PAH Exposure Research Articles

Study of the bile proteome of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua): Multi-biological markers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

PAH metabolites present in bile are well-known biological markers of exposure in fish, and their investigation is recommended by the ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea) and the OSPAR convention (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) for monitoring purposes.Development of analytical strategies for fish bile is encouraged by the need for more sensitive and informative markers (e.g. capable of tracking the PAH composition of contamination sources) and strengthened by recent results in both fish genomics and proteomics. Herein, the study of the Atlantic cod bile proteome is presented. Preliminary testing for discovering new sensitive markers in the form of expressed proteins affected by PAH exposure (i.e. PAH–protein adducts) is reported. Protein markers were identified using LC–MS/MS analysis, as single biological indicators. Through multivariate analyses, the overall proteome was revealed to be a sensitive multi-biological marker of exposure to PAHs.

Dose-response relationship between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and risk of diabetes in the general Chinese population

The incidence of diabetes is increasing rapidly in Chinese population, and it has been postulated that environmental factors may play a role in the etiology of diabetes. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between PAHs exposure and risk of diabetes in a community-based population of 2824 participants with completed questionnaires, measurements of biochemical indices, and urinary PAHs metabolites. We found that elevated urinary PAHs metabolites were associated, in a dose-dependent manner, with increased risk of diabetes. Particularly, these associations were more evident in subjects who were female, less than 55 years old, nonsmokers, and normal weight. In addition, there was a modest improvement in diabetes discrimination of prediction models when incorporating certain PAHs metabolites into conventional risk factors (CRF). Overall, our data suggested that there may be a dose-dependent relationship between PAHs metabolites and risk of diabetes among general Chinese population.

Acute aquatic toxicity studies of Gulf of Mexico water samples collected following the Deepwater Horizon incident (May 12, 2010 to December 11, 2010)

The potential for the Deepwater Horizon MC-252 oil incident to affect ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) was evaluated using Americamysis bahia, Menidia beryllina and Vibrio fischeri (Microtox® assay). Organisms were exposed to GOM water samples collected in May–December 2010. Samples were collected where oil was visibly present on the water surface or the presence of hydrocarbons at depth was indicated by fluorescence data or reduced dissolved oxygen. Toxicity tests were conducted using water-accommodated fractions (WAFs), and oil-in-water dispersions (OWDs). Water samples collected from May to June 2010 were used for screening tests, with OWD samples slightly more acutely toxic than WAFs. Water samples collected in July through December 2010 were subjected to definitive acute testing with both species. In A. bahia tests, total PAH concentrations for OWD exposures ranged from non-detect to 23.0μgL−1, while WAF exposures ranged from non-detect to 1.88μgL−1. Mortality was >20% in five OWD exposures with A. bahia and three of the WAF definitive tests. Total PAH concentrations were lower for M. beryllina tests, ranging from non-detect to 0.64μgL−1 and non-detect to 0.17μgL−1 for OWD and WAF exposures, respectively. Only tests from two water samples in both the WAFs and OWDs exhibited >20% mortality to M. beryllina. Microtox® assays showed stimulatory and inhibitory responses with no relationship with PAH exposure concentrations. Most mortality in A. bahia and M. beryllina occurred in water samples collected before the well was capped in July 2010 with a clear decline in mortality associated with a decline in total PAH water concentrations.

Probabilistic Risk Assessment of Consumer Exposure to Particle-Bound PAHs at a Taiwanese Night Market

The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative risk assessment for PAH exposure forconsumers at a night market in Taiwan. The major methods assessed potential risk under different exposure scenarios based on BaP equivalent concentration (BaPeq) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) models. We performed experimental sampling at a night market from 27 October through 22 November 2011 in central Taiwan to analyze time-dependent particle-bound PAHs during open and closed hours. Our study revealed that the ratio of fine particle-bound PAH (<2 μm) concentration to total PAH concentration was nearly 40%; further, the ratio of PAH concentration (<10 μm) to total PAH concentration averaged 84%. This implicates fine particle-bound PAHs caused by cooking in night markets as a matter of health concern. We showed that BaP concentrations at the night market during open hours exceeded suggested permissible levels. Most importantly, we demonstrated that there are 89.05%, 99.62% and <50% probabilities of achieving ILCR levels greater than 10-6 for age groups corresponding to children, adults, and adolescents, respectively; yet, among these there was a zero percent probability of a risk greater than 10-4 (i.e., ILCR=10-4). In contrast, when considering PAH exposure to workers, the cancer risk (95% confidence interval) was estimated at 3.8×10-5 (1.03×10-5–1.34×10-4). Our study suggests that the night market environment poses a potential health risk to its workers. These preliminary results can offer some important information to governments for understanding and controlling pollutants.

