Exposure to benzene, toluene, xylenes and total hydrocarbons among snowmobile drivers in Sweden.

Abstract

The exposure to benzene, toluene, xylenes and total hydrocarbons among 25 individuals exposed to exhaust from a snowmobile equipped with a two-stroke engine has been evaluated. Sampling was performed by pumped and diffusive sampling in parallel. There was a relatively bad agreement between the two air-sampling methods. The bad agreement can in part be explained by back diffusion of the substances from the samplers, a high face velocity, and deposition of droplets of unburned gasoline onto or in the vicinity of the samplers. The levels of benzene ranged from not detectable (< or =0.01 mgm(-3)) to 2.5 mgm(-3). For toluene, xylenes and total hydrocarbons the exposure was 0.10-12.0, < or =0.05-13.0 and 0.90-273 mgm(-3) respectively. The result from two measurements on individuals travelling on an open sleigh at the rear of the vehicle indicated higher levels of benzene, 0.7-0.8 mgm(-3). Children are often riding as a passenger on a sledge and may thus have a higher exposure than their parents. This study indicates that spare time driving a snowmobile may cause a considerable exposure to benzene. Using a four-stroke engine equipped with a catalyst could reduce the exposure. To reduce the exposure for the passenger on a sleigh an extension of the exhaust pipe may be effective.

• Authors: Kåre Eriksson, Dan Tjärner, Inger Marqvardsen, Bengt Järvholm
• Journal: Chemosphere (Chemosphere) Vol. 50 Issue 10 Pg. 1343-7 (Mar 2003) ISSN: 0045-6535 [Print] England
• PMID: 12586165 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hydrocarbons
• Vehicle Emissions
• Xylenes
• Toluene
• Benzene

Topics

• Benzene (adverse effects)
• Chromatography, Gas
• Environmental Exposure
• Hydrocarbons (adverse effects)
• Off-Road Motor Vehicles
• Sweden
• Toluene (adverse effects)
• Vehicle Emissions
• Xylenes (adverse effects)