Methods: The particle number concentration and the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in
ES were thoroughly investigated in 10 mastectomies to estimate the cancer risk for surgical staff. The particle
number concentration and gaseous/particle PAHs at the surgeons’ and anesthetic technologists’ (AT) breathing
heights were measured with a particle counter and filter/adsorbent samplers. PAHs were soxhlet-extracted, cleaned,
and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.