Cancer risk evaluation of brick kiln workers exposed to dust bound PAHs in Punjab province (Pakistan)

Principal objective of this study was to evaluate the health risks of brick kiln workers to dust bound PAHs exposure in Punjab province (Pakistan). To this aim, surface dust samples were collected from brick kiln units located in Chung Khurd (Lahore city), Gujranwala city and Sohra village (in the vicinity of Gujranwala). The highest ΣPAH levels were measured in the dust samples collected in Sohdra village (mean 2578ngg−1 d.w., range 302–6757ngg−1 d.w.) followed by Gujranwala city (mean 957, range 16.1–1963ngg−1 d.w.) and Chung Khurd (mean 882, range 692–1007ngg−1 d.w.). Source identification using diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis identified coal and wood combustion as the major PAHs sources. The cancer risk model (CR-Model 1) and the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk model (ILCR-Model 2) were used to evaluate the cancer risk assessment via ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact pathways. Both models suggested that brick kiln workers (including adults and children) were exposed to high-potential carcinogenic risk via both ingestion and dermal contact pathways during the brick making process. This study also emphasizes the need for pollution control in the brick kiln industry of Pakistan.

The determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the urine of non-smoking Polish pregnant women

The aim of this study was to characterize the PAH exposure level among the non-smoking Polish pregnant women and to identify the minimal set of PAH metabolites that specifically reflect environmental PAH exposure. The study population consisted of 210 non-smoking pregnant women. The urine sample was used for analysis of the following PAH metabolites: 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, 9-OH-PHE), 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR), 1,6+1,8-dihydroxypyrene (DI-OH-PYR), phenanthrene trans-1,2-dihydrodiol (PHE-1,2-diol) and phenanthrene trans-9,10-dihydrodiol (PHE-9,10-diol). The analysis of all the biomarkers was performed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry after their derivatization. The mean PAH metabolite concentrations were in the range of 0.15 (±0.2) μg/g creatinine for 9-OH-PHE to 5.9 (±10.6) μg/g creatinine for PHE-9,10-diol. Women living in the city center had higher concentrations of 1-OH-PHE (β=0.6; p=0.04), 3-OH-PHE (β=0.8; p=0.02), 9-OH-PHE (β=0.9; p=0.02), and DI-OH-PYR (β=1.0; p=0.006) than those living outside the city center. The usage of coal for residential heating was a significant predictor of all PAH metabolites except for 9-OH-PHE (p=0.1) and PHE-9,10-diol (p=0.08). With the increasing cotinine levels we observed a significant increase in the concentrations of the following PAH metabolites: 3-OH-PHE (β=0.2; p=0.007), 4-OH-PHE (β=0.3; p=0.002), PHE-1,2-diol (β=0.3; p<0.001), 1-OH-PYR (β=0.2; p=0.01). High-density housing, usage of coal for residential heating, cotinine level in saliva, season of urine collection and distance from the place of residence to the main road explained 26% of the variance of 3-OH-PHE and 21% of the variance of 1-OH-PHE. 2-OH-PHE, 3-OH-PHE, 9-OH-PHE and PHE-9,10-diol are sufficient to predict environmental PAH exposure. The urinary PAH biomarker levels found in this study indicate that non-smoking Polish pregnant women suffer from a higher PAH exposure than those in other western countries. This higher PAH exposure level probably poses a significant health risk for the newborns and young children and will require further attention in the future.

