Levels Of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Research Articles

Predicting personal PAH exposure using high dimensional questionnaire and wristband data.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of pervasive environmental pollutants with a variety of known health effects. While significant work has been completed to estimate personal exposure to PAHs, less has been done to identify sources of these exposures. Comprehensive characterization of reported sources of personal PAH exposure is a critical step to more easily identify individuals at risk of high levels of exposure and for developing targeted interventions based on source of exposure. In this study, we leverage data from a New York (NY)-based birth cohort to identify personal characteristics or behaviors associated with personal PAH exposure and develop models for the prediction of PAH exposure. We quantified 61 PAHs measured using silicone wristband samplers in association with 75 questionnaire variables from 177 pregnant individuals. We evaluated univariate associations between each compound and questionnaire variable, conducted regression tree analysis for each PAH compound and completed a principal component analysis of for each participant's entire PAH exposure profile to determine the predictors of PAH levels. Regression tree analyses of individual compounds and exposure mixture identified income, time spent outdoors, maternal age, country of birth, transportation type, and season as the variables most frequently predictive of exposure.

High levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Date Mussel (Lithophaga lithophaga) from Bizerte coast (northern Tunisia): Sources and human health risk implications

The date mussel Lithophaga lithophaga is protected by law in Tunisia. Still, illegal consumption of this luxury seafood has increased over time due to high demand and high prices, which have made the species regularly available in the seafood market of Bizerte, putting wild stocks at risk of decline. To raise public awareness of the risks to human health associated with the consumption of this bivalve, 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were quantified in the soft tissue of the species, which was collected from two sites of high fishery pressure in the bay and lagoon of Bizerte. Total PAHs concentrations differ significantly between the studied sites ranging from 0.45 to 546.05 μg g−1 d.w., and were associated with port activity and the petroleum industry. The benzo(a)pyrene toxic equivalent factor and excess cancer risk showed both high values exceeding permissible limits in the polluted site. These findings provide valuable information regarding the distribution of PAHs in mussels from wild ecosystems that could be useful to prevent consumer intoxication and improve awareness against illegal harvesting of this species.

Pregled proizvodnje biodizela transesterifikacijom esterifikovanog ulja Carica Papaia (CSO)

As a result of global urbanization and modernization, the use of petroleum (fossil fuel) is on the increase and there are growing concerns among stakeholders in the oil and gas industry over the depletion rate of petroleum reserves and its rising cost. The conversion of readily available sources of biomass to produce different types of biofuels to address the future energy crisis is one of the preferred attractive choices. Biodiesel is generally produced by the transesterification reaction of vegetable oils, waste vegetable oil or animal fats in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The choice of biodiesel as a preferred renewable source of energy was based on its biodegradability, non-toxic, lower emissions, sulphur free, low levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their nitrated compounds. This alternative source of energy is environmentally friendly and could be used in the existing diesel engines with little or no modifications. This will reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels that are non-renewable with the attendant environmental benefits to mankind. However, the use of these edible vegetable oils will put pressure on the food uses of such oil which will result to fuel-food crisis in the future. This impending crisis can be readily averted by exploring non-edible crops/agricultural waste biomass that can be grown or harnessed domestically and capable of producing oils as valuable raw materials for the emerging industry. A free fatty acid (FFA) lower than 3% is necessary to carry out the base catalysed reaction to end. For biodiesel production, the higher the acid value of the oil, the lesser the conversion efficiency hence the need for esterification process. Papaya seed contains 27.3% to 28.3% protein, 28.2% to 30.7% lipids, and 19.1% to 22.6% crude fibers, it is not economically used. The majority of seeds are produced as residues and discarded as agricultural waste during fruit processing, generating environmental issues. Oil is abundant in papaya seeds (13.9% to 40.0%), which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and beneficial phytochemicals as tocopherol, carotene, and phenolics. This provides information on how to reduce pollution and make waste seeds lucrative. As a result, the CPSO is receiving an increasing amount of attention.

