EMISSION OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN INDOOR AIR DURING BURNING OF MOSQUITO COILS AND THEIR IMPACTS ON THE LIVERS OF THE EXPOSED ALBINO RATS

Abstract

The indoor burning of mosquito coils (MCs) results in generation of particulate matter (PM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in an uncontrolled manner. These emissions pose a serious public health hazards and ecological challenges. Therefore, in the present study the concentrations of PM and its content of PAHs during the indoor application of MCs were determined. In addition, some serum biochemical alternations and histological changes in the liver tissues of male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) exposed to MC smoke for 8 hours per day over 3-12 weeks were investigated. The concentrations of PM and PAHs in indoor air environment ranged from 210 to 2050 μg/m3 and from 2.57 to 56.76 μg/m3, respectively. In addition, the mean concentration of emission of benzo[a]pyrene (the most carcinogenic PAH) was 4.19±1.10 μg/m3. Serum aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase activities, as well as serum total protein, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels, were increased significantly in PAHs-exposed rats compared with the control rats (P˂0.05-P˂0.001, n=5). The significant elevation in these parameters was dependent on the duration of exposure. The histological examination of the liver tissues of PAHs-exposed rats showed marked degenerative, vascular and sinusoidal dilatation, and early necrotic changes in hepatocytes alongside fatty steatosis. In conclusion, prolonged exposure to PAHs emitted particles during burning of MCs could cause hepatotoxicity and dyslipidemia. Thus, it is recommended to use MCs only outdoors to reduce their health risk.