Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality Sampling Strategy: the case of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Air Pollution

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generated from the combustion of fuels such as gas, oil, and coal. In the scientific literature several studies outline a significant correlation between mortality by lung cancer in humans and exposure to PAHs. Sources of PAHs include emissions from industrial activities such as primary aluminium and coke production, petrochemical industries, rubber tire and cement manufacturing, bitumen and asphalt industries. At current, monitoring activities to assess the workers exposure to airborne PAHs are based on sampling and diagnostic methods derived from analytical chemistry; methods are based on a "trial and error" approach and are time consuming and frequently characterized by high costs. The aim of this study is the develop of a guidelines proposal for indoor air quality monitoring PAHs in order to identify efficient and effective sampling strategies allowing to jointly reduce the number of sampling points and to obtain reliable measurements at reasonable costs. We propose an approach for preliminary air pollution exposure risk assessment based on factors taking into accounts the characteristics of the workplace (as size, aeration surfaces, etc.), of the production process, the distance between PAHs sources and position of the workers exposed, and on other easy-to-detect information. The guidelines allow performing a preliminary reliable risk assessment providing an immediate perception of the workers exposure risk level and drive the user in identifying the optimal sampling strategy (minimum number and the correct location of the samples) without requiring chemical expertise. The guidelines have to be considered as recommendations and not as standards. Guidelines can be the basis for further developments leading to standards which will contribute in health and safety of workplaces.