1-hydroxypyrene In Human Urine Research Articles

Biomarkers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human excreta: recent advances in analytical techniques-a review.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental pollutants that are generated by the incomplete combustion of organic materials. The main anthropogenic sources of PAHs are the combustion of solid fuels for heating purposes, illegal waste incineration, road transport and industries based on fossil fuels. PAHs can easily enter the body because they are present in all elements of the environment, including water, soil, air, and food. Due to their ubiquitous presence, PAHs, may exert a harmful effect on human health. Assessing PAH exposure through biomonitoring mostly involve techniques to measure the concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine. Nevertheless, through recent progress in analytical techniques, other common metabolites of PAHs in human biospecimens can be detected. A scientific literature search was conducted to determine which hydroxy derivatives of PAHs are markers of PAHs exposure and to reveal the leading sources of these compounds. Techniques for analyzing biological samples to identify OH-PAHs are also discussed. The most frequently determined OH-PAH in human urine is 1-hydroxypyrene, the concentration of which reaches up to a dozen ng/L in urine. Apart from this compound, the most frequently determined biomarkers were naphthalene and fluorene metabolites. The highest concentrations of 1- and 2-hydroxynaphthalene, as well as 2-hydroxyfluorene, are associated with occupational exposure and reach approximately 30ng/L in urine. High molecular weight PAH metabolites have been identified in only a few studies. To date, PAH metabolites in feces have been analyzed only in animal models for PAH exposure. The most frequently used analytical method is HPLC-FLD. However, compared to liquid chromatography, the LOD for gas chromatography methods is at least one order of magnitude lower. The hydroxy derivatives naphthalene and fluorene may also serve as indicators of PAH exposure.

Notably Stable Bifunctional Europium-Centered Metal-Organic Framework for Instant Sensing of Uric Acid and 1-Hydroxypyrene in Human Urine.

A new Eu-centered metal-organic framework, [(CH3)2NH2][Eu(cdip)(H2O)] (compound 1), was fabricated by the reaction of Eu(NO3)3·6H2O and a high-symmetry ligand, 5,5'-carbonyldiisophthalic acid (H4cdip). Interestingly, compound 1 exhibits extraordinary stability, including air, thermal, and chemical stabilities, in an aqueous solution with a broad pH range of 1-14, which is rarely seen in the field of metal-organic framework materials. Notably, compound 1 is proved to be an exceptional prospective luminescent sensor for recognizing 1-hydroxypyrene and uric acid both in DMF/H2O solution and human urine with a fast response (1-HP: 10 s; UA: 80 s), high quenching efficiency Ksv (7.01 × 104 M-1 for 1-HP and 5.46 × 104 M-1 for UA in DMF/H2O solution; 2.10 × 104 M-1 for 1-HP and 3.43 × 104 M-1 for UA in human urine), low limit of detection (1.61 μM for 1-HP and 0.54 μM for UA in DMF/H2O solution; 0.71 μM for 1-HP and 0.58 μM for UA in human urine), and remarkable anti-interference ability based on luminescence-quenching effects observable by the naked eye. This work provides a new strategy for the exploration of potential luminescent sensors based on Ln-MOFs for 1-HP, UA, or other biomarkers in biomedical and biological fields.

On-line flow injection molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction for the preconcentration and determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples

