Analysis of Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Incineration Workers

Abstract

Analysis of Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in IncinerationWorkers: Masayoshi ICHIBA, et al. Department of Social and Environmental Medicine, Saga Medical School-Incineration workers are exposed to various pyrolysis products of organic materials, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In this study, the exposure of incineration workers to PAHs was evaluated by measuring urinary metabolites of pyrene and naphthalene. The concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP), a metabolite of pyrene, and 2-naphthol (2NP), a metabolite of naphthalene, were measured among 100 workers in 4 different types of incinerators, both before and after their work shifts. These incinerators were two old types, one modern type and one outdoors. The medians of urinary 1OHP of before and after the work shifts obtained from all workers were 0.067 and 0.044 µg/gCr, respectively; and the medians of urinary 2NP were 7.5 and 10.0 µg/ gCr, respectively. A significant increase of 2NP after the work shift was found at one old incinerator. A significant decrease of metabolites was found at the other old incinerator. Significant correlations were found between urinary metabolites and cigarettes smoked per day. The effect of smoking on urinary metabolite levels was also important. Significant correlations were found between urinary 1OHP and 2NP levels in all workers. In multiple regression analysis smoking habit and incinerator type were found as significant factors. The improvement of the work environment, through decreasing exposure to both tobacco smoke and hazardous work shift-related substances, should be an occupational health aim. Field StudyKey words: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, Incineration workers, 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-naphthol Incineration workers are exposed to various pyrolysis products of organic materials, including dioxin, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). There have been some studies on biomonitoring of pyrolysis products, heavy metals and PAHs in incineration workers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] . In these studies, urinary metabolites of PAHs were measured as the occupational exposure markers. The most common metabolites of PAHs are urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHP), a metabolite of pyrene, or 2-naphthol (2NP), a metabolite of naphthalene 8,9) . Pyrene and naphthalene were not thought of as carcinogens. The reasons for measuring them are that their urinary concentrations are relatively high and their measurements are easier compared to those of carcinogenic PAHs, such as benzo[a]pyrene. Recently naphthalene was reclassified as being possibly carcinogenic to humans by IARC in 2002 10) . Consequently, the importance of measuring naphthalene metabolite levels has increased. There have been few reports concerning the measurement of both urinary 1OHP and 2NP at the same time in incineration workers, and the data in previous studies has usually been taken at a single incinerator site. Few studies have compared metabolite measurements at different incinerator site.I...

Levels of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator: a follow-up study

“…The current mean PCDD/F concentration is also lower than those found in most of the above studies concerning blood of workers in MSW/infection incinerators (Hu et al 2004;Kumagai and Koda 2005;Kim et al 2005b;Chen et al 2005), while are similar to those reported by Leem et al (2003). Recently, Ichiba et al (2007) reported the concentrations of urinary 1-HP in 100 workers of three MSWIs and one HWI, before and after their work shifts. It was concluded that the improvement of the work environment, through decreasing exposure to both tobacco smoke and hazardous work shift-related substances, should be an occupational health aim.…”

Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Amniotic Fluid Samples From Smokers and Nonsmokers

“…Environmental contaminants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are widespread in a variety of both rural and urban settings (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). Concentrations of many PAH have been determined to be in automobile as well as diesel exhaust emissions, as well as in industrial emissions (7,8).…”

“…One of the most reliable biological markers for exposure assessment of PAHs is the detection of PAH and their metabolites in urine samples obtained from exposed individuals (2,(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38). PAHs, such as pyrene, undergo biological oxidation utilizing microsomal enzymes to yield oxidative products which can either react with DNA or protein, or be further metabolized and subsequently eliminated from the body in the form of more water soluble products, such as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates (39)(40)(41)(42)(43).…”

The health impacts of waste incineration: a systematic review

“…This result was consistent with a later study performed by Ranzi et al, 59 which found significantly higher urinary PAH in the exposure group compared to controls. Incinerator technology seems to influence the exposure to PAH, as demonstrated by a study by Ichiba et al, 32 which found significantly higher urinary PAH in workers at an older incinerator compared to a more modern one.…”

“…Thirty‐six papers 15,22,27–60 investigated exposure to waste incinerator emissions by measurement of body substances. Upon review, five were found to have been misclassified and were excluded from the analysis.…”