Objective To quantitatively evaluate the health risk of lung cancer induced by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) with benzo(a)pyrene B(a)P as a representative marker through a health questionnaire survey among residents and indoor and outdoor monitoring of ambient B(a)P in an area of China.
Methods L town where coal was used for cooking and heating was selected as the exposure group, and R town where firewood was used was selected as the control group. Indoor and outdoor air was sampled to evaluate ambient B(a)P concentration. The health status of the residents was investigated by environmental epidemiological approaches. According to the procedures and methods recommended by the U.S. Environment Protection Agency(USEPA), a health risk assessment was performed to assess the lung cancer risk of PAHs represented by B(a)P to local residents.
Results The lung cancer slope factor for B(a)P in the investigated area was 22.5. The daily exposure doses of the residents from L town(exposure) and R town(control) were 1.557& #215;10-5mg/(kg& #183;d) and 0.71& #215;10-5mg/(kg& #183;d) respectively. The lifetime excess risks of lung cancer were 3.50& #215;10-4 and 1.60& #215;10-4 respectively.
Conclusion According to the USEPA standards, the estimated lung cancer risk is acceptable, but suggesting more attention is needed.
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