Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination of Personal Protective Equipment of Brazilian Firefighters During Training Exercise

This study presents the first quantification of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) deposited on the personal protective equipment (PPE) of Brazilian firefighters during a controlled training exercise. Twelve participants took part in the simulation, and samples were collected before and after exposure using wipes from gloves, chest, sleeves, and shoulders. Eight PAHs were detected and quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS), including naphthalene and phenanthrene, which showed the highest prevalence. Contamination increased significantly after training, even for exposures shorter as 3 min, with concentrations ranging from 0.007 to 1.066 µg mL–1. A positive correlation between exposure time and PAH concentration was observed, with the highest levels found in the instructor exposed for 25 min. These findings corroborate international reports indicating that firefighting activities result in occupational exposure to PAHs and highlight the potential for contamination even under controlled conditions. Additionally, they underscore the relevance of monitoring and decontaminating PPE to prevent long-term exposure and cross-contamination.