Abstract
Objective: The purpose of the investigation is to examine urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure among firefighters and asphalt workers. Methods: Average concentrations of urinary PAHs were used for comparative analysis between groups of firefighters and asphalt pavers. Microsoft Excel was used to perform calculations and the t-test was utilized for statistical analysis. Results: When compared to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard for smokers and non-smokers, firefighters demonstrated various statistically significant differences in urinary PAH concentrations. Asphalt workers had statistically significant higher urinary concentrations in three PAHs as compared to the NIST smoker mean. Conclusions: Firefighters did not demonstrate a substantial change in urinary PAH metabolite levels when compared to controls. Asphalt pavers experienced concentrations that were in some cases increased by orders of magnitude compared to controls.
Highlights
Cancer amongst firefighters is an international topic of interest
Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) data was collected for four cohorts: control firefighters, firefighters who were present at the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse, firefighters who were present on WTC post-collapse days 1 and 2 but were not present at collapse, and special operations command firefighters
When compared to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard for smokers and non-smokers, firefighters demonstrated statistically significant differences in urinary concentrations for the following metabolites: 2-OH-fluorene, 3-OH-fluorene and 1-OH-pyrene, which were lower in firefighters than the NIST mean for smokers. 1-OH-phenanthrene, 2-OH-phenanthrene and 3-OH phenanthrene were higher among world trade center exposed firefighters than the NIST mean for smokers
Summary
Cancer amongst firefighters is an international topic of interest. Awareness that cancer was a potential occupational hazard amongst firefighters became pervasive during the 1990s. Firefighters are exposed to an array of compounds during their service, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [1]. Firefighters are exposed to PAHs during fire suppression operations, and when conducting an overhaul of turnout gear and by living in potentially contaminated fire houses if proper decontamination of equipment is not conducted [1]. PAHs are a class of organic compounds produced by incomplete combustion. PAHs often consist of three or more fused benzene rings composed of only carbon and hydrogen. There are 18 PAHs that are commonly produced during fires [3]. Smoke contains particulate and gaseous phases, both of which contain PAHs [1]
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