Background: The evaluation of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Poland is based on the results of measurements of their concentrations in workplace air compared to appropriate occupational exposure limits. The inconsistence in current regulations is the source of many interpretation-related problems.
Objective: The objective of this work was to determine PAH concentrations in different technological processes and to analyze statistically the obtained data to indicate the presence (or absence) of differences between exposure indices calculated for 9 PAHs listed in the decree of the Minister of Labor and those (8 compounds) set by the Minister of Health.
Materials and methods: Air samples were collected during graphite electrode production, coke production, aluminum smelting, tire production and road paving. PAH concentrations in collected air samples were analyzed by HPLC.
Results: The obtained data calculated for each technological process indicate that indices of exposure based on 8 or 9 PAHs, taking into account their relative carcinogenicity, did not differ considerably and are not statistically different from exposure indices calculated for 11 PAHs.
Conclusions: In view that the indices of exposure calculated for 8 and 9 compounds are not statistically different and that of all the PAHs listed in the decree of the Minister of Labor, two compounds are not classified as carcinogenic, it seems justified to substitute the latter by the list of compounds issued by the Minister of Health. The proposed modification should result in a better consistency of legal regulations without altering the quality of the occupational exposure evaluation. Furthermore, removing benzo(a)pyrene and dibenzo(ah)anthracene from the OEL list should solve the existing interpretation-related problems.