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Evaluation of Reductions in Fume Emissions (VOCs and SVOCs) from Warm Mix Asphalt Incorporating Natural Zeolite and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement for Sustainable Pavements. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12229546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Conventional asphalt mixtures used for road paving require high manufacturing temperatures and therefore high energy expenditure, which has a negative environmental impact and creates risk in the workplace owing to high emissions of pollutants, greenhouse gases, and toxic fumes. Reducing energy consumption and emissions is a continuous challenge for the asphalt industry. Previous studies have focused on the reduction of emissions without characterizing their composition, and detailed characterization of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in asphalt fumes is scarce. This communication describes the characterization and evaluation of VOCs and SVOCs from asphalt mixtures prepared at lower production temperatures using natural zeolite; in some cases, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) was used. Fumes were extracted from different asphalt mix preparations using a gas syringe and then injected into hermetic gas sample bags. The compounds present in the fumes were sampled with a fiber and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In general, the preparation of warm mix asphalts (WMA) using RAP and natural zeolite as aggregates showed beneficial effects, reducing VOCs and SVOCs compared to hot mix asphalts (HMA). The fumes captured presented a similar composition to those from HMA, consisting principally of saturated and unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds but with few halogenated compounds and no polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Thus, the paving mixtures described here are a friendlier alternative for the environment and for the health of road workers, in addition to permitting the re-use of RAP.
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Xu Y, Kåredal M, Nielsen J, Adlercreutz M, Bergendorf U, Strandberg B, Antonsson AB, Tinnerberg H, Albin M. Exposure, respiratory symptoms, lung function and inflammation response of road-paving asphalt workers. Occup Environ Med 2018; 75:494-500. [PMID: 29848553 PMCID: PMC6035487 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2017-104983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Controversy exists as to the health effects of exposure to asphalt and crumb rubber modified (CRM) asphalt, which contains recycled rubber tyres. Objective To assess exposures and effects on airway symptoms, lung function and inflammation biomarkers in conventional and CRM asphalt road pavers. Methods 116 conventional asphalt workers, 51 CRM asphalt workers and 100 controls were investigated. A repeated-measures analysis included 31 workers paving with both types of asphalt. Exposure to dust, nitrosamines, benzothiazole and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) was measured in worksites. Self-reported symptoms, spirometry test and blood sampling were conducted prework and postwork. Symptoms were further collected during off-season for asphalt paving. Results Dust, PAHs and nitrosamine exposure was highly varied, without difference between conventional and CRM asphalt workers. Benzothiazole was higher in CRM asphalt workers (p<0.001). Higher proportions of asphalt workers than controls reported eye symptoms with onset in the current job. Decreased lung function from preworking to postworking was found in CRM asphalt workers and controls. Preworking interleukin-8 was higher in CRM asphalt workers than in the controls, followed by a decrement after 4 days of working. No differences in any studied effects were found between conventional and CRM asphalt paving. Conclusion CRM asphalt workers are exposed to higher benzothiazole. Further studies are needed to identify the source of nitrosamines in conventional asphalt. Mild decrease in lung function in CRM asphalt workers and work-related eye symptoms in both asphalt workers were observed. However, our study did not find strong evidence for severe respiratory symptoms and inflammation response among asphalt workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyi Xu
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Monica Kåredal
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jörn Nielsen
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mariana Adlercreutz
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Bergendorf
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Strandberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Håkan Tinnerberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Metabolites of the PAH diol epoxide pathway and other urinary biomarkers of phenanthrene and pyrene in workers with and without exposure to bitumen fumes. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2016; 89:1251-1267. [DOI: 10.1007/s00420-016-1160-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Boczkaj G, Przyjazny A, Kamiński M. Characteristics of volatile organic compounds emission profiles from hot road bitumens. CHEMOSPHERE 2014; 107:23-30. [PMID: 24875867 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2014.02.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
