Multimedia Concentrations of PAH in Several Day Care Centers

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Abstract
Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were measured in nine day care centers in the spring of 1997. Indoor and outdoor air, food and beverages, indoor dust, and outdoor play area soil were sampled. The mean sums of 20 target PAH concentrations were 265 and 119 ng/m3 in indoor and outdoor air, respectively; 3.48 ppm in classroom dust; 1.56 ppm in playground soil; 4.33 ppb in solid food; and 1.38 ppb in liquid food. Large differences in PAH concentrations between the centers were observed only for play area soil, where the mean concentrations at the centers serving primarily low-income clients were as much as 42 times higher than those at the other centers. Potential exposures through the inhalation and ingestion pathways were calculated. The ingestion pathway was most important, especially for the larger 4–7 ring PAH.