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GASOLINE-CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER AS A SOURCE OF RESIDENTIAL BENZENE EXPOSURE: A CASE STUDY
Citation:
Lindstrom, A.B., V. Highsmith, T. Buckley, W. Pate, AND L. Michael. GASOLINE-CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER AS A SOURCE OF RESIDENTIAL BENZENE EXPOSURE: A CASE STUDY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-94/356 (NTIS PB94209624), 1994.
Description:
In a private residence using gasoline-contaminated water (approximately 300 ug/l benzene), a series of experiments were performed to assess the potential benzene exposures that may occur in the shower stall, bathroom, master bedroom, and living room as a result of a single 20-min shower. Integrated fixed site SUMMA-polished canister and Tenax GC air samples were collected in the target microenvironments over 20, 60, and 240 min periods. These results were compared with the long-term personal Tenax GC samples (6h) and grab samples collected with glass, gas-tight syringes at 0, 10, 18, 20, 25, 25.5, and 30 min. Maximum benzene concentrations occurred in the shower stall (758-1673 ug/m3) and bathroom (366-498 ug/m3) during and immediately after the shower. Inhalation exposures in the shower stall during the 20-min shower were 2.1 - 4.9 times higher than corresponding 20-min bathroom exposures. The total benzene dose resulting from the shower was estimated to be approximately 281 ug, with 40% via inhalation and 60% via the dermal pathway. This total is 2-3.5 times higher than the mean inhalation dose received during a concurrent 6 h occupation of the house. These results indicate that domestic use of gasoline-contaminated water can produce relatively high benzene exposures that vary significantly according to an individual's proximity to the water use zone.
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GASOLINE-CONTAMINATED GROUND WATER AS A SOURCE OF RESIDENTIAL BENZENE EXPOSURE: A CASE STUDY