In the last years, many studies have focused on risk assessment of exposure of workers
to airborne particulate matter (PM). Several studies indicate a strong correlation between PM and
adverse health outcomes, as a function of particle size. In the last years, the study of atmospheric
particulate matter has focused more on particles less than 10 m or 2.5 m in diameter; however,
recent studies identify in particles less than 0.1 m the main responsibility for negative cardiovascular
effects. The present paper deals with the determination of 66 organic compounds belonging to six
different classes of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the ultrafine, fine and coarse fractions of
PM (PM < 0.1 m; 0.1 < PM < 2.5 mand 2.5 < PM < 10 m) collected in three outdoor workplaces and
in an urban outdoor area. Data obtained were analyzed with principal component analysis (PCA),
in order to underline possible correlation between sites and classes of pollutants and characteristic
emission sources. Emission source studies are, in fact, a valuable tool for both identifying the type
of emission source and estimating the strength of each contamination source, as useful indicator of
environment healthiness. Moreover, both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks were determined
in order to estimate human health risk associated to study sites. Risk analysis was carried out
evaluating the contribution of pollutant distribution in PM size fractions for all the sites. The results
highlighted significant differences between the sites and specific sources of pollutants related to work
activities were identified. In all the sites and for all the size fractions of PM both carcinogenic and
non-carcinogenic risk values were below acceptable and safe levels of risks recommended by the
regulatory agencies