Oxidative stress and respiratory symptoms due to human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Studies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and its metabolites in PM10, soils, rat livers and cattle urine in Kumasi, Ghana, revealed high concentrations and cancer potency. In addition, WHO and IARC have reported an increase in cancer incidence and respiratory diseases in Ghana. Human urine were therefore collected from urban and control sites to: assess the health effects associated with PAHs exposure using malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG); identify any association between OH-PAHs, MDA, 8-OHdG with age and sex; and determine the relationship between PAHs exposure and occurrence of respiratory diseases. From the results, urinary concentrations of the sum of OH-PAHs (∑OHPAHs) were significantly higher from urban sites compared to the control site. Geometric mean concentrations adjusted by specific gravity, GM, indicated 2-OHNaphthalene (2-OHNap) (6.01 ± 4.21 ng/mL) as the most abundant OH-PAH, and exposure could be through the use of naphthalene-containing-mothballs in drinking water purification, insect repellent, freshener in clothes and/or "treatment of various ailments". The study revealed that exposure to naphthalene significantly increases the occurrence of persistent cough (OR = 2.68, CI: 1.43-5.05), persistent headache (OR = 1.82, CI: 1.02-3.26), tachycardia (OR = 3.36, CI: 1.39-8.10) and dyspnea (OR = 3.07, CI: 1.27-7.43) in Kumasi residents. Highest level of urinary 2-OHNap (224 ng/mL) was detected in a female, who reported symptoms of persistent cough, headache, tachycardia, nasal congestion and inflammation, all of which are symptoms of naphthalene exposure according to USEPA. The ∑OHPAHs, 2-OHNap, 2-3-OHFluorenes, and -OHPhenanthrenes showed a significantly positive correlation with MDA and 4-OHPhenanthrene with 8-OHdG, indicating possible lipid peroxidation/cell damage or degenerative disease in some participants. MDA and 8-OHdG were highest in age group 21-60. The present study showed a significant sex difference with higher levels of urinary OH-PAHs in females than males.

Association between human exposure to heavy metals/metalloid and occurrences of respiratory diseases, lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in Kumasi, Ghana

“…Extraction and analysis of urine sample for 8-OHdG followed the method described by Bortey-Sam et al (Bortey-Sam et al 2017). Briefly, urine (1 mL) was diluted with HPLC grade water (2 mL) after spiking with 25 ng/mL of (15N5) 8-OHdG (internal standard).…”

Clinical Relevance of Urine Flow Rate and Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

“…A number of studies have indicated that PAH metabolites may lead to oxidative stress and inflammation [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 36 ]. Several studies have shown that PAHs are ligands of aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR), and are able to activate these receptors [ 37 , 38 ].…”

“…The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified BaP as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) [ 6 ] and classified naphthalene as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Although many PAHs, including fluorene and phenanthrene, are undetermined due to a lack of investigations, exposure to PAHs brings out many other potentially harmful effects on human health [ 7 ], including oxidative stress [ 8 , 9 ], inflammation [ 10 , 11 ], cardiovascular disease [ 12 , 13 ], respiratory disease [ 14 ], and poor fetal development [ 15 ]. A cross-sectional study revealed that PAH metabolites, such as 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, have a possible effect on rheumatoid arthritis [ 16 ].…”

Association of Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure With Erythrocytes Deformation of Male Mice

“…Epidemiologic studies have investigated the toxic impacts related to the exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon substances, such as anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, pyrene, and naphthalene, and many other forms are well-known to be the carcinogens for human health (Tongo et al, 2017, Sarigiannis et al, 2015, Bortey-Sam et al, 2017, Louis et al, 2016, Pham et al, 2013. On the other hand, volatile organic compounds also become hazardous chemicals and toxic to human health due to the carcinogenic and mutagenic characteristics (Kumar et al, 2018).…”