Concentrations of Hydrocarbons and Heavy Metals in Groundwater from Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State Nigeria

The concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Total Hydrocarbons contents (THCs) and heavy metals in groundwater from parts of Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers State were determined using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy for PAHs, Spectrophotometer for THC and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for heavy metals. The results showed maximum mean levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (0.642 ppm) and Total Hydrocarbons content (3.23±4.24 ppm), Manganese (0.705±0.125), Iron (0.217±0.300), Lead (0.355±0.488), Chromium (0.096±0.132) and Nickel (0.151±0.149) mg/L. The Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon levels were above permissible limits and the Total Hydrocarbons content levels were above acceptable limits in some stations. Lead and nickel levels were above standard limits in some stations. The high levels of lead and nickel portend toxic and carcinogenic risks in some stations, especially to the environment and children in the study areas. The results showed that Groundwater in the study area is poor for drinking purposes in some areas and can pose health hazards in the area if consumed without proper treatment. Thus, adequate treatment of the groundwater in the affected areas is recommended.

Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Healthcare Waste Incinerators’ Bottom Ash from Five County Hospitals in Kenya

Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Healthcare Waste Incinerators’ Bottom Ash from Five County Hospitals in Kenya

A State-of-the-Science Review of Alcoholic Beverages and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons.

The association between alcohol and certain cancers is well established, yet beyond ethanol and its metabolite acetaldehyde, little is known about the presence of other carcinogenic compounds in alcoholic beverages, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as benzo[a]pyrene (a Group I carcinogen). We summarized the published literature on PAH levels in alcoholic beverages to identify potential gaps in knowledge to inform future research. Medline and Scopus were searched for primary research published from January 1966 to November 2023 that quantified PAH levels among various types of alcoholic beverages, including whisky, rum, brandy, gin, vodka, wine, and beer. Studies that were not primary literature were excluded; only studies that quantified PAH content in the specified alcoholic beverages were included. Ten studies published from 1966 to 2019 met the criteria for review. Other than beverage type, no publication reported selection criteria for their samples of tested alcohol products. Studies used a variety of analytical methods to detect PAHs. Of the 10 studies, 7 were published after 2000, and 6 assessed products. Of the studies, 7 examined spirits; 3, beer; and 4, wines. Benzo[a]pyrene was most prevalent among spirit products, particularly whisky, with values generally exceeding acceptable levels for drinking water. Some beer and wine products also contained PAHs, albeit at lower levels and less frequently than spirit products. PAHs are found in some alcohol products and appear to vary by beverage type. However, there is an incomplete understanding of their presence and levels among large, representative samples from the range of currently available alcohol products. Addressing this gap could improve understanding of alcohol-cancer relationships and may have important implications for public health and the regulation of alcohol products. In addition, novel methods, such as direct mass spectroscopy, may facilitate more thorough testing of samples to further investigate this relationship. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13506.

Effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on liver function in Basra oil company workers

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are considered one of the most widespread categories of environmental pollutants. This study was conducted to discover the effect of PAH from the oil fields pollution in Basra on liver function. The relationship between PAH in air compared to blood serum and its effect on liver function parameters were studied. 120 blood samples were collected from male workers aged between 25-40 years from 3 different regions. Group 1 was from the Rumella field, while group 2 was from the West Qurna field, and group 3 was from an uncontaminated area far from the oil fields in the city center (control). Higher levels of PAH were found in group 1 and group 2 in the blood serum as compared to control in both air and serum. In control, significantly higher levels of PAH were found in air as compared to serum levels. As for PAH levels in the air, a higher level was detected in group 1 compared to group 2, while a lower level was detected in control. As for liver function tests, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin were the higher level in group 1 and 2 compared to control. In contrast, the levels of albumin and total protein were lower in the group 1 and 2 compared to the control. In conclusion, it is suggested that environmental pollutants such as PAH may cause liver diseases by reducing the function of liver in human.

