Assessment of atmospheric levels and occupational exposure to Pahs and benzene at various traffic congested areas in Bangkok | |
| Author | Sharma, Suman |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-03-21 |
| Subject(s) | Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- Thailand -- Bangkok Benzene Traffic congestion -- Thailand -- Bangkok |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science. Inter-University Program on Environmental Toxicology, Technology and Management. |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. EV-03-21 |
| Abstract | Pratunam, Banglamphu and Victory Monument, the three high traffic density areas also housing large number of street vendors including garment and grill meat vendors were selected as study site. The exposure to benzene and P AHs was monitored in three groups of people; the monks and nuns from the nearby temples and garment and grilled meat vendors from the roadsides. The ambience of temple and roadside was also monitored during the study. The entire sampling was carried out in the month of March 2003, which is the dry and hot season of the year. The particle bound P AHs sampling was carried out by using of personal pumps sampling in the glass fiber filter papers. The particulate samples then were extracted by sonication method and determined in HPLC. Benzene was sampled by 3M organic vapor monitoring badges and was later on desorbed in CS2 and determined by GC-FID. Of the three areas, Pratunam had the highest ambient average total PAHs 22ng/m3 at roadsides but the exposure levels in all groups of study subjects i.e., 52 ng/m3 in grilled meat vendors, 12 ng/m3 in cloth vendors and 3 ng/m3 in monks and nuns were found higher in the Victory Monument area. Similarly ambient benzene level on the roadside (58 ppb) and also the temple ambience ( 16 ppb) was found higher in Pratunam. The overall average Benzene exposure level (20 ppb) and P AHs (9 ng/m3 ) were found lowest in Banglamphu in all groups (monks/nuns, grill vendors and cloth vendors altogether). The temple ambience levels in all areas were found similar to the exposure levels in monks and nuns while the road ambience levels corresponded to the exposure levels in cloth vendors. Thus the average pollution levels, both ambient and individual exposure, were similar in Pratunam and Victory Monument areas while Banglamphu was found having the lowest roadside and temple ambient levels that corresponded with the vehicular density. There was high correlation of benzene to PAHs in the roadside than in the temple areas. Of the three study groups the monks and nuns were found least exposed to the P AHs (3 ng/m3 ) and Benzene ( 13 ppb ). The highest exposed group was meat grillers (28 ppb benzene and 35 ng/m3 average total PAHs concentration). The grilled meat vendors had a significantly higher exposure (p<0.01) to both pollutants than monks and nuns. Among the P AHs the carcinogenic benzo[b ]fluoranthene level was found five folds and benzo[a]pyrene two folds higher compared to other groups. Cloth vendors had also significantly higher exposure levels of benzene and P AHs (p |
| Year | 2003 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. EV-03-21 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Mathuros Ruchirawat |
| Examination Committee(s) | Preeda Parkpian ;Panida Navasumrit |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Government of Denmark |