PAH Concentration in Size Resolved Aerosol Emissions during Firefighting Activity

SHRUTI CHOUDHARY, Darlington Imhanzuaria, Umer Bakali, Chitvan Killawala, Natasha Solle, Erin Kobetz, Alberto Caban-Martinez, Pratim Biswas, University of Miami

     Abstract Number: 594
     Working Group: Aerosol Exposure

Abstract
The incidence of certain cancers is higher among firefighters than the general population they serve. The international agency for research on Cancer reclassified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) in June 2022. PAH and PFAS are one of the major classes of carcinogenic chemicals that may increase the risk of developing different types of cancer due to occupational exposure. Multiple studies have documented increased extraction of PAH in urine and breath samples following firefighting due to possible exposure via dermal and inhalation routes even when firefighters use personal protective equipment. Firefighters can be exposed to high concentrations of toxic aerosols during fire training, however little is known about the aerosol composition that could lead to increased levels of PAH and PFAS in firefighters after inhalation. In this study, we use an eight-stage Anderson impactor to collect size-resolved aerosol followed by PAH and PFAS characterization through mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry respectively. We then compare the identified PFAS and PAH compounds with the associated biomarkers reported in the literature to estimate the possible respiratory exposure and determine the possible pathway for the exposure.