New analytical strategies tend to automation of sample pre-treatment and flow analysis techniques provided a number of enhanced analytical methods allowing high throughput. Flow techniques are usually faster, more robust and more flexible than their batch equivalents. In addition, flow methods use less sample and reagent amounts and reduce analytical costs and waste.A flow injection solid-phase extraction pre-concentration system using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) packed micro-column was developed for the determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine with fluorescence detection. The pre-concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene on the MIP was carried out based on the specific retention of analyte by on-line introducing the sample into the micro-column system. Methanol and dichloromethane mixture was used to elute the retained analyte for fluorometric analysis. Important influencing factors were studied in detail, in batch and in flow (MISPE procedure optimisation, sample and eluent volumes, flow rate, dimensions of MIP micro-column and amounts of packing material, etc).To the best of our knowledge, this is the first on-line flow injection molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction for the pre-concentration and determination of hydroxylate PAH metabolite in urine samples.The optimised method was successfully applied to the determination of 1-Hydroxypyrene in spiked urine samples, with recoveries in the range of 74–85% and RSD<4.6%. Under optimum experimental conditions, the linearity concentration range used was 10–400μgL−1, R2>0.996. We obtained limit of detection and quantification of 3.1μgL−1 and 10.5μgL−1, respectively.

Synthesis of a molecularly imprinted polymer for the isolation of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine

In the last decades, the assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons' exposure has generated great interest and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) has been commonly used as a biological indicator of exposure to PAHs in many studies in environmental and occupational health. In this research, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesised by precipitation polymerisation using 1-OHP as template, methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as cross-linker, and acetonitrile as porogen. MIP was used as solid-phase extraction (SPE) material for sample pretreatment and isolation of 1-OHP and posterior detection in a reversed-phase HPLC-FLD. Various parameters including washing solvent, elution solvent and volume affecting the extraction efficiency of the polymer have been evaluated to achieve the isolation of 1-OHP from urine samples and to reduce non-specific interactions. Cross-selectivity was studied in the presence of other structural analogues of the 1-OHP as hydroxyphenantrene isomers.The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.15–2.00µgL−1, R2>0.998. Recovery values were in the range of 78–90% and RSD <6.7%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.05µgL−1 and 0.17µgL−1, respectively.In our knowledge, it is the first time that this methodology is applied for analysing urinary hydroxypyrene and it has been demonstrated that this specific MISPE–HPLC-FLD method offers a fast and simple alternative to determine 1-OHP in human urine samples.

Nylon 6–Gold Nanoparticle Composite Fibers for Colorimetric Detection of Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene

A one-step in situ synthesis of nylon 6 nanofibers filled with gold nanoparticles for the colorimetric probe of 1-hydroxypyrene, a biomarker associated with the largest class of cancer-causing chemical compounds polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is proposed in this study. The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were successfully embedded on the surface of the nylon 6 fibers where the gold particles were chemisorbed onto the amide groups in the nylon 6 backbones. By electrospinning the nylon 6/gold nanocomposite, the gold nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed on the polymer fibers to give a photostable reddish white fiber which turned purple/blue when brought in contact with a standard solution of the biomarker. The TEM revealed the formation of spherical AuNPs with an average diameter of 8 nm well arrayed within the nanofibers, but no significant change in the morphology of the nanofibers was observed. The thermal properties of the composite fibers were greatly improved compared to the electrospun nylon 6 fiber. The developed method described herein is simple, effective, requires no post-treatments, and is highly sensitive (100 ng/ml) hence the nanocomposite fibers can be employed as a test strip for the colorimetric detection of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine or other diagnostic probe biosensors.

Electrospun nanofiber sorbents for the pre-concentration of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene

Abstract Background Synthetic polymers have some qualities that make them good candidates for pre concentration of trace analytes biological fluids because of their great potentials to be functionalized and electrospun into nanofibres. Methods In this study, Electrospun nanofiber sorbents fabricated from 11 polymers {poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid), poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) (SDVB), poly(styrene-co-acrylamide), poly(styrene-co-p-sodium styrene sulfonate), polystyrene, poly(vinyl benzyl chloride), cellulose acetate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polysulfone, nylon 6} were evaluated for the extraction and pre-concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene from a water sample. Results Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed the formation of continuous fine bead-free and randomly arrayed fibers with their average diameters ranging from 110 to 650 nm. The percentage recoveries were highest for nylon 6 with 72%, SDVB with 70%, whereas PET achieved the lowest recovery at 34%. Under optimized conditions, the analyte followed a linear relationship for all sorbents in the concentration range of 1 to 1,000 μg/L. The coefficient of determination (r 2) was between 0.9990 to 0.9999, with precision (%relative standard deviation (RSD)) ≤ 9.51% (n = 6) for all the analysis. The %RSD for intra- and inter-day precision at three different concentrations, 10, 25, and 50 μg/L, was ≤7.88% for intraday and ≤8.04% inter-day (3 days), respectively, for all evaluated sorbents. The LOD and LOQ were found to be between 0.054 and 0.16 μg/L and 0.18 and 0.53 μg/L, respectively, using a fluorescent detector. Conclusions The study suggested that if packed into cartridges, nylon 6 and SDVB nanofiber sorbents could serve as alternatives to the conventional C-18 sorbents in the pre-concentration and clean-up of the tumorigenic biomarker, 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine. The fabrication of selective nanofibers could also extend and simplify sample preparation for organic and biological analytes.

Determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by HPLC with electrochemical detection at a boron-doped diamond film electrode

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ED) at a boron-doped diamond film electrode with preliminary separation and preconcentration by solid-phase extraction (SPE) has been developed for the determination of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) in human urine. 1-HP is among the most widely used biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Optimal HPLC-ED conditions have been found: mobile phase methanol-0.05 mol L(-1) phosphate buffer pH 5.0 (80:20, v/v), detection potential +1,000 mV versus Ag/AgCl (3 mol L(-1) KCl), and flow rate 0.8 mL min(-1). For SPE, LiChrolut(®) RP-18 E cartridges were used. The extraction yield was (87.0 ± 5.8)% (n = 5). The concentration dependence of 1-HP was measured in the concentration range from 0.01 to 10 μmol L(-1) (2.18-2,180 μg L(-1)) using methanolic solutions resulting from the SPE pretreatment of spiked human urine samples. The limit of detection (signal-to-noise ratio 3) and the limit of quantification (signal-to-noise ratio 10) of the biomarker were 0.013 μmol L(-1) (2.84 μg L(-1)) and 0.043 μmol L(-1) (9.39 μg L(-1)), respectively, which is sufficient for its determination in the urine of persons exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by a multi-wall carbon nanotubes-modified glassy carbon electrode

A multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) modified glassy carbon electrode (MWNT-GCE) was used to study the electrochemical behaviour of1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and applied to its determination. The results showed that the modified electrode had a strong adsorptive ability to 1-OHP and enhances its electrochemical signal. By square wave voltammetry, the linear relationship of 1-OHP was 6 × 10−9 − 8 × 10−7 mol L−1 with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.996, and the detection limit was 1 × 10−10 mol L−1. Compared with other published methods, this newly proposed method possesses many advantages such as very low detection limit, fast response, low cost and simplicity. And this method was applied successfully in the determination of 1‐OHP in real human urine samples.

Otimização e validação de uma metodologia analítica para determinação de 1-hidroxipireno em urina de cortadores de cana-de-açúcar

Este trabalho teve como objetivo otimizar e validar uma metodologia analítica para determinação de 1-hidróxipireno em urina de trabalhadores envolvidos na colheita da cana-de-açúcar. O método utilizado para determinação de 1-hidroxipireno em urina humana utilizado consiste na hidrólise enzimática, extração e clean-up por extração em fase sólida (SPE) e quantificação por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detector de fluorescência (CLAE/Flu). Quatro tipos de cartuchos foram testados para verificação da porcentagem de recuperação. Urina de cortadores de cana-de-açúcar (não-fumantes e de ambos os sexos) foram coletadas no período da safra (n=39) e entressafra (n=34) da cana-de-açúcar. Os melhores resultados de recuperação foram atribuídos aos cartuchos C18. Os mesmos apresentaram recuperação entre 79% e 108%, com coeficiente de variação entre 5% e 10%. O limite de quantificação do método foi de 74 ng de 1-hidroxipireno por litro de urina. A metodologia otimizada e validada foi utilizada para determinação de amostras reais. Os resultados encontrados na urina dos trabalhadores no período da safra variaram de 0,026 a 2,3 μmol de 1-hidroxipireno por mol de creatinina. No período da entressafra os resultados variaram de 0,0023 a 0,38 μmol de 1-hidroxipireno por mol de creatinina.

