Characterization of occupational exposure to air pollutants during asphalt milling and paving

This study showed that millers and pavers were exposed to airborne 16 US EPA PAHs, UFPs, OC, and diesel exhaust. With a study design that involved repeated exposure measurements for each participant, more accurate exposure characterization and assessment of PAHs and NO2 were obtained. By using portable aerosol monitors, valuable exposure data for novel metrics, including UFPs, could be obtained. Operators of, eg, rollers and milling machines were exposed to multiple peak exposures during the workshift. Millers were exposed to somewhat elevated levels of the carcinogenic particulate PAHs. As biomonitoring generally is measuring metabolites of gaseous and intermediate molecular mass PAHs, particulate PAH exposure could not be detected. Air and skin exposure measurements were vital in order to detect this exposure. Recommendations for reducing occupational exposure are proposed.

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Publication Details

Journal
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
Published
2025-11-20
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxaf078
Primary Topic
Air Quality and Health Impacts
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Characterization of occupational exposure to air pollutants during asphalt milling and paving

Joakim Pagels, Lina Hagvall, Jakob Nis Klenø Nøjgaard, Bo Strandberg et al.
Annals of Work Exposures and Health
Air Quality and Health Impacts
article

Characterization of occupational exposure to air pollutants during asphalt milling and paving

Joakim Pagels, Lina Hagvall, Jakob Nis Klenø Nøjgaard, Bo Strandberg, Merve Polat, Karin Lovén, John F. Rex, Maria Hedmer, Carina A Nilsson
article en

Abstract

This study showed that millers and pavers were exposed to airborne 16 US EPA PAHs, UFPs, OC, and diesel exhaust. With a study design that involved repeated exposure measurements for each participant, more accurate exposure characterization and assessment of PAHs and NO2 were obtained. By using portable aerosol monitors, valuable exposure data for novel metrics, including UFPs, could be obtained. Operators of, eg, rollers and milling machines were exposed to multiple peak exposures during the workshift. Millers were exposed to somewhat elevated levels of the carcinogenic particulate PAHs. As biomonitoring generally is measuring metabolites of gaseous and intermediate molecular mass PAHs, particulate PAH exposure could not be detected. Air and skin exposure measurements were vital in order to detect this exposure. Recommendations for reducing occupational exposure are proposed.

Annals of Work Exposures and HealthVol. 70(2)
University of Copenhagen (DK), Lund University (SE), Design Science (United Kingdom) (GB), National Research Centre for the Working Environment (DK), Skåne University Hospital (SE), IT University of Copenhagen (DK)
Vetenskapsrådet, Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd, Skånes universitetssjukhus
Openalex Percentile: Top 55%
Air Quality and Health Impacts
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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