Determination of some carcinogenic PAHs with toxic equivalency factor along roadside soil within a fast developing northern city of India

The objective of the present study was to ascertain contamination levels, distribution behaviour and PAHs exposure during summer, winter and autumn during 2011–2012 in one of the developing cities of northern India. Average PAHs concentration was found to be 18.17, 4.04 and 16.38 μg g −1, whereas, concentration of 16 individual PAHs was found to vary between 0.02 and 200.23, 0.008 and 28.4 μg g −1, and 0.01 and 252.55 μg g −1 during summer, winter and autumn seasons, respectively. The average concentration of low and high carcinogenic PAHs during summer, winter and autumn was found to be 5.1 and 31.29, 2.1 and 6.4, 4.74 and 35.08 μg g −1 at most intercepts. The average ratio of low to high carcinogenic PAHs was found to be 1:6, 1:3, 1:7.6 during summer, winter and autumn, respectively. Five ringed PAHs were found in higher concentration in all seasons. Dib(ah)A and B(a)P were the two individual PAHs found in highest concentration during summer, winter and autumn seasons. Two tailed T-test was applied for authenticity of the results. Toxic equivalency factor of B(a)P and Dib(ah)A was maximum as compared to other PAHs. The study could be of great significance for the planners while considering environmental remedial measures.

Profiling of biomarkers for the exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: lamin-A/C isoform 3, poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase 1, and mitochondria copy number are identified as universal biomarkers.

This study investigated the profiling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon- (PAH-) induced genotoxicity in cell lines and zebrafish. Each type of cells displayed different proportionality of apoptosis. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number was dramatically elevated after 5-day treatment of fluoranthene and pyrene. The notable deregulated proteins for PAHs exposure were displayed as follows: lamin-A/C isoform 3 and annexin A1 for benzopyrene; lamin-A/C isoform 3 and DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha for pentacene; poly[ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1) for fluoranthene; and talin-1 and DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha for pyrene. Among them, lamin-A/C isoform 3 and PARP-1 were further confirmed using mRNA and protein expression study. Obvious morphological abnormalities including curved backbone and cardiomegaly in zebrafish were observed in the 54 hpf with more than 400 nM of benzopyrene. In conclusion, the change of mitochondrial genome (increased mtDNA copy number) was closely associated with PAH exposure in cell lines and mesenchymal stem cells. Lamin-A/C isoform 3, talin-1, and annexin A1 were identified as universal biomarkers for PAHs exposure. Zebrafish, specifically at embryo stage, showed suitable in vivo model for monitoring PAHs exposure to hematopoietic tissue and other organs.

Effect of prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure on birth outcomes: the Polish mother and child cohort study.

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of PAH exposure on various anthropometric measures of birth outcomes. The study population consisted of 210 nonsmoking pregnant women. Urine samples collected between 20th and 24th week of pregnancy were used for analysis of the following PAH metabolites: 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 9-OH-PHE), 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH-PYR), 1,6 + 1,8-dihydroxypyrene (DI-OH-PYR), phenanthrene trans-1,2-dihydrodiol (PHE-1,2-diol), and phenanthrene trans-9,10-dihydrodiol (PHE-9,10-diol) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Environmental tobacco smoke exposure (ETS) was assessed by cotinine level in saliva using a stable isotope dilution LC-ESI-MS/MS method. The mean PAH metabolite concentrations were in the range of 0.15 µg/g creatinine for 9-OH-PHE to 5.9 µg/g creatinine for PHE-9,10-diol. It was shown that none of the individual PAH exposure markers demonstrate a statistically significant influence on birth outcomes. Interestingly a statistically significant association was found between the sum of OH-PHE along with cotinine level and the cephalization index after adjusting for potential confounders (P = 0.04). This study provides evidence that combined exposure of pregnant women to common environmental pollutants such as PAH and ETS might adversely affect fetal development. Thus, reduction of human exposure to these mixtures of hazardous compounds would in particular result in substantial health benefits for newborns.

CDNA fingerprint from the hepatopancreatic glands of pond snails (Lymnaea stagnalis) exposed to benzo[a]pyrene

Identification of differentially expressed genes that could be potentially used as biomarkers of PAH exposure of common invertebrate animal (like freshwater snail) would be a valuable resource for investigators interested in toxicology and biomonitoring of aquatic environments. Therefore, the aim of this research was to investigate effects of waterborne benzo[ a]pyrene (B[ a]P) exposure on mRNA expression in the pond snail’s (Lymnaea stagnalis ) hepatopancreatic gland. Toward this end, mature individuals of pond snail ( L. stagnalis ) were treated with 50µM B[ a]P solution in a short 36h static exposure test. Differential Display PCR (DD-PCR) was used to generate a unique cDNA fingerprint of genes that were differentially expressed in the tissues of exposed and unexposed snails. To assess the putative identity of the isolated cDNA amplicons (ESTs), BLAST queries were performed to find similarities in their nucleotide sequence. Real-Time qPCR analysis was used to verify the DDPCR expression profile. Finally, an additional independent exposure study, including higher dose of B[ a]P (100µM), was conducted to validate the expression of selected ESTs. BLAST

