Particle mass and number of smoke aerosol exposures of firefighters were studied during prescribed fire events. In addition, organic and elemental carbon, functional content and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons were determined by spectrometric and chromatographic methods. During the study, firefighters engaged in working tasks including maintenance of the fire front using drip torch ignition and support activities related to fire progression monitoring. Particle number concentration was dominated by particles in the fine range (diameter 0.5–2.5 μm) including significant quantities (about 10–30%) of coarse particles (diameter > 2.5 μm). Particle number concentrations varied substantially during a fire event and were related to topography as well as firefighter’s activity with elevated particle number concentrations during increased walking speeds. This variation was in agreement with the median and standard deviation of the percent relative concentration difference values indicating within-subject variability. Both organic and elemental carbon were accumulated in particles with a diameter lower than 1.0 μm. Combustion 4- and 5-ring PAHs including pyrene, chrysene and benzo[a]pyrene were accumulated in fine aerosol, with naphthalene being present mostly in larger particles. The values of PAHs concentration diagnostic ratios indicated a mixture of biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion probably due to the use of gasoline and diesel to ignite the fire. These findings may also be relevant for environmental exposures to wildifres smoke because of the proximity of large and intense wildfires in populated centers.

在规定的火灾事件中研究了消防员的颗粒质量和烟气溶胶暴露量。此外，通过光谱和色谱法测定有机和元素碳，功能含量和多核芳烃。在研究过程中，消防员从事的工作任务包括使用割炬点火来维护火锋以及与进行火势监控有关的支持活动。颗粒数浓度主要由细范围（直径0.5-2.5μm）中的颗粒占主导，其中包括大量（约10-30％）的粗颗粒（直径> 2.5μm）。在发生火灾时，颗粒数浓度变化很大，并且与地形以及消防员的活动有关，在步行速度增加时，颗粒数浓度升高。该变化与指示受试者内变化的相对浓度差异百分数的中值和标准偏差一致。有机碳和元素碳都聚集在直径小于1.0μm的颗粒中。燃烧的4环和5环PAH（包括pyr，和苯并[a] re）积聚在细小的气溶胶中，萘主要存在于较大的颗粒中。PAHs浓度诊断率的值表明生物质燃烧和化石燃料燃烧混合，可能是由于使用汽油和柴油点燃了大火。