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Abstract
Multipathway exposure to Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Pyrene (Py) was studied among children ages 7–9 living in two areas of the Campania Region (South-Italy) classified as urban and rural. During five consecutive days PAHs and Py were detected in air samples from outdoors, indoors (school and home), individuals at inhalatory levels, and in food and beverages (defined as food) consumed daily by each child. 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was detected in children's urine. Gender, weight and height of each subject were recorded, and the personal Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. The type of home heating, the presence of smokers and the number of cigarettes smoked at home was determined. Total PAH and Py median concentrations in outdoor air from urban areas were 1.70 ng m−3 and 0.19 ng m−3, respectively while in rural areas they were 1.10 ng m−3 and 0.14 ng m−3. Indoor air total PAH and Py median concentrations were 2.50 ng m−3 and 0.15 ng m−3, respectively for urban areas, and 4.10 ng m−3 and 0.15 ng m−3 for rural areas. In food the total PAH and Py median levels were 10.44 and 0.81 μg Kg−1 in urban areas and 18.90 and 0.90 μg Kg−1 in rural areas. The median urinary levels of 1-OHP for urban and rural children were 0.07 and 0.06 μmol/mol creat., respectively. From these data, food appears to be the most relevant source of exposure to PAHs and Py. The Py intake from single (food or air) or total (food and air) pathways did not significantly correlate with the urinary 1-OHP excreted daily for each child during all 5 days of observation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We wish to thank, for their active collaboration, the participating parents, children, staff of the primary schools “Istituto Comprensorio” in Pollica and “Dante Iovino” in Ercolano, and finally, Dr. Giuseppe Scarano.