Cotton undergarments as a tool for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons whole body dosimetry of firefighters

Firefighters are exposed to a variety of hazardous substances during firefighting activities. Fire smoke contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) some of which have been shown to cause cancer in humans. To assess dermal exposure of firefighters during real-life firefighting, a whole-body dosimetry method was applied to determine the PAH that settles on the skin despite firefighters wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). In total, 17 firefighters wore cotton undergarments (shirts, trousers, gloves, socks, and balaclavas) under their PPE during firefighting missions. After firefighting, fabric pieces were analyzed for 16 US-EPA PAHs and benzo[e]pyrene. Detailed information about the fire missions was solicited from firefighters via a questionnaire. Seventy percent of firefighters provided their undergarments and PAHs were analyzed in 309 punched-out fabric pieces. PAHs were quantified in 27 out of the 309 fabric pieces (8.7%). Generally, PAH concentrations were higher after firefighting in residential buildings compared to exposure levels after fighting vehicle or outdoor fires. Phenanthrene and pyrene were the predominant compounds and were observed up to 657 and 244 ng/g, respectively. Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) was detected in 10 fabric pieces (3.2%) up to 103 ng/g, but all levels were below 1,000 ng/g, the threshold limit of B[a]P according to European Consumer Goods Regulation (European Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1513). It was demonstrated that firefighting PPE can be an effective shield against dermal exposure to carcinogenic substances. Thus, all measured PAH concentrations in the fabric pieces were below the threshold limit of 1,000 ng/g of each PAH, which is allowed in consumer goods in the European Union for clothing worn on the skin However, individual dermal exposures cannot be completely avoided during firefighting missions. The use of undergarments, gloves, socks, and balaclavas for whole-body dosimetry, which are worn under the PPE, can be useful in assessing whether hazardous substances penetrate the firefighters' PPE.