Composition analysis and health risk assessment of the hazardous compounds in cooking fumes emitted from heated soybean oils with different refining levels

The cooking fumes generated from thermal cooking oils contains various of hazardous components and shows deleterious health effects. The edible oil refining is designed to improve the oil quality and safety. While, there remains unknown about the connections between the characteristics and health risks of the cooking fumes and oils with different refining levels. In this study, the hazardous compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and particulate matter (PM) in the fumes emitted from heated soybean oils with different refining levels were characterized, and their health risks were assessed. Results demonstrated that the concentration range of aldehydes and ketones (from 328.06 ± 24.64 to 796.52 ± 29.67 μg/m3), PAHs (from 4.39 ± 0.19 to 7.86 ± 0.51 μg/m3), and PM (from 0.36 ± 0.14 to 5.08 ± 0.15 mg/m3) varied among soybean oil with different refining levels, respectively. The neutralized oil showed the highest concentration of aldehydes and ketones, whereas the refined oil showed the lowest. The highest concentration levels of PAHs and PM were observed in fumes emitted from crude oil. A highly significant (p < 0.001) positive correlation between the acid value of cooking oil and the concentrations of PM was found, suggesting that removing free fatty acids is critical for mitigating PM concentration in cooking fumes. Additionally, the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) values of PAHs and aldehydes were 5.60 × 10−4 to 8.66 × 10−5 and 5.60 × 10−4 to 8.66 × 10−5, respectively, which were substantially higher than the acceptable levels (1.0 × 10−6) established by US EPA. The present study quantifies the impact of edible oil refining on hazardous compound emissions and provides a theoretical basis for controlling the health risks of cooking fumes via precise edible oil processing.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Skin Biopsies from Bahía de Los Ángeles, Mexico

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a filter-feeding organism that can be considered a sentinel species, and Bahía de los Ángeles (BLA) in the Gulf of California is an important sighting site for these elasmobranchs. This filter-feeding organism can be considered a pollutant sampler from the marine environment. Persistent organic pollutants are toxic compounds with high mobility and environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and trophic transfer. Among these are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). The present work aimed to determine concentrations of PAHs and OCPs in whale shark skin biopsies, collected in 2021 at BLA. Mean detected levels of PAHs and OCPs were 279.4 ng/g dw (dry weight) and 1478.1 ng/g dw, respectively. Analysis of similarities between the ordered sizes (4.2–7.6 m) and the concentrations of PAHs and OCPs indicated no significant differences. Individual PAHs detected indicate pyrogenic and petrogenic sources; the presence of pesticides at levels higher than those of hydrocarbons may be related to agricultural activity in the areas surrounding the Baja California peninsula. This study is the first report of PAH levels in R. typus for the Gulf of California and Mexico.

Critical review on the formations and exposure of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the conventional hydrocarbon-based fuels: Prevention and control strategies

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely present in the atmosphere and primarily originate from the incomplete burning of fossil fuels and biofuels. Exposure to PAHs leads to harmful effects on human health and the environment. Diesel engines are a major source of PAH production in the transportation sector. Various approaches have been employed to reduce PAH emissions from diesel engines, including the use of biodiesel, green gaseous fuels, exhaust gas recirculation, exhaust after-treatment, and genetically modifying biodiesel with nanoparticles. This review focuses on PAH emissions from different generations of fuels and examines the remedial control actions taken to mitigate PAH formation. The study underscores the necessity for effective regulation of emissions from diesel engines, especially in developing countries where the reliance on fossil fuels is significant. Biodiesel has shown promise in reducing PAHs and carcinogenic pollutants, with higher biodiesel concentrations resulting in lower PAH formation. Replacing diesel with biodiesel and optimizing engine operating conditions are feasible methods to reduce PAH levels in the atmosphere. The use of nanoparticles in fuel blends and higher oxygen content in combustion chambers are also considered potential strategies for pollutant reduction. Additionally, the utilization of hydrogen and ammonia as secondary fuels has been explored as promising alternatives to fossil fuels. The study highlights the importance of further research on the presence of residual PAHs in the atmosphere and the implementation of strategies to curtail vehicular emissions.

Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in firefighters at fire training facilities and in employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic to humans and are formed by incomplete combustion. PAHs are always present during firefighting operations, and fire department members can be exposed to them in the workplace. In this study, we analyzed 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in 36 urine samples from nine firefighters, collected before and after fire training sessions, and 32 urine samples from eight employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops. To assess breakthrough PAH exposure through personal protective equipment and potential dermal uptake, some of the workshop employees wore cotton garments under their regular workwear. Cotton samples were then examined for the presence of 17 semi-volatile and low-volatility PAHs. After firefighting exercises, we observed approximately a fivefold increase in mean 1-OHP concentrations in samples from firefighters, from 0.24 μg/L to 1.17 μg/L (maximum: 5.31 μg/L). In contrast, 1-OHP levels in workshop employees were found to be low, with the majority of urine samples yielding concentrations below the limit of quantification (LOQ: 0.05 μg/L, maximum: 0.11 μg/L). Similarly, low PAH levels were found on the workshop employees' cotton undergarments, with maximum concentrations of 250 and 205 ng/g for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively. In conclusion, significant increases in 1-OHP in urine were observed in firefighters after training sessions, whereas work-related exposure remained low among workshop employees.

Bioaccessibility and health risk assessment of hydrophobic organic pollutants in soils from four typical industrial contaminated sites in China

There have been reports of potential health risks for people from hydrophobic organic pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated hydrocarbons (PCHs), and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). When a contaminated site is used for residential housing or public utility and recreation areas, the soil-bound organic pollutants might pose a threat to human health. In this study, we investigated the contamination profiles and potential risks to human health of 15 PAHs, 6 PCHs, and 12 OPFRs in soils from four contaminated sites in China. We used an in vitro method to determine the oral bioaccessibility of soil pollutants. Total PAHs were found at concentrations ranging from 26.4 ng/g to 987 ng/g. PCHs (0.27‒14.3 ng/g) and OPFRs (6.30‒310 ng/g) were detected, but at low levels compared to earlier reports. The levels of PAHs, PCHs, and OPFRs released from contaminated soils into simulated gastrointestinal fluids ranged from 1.74% to 91.0%, 2.51% to 39.6%, and 1.37% to 96.9%, respectively. Based on both spiked and unspiked samples, we found that the oral bioaccessibility of pollutants was correlated with their logKow and molecular weight, and the total organic carbon content and pH of soils. PAHs in 13 out of 38 contaminated soil samples posed potential high risks to children. When considering oral bioaccessibility, nine soils still posed potential risks, while the risks in the remaining soils became negligible. The contribution of this paper is that it corrects the health risk of soil-bound organic pollutants by detecting bioaccessibility in actual soils from different contaminated sites.

Concentrations, sources and risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the Parnaiba Delta basin, Northeast Brazil

The Parnaíba River is the main river in the Parnaíba Delta basin, the largest delta in the Americas. About 18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were identified and the environmental risk associated with the sediments was evaluated. The study found that PAHs levels ranged from 5.92 to 1521.17 ng g–1, which was classified as low to high pollution, and that there were multiple sources of pollution along the river, with pyrolytic sources predominating, mainly from urban activity such as trucking, although the influence of rural activity cannot be ruled out. PAHs correlated with black carbon and organic matter and showed high correlation with acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(ghi)perylene, and ∑PAHs. The benzo(a)pyrene levels were classified as a risk to aquatic life because the threshold effect level and the probable effect level were exceeded. In addition, the sediments were classified as slightly contaminated with a benzo(a)pyrene toxicity equivalent value of 108.43 ng g–1. Thus, the priority level PAH exhibited carcinogenic and mutagenic activity that posed a potential risk to human health.

