Sperm DNA damage correlates with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons biomarker in coke-oven workers

Objectives: The aim was to determine whether occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in men has adverse effect on semen quality. Methods: Forty-eight coke-oven workers, including 16 topside-oven (TO) workers and 32 sideoven (SO) workers, were studied. Ambient PAHs exposure, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels, and parameters of semen quality were determined. Results: TO workers had significantly higher ambient PAHs exposure (3,436.1±3,411.0 vs. 1,123.1±1,829.3 ng/m³, P<0.01), urinary 1-OHP levels (207.8±176.4 vs. 54.0±44.8 μg/g, P<0.001), frequency of oligospermia (18.8 vs. 0%, P<0.05), and morphological abnormality in sperm (32.3 vs. 14.6%, P<0.01) than SO workers. Among cigarette smokers, TO workers had significantly higher rates of DNA denaturation in spermatozoa (αT) and percentage of sperm with increased DNA denaturation (COMP αT) levels than SO workers (246.2±49.5 vs. 198.1±30.3 for αT; 34.8±14.4 vs. 19.3±13.9% for COMP αT, P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between urinary 1-OHP and αT, COMP αT, and abnormal sperm morphology and a tenfold increase in urinary 1-OHP associated with a 2.35-fold increase in αT, as well as a 1.07-fold increase in percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology. Conclusions: A potential risk of sperm dysfunction should be considered for workers occupationally exposed to high levels of PAHs. Cigarette smoking may aggravate this risk. Urinary 1-OHP can be used as a biomarker predicting sperm dysfunction.     

Indoor exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in traditional houses in Burundi

Objectives: Wood combustion is used as a major energy source in African countries and could result in indoor, pollution-related health problems. This exploratory study was undertaken to estimate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and carbon monoxide exposure in individuals living in traditional rural houses in Burundi. Methods: Standard methods were used to determine indoor air concentrations of 12 PAHs, and carbon monoxide. The urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was measured in occupants of traditional houses, and compared with that of individuals living in the town of Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi. Results: Mean airborne concentration of four volatile PAHs, naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene and acenaphthene, exceeded 1 μg/m³, and that of benzo(a)pyrene was 0.07 μg/m³. Naphthalene was by far the main PAH contaminant, with a mean concentration (±standard deviation) of 28.7 ± 23.4 μg/m³, representing on average 60–70% of total PAH concentration. Carbon monoxide mean concentration (±standard deviation) was 42 ± 31 mg/m³, and correlated with total PAH concentration. Geometric mean urinary 1-OHP excretion (range) in people living in traditional houses was 1.50 (0.26–15.62) μmol/mol creatinine, a value which is on average 30 times higher than that of people living in the capital (0.05 (0.009–0.17) μmol/mol creatinine). Conclusions: It appears that the substantially high concentrations of the studied contaminants constitute a potential health hazard to the rural population of Burundi. Received: 15 July 1999 / Accepted: 20 November 1999     

环境外暴露及GSTT_1、GSTM_1基因型对1-羟基芘作为多环芳烃暴露标志物的影响

目的研究多环芳烃(PAHs)暴露(环境空气暴露和吸烟)、GSTT1、GSTM1基因型对1-羟基芘(1-OHP)作为PAHs暴露标志物的影响。方法选取51名巡警作为研究组,48名内勤警察作为对照组,测定两组人群环境空气中的PAHS浓度以及尿中的1-OHP浓度,采用HPLC方法分析环境空气中PAHs浓度和研究对象尿样中的1-OHP;PCR方法测定GSTT1、GSTM1基因型。结果对照组环境PAHs浓度为12.79ng/m3,研究组为20.85ng/m3。研究组、对照组内部相同吸烟条件下GSTT1、GSTM1不同基因型人群尿中1-OHP浓度没有差别,相同基因型下的非吸烟人群中,对照组尿中1-OHP浓度均小于研究组,吸烟人群中没有发现同样的规律。按吸烟分层后,研究组、对照组内部吸烟者尿中的1-OHP浓度均大于非吸烟者,并且对照组吸烟者尿中1-OHP浓度大于研究组非吸烟者。结论PAHs暴露及吸烟是影响尿中1-OHP浓度的重要因素;在环境空气中PAHs浓度较低的情况下,吸烟对尿中1-OHP浓度的贡献更大。但GSTT1、GSTM1基因型不是影响尿中1-OHP浓度的主要因素。     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as a biomarker of PAH exposure in 3-year-old Ukrainian children

