Iranian Journal of

Background and Objectives: PAHs are main components of urban air pollution and are mutagenic for human being. Seasonal variations have effects on the amount of exposure to PAHs. The objectives of this research were to determine the amount of newsagent’s exposure to PAHs found in the urban atmosphere of Tehran City during warm and cold periods and comparing exposure levels in two periods. Materials and Methods: The assessment of personal exposure was performed based on NIOSH method 5515 and was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Mann- Whitney test was used to determine the effects of seasonal variation on the amount of newsagent’s exposure to PAHs. Results: The mean levels of newsagent’s exposure to benzo[a]pyrene in the south area of Tehran City were 0.148±0.010 and 0.417±0.041 µg/m³ in summer and autumn seasons respectively. The amount was higher than the mean levels of newsagent’s exposure in other geographic areas of city. The levels of newsagent’s exposure to all PAHs (p<0.001) were significantly higher in autumn compared with summer. Conclusion: The levels of exposure to PAHs during autumn were 2 to 3 fold higher than the levels of exposure during summer. Newsagents in the south area of Tehran City were experiencing higher levels of exposures to PAHs.