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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of chemicals formed when organic material such as coal, oil, wood or fuel is heated or burned without enough oxygen. At work, PAHs are usually found as complex mixtures in coal tar and coal tar pitch, creosote, bitumen and asphalt fumes, soot, and diesel and other combustion emissions.
PAHs are listed in Schedule 14 of the model WHS Regulations. A business must provide health monitoring for workers who carry out ongoing work with PAHs where there is a significant risk to their health. Employees Health provides doctor-led PAH health monitoring onsite anywhere in Australia, at metropolitan, regional and remote workplaces, or at our clinics.
The routes of PAH exposure are via inhalation and skin absorption. Accidental ingestion may be possible, especially when eating or smoking with contaminated hands.
The target organs and potential effects of PAH exposure include:
Target organ | Effect |
Blood | Anaemia |
Respiratory | Lung cancer Irritation Reduced lung function |
Kidney | Cancer Haematuria |
Bladder | Cancer |
Gastrointestinal | Cancer |
Skin | Cancer Photosensitivity Sensitisation |
Eyes | Photosensitivity Irritation |
A baseline assessment before PAH work starts gives a reference point, so any later change in a worker’s health can be detected. The Employees Health doctor will explain the possible health effects of PAHs, the symptoms to look out for and report, and how often monitoring will happen.
The assessment includes the worker’s medical, occupational and smoking history, any previous PAH exposure, and any history of photosensitivity or skin sensitisation. The doctor will carry out a physical examination with attention to the skin. Respiratory symptoms are followed up where needed. Because some PAHs can affect reproduction, workers planning a pregnancy may be offered specific advice.
Periodic monitoring follows at intervals set by the supervising doctor. Under Schedule 14 it includes a review of history and records of personal exposure, a physical examination and health advice on recognising photosensitivity and skin changes. An additional review should be arranged after a spill or loss of containment, or if a worker develops symptoms.
Workers are exposed to mixtures of PAHs, so no single test measures total exposure. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene, a breakdown product of pyrene, is the most widely used biological marker. Safe Work Australia lists it as an optional test that can help show how well controls are working. Results are interpreted by the doctor alongside air monitoring and the worker’s tasks.
Biological exposure standard for PAHs Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene: 0.5 µmol/mol creatinine (1 µg/L) |
When a worker finishes PAH work, a final assessment is recommended, with health advice that includes watching for skin changes and photosensitivity. Workers with ongoing symptoms or health conditions are advised about continued medical follow-up.
After each assessment, the supervising doctor provides a health monitoring report to the employer. It states the results relevant to exposure, whether the worker can continue PAH work, any recommended changes to controls, and whether counselling is needed. Workers receive their own results, and records are kept confidentially for at least 30 years.
PAH exposure can occur in many industries, including:
PAHs enter the body by breathing in fume, vapour and dust, and through the skin. Skin absorption can be a major route, especially when working with pitch, creosote or contaminated clothing. Some PAH mixtures, including coal tar pitch, soot and coke production emissions, are classified by IARC as carcinogenic to humans.
PAHs can irritate the skin, eyes and airways, and some can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight (photosensitivity). Long-term exposure to some PAHs is associated with an increased risk of lung, skin and bladder cancer. Effects depend on the mixture, level and duration of exposure.
Some are. Benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene and dibenz[a,h]anthracene are classified as presumed human carcinogens. PAHs are listed in Schedule 14 of the model WHS Regulations, so health monitoring is required for workers with a significant risk of exposure.
PAHs can enter the body through inhalation, skin contact and accidental ingestion, and are broken down mainly in the liver. Their breakdown products leave the body in urine, which is why urinary 1-hydroxypyrene is the test most often used to assess PAH exposure.
Workers who may need PAH health monitoring include those in aluminium smelting, coke ovens, foundries, bitumen and asphalt work, coal tar handling, chimney and furnace maintenance and timber treatment with creosote. Whether it is required depends on a risk assessment of each worker’s exposure.
Minimum requirements are a medical and occupational history, physical examination, records of personal exposure including photosensitivity, and health advice on recognising photosensitivity and skin changes. The doctor may add urinary 1-hydroxypyrene testing. Employees Health can provide this onsite anywhere in Australia.