Distribution, Sources, and Health Risk of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Farmland Soil of Helan, China

With the development of industry and agriculture, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the agricultural sector have gradually increased to different degrees, leading to an escalation in environmental pollution. In turn, this escalation has presented a significant possibility of endangering agricultural practices on farmland and has had a serious impact on regional sustainable development. Therefore, a total of 117 samples of soil were gathered to research the pollution level, distribution, sources, and health risk of PAHs in Helan farmland soils. A reference was used for the identification and quantification of PAH content using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an ultraviolet detector, and their spatial distribution was analyzed utilizing the Arc Geographic Information System (ArcGIS). The source of PAHs was analyzed by absolute principal component scores/multiple linear regression (APCS-MLR). The lifetime cancer risk increment model and Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis were used to assess the potential health hazards to humans associated with PAHs in soil. Within the current study area, PAHs were higher in the northwest. The results showed that the total content of PAHs in Helan farmland soil ranged from 17.82 to 1544.73 ng·g−1 with a mean of 408.18 ng·g−1, which indicated the middle degree of pollution in farmland soil. The verification results of the APCS-MLR model showed that the correlation coefficient between the measured values and the predicted values ranged from 0.661 to 0.984, which suggested that the APCS-MLR model demonstrated favorable suitability for conducting source analysis of PAHs in the soil within the study region. Based on the contribution of PAHs from each source, the main sources of PAHs in Helan farmland soil were the combustion source (biomass, diesel, and natural gas combustion) and the transportation source (gasoline for vehicles and traffic exhaust emissions). The health risks’ estimation showed that PAHs in farmland soil did not have potential health risks for adults but represented a carcinogenic risk for children via the main exposure pathway of ingestion with the mean intake of 1.28 × 10−5. Meanwhile, the carcinogenic risks (CRs) of dermal contact for the mean value of adults (9.32 × 10−7) was found to be higher than that for children (3.18 × 10−8). From the Monte Carlo simulation, the soil particle uptake rate was the most sensitive to the health risks of children and adults with risk probabilities of 26% and 52%, and the risk probabilities from body weight were −11% and −1%, whose negative value indicated that the increase in body weight could reduce the health risks to human. These findings could provide reference for the study of soil organic pollution in Helan farmland soil and contribute significantly to the preservation of the ecological environment, maintaining human health and safety, and promoting the sustainable development of regional farmland.

Occurrence, Concentration and Toxicity of 54 Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Butter during Storage.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of highly carcinogenic compounds with a lipophilic nature. This study investigated the characterization of PAH24 contamination in twenty-one types of butter and five types of margarines using the QuEChERS pretreatment coupled with GC-QqQ-MS. Additionally, low-temperature storage experiments were conducted to explore the variations in oxidation index as well as the PAH levels. The results revealed that PAH24 concentrations in butter and margarine were 50.75-310.64 μg/kg and 47.66-118.62 μg/kg, respectively. The PAH4 level in one type of butter reached 11.24 μg/kg beyond the EU standards. Over 160 days of storage at 4 °C, acid value (AV), peroxide value (POV), and acidity significantly increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content and carbonyl value (CGV) fluctuated. Concentrations of PAH24 and oxidized PAHs (OPAHs) experienced a notable reduction of 29.09% and 63.85%, respectively. The slow reduction in naphthalene (NaP) indicated the dynamic nature of PAHs during storage. However, the toxic equivalency quotients (TEQs) decreased slightly from a range of 0.65-1.90 to 0.39-1.77, with no significant difference. This study contributes to the understanding of variations in PAHs during storage, which is of great significance for food safety.

Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Mainstream Cigarette Smoke

Objectives : Cigarette smoking is an important factor in human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Machine-smoking methods have been devised to evaluate inhalation exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke. However, there have been only a few studies that have employed these methods for PAH monitoring in Korea.Methods : Total particulate matter samples were collected from the mainstream smoke of five different cigarette types using the ISO 3308 standard smoking method. The samples were analyzed for 16 PAHs using a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) following extraction and clean-up procedures.Results and Discussion : The 16 PAH levels of cigarette samples ranged from 87.1 ng/cig to 247.4 ng/cig with an average of 135.4 ng/cig. The average fractions of PAHs classified by the number of rings were as follows: 15% (2 rings), 37% (3 rings), 43% (4 rings), 4% (5 rings), and 1% (6 rings). Diagnostic ratios suggested that the characteristics of PAH pollution in mainstream cigarette smoke were similar to those of biomass burning but different from those of ambient air. The carcinogenic risks of PAHs exceeded the risk threshold of the US EPA (1.0E-06) for the 10%, 30%, and 20% exposure groups of adult males, adult females, and all adults, respectively.Conclusion : This study highlights the significance of mainstream cigarette smoke in examining human inhalation exposure to PAHs and carcinogenic risks, which are primarily influenced by cigarette smoking rather than ambient air. These findings can contribute to a comprehensive assessment of inhalation exposure to PAHs and provide guidance for the development of environmental health policies aimed at reducing such exposure.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (BEHP) in the Soil of Teff-Acacia decurrens-Charcoal Production System in Northern Ethiopia

The current study is aimed at investigating the level of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BEHP), which pose a potential risk to human health, in soil samples collected from a teff-Acacia decurrerns-charcoal production system (TACP system) in northern Ethiopia. Soil samples were collected from the TACP system and from an adjacent teff monocropping system (TM system) from 0 to 20 cm soil depth. Individual PAHs and total concentrations of PAHs and BEHP generally exhibited no significant variation between the TM and the TACP systems over three rotations. In the land-use systems, the mean concentration of PAHs decreased in the order phenanthrene &gt; fluorene &gt; pyrene &gt; chrysene. Fluorene (22.84–24.69 ng g−1 dry soil), pyrene (21.99 ng g−1), and chrysene (21.79 ng g−1) were detected in the TACP system only, suggesting that they were from charcoal production. The maximum concentration of BEHP recorded in the soil samples was 104.00 µg g−1, which could be attributed to the polyethylene (PE) bags used for planting the Acacia decurrens seedlings of the TACP system. In soil samples, the sum of all PAHs analyzed ranged from not detected (ND) to 170.69 ng g−1, which is below the limits of prevention established by European regulations for soils (3000 ng g−1) and previous studies. Carcinogenic equivalent (BaP-TEQ) and mutagenic equivalent (BaP-MEQ) concentrations calculated for the individual PAHs in the land-use systems ranged from ND to 0.374 ng g−1 and from ND to 0.218 ng g−1, respectively, which is far below many international safety standards. Our results indicate that the charcoal production and the use of the charcoal residues as soil amendment in the TACP system is safe concerning soil contamination by PAHs and BEHP and the risk of cancer and mutation.

Occurrence and Sources of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Factors Influencing Their Accumulation in Surface Sediment of a Deep-Sea Depression, Namely, the Tatar Trough (Tatar Strait, the Sea of Japan)

The concentrations of 14 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediment of the Tatar Trough were studied. Despite the increase in PAH concentrations over recent decades, which is likely the result of the handling and transportation of fossil fuels, PAH levels and ecological risk were found to be low. The spatial pattern revealed that higher PAH concentrations were mainly in the deeper water sites, suggesting that trough slope failure transported the PAHs to the deeper part of the basin. There was no correlation between the PAHs and grain size or the PAHs and organic carbon that is related to the PAH input from a variety of sources and the heterogeneity of organic matter. The PAH composition, isomer ratio, and PCA identified two areas with different PAH sources. The most northern part of the Tatar Trough received petrogenic PAHs that are probably transported downslope from the northern Tatar Strait where fossil fuels are handled in some ports. Another trough part was polluted by the PAHs from the combustion of coal and biomass and the exhaust of marine vehicles. The minor presence of genes responsible for aerobic PAH destruction can be explained by the anaerobic degradation of PAHs or the spontaneous creation of favorable conditions that promote bacterial PAH oxidation.

