Characterising the exposure of Australian firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated in simulated compartment fires

Banks, Andrew P.W.; Thai, Phong K.; Engelsman, Michelle; Wang, Xianyu; Osorio, Andrés F.; Mueller, Jochen F.

doi:10.1016/j.ijheh.2020.113637

Cited by 29 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Due to hydroxyl metabolism, there have been no urinary studies of OHPAH with five or six rings, including benzo[e]pyrene and benzanthrone, as mostly found in feces. In 9 of the 27 studies we reviewed, 1-PYR, which is the biomarker most commonly used to monitor complex carcinogenic PAH exposure [ 2 , 9 ], was the sole biomarker analyzed. However, according to our meta-analysis, there was a significant increase in all hydroxylated PAH levels except OHPYR in firefighter urine samples post-fire (see Table 2 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, according to our meta-analysis, there was a significant increase in all hydroxylated PAH levels except OHPYR in firefighter urine samples post-fire (see Table 2 ). In particular, Banks et al (2021) and Anderson et al (2018) [ 9 , 33 ] found that firefighting activities did not increase the 1-PYR concentration in urine, although the levels of 1-PYR and PYR on the skin were correlated [ 32 ]. While most studies investigated a single analyte using 1-PYR, two of the studies [ 13 , 15 ] we reviewed reported on up to 14 analytes of urinary OHPAH.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, 1-NAP, which is frequently used to assess exposure to naphthalene, is a metabolite of not only naphthalene but also the insecticide carbaryl [36]. Because only certain PAHs produce a number of the urinary metabolites of the OHPAH isomer [7], the correlation between PAH (e.g., naphthalene) and OHPAH (e.g., 1-NAP) was moderate (r = 0.57) [9]. Although our review excluded WTC firefighters, Edelman (2003) [37] measured seven additional urinary metabolites, 1-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene, 1-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene, 2-hydroxybenzo[c]phenanthrene, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene, 3-hydroxybenzo[c] phenanthrene, 3-hydoxychrysene, and 3-hydroxyfluoranthrene, in their study cohort in response to WTC.…”

Section: Metabolite Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other than bile and urine, the elimination routes of OHPAH metabolites in humans are feces and breast milk, yet the most commonly studied biospecimen is urine [ 3 ]. OHPAH compounds of four rings or more with higher molecular weights (MW) are mostly excreted in feces because their metabolism is more complex, whereas OHPAH compounds with lower MW tend to be excreted in urine because the hydroxyl metabolizes [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hwang

Grunsted

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Firefighters are intermittently exposed to complex, mixed pollutants in random settings. Of those pollutants, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are the most commonly studied and best understood. PAH exposure can occur via multiple routes; therefore, the levels of hydroxylated metabolites of PAHs in urine have been used as a biomonitoring tool for risk assessment. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to estimate the levels of urinary hydroxylated PAH (OHPAH) among firefighters, determine risk attributions, and, finally, evaluate the scope of preventive efforts and their utility as diagnostic tools. The meta-regression confirmed increases in OHPAH concentrations after fire activities by up to 1.71-times (p-values: <0.0001). Samples collected at a time point of 2–4 h after a fire suppression showed a consistent, statistically significant pattern as compared with baseline samples. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1582 Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments lists various health examinations, including a urinalysis for occupational chemical exposure if indicated and medical screening for cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Biomonitoring is a valuable screening tool for assessing occupational exposure and the results of this meta-analysis support their inclusion in regular health screenings for firefighters.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Metabolite Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hwang

Grunsted

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…In abrupt and rapid pulmonary DEP exposure of evacuees and/or firefighters, the accumulation of soot in lung cells may increase, with an elevation of inflammatory and carcinogenic responses [18,19]. DEP exposure may affect not only local pulmonary pathophysiology but also behavioral responses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploratory Study of the Relationships Between Diesel Engine Exhaust Particle Inhalation, Pulmonary Inflammation and Anxious Behavior

Jeong

Lee

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Recent technical developments brought negative side effects such as air pollution and large-scale fires, increasingly exposing people to diesel engine exhaust particles (DEP). Testing how DEP inhalation triggers pathophysiology in animal models could be useful in determining how it affects humans. To this end, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pulmonary exposure to DEP for seven consecutive days in experimental male C5BL6/N mice. Twenty-four C5BL6/N mice were treated with one of the three test materials: distilled water for control, a low DEP exposure (5 mg/kg), or a high DEP exposure (15 mg/kg). Exposure to DEP induced decreased body weight; however, it gradually increased pulmonary weight in a DEP-dose-dependent manner. DEP exposure significantly elevated soot accumulation in the lungs, with the alteration of pulmonary homeostasis. It also elevated infiltrated immune cells, thus significantly increasing inflammatory cytokine mRNA and protein production in the lungs and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, respectively. Pulmonary DEP exposure also altered behavioral responses in the open field test (OFT). Low exposure elevated moving distance and speed, while significantly decreasing the number of trials to enter the central zone. Different concentrations of DEP resulted in different behavioral changes; however, while anxiety levels increased, their degree was independent of DEP concentrations. Results suggest that DEP exposure may possess pro-inflammatory responses in the lungs and trigger anxiety.

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A pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry study of volatile compounds produced by wood‐based materials

Marchoubeh,

Knight,

Horn

2024

Fire and Materials

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The pyrolysis by‐products of five common wood‐based construction materials (low‐density wood fiberboard, oriented strand board, pine, particle board, and plywood) were studied using pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Samples of wood‐based materials were pyrolyzed under helium from 300 to 800°C to further understand the production of compounds that may become airborne and available for respiratory and dermal exposure. Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, p‐xylene, styrene, and naphthalene were specifically targeted since these compounds are common by‐products of pyrolysis. These compounds have been measured in previous live fire scenarios and are associated with human health concerns. The generated pyrolysates were separated and identified with a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry instrument. The results from total ion chromatograms and selected ion monitoring chromatograms were analyzed to compare the abundance of chemicals of interest generated during pyrolysis. Oriented strand board and plywood generated the greatest total concentration of the targeted volatile organic compounds. Plywood and particle boards generated the largest variety in results. Samples from solid pine boards generated the smallest number of volatile compounds, followed by low‐density wood fiberboard that is manufactured with wood fibers, starch, and wax. Notably, pyrolysis by‐products are not the sole compounds generated during the combustion of biomass and these products evolve when they are exposed to the conditions of combustion. Our future work plans to study the combustion by‐products of these materials.

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Characterising the exposure of Australian firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated in simulated compartment fires

Cited by 29 publications

References 29 publications

Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

An Exploratory Study of the Relationships Between Diesel Engine Exhaust Particle Inhalation, Pulmonary Inflammation and Anxious Behavior

A pyrolysis‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry study of volatile compounds produced by wood‐based materials

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