A procedure for the investigation and comparison of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emission profiles to the atmosphere from road bitumens with various degrees of oxidation is proposed. The procedure makes use of headspace analysis and gas chromatography with universal as well as selective detection, including gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The studies revealed that so-called vacuum residue, which is the main component of the charge, contains variable VOC concentrations, from trace to relatively high ones, depending on the extent of thermal cracking in the boiler of the vacuum distillation column. The VOC content in the oxidation product, so-called oxidized paving bitumen, is similarly varied. There are major differences in VOC emission profiles between vacuum residue and oxidized bitumens undergoing thermal cracking. The VOC content in oxidized bitumens, which did not undergo thermal cracking, increases with the degree of oxidation of bitumens. The studies revealed that the total VOC content increases from about 120 ppm for the raw vacuum residue to about 1900 ppm for so-called bitumen 35/50. The amount of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the volatile fraction of fumes of oxidized bitumens increases with the degree of oxidation of bitumen and constitutes from 0.34% to 3.66% (w/w). The contribution of volatile nitrogen compounds (VNCs) to total VOC content remains constant for the investigated types of bitumens (from 0.16 to 0.28% (w/w) of total VOCs). The results of these studies can also find use during the selection of appropriate bitumen additives to minimize their malodorousness. The obtained data append the existing knowledge on VOC emission from oxidized bitumens. They should be included in reports on the environmental impact of facilities in which hot bitumen binders are used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Boczkaj
- Gdansk University of Technology, Chemical Faculty, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, G. Narutowicza St. 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland.
| | | | - Marian Kamiński
- Gdansk University of Technology, Chemical Faculty, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, G. Narutowicza St. 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
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Van Thriel C, Marchan R. The human bitumen study hits the headlines. Arch Toxicol 2012; 86:1803-5. [PMID: 23108913 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-012-0959-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Kendzia B, Pesch B, Marczynski B, Lotz A, Welge P, Rihs HP, Brüning T, Raulf-Heimsoth M. Pre- and postshift levels of inflammatory biomarkers and DNA damage in non-bitumen-exposed construction workers-subpopulation of the German Human Bitumen Study. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2012; 75:533-543. [PMID: 22686313 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2012.675304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Circadian variations in immune defense and tissue repair may interfere with shift effects of occupational exposure when investigating biomarkers in cross-shift studies. This investigation compared biomarkers of inflammation and DNA damage in 59 nonsmoking and 59 smoking male construction workers pre- (6-10 a.m.) versus postshift (4-7 p.m.). Cellular compositions were analyzed in blood, induced sputum (IS), and nasal lavage fluid (NALF) and soluble inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed in IS and NALF. DNA damage was measured as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) adducts and DNA strand breaks (alkaline Comet assay) in white blood cells (WBC). Apoptosis was quantified as percent apoptotic cells by annexin V and 7-amino-actinomycin staining in blood lymphocytes using flow cytometry. In nonsmokers higher preshift than postshift levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in IS and more DNA strand breaks were detected. However, more DNA adducts were found postshift. Among smokers, the cellular composition of IS and NALF differed between pre- and postshift samples, in particular more neutrophils pre- than postshift. In contrast, more cells in early apoptosis were observed post shift in both smokers and nonsmokers. These results indicate a potential influence of circadian rhythms on several biomarkers used in epidemiological studies. Data suggest interference with shift-work effects of occupational exposure in cross-shift studies and also the need to consider smoking as a modifying variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Kendzia
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance-Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany.