Systemic inflammation mediates environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to increase chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk in United States adults: a cross-sectional NHANES study.

This study explored the relationship between environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and identified systemic inflammation as a mediator of the increased risk of COPD from PAHs. Data were obtained from 60,936 middle-aged and older Americans recruited in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2016. Environmental PAHs were measured in terms of urinary concentrations of PAHs metabolites (NAP: 1-hydroxynaphthalene, FLU: 2-hydroxyfluorene, PA: 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and PYR: 1-hydroxypyrene). We used multifactor logical analysis to figure out the link between PAHs and COPD, and the non-linear relationship was examined using Restricted cubic spline. Spearman correlation analysis was utilized to analyze the connection between PAHs and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). The results showed that the COPD population had higher NAP (3.550 vs. 3.282, p < 0.001), FLU (2.501 vs. 2.307, p < 0.001), PA (2.155 vs. 2.082, p = 0.005), and PYR (2.013 vs. 1.959, p = 0.008) levels than non-COPD population. In unadjusted logistics analysis, the risk of COPD with log NAP was higher [OR = 1.461, 95% CI (1.258-1.698), p < 0.001]. Upon taking into account, confounders like sex, age, race, and log NAP still increased a possible COPD risk [OR = 1.429, 95% CI (1.224-1.669), p < 0.001]. Similarly, FLU, PA, and PYR significantly increased the risk of COPD (all OR > 1, p < 0.05), both unadjusted and adjusted. Furthermore, Restricted cubic spline demonstrated a strong link between PAHs levels and COPD risk (p < 0.05). Additionally, a Spearman correlation analysis revealed a favorable association between log FLU and log SII (R = 0.43, p = 0.006), while NAP, PA, and PYR levels were not associated with log SII (all p > 0.05). Ultimately, the mediating effect analysis revealed a mediating effect capacity of 5.34% for the SII-mediated association between FLU and COPD. The findings suggest that the risk of COPD is significantly increased when environmental PAHs exposure is at high levels, and that systemic inflammation may be involved in the process.

Association of environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with periodontitis in NHANES 2009-2014: A mixtures approach.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can invade and cause harm to the human body through various pathways, but there is currently little research on the relationship between mixed-PAHs exposure and periodontitis. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of mixed-urinary PAHs exposure on periodontitis in adults in the United States. The cross-sectional study included 2749 subjects selected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2014 cycles. A professional examination of the periodontal status was conducted to distinguish between periodontitis and non-periodontitis based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology (CDC/AAP) case definition. Laboratory testing of urine samples was performed to obtain the levels of urinary PAHs. Pearson correlation coefficients were utilized to determine the degree of correlation between urinary PAHs, while weighted binary logistic regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were employed to evaluate the relationship between urinary PAHs and periodontitis. In a single-exposure model, 3-hydroxyfluorene (OH-3F), 2-hydroxyfluorene (OH-2F), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (OH-1Ph), and 2-hydroxyphenanthrene and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (OH-2,3Ph) were positively associated with periodontitis risk. In the mixed-exposure model, BKMR analysis demonstrated that mixed exposure to urinary PAHs was positively associated with periodontitis, with OH-2F being the most critical factor for the overall mixed effects (posterior inclusion probability [PIP]=0.98). Univariate exposure-response function and univariate effects analysis revealed a positive correlation between urinary OH-2F levels and periodontitis. The study reveals a significant positive correlation between exposure to mixed PAHs and periodontitis, with a particular emphasis on the pivotal role of OH-2F. Mitigating PAHs in the environment may serve as a preventive measure against periodontitis and alleviate its global public health burden.