Occupational exposure to gases, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds in biomass-fired power plants

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 90; no. 3; pp. 1289 - 1293
• Main Authors: Jumpponen, M., Rönkkömäki, H., Pasanen, P., Laitinen, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; air; Air Pollutants, Occupational - adverse effects; Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis; ammonia; Biological and medical sciences; Biomass; Biomass-fired power plant; breathing; carbon monoxide; central nervous system; Central Nervous System Diseases - chemically induced; combustion; detectors; Ergonomics. Workplace layout. Occupational psychology; fuels; Gases - adverse effects; Gases - analysis; Health Status Indicators; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple gas exposure; naphthalene; nervous system diseases; nitric oxide; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Occupational Exposure - analysis; Occupational medicine; oxygen; PAHs; particulates; phenanthrene; pollutants; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - adverse effects; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - analysis; Power Plants; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Respiratory Tract Diseases - chemically induced; Sampling, pollutant analysis method, on the work place; sulfur dioxide; VOCs; volatile organic compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - adverse effects; Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis; VOCs; PAHs; Multiple gas exposure; Biomass-fired power plant; Occupational exposure; Human; Power plant; Hydrocarbon; Combustion; Volatile organic compound; Biomass; Polycyclic aromatic compound; Mutagen; Prevention; Carcinogen; Risk assessment; Air pollution; Worker; Protection; Occupational medicine
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.10.001

► Multiple exposures to gases were inevitable among ash removal and maintenance workers. ► High concentrations of gases can affect the respiratory system, blood and CNS. ► Compressed air breathing apparatus is the best form of protection. The combustion of fuels produces air pollutants in the form of gases, organic compounds, and particulate matter. However, although the environmental aspect of these agents has been examined, workers’ exposure to them is still a neglected issue. The purpose of this study was to measure maintenance and ash removal workers’ multiple exposures to gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during their work tasks in biomass-fired power plants. Our hygienic measurements revealed that carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, ammonia and sulfur dioxide were the most common gases that the workers were exposed to during their tasks. Their average concentrations were 0.45ppm, 0.06ppm, 0.11ppm and 0.42ppm, respectively. Phenanthrene and naphthalene were the most prominent PAHs. At the same sampling points, the most commonly found VOCs were aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons and turpentines. The calculated total PAH concentrations were less than 7% of benzo[a]pyrene’s eight-hour occupational exposure limit, and the total VOC concentrations were below the Finnish reference value for the normal industrial level in all measured work tasks. The most evident health effect caused by multiple exposures to gases was upper respiratory track irritation, followed by the disruption of oxygen transport, and finally central nervous system disorders. We recommend powered air respirators with ABEK+P3 cartridges and carbon monoxide gas detectors as the minimum requirement for those working inside biomass-fired power plant boilers, and compressed air breathing apparatus as the best form of protection.