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Rihs HP, Marczynski B, Lotz A, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Brüning T. Modulation of oxidative DNA damage by repair enzymes XRCC1 and hOGG1. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2012; 75:588-596. [PMID: 22686320 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2012.675312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The influence of DNA repair gene polymorphisms (XRCC1: Arg194Trp, Arg280His, Arg399Gln; APE1: Asp148Glu; hOGG1: Ser326Cys) on oxidative DNA damage is controversial and was investigated in 214 German workers with occupational exposure to vapors and aerosols of bitumen,compared to 87 German construction workers without exposure, who were part of the Human Bitumen Study. Genotypes were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and actual smoking habits by a questionnaire and cotinine analysis. Oxidative DNA damage in white blood cells (WBC) collected pre- and postshift was measured as 8-oxodGuo adducts/10(6) dGuo by a hjigh-performance liquid chromatography electron capture detection (HPLC-ECD) method, followed by calculation of the difference between post- and preshift values (Δ8-oxodGuo/10(6) dGuo). The 214 bitumen exposed workers showed higher median Δ8-oxodGuo values than the 87 references. In the whole study group (n=301) there was a trend for increasing adduct values for XRCC1 Arg(GG)399Gln(AA) during a shift, especially in nonsmokers (n=108. Referents (n=87) displayed a similar trend for hOGG1 Ser(CC)326Cys(GG). In contrast, XRCC1 Arg(GG)280His(AA) showed a decrease of median Δ8-oxodGuo/10(6) dGuo values in workers with exposure to vapors and aerosols of bitumen (n=214), especially in smokers (n=145). XRCC1 Arg194Trp and APE1 Asp148Glu displayed no marked association with Δ8-oxodGuo levels. Data indicate that the combination of different variants in DNA damage repair enzymes may modulate the production of 8-oxoguanine adducts in WBC produced by xenobiotics during a shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Peter Rihs
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance - Institute of the Ruhr-Universität Bochum (IPA), Bochum, Germany.
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Welge P, Marczynski B, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Spickenheuer A, Kendzia B, Heinze E, Angerer J, Käfferlein HU, Pesch B, Brüning T. Assessment of micronuclei in lymphocytes from workers exposed to vapours and aerosols of bitumen. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S65-71. [PMID: 21399969 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0683-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the micronucleus frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 225 mastic asphalt workers (age 17-62 years) and 69 non-bitumen-exposed road construction workers (age 18-64 years) in Germany before and after the working shift. Median shift exposure to vapours and aerosols of bitumen of exposed workers was 3.0 mg/m³. Micronuclei (MN) were determined with a standard method using cytochalasin B. Median MN frequency was 6.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 4.0-8.5) MN/1,000 binucleated lymphocytes (MN/1,000 BNC) in exposed workers and 6.0 (IQR 4.0-8.3) MN/1,000 BNC in non-exposed workers before shift. After shift, we observed 6.5 (IQR 4.4-9.3) MN/1,000 BNC in exposed workers and 6.5 (IQR 4.0-9.0) MN/1,000 BNC in non-exposed workers. Regression models were applied with the log-transformed MN frequency as the dependent variable in order to estimate the effects of exposure to vapours and aerosols of bitumen and of potential confounders. Age was the strongest predictor of MN formation in both exposed workers and referents. Our data suggest that MN formation was not associated with concentration of vapours and aerosols of bitumen during shift at the individual level. Although similar MN frequencies were observed in both groups, the modelling of factors potentially influencing MN frequency revealed a weak group difference in the post-shift model. We conclude that this small difference cannot be judged to be a relevant mutagenic effect of exposure to vapours and aerosols of bitumen, also with regard to the lack of adjustment for multiple testing and the lack of a group effect in the original data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Welge
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr-University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
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Marczynski B, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Spickenheuer A, Pesch B, Kendzia B, Mensing T, Engelhardt B, Lee EH, Schindler BK, Heinze E, Welge P, Bramer R, Angerer J, Breuer D, Käfferlein HU, Brüning T. DNA adducts and strand breaks in workers exposed to vapours and aerosols of bitumen: associations between exposure and effect. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S53-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0682-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Irritative effects of vapours and aerosols of bitumen on the airways assessed by non-invasive methods. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S41-52. [PMID: 21373872 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0681-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Irritative effects caused by vapours and aerosols of bitumen were assessed by non-invasive methods including spirometry, nasal lavage fluid (NALF) and induced sputum (IS) in a cross-shift study comparing 320 bitumen-exposed workers with 118 road construction workers as the reference group. Lung function parameters, forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) were within normal ranges in both the reference and the bitumen-exposed groups pre- and post-shift with marginally lower values in smokers of both groups. During the shift, a slight decline in FEV(1) and FVC was observed in the bitumen-exposed group independent of their smoking habits, whereas in the non-smoking reference group, the decline in FEV(1) was not observed. No significant differences between bitumen-exposed workers and the reference group and no significant shift effect were observed on the upper airways using NALF analysis. The IS concentrations of interleukin (IL)-8, total protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 were significantly higher in bitumen-exposed workers than in the reference group. However, the concentration of these three biomarkers in the IS samples, which are indicators of inflammatory effects on the lower airways of bitumen-exposed workers, was already higher in exposed workers before shift and did not show an increase during the shift. Therefore, the key finding of this aspect of the Human Bitumen Study is the detection of potentially (sub-) chronic irritative inflammatory effects in the lower airways of bitumen-exposed workers.
