PAHs emissions by 12 Brazilian bitumens: procedure and results

In the last few years, there has been a great focus on human health and improving working conditions. Within this context, it is necessary to study the impact of the highway construction on the quality of life of workers and the environment. This paper aims to study polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission from different bitumens commercialised in Brazil (conventional, modified by polymer or rubber and natural asphalt). The bitumens were submitted to conventional (Brazilian specifications) and rheological (SUPERPAVE classification) tests. The most usual application method is as a hot mixture. When heated, the bitumen releases volatile species and solid particles carried by gases, and this mixture is called bitumen emissions. In this fume, there are organic substances (PAHs), some of which may be carcinogenic. Therefore, the fume emitted during bitumen heating is harmful to health and should be considered both from the environmental sustainability and the worker health points of view. PAH studies were done alongside with other studies where the bitumen and the emission of some PAHs were correlated, which were measured through an experimental apparatus that generates and collects the bitumen fume. The equipment used was a nominated extraction and collection device (ECD) and the tests were conducted on laboratory benches. The fumes were collected in ECD and analysed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry to quantify the amount of emitted PAHs. From the research, it was possible to verify if bitumens with different behaviours at paving, from the perspective of sustainability and different impacts to the environment and human health. These emissions have an impact on health and the environment, which require further understanding.