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) is a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure. We measured urinary 1-OHP in 48 children 3 years of age in Mariupol, Ukraine, who lived near a steel mill and coking facility and compared these with 1-OHP concentrations measured in 42 children of the same age living in the capital city of Kiev, Ukraine. Children living in Mariupol had significantly higher urinary 1-OHP and creatinine-adjusted urinary 1-OHP than did children living in Kiev (adjusted: 0.69 vs. 0.34 micromol/mol creatinine, p < 0.001; unadjusted: 0.42 vs. 0.30 ng/mL, p = 0.002). Combined, children in both cities exposed to environmental tobacco smoke in their homes had higher 1-OHP than did children not exposed (0.61 vs. 0.42 micromol/mol creatinine; p = 0.04; p = 0.07 after adjusting for city). In addition, no significant differences were seen with sex of the children. Our sample of children in Mariupol has the highest reported mean urinary 1-OHP concentrations in children studied to date, most likely due to their proximity to a large industrial point source of PAHs.     

Correlation of Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene and 2-Naphthol with Total Suspended Particulates in Ambient Air in Municipal Middle-School Students in Korea

The authors investigated Korean municipal middle school students to ascertain whether urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 2-naphthol–markers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure–reflect PAHs in ambient air. The authors used the β-ray absorption method, which is an index of ambient-air PAH exposure, to collect total suspended participate (TSP) data. The authors measured urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations in 137 nonsmoking students in 4 municipal middle schools within 1 km of ambient air monitoring stations. The median concentrations of urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol in the study were 0.09 nmole/mol creatinine and 2.19 μmol/mol creatinine, respectively, and the geometric means were 0.10 nmole/mol creatinine and 2.47 μmol/mol creatinine, respectively. Urinary 1-OHP concentration did not correlate significantly with any TSP index. There were significant correlations between urinary 2-naphthol level and the daily mean TSP level calculated for 2 days before survey, for 1 day before survey, and for the day of survey. These data suggest that urinary 2-naphthol may be a good marker for inhalation exposure to PAHs in ambient air.     

Correlation of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and 2-naphthol with total suspended particulates in ambient air in municipal middle-school students in Korea

The authors investigated Korean municipal middle school students to ascertain whether urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 2-naphthol-markers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure-reflect PAHs in ambient air. The authors used the beta-ray absorption method, which is an index of ambient-air PAH exposure, to collect total suspended particulate (TSP) data. The authors measured urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations in 137 nonsmoking students in 4 municipal middle schools within 1 km of ambient air monitoring stations. The median concentrations of urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol in the study were 0.09 nmole/mol creatinine and 2.19 micromol/mol creatinine, respectively, and the geometric means were 0.10 nmole/mol creatinine and 2.47 micromol/mol creatinine, respectively. Urinary 1-OHP concentration did not correlate significantly with any TSP index. There were significant correlations between urinary 2-naphthol level and the daily mean TSP level calculated for 2 days before survey, for 1 day before survey, and for the day of survey. These data suggest that urinary 2-naphthol may be a good marker for inhalation exposure to PAHs in ambient air.     

