Minimizzazione dei costi analitici nella valutazione dell’esposizione ad idrocarburi policiclici aromatici e a solventi organici in una stazione di rifornimento del carburante

Results of an Environmental and Biological Monitoring (EM and BM, respectively) of Polycliclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a filling station are reported. EM was performed by measuring benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, methylterbutylether and 16 PAHs suggested by EPA, performing both the area and the personal measurements in different operating conditions. In all cases obtained concentrations were below the TLV-TWA proposed by ACGIH and in line with levels reported in literature for urban areas in the same atmospheric conditions. BM was initially performed by measuring the benzene and trans,trans muconic acid levels in end-shift urine samples. Results highlighted in some cases concentrations greater than BEI proposed by ACGIH and reported in literature. To discriminate between occupational and extraprofessional exposition, analyses were repeated both on beginning- and end-shift urine samples. In line with EM, the obtained results confirmed the influence of extraprofessional exposition. In conclusion, the study highlight an acceptable exposure level, but also the need to perform a MA in climatic conditions which reflected the highest conceivable level of pollution and the BM of benzene by analyzing beginning- and end-shift urine samples. Thus, the representativeness of data is guaranteed and, at the same, costs of analyses, onerous for small and medium enterprises, are minimized