Functional Categorization of Transcriptome in the Species Symphysodon aequifasciatus Pellegrin 1904 (Perciformes: Cichlidae) Exposed to Benzo[a]pyrene and Phenanthrene

This study aims to evaluate the transcriptome alterations, through cDNA libraries, associated with the combined effects of two PAHs, benzo[a]pyrene (0.5 µg/L) and phenanthrene (50 µg/L), present in crude oil, on specimens of Symphysodon aequifasciatus (discus fish) after 48 h of exposure. The cDNA libraries were constructed according to the SOLiD™ SAGE™ protocol for sequencing in the SOLiD v.3 Plus sequencer. The results were analyzed by bioinformatics and differentially expressed genes were categorized using the gene ontology program. The functional categories (terms) found in the gene ontology and the gene network generated using STRING software were used to predict the adverse effects of benzo[a]pyrene and phenanthrene in the liver. In the present study, 27,127 genes (compared to Danio rerio database) were identified. Considering only those genes with a p-value less than or equal to 0.05 and greater than or equal to two-fold change in expression across libraries, we found 804 genes, 438 down-regulated (54%) and 366 up-regulated (46%), in the experimental group compared to the control. Out of this total, 327 genes were successfully categorized, 174 down-regulated and 153 up-regulated, using gene ontology. Using String, the gene network was composed by 199 nodes, 124 of them resulting in 274 interactions. The results showed that even an acute exposure of 48 h caused metabolic change in response to environmental contaminants, resulting in changes of cell integrity, in oxidation-reduction processes, in the immune response and disturbances of intracellular signaling of discus fish. Also the gene network has showed no central interplay cluster, exhibiting instead interconnected clusters interactions and connected sub-networks. These findings highlight that even an acute sublethal exposure of PAHs can cause metabolism changes that may affect survival of discus. Our findings using SOLiD coupled with SAGE-method resulted in a powerful and reliable means for gene expression analysis in discus, a non-model Amazonian fish.

Using semiparametric‐mixed model and functional linear model to detect vulnerable prenatal window to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on fetal growth

Prenatal exposure to carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) through maternal inhalation induces higher risk for a wide range of fetotoxic effects. However, the most health-relevant dose function from chronic gestational exposure remains unclear. Whether there is a gestational window during which the human embryo/fetus is particularly vulnerable to PAHs has not been examined thoroughly. We consider a longitudinal semiparametric-mixed effect model to characterize the individual prenatal PAH exposure trajectory, where a nonparametric cyclic smooth function plus a linear function are used to model the time effect and random effects are used to account for the within-subject correlation. We propose a penalized least squares approach to estimate the parametric regression coefficients and the nonparametric function of time. The smoothing parameter and variance components are selected using the generalized cross-validation (GCV) criteria. The estimated subject-specific trajectory of prenatal exposure is linked to the birth outcomes through a set of functional linear models, where the coefficient of log PAH exposure is a fully nonparametric function of gestational age. This allows the effect of PAH exposure on each birth outcome to vary at different gestational ages, and the window associated with significant adverse effect is identified as a vulnerable prenatal window to PAHs on fetal growth. We minimize the penalized sum of squared errors using a spline-based expansion of the nonparametric coefficient function to draw statistical inferences, and the smoothing parameter is chosen through GCV.