Differential oxidative stress response in young children and the elderly following exposure to PM2.5

Objectives  The mechanism of the adverse health effects of ambient particulate matter on humans has not been well-investigated despite many epidemiologic association studies. Measurement of personal exposure to particulate pollutants and relevant biological effect markers are necessary in order to investigate the mechanism of adverse health effects, particularly in fragile populations considered to be more susceptible to the effects of pollutants. Methods  We measured personal exposure to PM_2.5 and examined oxidative stress using urinary malondialdehyde three times in 51 preschoolers and 38 elderly subjects. A linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate PM_2.5 effects on urinary MDA levels. Results  Average personal exposure of the children and elderly to PM_2.5 was 80.5 ± 29.9 and 20.7 ± 12.7 μg/m³, respectively. Mean urinary MDA level in the children and the elderly was 3.6 ± 1.9 and 4.0 ± 1.6 μmol/g creatinine. For elderly subjects the PM_2.5 level was significantly associated with urinary MDA after adjusting for age, sex, BMI, passive smoking, day-care facility site, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and medical history (heart disease, hypertension and bronchial asthma). However, there was no significant relationship for children. Conclusions  The elderly were more susceptible than young children to oxidative stress as a result of ambient exposure to PM_2.5. Identification of oxidative stress induced by PM_2.5 explains the mechanism of adverse health effects such as cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, particularly in the elderly.     

Biological monitoring of environmental exposure to PAHs in the vicinity of a S?derberg aluminium reduction plant.

OBJECTIVES: To assess environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the vicinity of a Söderberg aluminium reduction plant in Shawinigan, Canada with urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as a biomarker. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 20 non-occupationally exposed subjects living less than 500 m from the plant and from 20 controls living in Trois-Rivières, another industrial town 40 km from Shawinigan. Concentrations of 1-OHP were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Among controls, geometric mean (range) 1-OHP concentrations were 0.046 (0.012-0.116) mumol/mol creatinine in non-smokers and 0.125 (0.051-0.282) mumol/mol creatinine in smokers. Among exposed subjects, values were 0.103 (0.056-0.196) mumol/mol creatinine in non-smokers and 0.250 (0.112-0.448) mumol/mol creatinine in smokers. Excretion of 1-OHP was significantly higher in exposed subjects than in controls among non-smokers and smokers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on urinary 1-OHP as a biomarker, it seems that living near an industrial point source of PAHs is associated with higher exposure. The health significance of this finding will require further investigation.     

Biological monitoring of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in subjects living in the vicinity of a creosote impregnation plant

Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in nonsmoking adult subjects living in the vicinity of a creosote impregnation plant in Delson, Canada. Urinary metabolites of naphthalene, α- and β-naphthol, and pyrene metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), were used as biomarkers of exposure. Methods: Morning and evening urine samples were collected in mid-August from 30 exposed individuals living at a distance of 50–360 m downwind of the plant and from a control group in the adjoining municipality residing at a distance of 1.9–2.7 km upwind of the plant. Metabolites were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results: Excretion values of α- and β-naphthol were significantly higher in the exposed group than in controls (P < 0.04), after accounting for possible confounding variables by multivariate analyses. The respective geometric mean concentrations (5th and 95th percentiles) of α-naphthol for the exposed and nonexposed groups were 2.04 (0.55–6.00) and 1.37 (0.39–7.02) μmol/mol creatinine for evening samples, and 2.49 (0.77–8.43) and 1.17 (0.37–6.88) μmol/mol creatinine for morning samples. Corresponding values for β-naphthol were 1.78 (0.82–3.67) and 1.36 (0.63–5.07) μmol/mol creatinine for evening samples, and 1.94 (1.03–4.96) and 1.08 (0.49–5.05) μmol/mol creatinine for morning samples. On the other hand, no significant difference in 1-OHP excretion was observed between the exposed and the control group (P>0.5). The respective geometric mean concentrations (5th and 95th percentiles) of 1-OHP for these groups were 0.05 (0.01–0.17) and 0.06 (0.01–0.48) μmol/mol creatinine for evening samples, and 0.05 (0.02–0.12) and 0.05 (0.01–0.42) μmol/mol creatinine for morning samples. Conclusions: The measurement of α- and β-naphthol urinary concentrations appears to be an approach sufficiently sensitive to reveal differences in low exposure levels of volatile PAHs due to creosote impregnation plant emissions. However, uptake of pyrene due to the plant was too small to contribute significantly to 1-OHP excretion. Received: 13 June 2000 / Accepted: 21 April 2001     

Urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene and health risk assessment in children living in Mexican communities with a high risk of contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Health complications have been associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure, a widespread environmental pollutants family. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to develop a probabilistic health risk evaluation (using Monte-Carlo simulation) in an infantile population living in areas with a high risk of pollution by PAHs (indoor wood combustion, brick kiln industry, municipal landfill, and low and high vehicular traffic) in Mexico. Urine samples were obtained from Mexican children (n = 135) and urinary 1-OHP concentrations (used as a PAHs biomarker) were quantified. Highest urinary 1-OHP concentrations were detected in children living in areas that use wood combustion as the principal indoor fuel (3.50 ± 0.95 µg/L). Nevertheless, estimated hazard quotients (HQ) lower than 1 were found in all assessed sites after Monte-Carlo analysis. Although HQ <1.0 (a toxic effect is not expected), more data are necessary to determine the real impact of PAHs exposure on children health status.     

Biological monitoring of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons among people living nearby an aluminum smelter in the province of Québec

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study is to estimate the exposure to pyrene, an indicator of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the general environment, by using the internal dose of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) among people living nearby an aluminium smelter in the Montérégie area, Province of Québec, Canada. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done in November and December 1998. Participants were randomly selected according to their environmental exposure to PAHs and were distributed according to three exposure levels (high, low, none). Altogether, 121 non smokers aged between 18 to 70 years were recruited for the study. Persons occupationally exposed to PAHs or using tar-based medications were excluded. Those with personal medical conditions that affect the metabolism of pyrene were also excluded. Urine samples were taken in the morning and analysed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine the concentration of the metabolite, 1-OHP. RESULTS: Among the exposed group (n=78), the geometric mean of urinary concentration of 1-OHP was 0.073 micromol/mol creatinine compared to 0.060 micromol/mol creatinine for the control group (n=40). The difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.09). Geometric means among the three groups of exposure (high, low, none) were respectively 0.079, 0.067 and 0.060 micromol/mol creatinine (p=0.13). Accounting for personal risk factors, such as diet, passive smoke, use of wood heating and time spent at home during the three days prior to urine sampling, did not change previous results. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the environmental levels of PAH produced by this factory are low and do not contribute significantly to the body burden of PAH as measured by 1-OHP.     

Evaluation to the exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene and xylenes in workers in a power plant fueled with heavy oil]

Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been demonstrated in many industrial sectors. However, up to date there are few studies in the literature on PAH exposure in thermoelectric power plants. The study was aimed at the evaluation of personal exposure to PAHs in workers of a power plant fueled with heavy oil. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) was evaluated on power plant workers exposed to heavy fuel oil; the control group consisted of office workers of the same power plant. Altogether 39 subjects were studied, for a total of 84 days of monitoring. Personal environmental exposure, cutaneous exposure and urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), trans,trans-muconic acid (TTMA) and nicotine were measured. Personal environmental exposure to PAHs was very low; only maintenance workers showed exposure to total carcinogenic PAHs significantly higher than controls (median levels 3.05 and 0.88 ng/m3 respectively). All workers showed very low levels of dermal exposure to PAHs (less than 1 ng). The median 1-OHP urinary concentrations were 0.16, 0.11 and 0.08 mumol/mol creatinine in the groups of exposed workers and 0.08 mumol/mol creatinine in the control group. Neither the exposed workers nor the controls showed a significant increase in 1-OHP urinary concentrations across the shift. The regression analysis showed a significant effect of cigarette smoking on urinary 1-OHP, while no association was observed between occupational exposure and diet. Personal environmental exposure levels to BTX were very low. TTMA urinary concentrations of the exposed subjects were similar to those of the controls. No significant increase in the TTMA urinary concentrations was observed across the shift and, as expected, smokers showed higher values than non-smokers. The study did not show a measurable intake of PAHs and BTX in power plant workers that could be ascribed to occupational exposure, thus confirming the efficacy of the protective measures in force.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers relative to job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking

