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

Abstract

Grilling activities release large amounts of hazardous pollutants, but information on restaurant grill workers’ exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is almost inexistent. This study assessed the impact of grilling emissions on total workers’ exposure to PAHs by evaluating the concentrations of six urinary biomarkers of exposure (OHPAHs): naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene, and benzo(a)pyrene. Individual levels and excretion profiles of urinary OHPAHs were determined during working and nonworking periods. Urinary OHPAHs were quantified by high-performance liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection. Levels of total OHPAHs (∑OHPAHs) were significantly increased (about nine times; p ≤ 0.001) during working comparatively with nonworking days. Urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene + 1-hydroxyacenapthene and 2-hydroxyfluorene presented the highest increments (ca. 23- and 6-fold increase, respectively), followed by 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (ca. 2.3 times) and 1-hydroxypyrene (ca. 1.8 times). Additionally, 1-hydroxypyrene levels were higher than the benchmark, 0.5 µmol/mol creatinine, in 5% of exposed workers. Moreover, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs, was detected in 13% of exposed workers. Individual excretion profiles showed a cumulative increase in ∑OHPAHs during consecutive working days. A principal component analysis model partially discriminated workers’ exposure during working and nonworking periods showing the impact of grilling activities. Urinary OHPAHs were increased in grill workers during working days.

E-waste polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure lead to child gut-mucosal inflammation and adaptive immune response

“…We nd that 1-OHNap is negative with BMI, whereas most of the OH-PAHs negatively correlate with height, weight, and chest circumference, suggesting that PAH exposure has adverse effects on the development of children. As the recent studies described, we used biomonitoring studies to reveal the relationships between urinary PAH metabolite levels and several lifestyle and/or demographic variables (Keir et al, 2020;Oliveira et al, 2020). The results show that urinary 1-OHNap metabolites are positively correlated with e-waste contact, family workshops, residence within 50 m from an e-waste site and family member smoking.…”

E-waste polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure leads to child gut-mucosal inflammation and adaptive immune response

“…We find that 1-OHNap is negative with BMI, whereas most of the OH-PAHs negatively correlate with height, weight, and chest circumference, suggesting that PAH exposure has adverse effects on the development of children. As the recent studies described, we used biomonitoring studies to reveal the relationships between urinary PAH metabolite levels and several lifestyle and/or demographic variables (Keir et al 2020;Oliveira et al 2020). The results show that urinary 1-OHNap metabolites are positively correlated with e-waste contact, family workshops, residence within 50 m from an e-waste site and family member smoking.…”

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

“…Overall, median concentrations of total PAH metabolites ranged from 4.02–4.75 µmol/mol creatinine in schoolchildren (3–6 years old) and reached maximum levels of 15.4 µmol/mol creatinine in children attending a preschool situated in Oporto Metropolitan Area (north of Portugal) that is strongly affected by traffic emissions ( Table 1 ). Oliveira et al [ 30 ] determined the levels of six urinary biomarkers of exposure to PAHs in grill workers attending six restaurants from Oporto Metropolitan Area. Daily exposures to grilling emissions strongly impacted total exposure to PAHs, with concentrations of total metabolites being nine times higher during working periods comparatively with resting days (2.77 versus 0.298 µmol/mol creatinine; Table 1 ).…”

“…Daily exposures to grilling emissions strongly impacted total exposure to PAHs, with concentrations of total metabolites being nine times higher during working periods comparatively with resting days (2.77 versus 0.298 µmol/mol creatinine; Table 1 ). Individual excretion profiles also showed a cumulative increase in the levels of total PAH metabolites during consecutive working days [ 30 ]. 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 ).…”

“…The metabolite 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, a PAH biomarker of carcinogenicity, was only found in the urine of some grill workers (ca. 13% of study population; median of 1.71 nmol/mol creatinine and range of 0.98–2.67 nmol/mol creatinine [ 30 ]). This biomarker was never found in the urine of children and firefighters, making these findings in line with those of other studies [ 37 , 38 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 63 ].…”