Abstract

Objective: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are not only natural but also anthropogenic contaminants that exist in many places in the environment. Human beings often accidentally ingest PAHs via smoking. Furthermore, smoking may increase the risk of bowel disorder, including diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Therefore, PAH exposure is hypothesized to be related to diarrhea risk. This study discusses the association between diarrhea and PAH exposure in the United States adult population. Method: 10,537 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001–2006) were involved in this cross-sectional analysis. Bowel disorders were assessed via examination of stool frequency and stool type. The concentrations of urinary PAH metabolites were used to evaluate PAH exposure. The association between bowel habits and PAH exposure was assessed using a multivariate logistic regression model with covariate assessment of gender, age, race, liver function, kidney function, and common chronic health diseases. Results: All PAH metabolites except 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 9-hydroxyfluorene were substantially correlated with an increased risk of diarrhea (p < 0.05) after modification of relevant covariables. This study also revealed significant association in the group of females (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all PAH metabolites except 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 9-hydroxyfluorene show significantly positive association in the non-obesity group (BMI < 30, p < 0.05). Conclusions: PAH exposure is highly associated with risk of bowel disorders among the adult population in the United States, especially in female and non-obesity populations. More research is necessary to shed light on the pathophysiological mechanisms associated to PAH exposure and diarrhea.

Highlights

  • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) are found in populations worldwide mainly due to long-term human exposure to environmental pollution

  • Our study highlighted the significant association between PAH exposure and the risk of diarrhea among the adult population in the United States

  • Urinary PAHs were significantly correlated with bowel disorder in female and non-obesity populations

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Summary

Introduction

PAHs are found in populations worldwide mainly due to long-term human exposure to environmental pollution. The intrinsic characteristics of PAHs, such as aromatic ring constructions, hydrophobicity, and thermostability, have made them prolonged and constant in the environment [1]. PAHs are universal environmental toxins primarily generated by the incomplete burning of organic substances (e.g., oil, grease, gas, and wood) [2]. PHAs damage human health and cause many kinds of systematic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases [5] and carcinogenic diseases [6]. It is considered that the more aromatic rings PAHs have, the more toxic they are. More attention should be paid to PAHs [3]. The PAH with the most aromatic rings in this study is 1-hydroxypyrene (4 rings)

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