Nontarget
Analysis of the Volatile and Semivolatile
Chemical Profile of Wildland Firefighter Gear: Insight into Occupational
Exposure and Health Implications
Aug 2026· Environmental Science &
Technology· 0 citations· 35 references
Abstract
Prescribed fire releases a complex mixture of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds to the environment. Firefighters are directly exposed to these hazardous mixtures through occupational activities. This study investigated the volatile and semivolatile chemical contamination profile of firefighter protective gear and the effectiveness of laundering as a decontamination strategy. Our results revealed that firefighter gear accumulated a broad spectrum of combustion-derived contaminants, predominantly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives, phenolic compounds, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Representative compounds identified included toluene, biphenyl, naphthalene, 1-methynaphthalene, 2-methylnaphthalene, acenaphthene, phenol, alkylated phenols, and chlorinated phenols. Quantitative analysis revealed representative combustion-derived compounds at concentrations (mean ± standard deviation, SD) including toluene (0.958 ± 0.293 ng/g), biphenyl (0.015 ± 0.004 ng/g), naphthalene (0.053 ± 0.020 ng/g), 1-methynaphthalene (0.468 ± 0.132 ng/g), 2-methylnaphthalene (0.009 ± 0.002 ng/g), and acenaphthene (0.303 ± 0.001 ng/g). Multivariate analysis showed that although laundering substantially reduced contaminant levels, residues of several compounds remained significantly detectable in washed samples. These results demonstrate that firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE) serves as a reservoir for toxic compounds, underscoring the additional risk of secondary exposure to firefighters through dermal contact, handling, and off-gassing. Together, our findings emphasize the need for the safe transport of protective gear (e.g., in sealed bags), proper storage before laundering, and periodic replacement of these protective materials. This will help mitigate secondary exposure and adverse long-term health effects.
Firefighters assigned to structure defense had significantly higher increases in PAH metabolites compared to those assigned to wildland firefighting tasks and maximum post-fire concentrations in firefighters also exceeded the BEI for 1-hydroxyprene and trans,trans-muconic acid.
Miriam M Calkins, Alexander C. Mayer, Derek J Urwin et al.· International Journal of Hyg...· 0 citations
The open burning system of municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal releases varying concentrations of emissions into the atmosphere. One of such, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere have been documented to be a threat to humans. This study assessed the concentration of the ambient air PAHs in a MSW dumpsite at Egbedi, Osun State. A polyurethane foam (PUF) passive sampler was installed in 10 locations for 28 days to trap PAHs. The PAH results were subjected to a toxicity equivalence (TEQ), sources were identified by employing the existing diagnostic ratios, and inhalation dosage was investigated using the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Assessment (ELCR). The summation of the carcinogenic PAHs and the highest toxicity equivalence for rain and dry seasons were 0.241 µg/m3 and 0.369 µg/m3, and 0.070 and 0.110, respectively. The analysis revealed that the PAHs were mainly from the combustion of MSW. The ELCR values were (9.1 × 10–4) and (5.8 × 10–4), which were above the acceptable carcinogenic risk level of 1.0 × 10–6. The concentration of PAHs released is at a carcinogenic level and the TEQ and diagnostic ratio show that the emission source is from certain wastes. The PCA score plot showed a single cluster that was close to the center, indicating that the burning of MSW was the only source of emissions from the study location that added to the majority of the PAHs in the surrounding atmosphere. There is an urgent need to develop the dumpsite into a standard landfill.
