Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effects

Abstract

Firefighters represent one of the riskiest occupations, yet due to the logistic reasons, the respective exposure assessment is one of the most challenging. Thus, this work assessed the impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) and genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers (basal DNA and oxidative DNA damage) of firefighters from eight firehouses. Cardiac frequency, blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation were also monitored. OHPAHs were determined by liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection, while genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers were assessed by the comet assay. Concentrations of total OHPAHs were up to 340% higher (p ≤ 0.05) in (nonsmoking and smoking) exposed workers than in control subjects (non-smoking and non-exposed to combat activities); the highest increments were observed for 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (82-88% of ∑OHPAHs), and for 2-hydroxyfluorene (5-15%). Levels of biomarker for oxidative stress were increased in non-smoking exposed workers than in control group (316%; p ≤ 0.001); inconclusive results were found for DNA damage. Positive correlations were found between the cardiac frequency, ∑OHPAHs and the oxidative DNA damage of non-smoking (non-exposed and exposed) firefighters. Evidences were raised regarding the simultaneous use of these biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters' health and to better estimate the potential short-term health risks.

Human Biomonitoring of Selected Hazardous Compounds in Portugal: Part I—Lessons Learned on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Metals, Metalloids, and Pesticides

“…PAHs metabolization occurs through complex biochemical reactions in the liver and in a lesser extent in the lungs, intestinal mucosa, skin, and kidneys in order to expedite their elimination from the human body [ 14 ]. PAHs are excreted through the urine, bile, milk, and feces in the form of hydroxylated compounds conjugated with macromolecules (glutathione, glucuronide, or sulphate) or as unmetabolized compounds [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

“…Regarding firefighting forces, median values of total PAH metabolites varied between 1.59 µmol/mol creatinine in non-smoking and non-occupationally exposed firefighters to 6.96 µmol/mol creatinine in smoking and occupationally exposed individuals who were actively involved in firefighting activities; maximum levels reached 121 µmol/mol creatinine ( Table 1 ). Oliveira et al [ 27 ] reported concentrations of total PAH biomarkers that were up to 340% higher ( p ≤ 0.05) in subjects participating in firefighting comparatively with non-exposed firefighters. Moreover, those authors also found increased levels of oxidative stress in the blood cells of some exposed firefighters [ 27 ].…”

“…Oliveira et al [ 27 ] reported concentrations of total PAH biomarkers that were up to 340% higher ( p ≤ 0.05) in subjects participating in firefighting comparatively with non-exposed firefighters. Moreover, those authors also found increased levels of oxidative stress in the blood cells of some exposed firefighters [ 27 ]. Available literature demonstrated a positive association between firefighters’ exposure to fire emissions and heat, principally at physically/physiological exhausting conditions with altered values of different biomarkers of inflammation, vascular damage, and tissue injury in biological fluids [ 31 ].…”

Dioxin impacts on lipid metabolism of soil microbes: towards effective detection and bioassessment strategies

“…Dioxins are released into the environment through natural sources such as volcanic activities or forest fires (Hay 1981). Such episodes are becoming more common with particular increases in the incidence of large-scale forest fires over the last decade (Salamanca et al 2016;Zhang et al 2016;Oliveira et al 2020). Dioxins are also discharged into the environment by various manufacturing processes involving synthesis of chlorinated aromatic and aliphatic compounds, such as pesticide and herbicides (Chen et al 2005) as well as paper production (Haq and Raj 2020).…”

Grill Workers Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Levels and Excretion Profiles of the Urinary Biomarkers

“…Urinary 3hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (3OHBaP) is a well-known biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs [24,25]. Increased levels of urinary OHPAHs in occupationally exposed groups have been associated with a higher prevalence of early markers of inflammation processes, cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, and DNA damage [26][27][28].…”