Characterization, Distribution, and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Workplaces of an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) Steelmaking Factory

This study measured workplace polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an electric arc furnace (EAF) factory during regular and maintenance periods and estimated workers' lung cancer risk from 40 years of exposure using Monte Carlo Simulation. Workers were grouped into three similar exposure groups (SEGs) based on their tasks in melting, ladling and casting areas of the EAF factory. Results showed that the PAH levels (0.0127-0.0310 µg BaP_(eq) m^(-3)) during maintenance period were two to four orders higher than atmospheric PAH concentrations in some industrial sites of Taiwan. PAH levels rose to 0.0533-0.155 µg BaP_(eq) m^(-3) during regular work as hotter furnaces released more PAHs. Compared to maintenance period, particle PAHs increased more in melting area, gas PAHs increased more in ladling and casting areas, indicating that melting emissions were mainly particles, but gas PAHs traveled farther and raised gas levels in adjacent areas. The Monte Carlo simulation estimated the 95th percentile of PAH risk for three SEGs (1.26 × 10^(-5) -8.00 × 10^(-6)). The health risk assessment showed that PAH exposure put one to three workers per thousand in each area at risk of lung cancer, above the acceptable limit of one per million. The data implied that every five micrograms increase in BaP_(eq) concentrations added ten per million cancer risk with 95% certainty. The study recommends personal inhalation protection for workers and air pollution control devices as long-term solutions.