BACKGROUND: 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) is a biomarker of recent exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We investigated whether urinary 1-OHP concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers (COWs) are modulated by job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study measured urinary 1-OHP concentrations in 197 COWs from Coking plant I and 250 COWs from Coking plant II, as well as 220 unexposed referents from Control plant I and 56 referents from Control plant II. RESULTS: Urinary 1-OHP concentrations (geometric mean, micromol/mol creatinine) were 5.18 and 4.21 in workers from Coking plants I and II, respectively. The highest 1-OHP levels in urine were found among topside workers including lidmen, tar chasers, and whistlers. Benchmen had higher 1-OHP levels than other workers at the sideoven. Above 75% of the COWs exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 2.3 micromol/mol creatinine. Respirator usage and increased body mass index (BMI) slightly reduced 1-OHP levels in COWs (P < 0.1). Cigarette smoking significantly increased urinary 1-OHP levels in unexposed referents (P < 0.005), but had no effect in COWs (P > 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese COWs, especially topside workers and benchmen, are exposed to high levels of PAHs. Urinary 1-OHP concentrations appear to be modulated by respirator usage and BMI in COWs, as well as by smoking in unexposed referents.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and 2-naphthol concentrations in male Koreans

Objective: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) has been used as a biological marker of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and urinary 2-naphthol is suggested as a new marker for route-specific exposure to airborne PAHs. We analyzed urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations in 292 male Koreans (129 university students and 163 shipyard workers) to define the distribution pattern in Koreans with no or low occupational exposure to PAHs. Method: Histories of cigarette smoking and the eating of PAH-containing foods were obtained by a self-administered structured questionnaire. Urine samples were collected and urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The arithmetic (geometric) means of urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations for all students, expressed as micromoles per mole of creatinine, were 0.04 (0.04) and 3.12 (2.22), for non-smokers 0.03 (0.03) and 1.78 (1.30) and for smokers 0.05 (0.03) and 4.36 (3.62), respectively. Among shipyard workers, the arithmetic (geometric) means of urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations were 0.69 (0.31) and 4.37 (2.62) for all, 0.27 (0.18) and 2.46 (1.16) for non-smokers, and 0.97 (0.44) and 5.60 (4.44) for smokers, respectively. Mean urinary 1-OHP and 2-naphthol concentrations differed significantly between non-smokers and smokers both in students and in shipyard workers. In smokers, some variables related to smoking habit were positively correlated with urinary 1-OHP and with 2-naphthol concentrations. The latter showed better correlations with the variables related to smoking amount than the former. None of the food-related factors was significantly correlated with urinary 1-OHP or 2-naphthol concentration. Conclusion: These results suggest that urinary 2-naphthol concentration is more sensitively affected by smoking status than urinary 1-OHP concentration and that urinary 2-naphthol is a sensitive marker for low-level inhalation of PAHs. Received: 6 March 2000 / Accepted: 26 July 2000     

