Background: Benzo[a]pyrene and benzene are classified as proven human carcinogens.There are high concentrations of these pollutants in the eastern part of the Czech Republic. Aims: We measured personal exposures to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) boud to airborne PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm) and volatile organic compounds. Methods: Sampling was carried out in Ostrava, Karvina, Havirov and Prague. The active personal monitors PV1.7 for PM2.5 bound c-PAHs and passive diffusive samplers for VOCs were used. Only adult non-smokers participated in the study (N=160). All participants completed a personal questionnaire and a time-location-activity diary. Results: The average personal benzo[a]pyrene winter/summer exposures were: 6.9/0.6 in Karvina, 2.5/0.4 in Ostrava, 0.8/0.1 in Prague and 0.2 ng/m3 in summer in Havirov. We found outdoor concentrations, ETS, home heating fuel of coal, wood or gas, frequency of exhaust fan use, cooking and commuting by a car to be the main determinants of personal exposure to c-PAHs. The benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, meta-plus para- xylene and ortho-xylene (BTEX) from VOCs were measured. The average personal BTEX exposure levels in both seasons were 7.2/34.3/4.4/16.1 μg/m3, respectively. The benzene levels were highest in winter in Karvina, Ostrava and Prague: 8.5, 7.2 and 5.3 μg/m3, respectively. The personal exposures to BTEX were higher than the corresponding stationary monitoring levels detected in the individual localities (P＜0.001; except m,p-xylene in summer). The indoor environment, ETS, cooking, a home-heating fireplace or gas stove, automobile use and being in a restaurant were important predictors for benzene personal exposure. Conslusions: Results confirmed the high personal exposure to c-PAHs and benzene of Ostrava region residents. The multivariate models confirmed outdoor pollution as significant factor increasing the personal exposure of Ostrava study participants. Acknowledgements: FP7/ENV-2012-308524-2/CITI-SENSE, 6A CR P 301/13/13458S.
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