Assessing Consumer Exposure to Particle-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Parking Areas

                              https://www.austinpublishinggroup.com/public-health-epidemiology/

PolycyclicAromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of organic contaminants that composed of particulate or gaseous matter. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, there are 16 priority pollutant PAHs that are classified as probable human carcinogens. Moreover, the carcinogenic effects of PAHs have been observed experimentally and epidemiologically. The major sources of PAHs include fossil fuel combustion, vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions, because PAHs are mainly formed via the incomplete combustion or pyrolysis of organic materials such as coal, oil, and petrol. Studies show that vehicle exhaust from traffic has been proven to be one of the largest contributors of PAHs in urban areas; this along with population density usually causes these regions to contain the highest concentrations of PAHs.

Inthe past decades, studies have characterized PAH emissions by vehicle exhaust indicating an association with fuel type. Spatial variation was estimated from traffic-related sampling locations such as highway tunnels roadsides and intersections and large-scale enclosed and semi-enclosed vehicle parking areas. Moreover, it is important to evaluate traffic-related workers’ exposure to PAH concentrations as a result of vehicle exhaust. Hu et al. and Tsai et al. assessed the inhalation risk for traffic policemen and highway toll station workers from vehicle emissions, respectively, implicating the potential risk and importance of human exposure to particle-bound PAHs.