Predictors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and internal dose in inner city Baltimore children

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the by-products of incomplete combustion of organic materials, are commonly found on particulate matter (PM) and have been associated with the development of asthma and asthma exacerbation in urban populations. We examined time spent in the home and outdoors as predictors of exposures to airborne PAHs and measured urinary 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-OHPG) as internal dose of PAHs in 118 children aged 5–12 years from Baltimore, MD. During weeklong periods (Saturday–Saturday) in each of four seasons: daily activities were assessed using questionnaires, indoor air nicotine and PM concentrations were monitored, and urine specimens were collected on Tuesday (day 3) and Saturday (day 7) for measurement of 1-OHPG. Time spent in non-smoking homes was associated with significantly decreased 1-OHPG concentration in urine (β = −0.045, 95% CI (−0.076, −0.013)), and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposures modified these associations, with higher urinary 1-OHPG concentrations in children spending time in smoking homes than non-smoking homes (P-value for interaction = 0.012). Time spent outdoors was associated with increased urinary 1-OHPG concentrations (β=0.097, 95% CI (0.037, 0.157)) in boys only. Our results suggest that SHS and ambient (outdoor) air pollution contribute to internal dose of PAHs in inner city children.

Urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in pre- and peri-pubertal girls in Northern California: Predictors of exposure and temporal variability

“…Previous studies have found seasonality of PAH biomarker concentrations (Cavanagh et al, 2007; Jung et al, 2014; Morgan et al, 2015), specifically higher PAHs associated with the months that indoor space heating (e.g., furnace, fireplace) would be used (Cavanagh et al, 2007; Jung et al, 2014), while other studies have found no differences by season (Peters et al, 2017). We found 1-naphthol concentrations were lowest in summer, and 2-naphthol concentrations were somewhat higher in the spring.…”

“…A recent study found that a person's PAH metabolite concentrations in urine spot samples, first morning voids, and 24-h voids have a high degree of correlation (Li et al, 2010b). Time intervals of a few days (Fiala et al, 2001) or seasons (Peters et al, 2017; van Wijnen et al, 1996) have previously been studied. Data on the temporal variability of OH-PAHs across years, especially among children, are sparse (Jung et al, 2014) but important because health outcomes are associated with exposures over time intervals longer than the few days of metabolite elimination.…”

Ambient Air Pollution and Asthma-Related Outcomes in Children of Color of the USA: a Scoping Review of Literature Published Between 2013 and 2017

“…This body of work suggests that the positive benefits of active lifestyle may be diminished by AAP. [31–33]…”

Potential role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air pollution-induced non-malignant respiratory diseases

“…Thus, PAHs levels attached to PM during winter may be tenfold higher compared to summer when the more volatile PAHs to a greater extent evaporate and exist in gas phase [22]. Although indoor sources also contribute to the total air-borne PAH exposure [23][24][25], indoor air is often influenced by outdoor sources [26].…”