Otimização e validação de uma metodologia analítica para determinação de 1-hidroxipireno em urina de cortadores de cana-de-açúcar

Este trabalho teve como objetivo otimizar e validar uma metodologia analítica para determinação de 1-hidróxipireno em urina de trabalhadores envolvidos na colheita da cana-de-açúcar. O método utilizado para determinação de 1-hidroxipireno em urina humana utilizado consiste na hidrólise enzimática, extração e clean-up por extração em fase sólida (SPE) e quantificação por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com detector de fluorescência (CLAE/Flu). Quatro tipos de cartuchos foram testados para verificação da porcentagem de recuperação. Urina de cortadores de cana-de-açúcar (não-fumantes e de ambos os sexos) foram coletadas no período da safra (n=39) e entressafra (n=34) da cana-de-açúcar. Os melhores resultados de recuperação foram atribuídos aos cartuchos C18. Os mesmos apresentaram recuperação entre 79% e 108%, com coeficiente de variação entre 5% e 10%. O limite de quantificação do método foi de 74 ng de 1-hidroxipireno por litro de urina. A metodologia otimizada e validada foi utilizada para determinação de amostras reais. Os resultados encontrados na urina dos trabalhadores no período da safra variaram de 0,026 a 2,3 μmol de 1-hidroxipireno por mol de creatinina. No período da entressafra os resultados variaram de 0,0023 a 0,38 μmol de 1-hidroxipireno por mol de creatinina. A metodologia validada mostrou-se adequada para determinação de 1-hidroxipireno em urina humana. Os dados obtidos permitem concluir que há forte correlação entre excreção de 1-hidroxipireno e os períodos de safra e entressafra da cana de açúcar.

Direct measurement of the glucuronide conjugate of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry

To evaluate human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we developed a rapid, simple and sensitive method for determining 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-OHP-G) in human urine. To improve precision, a deuterated glucuronide was used as an internal standard. The method requires only 1 mL of urine. The urine was treated with a mixed-mode anion-exchange and reversed-phase solid-phase extraction cartridge (Oasis MAX). The analytes were analyzed with a C 18 reversed-phase column with a gradient elution, followed by tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization in negative ion mode. The detection limit of 1-OHP-G (corresponding to a signal-to-noise ratio of 3) was 0.13 fmol/injection. Urinary concentrations of 1-OHP-G determined by this method were strongly correlated ( r 2 = 0.961) with concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene by conventional HPLC with fluorescence detection.

Determination of 1-Hydroxypyrene in Human Urine by Acid Hydrolysis Coupled to Solid-Phase Microextraction and Semi-microcolumn Liquid Chromatography

This study developed an acid hydrolysis coupled to a solid-phase microextraction method employing a semi-microcolumn liquid chromatography system, instead of enzyme hydrolysis with solid-phase extraction for the pretreatment of human urine samples, to detect urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP). The complete separation and detection of urinary 1-hydroxyprene was performed using a high-performance liquid-chromatography fluorescence detection system with an analytical C(18) semi-microcolumn, 60% (v/v) aqueous acetonitrile elution, and a lambda(ex/em) = 348/388 nm pair detection wavelength. Calibration graphs were linear with very good correlation coefficients (r = 0.9997), and the detection limit was 1.0 ng/L. These important parameters for acid hydrolysis and solid-phase microextraction were investigated. The total recovery was above 83% in acid hydrolysis with solid-phase microextraction. The proposed method provided a relatively simple, convenient, and practical procedure to determine the level of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in biological samples, and was successfully applied to detect the urine of students.