Profiling Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons-Induced Genotoxicity In Peripheral Blood Stem Cells and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are potent mutagens and classified as carcinogens by International Agency for Research on Cancer. However, genotoxic effect of PAHs exposure has not been thoroughly presented in peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC). Therefore, this study investigated the profiling of PAHs-induced genotoxicity in hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells using primary human-derived PBSC and BM-MSC. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as in vivo vertebrate model was used for monitoring genotoxicity of PAHs exposure to the PBSC and BM-MSC. Materials and MethodsCytokine stimulation (10 mg/kg/d) was used in three healthy male donors from 5 d before to 2 d after. One to three apheresis procedures were planned for on day 0, day 1, and day 2, using a Baxter CS-3000 PLUS machine (Baxter Healthcare) and a COBE-Spectra (Gambro) for obtaining PBSC. Previous published protocol was used for the isolation and characterization of BM-MSCs. For in vitro cell line study, cells were cultured and maintained in RPMI media containing 10% fetal bovine serum and four types of PAHs- benzopyrene (BaP), pentacene, fluoranthene and pyrene - were added in the cell culture media with 100µM concentration. Cellular level of hydrogen peroxide as a representative marker of reactive oxygen species was measured using enzyme immunoassay. Mitochondrial mass, membrane potential and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number were measured using MitoTracker Green, Red probes and real time PCR, respectively. Proteomics in mitochondrial-rich cytoplasmic fraction was performed using nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis with the BioWorksBrowser (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., CA) and the SEQUEST search engines. For in vivo model study, Zebrafish embryos 30h post-fertilization (hpf) were exposed to BaP at concentrations of 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000nM. Seventy embryos were cultured in 40 mL BaP solution in each petri dish, and there were three replicates for each of the five treatments. Embryos were collected at 54 hpf, 78hpf and 102hpf for the study of genotoxicity and morphological changes. ResultsAccording to each type of PAHs, the results of cell biology study showed different aspects: fluoranthene displayed profound significant reduction in cell count, especially in PBSC and viability decreased substantially after two days of exposuring into fluoranthene. On the third day of PAHs exposure, viability reduced remarkably in all the cells. Each type of cells displayed different proportionality of apoptosis. The proportion of apoptosis and cellular ROS level were increased in time- and dose-dependent manner after 3 days of PAHs treatment with different degree levels according to the type of PAHs. Mitochondrial contents and membrane potentials were increased with different pattern: mtDNA copy number and mass were dramatically elevated after 5-day treatment of fluoranthene and pyrene in both stem cells and in vivo Zebrafish model. Several hundreds of cellular proteins in mitochondrial-rich cytoplasmic fraction were profoundly deregulated in comparison to control group. The notable deregulated proteins for PAHs exposure were displayed as following: prelamin-A/C isoform 3 and annexin A1 for benzopyrene; prelamin-A/C isoform 3 and DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha for pentacene; poly [ADP-ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP-1) for fluoranthene; talin-1 and DNA topoisomerase 2-alpha for pyrene. Among them, prelamin-A/C isoform 3 and PARP-1 were further confirmed using mRNA and protein expression study. Obvious morphological abnormalities in the general shape of Zebrafish, including curved backbone and cardiomegaly, were observed in the 54 hpf with more than 400 nM of BaP. ConclusionThis study showed global profiling of toxic changes of PAHs in PBSC and BM-MSC as well as Zebrafish model. The change of mitochondrial genome (increased mtDNA copy number and mass) was closely associated with PAH exposure in hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells. Among cellular proteins, prelamin-A/C isoform 3, talin-1 and annexin A1 were remarkably elevated after exposure of PAHs, this may play a role as biomarkers for PAHs exposure. Zebrafish, specifically at embryo stage, showed suitable in vivo model for monitoring PAHs exposure to hematopoietic tissue and other organs. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Risk assessments of PAHs and Hg exposure via settled house dust and street dust, linking with their correlations in human hair

Domestic energy, chemicals bioaccessibility and particle size were found as three critical factors for risk assessment of PAHs exposure via settled house dust (SHD) and street dust. ∑PAHs and Hg contained in SHD were significantly (p<0.01) higher in coal-burning households of Qingyang (8.45–121; 0.48–16.4μgg−1) than households in Guangzhou (1.23–22.2; 0.004–10.6μgg−1) and 90% coal-burning houses were estimated with unacceptable cancer risks (>10−4) via SHD exposure. The highest accumulation trend of PAHs and Hg were found in <63μm particles, and different particle sizes resulted in large variations of the obtained risks (up to 10 fold). Bioaccessibility corrected PAHs led to a significant decrease on related cancer risks and decreased in the order of 1.9, 1.1, 0.6 and 0.4μgg−1 with the increase of particle sizes (<63, 63–100, 100–280, 280–2000μm). Scalp hair was tested as an indicator of body burdens of PAHs (0.05–0.9μgg−1) and Hg (0.04–1.6μgg−1). Different PAHs profiles were found between PAHs in SHD and those of hair, indicating that exogenous exposure to PAHs adsorbed on dust was not the major source of hair PAHs.

