Evaluation of airborne respirable particulate matter and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure of asphalt workers

A study was carried out during 2006 to assess exposure to airborne respirable particles (PM10) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of asphalt manufacturing and road paving workers in Campania region (Italy). At manufacturing plants the average airborne PM10 concentrations were 1125±445 g/m3 in HMA manufacturing workers’ areas; 314±81 g/m3 in process surveyors’ cabins; 92±27 g/m3 in the controls’ areas (administrative offices). At breathing worker’s level the average PAHs in air were 367±198 ng/m3 in HMA manufacturing workers; 348±172 ng/m3 in process surveyors; 21±2 ng/m3 in controls. At road paving sites the average airborne PM10 levels were 1435±325 g/m3 in roller operators; 1610±356 g/m3 in paver operators; 319±108 g/m in controls (traffic controllers). ΣPAHs were 1220±694 ng/m3 in paver operators’ breathing air; 1360±575 ng/m3 in roller operators’; 139±135 ng/m3 in traffic controllers’. The results show that the more consistent hazard for asphalt workers’ health derives from the airborne PM10 exposure, both in exposed as in no exposed (controls) workers.