalt fume samples were collected on a poly(tetrafluoroethylene) filter backed by an XAD-2 sorbent tube. The samples were extracted with hexane; then, a cyano-solid-phase-extraction column was used to remove the polar compounds while the aliphatic and aromatic compounds were eluted with hexane. An equal volume of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was added to the hexane extract, causing the aromatic compounds to partition into the DMSO, thus isolating the PACs. The PACs were then analyzed for fluorescence using a flow-injection method with two fluorescence detectors. Wavelength settings for the first detector (254-nm excitation, 370-nm emission) emphasized the 2- to 4-ring PACs that may cause eye and respiratory tract irritation. Wavelength settings of the second detector (254-nm excitation, 400-nm emission) emphasized the 4- and higher-ring PACs that are often mutagenic and possibly carcinogenic.

Analytical-Method; Asphalt-fumes; Polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons; Construction; Construction-materials; Aliphatic-compounds; Heterocyclic-compounds; Petroleum-products; Chemical-analysis; Respiratory-irritants; Mutagenicity; Carcinogenicity; Author Keywords: analytical method development; asphalt fumes; construction; flow injection analysis; polycyclic aromatic compounds; PACs

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Applied Research and Technology, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226

AIHAAP

7727-37-9; 7782-44-7; 7704-34-9

20030901

Journal Article

2003

5

0002-8894

DART

Research Tools and Approaches: Exposure Assessment Methods

American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal

OH