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Environmental Health Criteria 214

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HUMAN EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT<br />

Levels of total PAHs, carcinogenic PAHs and PM 5 were very high<br />

and showed no statistically significant differences indoors and<br />

outdoors ( p > 0.05). Highest PM 5 levels were 260 and 280 µg/m 3<br />

for indoors and outdoors respectively. Levels of benzo [a]pyrene<br />

indoors and outdoors were highly correlated ( r = 0.869). For<br />

restaurants which usually work with open doors, the correlation<br />

between indoor and outdoor levels was even higher ( r = 0.99). In<br />

Curocori, levels (a town with little vehicular traffic) were almost<br />

identical indoors and outdoors. Levels of carbon monoxide PM 5 , total<br />

PAHs and carcinogenic PAHs were considerably lower in this rural town<br />

and indoor/outdoor correlations were also much lower than those<br />

obtained in Santiago.<br />

These results confirm the importance of ambient pollution to<br />

population exposures when outdoor pollution levels are high. Only when<br />

the contribution of penetrating ambient pollution is lowered can the<br />

indoor contributions be more readily assessed.<br />

12.3.7 Volatile organic compounds<br />

Human exposure to VOCs occurs mainly through inhalation, although<br />

some VOCs are ingested as contaminants in drinking-water, food and<br />

http://www.inchem.org/documents/ehc/ehc/ehc<strong>214</strong>.htm<br />

Page <strong>214</strong> of 284<br />

6/1/2007

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