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Second Edition of Recent Advances in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research: Occurrence, Fate, Analysis and Risk Assessment

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2023) | Viewed by 9464

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Marta Oliveira

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal
Interests: environmental monitoring; occupational exposure; human biomonitoring; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs); air pollution; forest fires; firefighters; particulate matter; health risk assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of organic compounds with two or more fused aromatic rings arranged in different configurations. These pollutants can be naturally emitted from volcanic eruptions and forest fires; however, anthropogenic activities derived from the incomplete combustion of organic matter are the predominant sources. Airborne PAHs can be transported over long distances and end up deposited through precipitation on water resources, soils, and vegetation. People are exposed to PAHs through different environmental and/or occupational sources. PAHs are persistent organic pollutants and thus are associated with all types of environmental pollution (air, water, and soils). PAHs are photosensitive, highly lipophilic, and resistant to heat, corrosion, and degradation. Among the hundred PAHs emitted to the environment, there are sixteen included in the list of priority pollutants. PAHs present reproductive, developmental, hemato-, cardio-, neuro-, and immuno-toxicities, and are also known for their mutagenic and carcinogenic properties.

This Special Issue aims to give continuity to the first edition by continuing the report of recent advances related to the occurrence, fate, analysis, and impact of PAHs. It also welcomes original research and state-of-the-art reviews dedicated to human environmental and/or occupational exposure to PAHs, including biomonitoring studies and health risk assessment. 

Dr. Marta Oliveira
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • monitoring and biomonitoring
  • analytical methodologies
  • environmental and occupational exposure
  • source apportionment
  • environmental impact
  • biomarkers
  • monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • potential health risks

