Modern Russian and international approaches to biomonitoring of furan and its derivatives in the human body: a review

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BACKGROUND: Dioxins, furan, and its derivatives are hazardous environmental pollutants that also permeate human biological systems. Dioxins are recognized as global ecotoxicants with potent mutagenic, immunosuppressive, carcinogenic, teratogenic, and embryotoxic effects. These compounds are resistant to degradation and bioaccumulate in both the human body and the planet’s biosphere, encompassing air, water, and food sources. The lethal dose for these substances can be as low as 10−6 g per kg of human body weight. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies furan as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ (Group 2B). Inhalation of furan has been shown to induce pulmonary edema and bronchial necrosis. An experimental study involving a single oral administration of furan in corn oil at 4 cm³/kg body weight in Fischer 344 rats demonstrated that furan doses of 0.1–0.2 mg/kg body weight can oxidize into the toxic metabolite cis-2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA), which is pivotal in mediating toxic effects. A dose of 250 µg/kg body weight was found to induce chromosomal aberrations in male Fischer 344 rats. Furan is considered a non-genotoxic hepatocarcinogen; it undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the metabolite cis-2-butene-1,4-dial (BDA), which exhibits acute toxicity towards hepatocytes. Consequently, cell death is accompanied by tissue regeneration and cellular proliferation, thereby increasing the risk of carcinogenesis. AIM: To examine international experience, scientific and informational sources, and the results of theoretical and experimental research, as well as methods and techniques for determining the mass concentration of dioxins, furan, and its derivatives in human biological media. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study focused on both Russian and international sources of scientific and methodological literature pertaining to the toxic compounds of dioxins, furan, and its derivatives. A comprehensive analysis of the scientific literature was conducted on the methods and techniques for determining the mass concentrations of furan and its derivatives in human biological media, as sourced from Google Scholar. Methodological documents currently in effect in the Russian Federation were searched on the websites http://www.normacs.ru and https://files.stroyinf.ru. The temporal scope of the analysis spanned 37 years, from 1986 to 2023. RESULTS: The review provides an in-depth description of the physical and chemical methods employed to monitor levels of dioxins, furan, and its derivatives in biological media; their toxic and genetic effects; and the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of furan from the body. It also covers the toxicological properties of furan and its derivatives, based on animal experiments conducted on Fischer 344 mice and rats in EU countries and the USA. CONCLUSION: The review summarizes the experience gained from international studies in EU countries and the USA, which can be used for developing human biomonitoring and for implementation into practical activities as a sub-system within social and hygienic monitoring in the Russian Federation.