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Jeffrey W. Childers,¹ Carlton L. Witherspoon,¹ Leslie B. Smith,² and Joachim D. Pleil³

¹ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
²IERA/RSHI, U.S. Air Force, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, USA
³National Exposure Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA

Abstract

We used real-time monitors and low-volume air samplers to measure the potential human exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations during various flight-related and ground-support activities of C-130H aircraft at an Air National Guard base. We used three types of photoelectric aerosol sensors (PASs) to measure real-time concentrations of particle-bound PAHs in a break room, downwind from a C-130H aircraft during a four-engine run-up test, in a maintenance hangar, in a C-130H aircraft cargo bay during cargo-drop training, downwind from aerospace ground equipment (AGE) , and in a C-130H aircraft cargo bay during engine running on/off (ERO) loading and backup exercises. Two low-volume air samplers were collocated with the real-time monitors for all monitoring events except those in the break room and during in-flight activities. Total PAH concentrations in the integrated-air samples followed a general trend: downwind from two AGE units > ERO-loading exercise > four-engine run-up test > maintenance hangar during taxi and takeoff > background measurements in maintenance hangar. Each PAH profile was dominated by naphthalene, the alkyl-substituted naphthalenes, and other PAHs expected to be in the vapor phase. We also found particle-bound PAHs, such as fluoranthene, pyrene, and benzo[a]pyrene in some of the sample extracts. During flight-related exercises, total PAH concentrations in the integrated-air samples were 10-25 times higher than those commonly found in ambient air. Real-time monitor mean responses generally followed the integrated-air sample trends. These monitors provided a semiquantitative temporal profile of ambient PAH concentrations and showed that PAH concentrations can fluctuate rapidly from a baseline level < 20 to > 4,000 ng/m³ during flight-related activities. Small handheld models of the PAS monitors exhibited potential for assessing incidental personal exposure to particle-bound PAHs in engine exhaust and for serving as a real-time dosimeter to indicate when respiratory protection is advisable. Key words: engine exhaust, human exposure, integrated-air samplers, JP-8 fuel, PAH, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, real-time PAH monitors. Environ Health Perspect 108:853-862 (2000) . [Online 31 July 2000]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108p853-862childers/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to J.D. Pleil, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Exposure Research Laboratory, MD-44, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711-2055 USA. Telephone: (919) 541-4680. Fax: (919) 541-3527. E-mail: pleil.joachim@epa.gov

We thank J.N. Braddock and N.K. Wilson for the loan of monitors and samplers. We appreciate the technical assistance from E.D. Chikhliwala and the in-field assistance from D. Fritts. We also thank the personnel of the 165th Airlift Wing of the Georgia Air National Guard for allowing us access to various flight-related activities and for logistical support throughout the study.

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. The views expressed here do not represent official views of the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through its Office of Research and Development funded, managed, and collaborated in the research described here under contract 68-D5-0049 to ManTech Environmental Technology, Inc. The research has been subjected to agency review and approved for publication.

Received 24 January 2000 ; accepted 2 May 2000.