Study on the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites and pulmonary function in community population

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) metabolites and pulmonary function in community population. Methods: A total of 4 812 participants were recruited from two communities in Wuhan city from April to May 2011 and two communities in Zhuhai city in May 2012. Information of demographic characteristics and life style was collected by semi-structural questionnaire. Physical examination was performed and pulmonary function was measured. Morning urine was also collected. The concentration of 12 urinary PAHs metabolites was tested and classified into four types by chemical structure, including hydroxynaphthalene, hydroxyfluorene, hydroxyphenanthrene and hydroxypyrene. The level of pulmonary function in different group of urinary PAHs metabolites was compared by using covariance analysis. The association of the urinary PAHs metabolites and pulmonary function was analyzed by using generalized linear model, and the interaction of different population characteristics and life style on the association was analyzed. Results: The age of participants was(51.99±13.64) years old, and 67.66% (n=2 565) of the population were women. The M (P(25), P(75)) of concentration of total urinary PAHs metabolites was 5.72 (3.91,8.72) μg/mmol Cr. After controlling for variables including age, gender, city, Waist-to-Hip Ratio, smoking status, drinking situation, physical activity, cooking meals at home or not, kitchen ventilation and exposure to dust as confounding factors, generalized linear model showed that each 1-unit increase in log-transformed levels of hydroxynaphthalene, hydroxyfluorene, hydroxyphenanthrene, hydroxypyrene and total PAHs was associated with 26.83 (95%CI: -48.18, -5.48) , 21.86 (95%CI: -40.49, -3.23), 26.18(95%CI: -48.27, -4.09), 34.95 (95%CI: -55.95, -13.94), and 35.23 (95%CI: -58.93, -11.54) ml reduction of FVC and 29.36 (95%CI: -47.23, -11.48), 20.79 (95%CI: -36.39, -5.19), 22.65 (95%CI: -41.15, -4.15), 31.44(95%CI: -49.03, -13.85), and 33.20 (95%CI: -53.04, -13.36) ml reduction of FEV(1) respectively (all P values<0.05). Compared to non-alcohol users and participants with home cooking, the association was more evident in alcohol users and participants without home cooking(P for interaction<0.05). Conclusion: The exposure to PAHs was associated with decreased pulmonary function, and the association was more evident in alcohol users and participants without home cooking.