Abstract
BackgroundData on human exposure to chemicals in Africa are scarce. A biomonitoring study was conducted in a representative sample of the population in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) to document exposure to polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons.Methods1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was measured by HPLC fluorescence in spot urine samples from 220 individuals (50.5% women), aged 6–70 years living in the urban area and from 50 additional subjects from the sub-rural area of Kinshasa. Data were compiled as geometric means and selected percentiles, expressed without (μg/L) or with creatinine adjustment (μg/g cr). Multiple regression analyses were applied to factors (creatinine, grilled meat habits and smoking habits) influencing 1-OHP (stepwise procedure, criteria: probability F to enter ≤ 0.05 and probability F to remove ≥ 0.10).ResultsAccording to the regression models, creatinine, grilled meat habits and smoking habits contribute to explain 45% of the variation in population’s urinary 1-OHP by the environmental exposure. Overall, living in urban area of Kinshasa was associated with increased levels of 1-OHP in urine as compared to a population living in the sub-rural area [GM: 1.8 μg/L (n = 220) versus 1.4 μg/L (n = 50), p < 0.01] as well as compared to the reference values from databases involving American or German populations.ConclusionThis study reveals the high pyrene (PAH) exposure of the Kinshasa population. However, more work, with a rigorous design in the exposed population (monitoring of air concentrations and identifying other sources of pyrene –PAH exposure), is needed to establish further documentation.
Highlights
IntroductionA biomonitoring study was conducted in a representative sample of the population in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) to document exposure to polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons
Data on human exposure to chemicals in Africa are scarce
Pyrene is present in almost all Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) mixture in relatively high concentrations and there is a good correlation between pyrene and other components in PAH mixture [2]. 1-OHP (1-hydroxypyrene), a major metabolite of pyrene, has been widely used as an indicator of internal exposure to PAH [3,4]
Summary
A biomonitoring study was conducted in a representative sample of the population in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo) to document exposure to polycyclic aromatics hydrocarbons. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are produced when organic materials undergo incomplete combustion. They are composed of two or more benzene rings and occur, depending on the type of pyrolytic process and of source material, in various compounds, but always in the form of a mixture. Because so many incomplete combustion processes occur, PAH are ubiquitous environmental contaminants. The main source of PAH intake is food, on the one hand as a result of airborne PAH precipitating onto cereals, fruit and vegetables, and on the other hand as a result of PAH generated during the preparation of food. Smoked food and food grilled on open flames display substantial levels of PAH content [5]
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