Travel patterns during pregnancy: comparison between Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking and questionnaire data

BackgroundMaternal exposures to traffic-related air pollution have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Exposures to traffic-related air pollutants are strongly influenced by time spent near traffic. However, little is known about women’s travel activities during pregnancy and whether questionnaire-based data can provide reliable information on travel patterns during pregnancy.ObjectivesExamine women’s in-vehicle travel behavior during pregnancy and examine the difference in travel data collected by questionnaire and global positioning system (GPS) and their potential for exposure error.MethodsWe measured work-related travel patterns in 56 pregnant women using a questionnaire and one-week GPS tracking three times during pregnancy (<20 weeks, 20–30 weeks, and >30 weeks of gestation). We compared self-reported activities with GPS-derived trip distance and duration, and examined potentially influential factors that may contribute to differences. We also described in-vehicle travel behavior by pregnancy periods and influences of demographic and personal factors on daily travel times. Finally, we estimated personal exposure to particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PB-PAH) and examined the magnitude of exposure misclassification using self-reported vs. GPS travel data.ResultsSubjects overestimated both trip duration and trip distance compared to the GPS data. We observed moderately high correlations between self-reported and GPS-recorded travel distance (home to work trips: r = 0.88; work to home trips: r = 0.80). Better agreement was observed between the GPS and the self-reported travel time for home to work trips (r = 0.77) than work to home trips (r = 0.64). The subjects on average spent 69 and 93 minutes traveling in vehicles daily based on the GPS and self-reported data, respectively. Longer daily travel time was observed among participants in early pregnancy, and during certain pregnancy periods in women with higher education attainment, higher income, and no children. When comparing self-reported vs. GPS data, we found that estimated personal exposure to PB-PAH did not differ remarkably at the population level, but the difference was large at an individual level.ConclusionSelf-reported home-to-work data overestimated both trip duration and trip distance compared to GPS data. Significant differences in PAH exposure estimates were observed at individual level using self-reported vs. GPS data, which has important implications in air pollution epidemiological studies.

7 Statistical modelling of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using osha data

ObjectivesPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of chemicals consisting primarily of fused aromatic rings. As environmental pollutants, PAHs are of concern because some variants are carcinogenic. Our objective is...

105 Pooled analysis of two case-control studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and risk of lung cancer

PAHs are ubiquitous compounds formed during incomplete combustion of organic material. IARC recently classified benzo (a)pyrene and several occupational circumstances involving PAH exposure as carcinogenic, though human evidence remains limited.ObjectivesTo...

95 Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and sperm DNA integrity of coke oven workers

The objective of this study was to examine sperm DNA integrity of coke-oven workers in relation to exposure to PAHs from coke processing. A total of 72 human subjects participated...

High human exposure to pyrene (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) in Kinshasa, a capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo

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.

1-Hydroxypyrene as a biomarker for assessing the effects of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on semen quality and sperm DNA integrity

A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess whether urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) could serve as a biomarker to assess the effect of PAHs on cellular and molecular changes of sperm. Urine and semen samples were collected from a total of 65 healthy coke oven workers. Sperm quality parameters (concentration, motility, vitality, and morphology) and semen integrity (DNA fragmentation, 8-oxodGuo, bulky DNA adducts) were analyzed. Sixteen (16) targeted PAHs at the personal breathing zone area were monitored and quantified. Results showed that urinary 1-OHP positively correlated with measured levels of 16 targeted PAHs. Urinary 1-OHP did not significantly correlate with semen quality; however, PAHs with heavy molecular weight, e.g., benzo(g,h,i)perylene and benzo(k)fluoranthene, negatively correlated with morphology and motility of sperms (p = 0.02 and 0.002, p = 0.04 and 0.04, respectively). Urinary 1-OHP positively correlated with the level of 8-oxodGuo and bulky DNA adducts, but not DNA fragmentation. Urinary 1-OHP was a suitable biomarker for an estimate of biologically effective doses of PAH exposure. However, urinary 1-OHP may not be sufficient as a biomarker to assess both cellular and molecular changes of sperm induced by PAHs.