| Prolonged, extensive exposure to asphalt fume has been associated with several adverse health effects. Inhaled polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from asphalt fume exposure are of concern. The objective of this study was to characterize both qualitative and quantitative differences between fumes generated at 150°C and 180°C using a well controlled laboratory road paving fume generation system. Fumes were characterized by (1) total vapor and particulate concentration, (2) simulated boiling point profile and (3) specific PAH content. The mean concentrations of the vapor fractions generated at 180°C and 150°C were 23.3 mg/m3 and 11.2 mg/m3, respectively, demonstrating a statistically significant increase in concentration with increasing asphalt temperature. The mean concentrations of the particulate fractions generated at 180°C and 150°C were 42.4 mg/m3 and 28.0 mg/m3, respectively. The simulated boiling point profile did not show a significant qualitative difference between the fumes generated at the two temperatures. Naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene were identified and quantified from the fumes. |
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