1,2-Dimethylimidazole-4-sulfonyl chloride, a novel derivatization reagent for the analysis of phenolic compounds by liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry: Application to 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine

A novel derivatization method employing 1,2-dimethylimidazole-4-sulfonyl chloride (DMISC) to improve the mass spectrometric response for phenolic compounds in liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI-MS/MS) is described. Several environmentally relevant compounds, including chloro-, aryl- and alkylphenols, steroidal estrogens, and hydroxy-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs), were selected to evaluate this technique. A facile derivatization procedure employing DMISC results in dimethylimidazolesulfonyl (DMIS) derivatives that are stable in aqueous solution. These DMIS derivatives produced intense [ M + H] + ions in positive-ion LC–ESI-MS. The product ion spectra of the [ M + H] + ions of simple phenols were dominated by ions representing the DMIS and dimethylimidazole moieties, whereas product ion spectra of the DMIS derivatives of OHPAHs with three or more fused aromatic rings showed prominent ArO + ions, the relative intensity of which increased with the number of rings. The DMIS derivatives of the selected phenolic compounds showed excellent chromatographic properties. To substantiate the utility of derivatization with DMISC, an analytical method employing enzyme hydrolysis, solid phase extraction, derivatization with DMISC, and analysis by LC–ESI-MS/MS with multiple reaction monitoring for determination in human urine of 1-hydroxypyrene, a widely used biomarker for the assessment of human exposure to PAHs, was developed and validated.

Comparison between external and internal standard calibration in the validation of an analytical method for 1‐hydroxypyrene in human urine by high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

1-Hydroxypyrene is a metabolite of pyrene, a member of the class of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) whose toxic properties in some cases include carcinogenicity. The determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine is used as a biological indicator for exposure to PAHs, which is related to the combustion of organic materials, like smoking, living in urban environments, and eating grilled or smoked food. The determination of 1-hydroxypyrene by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection has very good sensitivity but it is not highly specific: this can reduce accuracy in the quantitative determination of low levels of analyte in a complex matrix like urine. An HPLC method that uses triple quadrupole mass detection has been validated with the objective both to improve the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and to achieve the maximum specificity for the analyte in those urine samples that are richer in possible inteferents. The calibration range for 1-hydroxypyrene is from 0.005-0.1 microg/L in the urine of non-smoking healthy volunteers. After solid-phase extraction, samples were analyzed by HPLC/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. In order to obtain reliable results quantitative analysis must be performed by means of the internal standard method (we used deuterium-labelled 1-hydroxypyrene): the method accuracy is not less than 85%. The S/N ratio at a concentration of 0.1 microg/L is about 10, and therefore this can be considered the lowest limit of quantitation. The method performance does not change if urine samples are measured using a calibration curve prepared in methanol, thus reducing the time of analysis and costs.

Improved Method for Determination of 1-Hydroxypyrene in Human Urine

Abstract We have developed an improved method for the analysis of human urine for 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HOP), an accepted biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon uptake. This method takes advantage of commercially available 96-well format devices, which expedite sample preparation before quantitation by HPLC with fluorescence detection. In addition to improved speed of analysis, which is critical for the application of this assay in molecular epidemiology studies, the method described here uses an internal standard, 1-hydroxybenz[a]anthracene, improved sample preparation methods, and optimized HPLC and fluorescence detection conditions. The resulting method for analysis of 1-HOP is sensitive (detection limit, 0.05 pmol/mL urine), accurate (as determined by known addition of 1-HOP to urine), and precise [relative SD (RSD), 4.13%]. A longitudinal study of 1-HOP levels in the urine of 10 nonsmokers showed considerable day-to-day (mean RSD, 55.1 %) and week-to-week (mean RSD, 38.2 %) intra-individual variation, indicating the necessity for multiple sampling in studies concerned with relatively small differences in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure.

Determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection using a deuterated internal standard

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the quantification of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in human urine using deuterated 1-hydroxypyrene ([ 2H 9]1-OHP) as an internal standard with fluorescence detection. [ 2H 9]1-OHP was prepared enzymatically from deuterated pyrene ([ 2H 10]Pyr) with cytochrome P450 1A1. It eluted immediately prior to non-deuterated 1-OHP on alkylamide-type reversed-phase columns and had nearly the same fluorescence characteristics as non-deuterated 1-OHP. The detection limit was 0.1 μg/L and the calibration range was from 1 to100 nmol/L. Urine sample treatment involved enzymatic hydrolysis followed by solid-phase extraction using Sep-Pak C 18 cartridges. The proposed method was used to determine urinary 1-OHP in smokers and non-smokers.

Improved HPLC method for analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine specimens of cigarette smokers

A method for the rapid and sensitive analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine was improved by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. The limit of detection decreased approximately threefold when triethylamine was added to the extracts prior to the chromatographic determination. The sensitivity was increased mainly due to triethylamine blockage of the secondary-retention effects. The analysis time was approximately 20 min per run. This method was applied to the analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene in 125 urine specimens collected from cigarette smokers who had non-occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The average concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene were 0.04 μmol/mol creatinine in non-smokers, 0.20 μmol/mol creatinine in light smokers, 0.46 μmol/mol creatinine in medium smokers, and 1.16 μmol/mol creatinine in heavy cigarette smokers. The levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene correlated strongly with cigarette intake ( r 2=0.93, P<0.001).

Automated column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine

An on-line sample treatment method to determine 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a metabolite of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in human urine has been developed. The hydrolysed biological fluid was directly injected into the chromatographic system after only centrifugation. A miniature precolumn loop packed with a preparative phase and coupled on-line to a liquid chromatographic (LC) system was used for analyte enrichment. The analytes were non-selectively desorbed with the LC eluent and cleaned by means of a column-switching procedure comprising two purification columns and an analytical column. Pre-treatment and analysis were performed within 2 and 20 min, respectively. Average 1-OHP recovery reached 99% in the 1–25 μg/l range of urine, and the quantitation limit was 20 ng/l for 100 μl of injected sample. A comparison with a more time-consuming off-line method was performed by analysing 120 urine samples of PAH-exposed and expected unexposed workers; the statistical treatment indicated that both methods are in agreement.

Determination of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/fluorescence method for quantitative analysis of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine was developed. The method validation analysis showed the method to be in analytical control. No significant systematical errors could be demonstrated. The entire run time of chromatography was 10 min using isocratic elution (acetonitrile-water, 70:30), and the retention time for 1-hydroxypyrene was 3.5 min. The short run time in combination with the low limit detection (1.37 nmol/L) makes the method potentially applicable for surveillance of pyrene exposure in work environments. The developed method is presently used for measurement of 1-hydroxypyrene in urine samples from workers exposed to a low airborne level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, generally less than 25 micrograms/m3. The urine samples of exposed workers (n = 122) showed a range of 1-hydroxypyrene from the limit of detection (LD) up to 39 nmol/L, whereas unexposed control individuals (n = 108) showed a range from LD to 3.3 nmol/L.

The relationship between polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in ambient air and 1‐hydroxypyrene in human urine

The relationship between urinary 1-hydroxypyrene and ambient polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was investigated with several groups of volunteers carrying personal air samplers. All the results demonstrate that there is a statistically significant correlation between 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine and pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene in ambient air. Smoking was found not to interfere this correlation when the smokers consume less than 20 cigarettes daily. Different sources of PAH pollution, such as certain industries and coal-burning, present their influence on 1-hydroxypyrene in their specific ways. It is suggested that 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine is an effective biological monitoring index for the assessment of human exposure to PAHs. 18 refs., 7 figs., 6 tabs.