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Raulf-Heimsoth M, Marczynski B, Spickenheuer A, Pesch B, Welge P, Rühl R, Bramer R, Kendzia B, Heinze E, Angerer J, Brüning T. Bitumen workers handling mastic versus rolled asphalt in a tunnel: assessment of exposure and biomarkers of irritation and genotoxicity. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S81-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0685-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Breuer D, Hahn JU, Höber D, Emmel C, Musanke U, Rühl R, Spickenheuer A, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Bramer R, Seidel A, Schilling B, Heinze E, Kendzia B, Marczynski B, Welge P, Angerer J, Brüning T, Pesch B. Air sampling and determination of vapours and aerosols of bitumen and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Human Bitumen Study. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S11-20. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0678-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Pesch B, Spickenheuer A, Kendzia B, Schindler BK, Welge P, Marczynski B, Rihs HP, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Angerer J, Brüning T. Urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in workers exposed to vapours and aerosols of bitumen. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S29-39. [PMID: 21359563 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0680-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Urinary hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated as potential biomarkers of bitumen exposure in a cross-shift study in 317 exposed and 117 non-exposed workers. Personal measurements of the airborne concentration of vapours and aerosols of bitumen during a working shift were weakly associated with post-shift concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 1-, 2+9-, 3- and 4-hydroxyphenanthrenes (further referred to their sum as OHPHE), but not 1- and 2-hydroxynaphthalene (OHNA). Smoking showed a strong influence on the metabolite concentrations, in particular on OHNA. Pre-shift concentrations of 1-OHP and OHPHE did not differ between the study groups (P = 0.16 and P = 0.89, respectively). During shift, PAH metabolite concentrations increased in exposed workers and non-exposed smokers. Statistical modelling of post-shift concentrations revealed a small increase in 1-OHP by a factor of 1.02 per 1 mg/m(3) bitumen (P = 0.02) and 1.04 for OHPHE (P < 0.001). A group difference was observed that was diminished in non-smokers. Exposed non-smokers had a median post-shift 1-OHP concentration of 0.42 μg/l, and non-smoking referents 0.13 μg/l. Although post-shift concentrations of 1-OHP and OHPHE were slightly higher than those in the general population, they were much lower than in coke-oven workers. The small content of PAHs in vapours and aerosols of bitumen, the increasing use of additives to asphalt mixtures, the strong impact of smoking and their weak association with airborne bitumen limit the use of PAH metabolites as specific biomarkers of bitumen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beate Pesch
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789 Bochum, Germany.
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Modulation of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites by enzyme polymorphisms in workers of the German Human Bitumen Study. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S73-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0684-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Levels and determinants of exposure to vapours and aerosols of bitumen. Arch Toxicol 2011; 85 Suppl 1:S21-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-011-0677-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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