Assessment of coke oven emissions exposure among coking workers

Coking workers are regularly exposed to coke oven emissions, which consist primarily of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. This study measured the workers' exposure to the benzene soluble fraction of total particulates (BSF). The study population consisted of 88 coking workers as an exposure group and 59 referents. Personal breathing-zone samples of BSF and total particulates were taken from all study subjects for 3 consecutive days. The highest BSF concentrations were found among the topside oven workers (geometric mean; range) (mu g/m(3)): lidman (515; 72-18,181), tar chaser (432; 51-4334), and larry car operator (185; 55-649). The lowest was 7 mu g/m(3) in the referents. Among the samples at the topside oven 84% exceeded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration standard (150 mu g/m(3) BSF). The percentage of BSF in total particulates varied across job classifications, ranging from 0.3% in wharf men to 24% in tar chasers. Area sampling indicated that the BSF concentration at the topside area was sixtyfold higher than that at the administrative area, which was approximately 2 km from the coke oven plant.