A Study for the Proper Application of Urinary Naphthols, New Biomarkers for Airborne Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Urinary naphthols, 1- and 2-naphthol, recently have been suggested as route-specific biomarkers for exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. For the proper application of urinary naphthols as biomarkers, we studied effects of lifestyle on urinary naphthols levels in 119 Japanese male workers. After improving the detection limit of urinary naphthols up to 0.27 μg/L by high-resolution capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring, urinary naphthols were detectable in approximately 90% of the subjects. Among detectable samples, the geometrical mean (GM) of urinary 1-naphthol concentration was 5.13 μg/L (geometrical standard deviation, GSD, 4.90), while the GM of urinary 2-naphthol concentration was 3.16 μg/L (GSD, 5.61). We observed that urinary 1- and 2-naphthol level were three- and sevenfold higher, respectively, among smokers than among nonsmokers (p < 0.01). The ratios of urinary 2-naphthol to 1-naphthol were significantly higher among smokers than nonsmokers (p < 0.05). The number of cigarettes smoked and urinary cotinine levels were also positively related to the concentration of urinary naphthols (p < 0.01), while other lifestyle factors, i.e., age and consumption of alcohol, greasy or salty food, sweets, fruits, vegetables, meat, or fish, were not. We also studied whether genetic polymorphisms of enzymes, which were involved in naphthalene metabolism, affected urinary naphthols levels. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 exon 7 genetic polymorphism was not related to urinary naphthol levels. Among smokers, the subjects with c1/c2 or c2/c2 type of CYP2E1, which was determined by CYP2E1 RsaI polymorphism in 5′-flaking region, showed higher concentrations of urinary 2-naphthol than the subjects with c1/c1 type regardless of creatinine-correction (p < 0.05) and the subjects with glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 deficient type showed higher concentrations of both urinary 1- and 2-naphthol than those with GSTM1 normal type but only without creatinine-correction (p < 0.05). Thus, when urinary naphthols are used as biomarkers, smoking and the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2E1 and GSTM1 should be considered. Received: 6 January 1998/Accepted: 10 July 1998     

Particle-phase concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air of rural residential areas in southern Germany

An important source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in residential areas, particularly in the winter season, is the burning process when wood is used for domestic heating. The target of this study was to investigate the particle-phase PAH composition of ambient samples in order to assess the influence of wood combustion on air quality in residential areas. PM₁₀ samples (particulate matter <10 μm) were collected during two winter seasons at two rural residential areas near Stuttgart in Germany. Samples were extracted using toluene in an ultrasonic bath and subsequently analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Twenty-one PAH compounds were detected and quantified. The PAH fingerprints of different wood combustion emissions were found in significant amounts in ambient samples and high correlations between total PAHs and other wood smoke tracers were found, indicating the dominant influence of wood combustion on air quality in residential areas. Carcinogenic PAHs were detected in high concentrations and contributed 49% of the total PAHs in the ambient air. To assess the health risk, we investigated the exposure profile of individual PAHs. The findings suggest that attention should be focused on using the best combustion technology available to reduce emissions from wood-fired heating during the winter in residential areas.     

某焦化厂职业接触多环芳烃焦炉工肝脏某些酶活性的变化

目的探讨多环芳烃(PAHs)对炼焦作业工人某些肝血清酶活性改变的可能影响。方法对乙肝表面抗原(HBsAg)阴性的炼焦作业工人和非PAHs职业接触工人进行总PAHs累积接触指数(CEL-PAHs)评估,尿中1-羟基芘(1-OHP)浓度等级划分,和血清中丙氨酸转移酶(ALT)、天门冬氨酸转移酶(AST)、γ-谷氨酰转移梅(GGT)、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)的检测。结果焦炉工职业性PAHs暴露水平明显高于对照组(P<0·05)。与对照组相比,血清ALT的明显升高可见于CEL-PAHs<50μg/(m3·a)组和尿中1-OHP浓度<2·3μmol/mol肌酐CEL-PAHs≥200μg/m3组,血清AST的明显升高可见于CEL-PAHs<50μg/(m3·a)组;当CEL-PAHs(200μg/(m3·a)或尿中1-OHP浓度≥10·0μmol/mol肌酐时,可发现四种肝生化指标实测值的明显升高(P<0·05),以及ALT、AST和GGT异常率的明显升高(P<0·05),以血清GGT水平的升高(10倍CEL-PAHs的上升导致1·24倍血清GGT水平的升高,10倍尿中1-OHP浓度的上升导致1·19倍的升高)和异常率的上升(logistic回归,调整OR值为6·2~7·2,P<0·05)最为明显。结论PAHs职业暴露可导致炼焦作业工人肝脏某些血清酶活性的升高。     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration from Mexican children living in the southeastern region in Mexico