O. Fadipe, Saheed Adekunle Adewale, O. B. Okedere et al.· Discover Environment· 0 citations
Abstract Specific migration of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs/SVOCs) from untreated light wood packaging from maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) and poplar (Populus sp.) into the dry food simulant Tenax® was investigated by thermal desorption coupled to GC/MS (TD-GC/MS). Direct and indirect contact modes were tested for sapwood and heartwood of dry and wet wood at 4–40 °C for 24 h and 10 days. More than 140 VOCs were identified across all conditions combined. Poplar exhibited an aldehyde-dominated profile, whereas pine showed a terpene-dominated profile. Direct contact resulted in approximately twice as many identified compounds as indirect contact. Moisture induced a qualitative diversification of the poplar VOC profile and significantly reduced migration levels. Seven representative compounds were quantified and assessed using the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach with Cramer classification. Once migration was expressed on a contact-area basis, first-tier TTC screening indicated exposures below the Cramer-class thresholds for all seven compounds, although the margins were narrow for some compounds (e.g. 2-pentylfuran). This first-tier screening does not cover substances bearing a structural alert for genotoxicity, for which a lower threshold of 0.15 µg/person/day applies; a complete safety assessment therefore requires confirmation that the analytical method is sufficiently sensitive at that level. These findings provide a scientific basis for risk assessment and support the development of a dedicated regulatory framework for wood as a food contact material.
Daliéna Ludosky, D. Erre, F. Fricoteaux et al.· Food Additives and Contamina...· 0 citations
This study investigated the presence and origins of toluene in spices and their extracts. A headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method quantified six benzene series compounds, with limits of detection of 0.10 mg/kg, limits of quantification of 0.30 mg/kg, and recoveries of 72.2-109.4% (RSD <10%). Toluene was the major contaminant in multiple spice extracts, reaching up to 109.53 mg/kg. Traceability analysis indicated contamination primarily from thermal processing, with a small proportion from raw materials. Specifically, extraction temperatures exceeding 90 °C triggered a sharp increase in toluene levels in ginger and black pepper essential oils. Controlled heating experiments with pure standards confirmed that α-pinene undergoes thermal conversion to toluene at elevated temperatures. Finally, vacuum treatment removed over 99.50% of residual toluene from the essential oils and was proven highly effective. These findings provide critical mechanistic insights and practical mitigation strategies for quality control in the botanical extract industry.
Jie Zhang, Xiao-Wei Li, Jianrui Qian et al.· Food Chemistry· 0 citations
The presence of novel PFASs in serum from firefighters highlights the need for more research into their occurrence in occupationally exposed groups and the general population, exposure sources, and toxicokinetics.
Yanan Chen, N. L. Dilani Perera, S. Beitel et al.· Environmental Science and Te...· 0 citations
Abstract This study presents a baseline assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in surface water bodies of the Huasteca Potosina and evaluates the potential of airlift bioreactors as a biotechnological remediation strategy for hydrocarbon-contaminated waters (potential fracking activities). While environmental measurements focus on PAH occurrence and source characterization, biodegradation experiments were conducted using diesel as a model petroleum substrate to assess microbial performance and reactor behavior under controlled conditions. The combined environmental diagnosis and process-oriented experimentation provide complementary insights into contamination vulnerability and remediation potential. This study assessed the concentration, distribution, and molecular signatures of 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in four surface water bodies and municipal tap water. Total PAH concentrations ranged from non-detectable to 21.51 mg L−1, with the highest levels observed in Chajir Lagoon and Puente de Dios. Molecular profiles revealed mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic origins, suggesting contributions from petroleum residues, combustion processes, and regional anthropogenic activities. These findings highlight environmental vulnerability and the need for strengthened monitoring in areas susceptible to future hydrocarbon development. To address this issue, a hydrocarbon-degrading bacterial consortium was evaluated in an airlift bioreactor (ALB) using diesel as a model contaminant. Under mineral medium supplementation, the consortium exhibited significant biomass growth and enhanced degradation rates, as confirmed by Gompertz kinetics. Surface tension and emulsification assays indicated biosurfactant production, improving diesel dispersion and biodegradability. In contrast, nutrient-limited tap water conditions resulted in slow microbial growth and lower degradation efficiency. Overall, the study provides the first regional baseline for PAH pollution in key water bodies of the Huasteca Potosina and demonstrates that airlift bioreactors constitute an effective and scalable bioremediation alternative for hydrocarbon-contaminated waters.
M. Lizardi-Jiménez, R. Hernández-Martínez, M. Castañeda-Chávez· International journal of Che...· 0 citations
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