Abstract |
Three identical experiments were conducted in a single residence to assess potential exposures that may result from the routine household use of VOC-contaminated groundwater. Each experiment was based on a single 20-min shower using contaminated groundwater containing 185-367 microgram/l benzene. Study objectives included: assessing potential exposures that may occur throughout the residence from routine household use of contaminated groundwater; examining the relationships between short- versus long-term exposure measurement techniques; and testing a multi-disciplinary protocol for total human exposure monitoring. Integrated 20-, 60-, and 240-min indoor VOC samples were collected in the shower stall, bathroom, master bedroom, and living room using Tenax GC and/or SUMMA polished evacuated canisters. Grab syringe samples were collected over various times at each indoor sampling location. Personal Tenax GC samples and water samples were also collected. Breath, blood, and urine samples were collected from the shower-exposed subject. Maximum benzene concentrations in the shower stall ranged from 758-1673 micrograms/cu m. Benzene concentrations in the bathroom and adjacent master bedroom approached 500 micrograms/cu m and 125 micrograms/cu m, respectively. A summary of microenvironmental and exposure assessment results of these experiments are presented in the report. |