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 2334 KiB  
Article
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Roasted Pork Meat and the Effect of Dried Fruits on PAH Content
by Sylwia Bulanda and Beata Janoszka
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(6), 4922; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064922 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2425
Abstract
Diet is one of the main factors affecting human health. The frequent consumption of heat-treated meat has been classified as both directly carcinogenic to humans and as a risk factor, especially in the case of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Thermally processed meat [...] Read more.
Diet is one of the main factors affecting human health. The frequent consumption of heat-treated meat has been classified as both directly carcinogenic to humans and as a risk factor, especially in the case of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Thermally processed meat may contain harmful muta- and carcinogenic compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, there are natural ways to reduce the risk of diet-related cancers by reducing the formation of PAHs in meat. The purpose of this study was to determine changes in PAH levels in pork loin dishes prepared by stuffing the meat with dried fruits (prunes, apricots and cranberries) and baking it in a roasting bag. High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) was used to conduct a quantitative analysis of seven PAHs. Recovery results ranged from 61 to 96%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.003 to 0.006 ng/g, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 to 0.02 ng/g. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) was used to confirm the presence of PAHs in food. The total PAH content of the roasted pork loin was 7.4 ng/g. This concentration decreased by 35%, 48% and 58% when the meat was roasted with apricots, prunes and cranberries, respectively. The cranberries also inhibited the formation of benzo(a)pyrene to the greatest extent. Thermally treating meat stuffed with dry fruits may be a simple and effective way to prepare foods with reduced levels of mutagens and carcinogens belonging to PAHs, and thus reduce the risk of cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Recent Advances in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research: Occurrence, Fate, Analysis and Risk Assessment)
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11 pages, 2859 KiB  
Article
Summertime Characteristics of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Coastal City of Northern Poland
by Patrycja Siudek
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4475; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054475 - 2 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1779
Abstract
Parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the gas and particle fraction were measured between May and August 2021 at a coastal urban site in Poland, to examine their chemical characteristics, distribution, sources, deposition fluxes and interactions with basic meteorological drivers. The mean concentration [...] Read more.
Parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the gas and particle fraction were measured between May and August 2021 at a coastal urban site in Poland, to examine their chemical characteristics, distribution, sources, deposition fluxes and interactions with basic meteorological drivers. The mean concentration of PAHs in the gas phase was significantly higher (26.26 ± 15.83 ng m−3) than levels measured in the particle phase (1.77 ± 1.26 ng m−3). The highest concentration in the gas phase was found for phenanthrene (Phe), followed by fluoranthene (Flt), acenaphthene (Ace) and naphthalene (Naph). The contribution from each group of PAHs to the total particulate phase accounted for 50%, 25%, 14% and 12% for 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-ring compounds, respectively. The mean ΣPAH deposition flux was 59 ± 24 ng m−2 day−1. During the whole field campaign, the efficient removal of PM-bound PAHs was typically observed after precipitation events. Based on statistical analysis, it was found that 4-ring PAHs were less effectively removed (25%) by daily precipitation as compared to 5- and 6-ring components, whose fluxes decreased by 32% and 53%, respectively. This study revealed local urban sources such as vehicular emissions, coal-fired power plants, shipping activities, docks/ports infrastructure and municipal solid waste recycling units as predominant contributors to PM-bound and gas-phase PAHs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Recent Advances in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research: Occurrence, Fate, Analysis and Risk Assessment)
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14 pages, 1155 KiB  
Article
Use of Preliminary Exposure Reduction Practices or Laundering to Mitigate Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination on Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment Ensembles
by Andrea F. Wilkinson, Kenneth W. Fent, Alexander C. Mayer, I-Chen Chen, Richard M. Kesler, Steve Kerber, Denise L. Smith and Gavin P. Horn
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2108; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032108 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2767
Abstract
Chronic health risks associated with firefighting continue to be documented and studied, however, the complexity of occupational exposures and the relationship between occupational exposure and contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) remains unknown. Recent work has revealed that common PPE cleaning practices, which are [...] Read more.
Chronic health risks associated with firefighting continue to be documented and studied, however, the complexity of occupational exposures and the relationship between occupational exposure and contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) remains unknown. Recent work has revealed that common PPE cleaning practices, which are becoming increasingly more common in the fire service, are not effective in removing certain contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), from PPE. To better understand the relationship between contaminated firefighter PPE and potential exposure to PAHs, and to gain further understanding of the efficacy of cleaning practices, we used a standardized fire exposure simulator that created repeatable conditions and measured PPE surface contamination levels via wipe sampling and filters attached to firefighter gear worn by standing mannequins. This study examined the effects of repeated (40 cycles) PPE cleaning (laundering and on-scene preliminary exposure reduction (PER) techniques) and repeated exposures on PAH concentration on different surfaces. Further exploration included examination of contamination breakthrough of turnout jackets (comparing outer shell and interior liner) and evaluation of off-gassing PAHs from used gear after different cleaning treatments. When compared by jacket closure type (zipper and hook and dee), total PAH concentration wiped from gear after exposure and cleanings showed no significant differences. Regression analysis indicated that there was no effect of repeated exposures on PAH contamination levels (all sampling sites combined; before fire 10, 20, and 40; after fire 1, 10, 20, and 40; p-value > 0.05). Both laundering and on-scene PER significantly reduced contamination levels on the exterior pants and helmets and were effective at reducing PAH contamination. The jacket outer shell had significantly higher PAH contamination than the jacket liner. Both laundering and wet soap PER methods (post-fire) are effective in reducing surface contamination and appear to prevent accumulation of contamination after repeated exposures. Semi-volatile PAHs deep within the fibers of bulky PPE are not effectively reduced via PER or machine laundering, therefore, permitting continued off-gassing of these compounds. Further research is needed to identify the most effective laundering methods for firefighter turnout gear that considers the broad spectrum of common contaminants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Recent Advances in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research: Occurrence, Fate, Analysis and Risk Assessment)
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12 pages, 1278 KiB  
Article
Determination of Hydroxy Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Human Urine Using Automated Microextraction by Packed Sorbent and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry
by Samuel García-García, Héctor Matilla-González, Javier Peña, Miguel del Nogal Sánchez, Ana María Casas-Ferreira and José Luis Pérez Pavón
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(20), 13089; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013089 - 12 Oct 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1647
Abstract
A fast methodology for the determination of monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human urine using a fully automated microextraction by packed sorbent coupled to a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer is reported. Sample preparation requires simple hydrolysis, centrifugation, filtration, and dilution. The method does not [...] Read more.
A fast methodology for the determination of monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human urine using a fully automated microextraction by packed sorbent coupled to a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer is reported. Sample preparation requires simple hydrolysis, centrifugation, filtration, and dilution. The method does not require a derivatization step prior to analysis with gas chromatography and allows the measurement of up to three samples per hour after hydrolysis. Quantitation is carried out by a one-point standard addition allowing the determination of 6 analytes with good limits of detection (10.1–39.6 ng L−1 in water and 0.5–19.4 µg L−1 in urine), accuracy (88–110%) and precision (2.1–23.4% in water and 5.1–19.0% in urine) values. This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of six urine samples (three from smoker and three from non-smoker subjects), finding significant differences between both types of samples. Results were similar to those found in the literature for similar samples, which proves the applicability of the methodology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Second Edition of Recent Advances in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research: Occurrence, Fate, Analysis and Risk Assessment)
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