Biomass combustion indoors has been associated with generation of various pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, respirable particles, toluene, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), among others. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (as a biomarker exposure to PAHs) levels in children living in three states in Mexico. We evaluated children living in communities that use biomass fuels to cook and to heat homes in the next states: Chiapas, Oaxaca and Quintana Roo. We found similar levels of 1-OHP in urine of children living in the three studied states, with mean levels of 3.5?±?1.0; 4.5?±?2.8 and 4.4?±?2.5?μg/L (geometric mean?±?standard deviation), respectively for Chiapas, Oaxaca and Quintana Roo. In conclusion, our data indicate high exposure levels to PAHs in children living in the states studied in this work.     

Urban air pollution: a representative survey of PM2.5 mass concentrations in six Brazilian cities

In urban areas of Brazil, vehicle emissions are the principal source of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). The World Health Organization air quality guidelines state that the annual mean concentration of PM_2.5 should be below 10 μg m⁻³. In a collaboration of Brazilian institutions, coordinated by the University of S?o Paulo School of Medicine and conducted from June 2007 to August 2008, PM_2.5 mass was monitored at sites with high traffic volumes in six Brazilian state capitals. We employed gravimetry to determine PM_2.5 mass concentrations, reflectance to quantify black carbon concentrations, X-ray fluorescence to characterize elemental composition, and ion chromatography to determine the composition and concentrations of anions and cations. Mean PM_2.5 concentrations and proportions of black carbon (BC) in the cities of S?o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Recife, and Porto Alegre were 28.1 ± 13.6 μg m⁻³ (38% BC), 17.2 ± 11.2 μg m⁻³ (20% BC), 14.7 ± 7.7 μg m⁻³ (31% BC), 14.4 ± 9.5 μg m⁻³ (30% BC), 7.3 ± 3.1 μg m⁻³ (26% BC), and 13.4 ± 9.9 μg m⁻³ (26% BC), respectively. Sulfur and minerals (Al, Si, Ca, and Fe), derived from fuel combustion and soil resuspension, respectively, were the principal elements of the PM_2.5 mass. We discuss the long-term health effects for each metropolitan region in terms of excess mortality risk, which translates to greater health care expenditures. This information could prove useful to decision makers at local environmental agencies.     

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in coke oven workers relative to exposure, alcohol consumption, and metabolic enzymes

OBJECTIVES—To investigate the influence of personal lifestyle—such as smoking and alcohol consumption—on urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations in coke oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to evaluate the association of 1-OHP concentrations with the genetic polymorphism of several metabolic enzymes including cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 1A1 and glutathione S-tranferases (GSTs).
METHODS—The study population contained 162 coke oven workers and 58 controls employed at the largest iron and steel factory in China. Personal data were collected at the interview. 1-OHP in urine was measured with high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Genetic polymorphisms were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.
RESULTS—A positive association between excretion of urinary 1-OHP and the levels of exposure to PAHs was confirmed. Those people who consumed 50 g/day ethanol had significantly higher 1-OHP excretion than did other coke oven workers (p<0.01). No significant difference in urinary 1-OHP was found between smokers and non-smokers, in both controls and exposed subjects. The variant homozygotes at exon 7 of the CYP1A1 gene had significantly higher urinary 1-OHP concentrations than other CYP1A1 genotypes among the exposed workers (p=0.03). There was less association between the concentrations of 1-OHP and the GSTM1, GSTP1, or GSTT1 polymorphism.
CONCLUSIONS—The present study confirmed that urinary 1-OHP is a good biomarker for exposure to PAHs. Alcohol consumption affected urinary 1-OHP excretion. The variant genotypes of the CYP1A1 gene may result in the enhancement of PAH metabolites. It is helpful to understand the role of individual susceptibility on metabolism of carcinogens. These findings suggest that the modulating effect of individual lifestyle factors or genetic nature should be considered in future studies on occupational exposure to PAHs and in evaluating the health risk from harmful chemicals.


Keywords: 1-hydroxypyrene; genetic polymorphism; alcohol drinking