Objective: To study the characteristics of occupational exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke oven workers.
Methods: Samples were collected individually and PAHs concentration in the ambient air were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were introduced to assess the carcinogenic potency.
Results: The levels of PAHs occupational exposure in oven workers at topside was higher than at side oven and bottom oven (P < 0.05). Non-carcinogenic PAHs were more than 70% of total PAHs and benzo[a]pyrene accounted for 65.5% approximately 72.4% of total benzo[a]pyrene equivalents. Total occupational exposure level of PAHs in coke oven workers was positively related to the content of benzo[a]pyrene and pyrene, respectively (r(2) = 0.84, r(2) = 0.94, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Coke oven workers were exposed to a high level of PAHs which possessed some extent of carcinogenic potency, and benzo[a]pyrene is the chief carcinogenic substance.