Serum Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Among Children with and without Asthma: Correlation to Environmental and Dietary Factors

Abstract

Background: Children from low-income families may be subject to high exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) which can lead to respiratory disorders. This study aims to establish methods for assessing total PAH exposure of asthmatic and non-asthmatic children from low-income families; to estimate serum PAH concentrations of these children, and to estimate the relative importance of the environmental pathways for PAH exposure. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 (61 asthmatic, 14 non-asthmatic) Saudi children 15 years old and below were included to participate in this crosssectional study. Each participant answered a generalized questionnaire with dietary questions. Serum PAH were measured using HPLC with UV detection. Results: Serum naphthalene and pyrene were significantly elevated among asthmatic children (p-values = 0.007 and 0.01, respectively). Serum acenaphthylene, fluorine and 1,2-benzanthracene, on the other hand, were significantly higher among non-asthmatics (p-values = 0.001, 0.04 and 0.03, respectively). There was a significant correlation between the presence of a smoker in the family and serum concentrations of carbazole, pyrene, 1,2-benzanthracene and benzacephenanthrylene (R = 0.37, 0.45, 0.43, 0.33; p-values = 0.01, 0.0002, 0.003 and 0.025, respectively). Significant correlations were elicited between daily meat intake and serum levels of acenaphthylene, benzopyrene and 1,2-benzanthracene (R = 0.27, 0.27, 0.33; p-values = 0.02 and < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Among the children, serum PAH were significantly correlated to meat intake as well as presence of smokers at home. Public health awareness should be enhanced by educating parents to take certain precautions at home, such as preventing indoor smoking and reducing the intake of grilled and smoked meat by children so as to decrease their exposure to carcinogenic PAH.

Dietary factors associated with lifetime asthma or hayfever diagnosis in Australian middle-aged and older adults: a cross-sectional study

“…Eating meats cooked at higher temperatures, such as barbecues and grilling, also increases the formation of PAHs [59]. Previous studies have shown blood levels of PAHs are significantly correlated with grilled and smoked meat intake among asthmatic children [61]. …”

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and pediatric asthma in children: a case–control study

“…Calibration curves were generated by plotting peak area versus concentration. Each subject’s sample was analyzed for a suite of 12 PAHs as previously described [23]. Analytical determination was conducted by using liquid-liquid extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD).…”

“…charcoal broiled meats and other smoked foods) [18]. Exposure to high levels of air pollutants has been associated with decreased lung function, asthma, nasal symptoms, bronchitis and sensitization to inhalant allergens in both children and adults [19-23]. These studies implicate traffic-related emissions, largely composed of diesel exhaust particles, trace metals, volatile organic com-pounds, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and PAHs in the development of respiratory symptoms, asthma or the onset of allergies.…”

Benzene exposure among auto-repair workers from workplace ambience: A pioneer study from Pakistan

“…Among all the areas visited during the survey, only 10% had satisfactory hygiene, whereas 90% places were under Blood benzene analysis and quality control parameters All the steps of the extraction were standardized, with making every possible effort to avoid contamination and to observe good laboratory practices. Samples standard concentrations were prepared and analyzed according to a previously reported method [12][13][14]. Calibration standards were prepared by serial dilutions in acetonitrile, from the stock.…”