Lung cancer risk by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a Mediterranean industrialized area.

This study focuses on characterizing the chronic risk assessment from inhalation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for people living near the largest chemical complex in the Mediterranean area. Eighteen PAHs were determined in the atmospheric gas and particle phases, counting PM and total suspended particles. The lifetime lung cancer risk from PAH exposure was estimated, and the contribution was assessed by phases.

Asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children living near a petrochemical site.

Residential proximity to environmental hazards has been related to adverse health outcomes. Respiratory health and allergies in children living near petrochemical sites have not been extensively studied. We evaluated the association between residential proximity to the petrochemical site of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) and the prevalence of asthma, respiratory symptoms and lung function in children.

Chronic risk assessment of exposure to volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere near the largest Mediterranean industrial site.

This study focuses on characterising the risk of exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by means of inhalation in people living in the vicinity of the largest chemical production site in the Mediterranean area. Eighty-six VOCs were initially selected for this study based on their adverse environmental and health effects. The monitoring campaign was conducted for 276 days in three different locations around the chemical site.

Risk assessment related to atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gas and particle phases near industrial sites.

Background: Inhalation is one of the main means of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) because of their ubiquitous presence in the atmosphere. However, most studies have considered only PAHs found in the particle phase and have omitted the contribution of the gas-phase PAHs to the risk.

Objective: We estimated the lifetime lung cancer risk from PAH exposure by inhalation in people living next to the largest chemical site in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean area.

Comparative study of solvent extraction and thermal desorption methods for determining a wide range of volatile organic compounds in ambient air.

This paper compares two analytical methods for determining levels of 90 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) commonly found in industrial and urban atmospheres. Both methods are based on two official methods for determining benzene levels and involve collecting samples by active adsorptive enrichment on solid sorbents. The first method involves solvent extraction and uses activated charcoal as a sorbent.

[Soybean hull unloading in Tarragona (Spain) and asthma outbreak risk].

Objectives: From 2007 to 2008, 215,000 tons of soybean hull were unloaded in the Port of Tarragona. Soybean hull was identified as the etiologic agent causing bronchial asthma outbreaks. The aim of the present study was to identify the characteristics of soybean unloading, soybean allergen dispersion, and the population risk.