Evaluation of 1-Nitropyrene as a Marker of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in an Underground Mine

Details

• Personal Author:
  Carpenter E ; Paulsen M ; Sheppard L ; Siexas N ; Simpson C ; Spear T ; Stephenson D ; Zamzow E
• Description:
  Evaluation of 1-Nitropyrene as a marker of exposure to diesel exhaust in an underground mine. Elevated exposure to diesel exhaust (DE) is widespread and has been linked to adverse health outcomes including respiratory irritation, cardiovascular disease, immune dysfunction and lung cancer. Underground miners experience amongst the highest exposures to DE of any occupation. Thus, miners are at high risk for suffering adverse health effects associated with DE exposure. MSHA currently mandates measurement of elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) to assess workers exposures to DE in underground metal/nonmetal mines. However, limitations in the specificity and reliability of these metrics of DE exposure hamper quantitative evaluation of links between DE exposure and adverse health outcomes. The DE-specific chemical 1-nitropyrene (1-NP) has been suggested as a potential alternative marker of exposure to DE. In the current study we compared personal exposures to EC, TC and 1-NP amongst a cohort of 20 workers at a large underground metal mine that uses diesel engines fueled with B70 blend biodiesel. Full shift personal air samples were collected on eight occasions from each worker using a PTFE filter downstream of a GS-3 cyclone, and an MSHA compliant SKC DPM impactor downstream of a GS-1 cyclone pre-filter. Personal exposures to EC ranged between 1.69-101 ug/m3, whereas for 1-NP the exposures ranged between 0.90-497 pg/m3. Regression analysis of the relationship between 1-NP vs. EC and TC yields an 8.7% increase in geometric mean (GM) 1-NP for each 10% increase in GM EC (p<0.001) and a 13.3% increase per in GM 1-NP per 10% increase in GM TC (p<0.001). These data indicate that in this workplace where DE is anticipated to be the only source of EC, a strong association exists between 1-NP and EC. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomarkers Carcinogens Environmental Exposure Environmental Monitoring Hazardous Substances Mining Occupational Health Particulate Matter Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Vehicle Emissions Workplace

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• Keywords:
  1-Nitropyrene A-analytical Methods A-sampling Methods Air Monitoring Air Sampling Author Keywords: C-air B-particulate Matter Biological Effects Biological Function D-occupational Diesel Emissions Diesel Exhausts Exposure Levels Filters Health Effects Health Hazards Metal Mining Methylene Chloride Miners Mining Equipment Mining Industry Monitoring Systems Particle Size Particulates Risk Factors Sampling Underground Miners Underground Mines Underground Mining Work Environment Workers

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• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Idaho ; Montana ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 8 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20049776
• Citation:
  25th Annual Conference of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES 2015), October 18-21, 2015, Henderson, Nevada. Herndon, VA: International Society of Exposure Science, 2015 Oct; :193
• CAS Registry Number:
  1-Nitropyrene (CAS RN 5522-43-0) ; Carbon (CAS RN 7440-44-0) ; Dichloromethane (CAS RN 75-09-2)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20130901
• Source Full Name:
  25th Annual Conference of the International Society of Exposure Science (ISES 2015), October 18-21, 2015, Henderson, Nevada
• End Date:
  20150831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:139d4db4dd4afd72904d057be0c75eaff052b2eaa6faeae43fd87c10fb7a5f9f26ec34780b661017e63a67f0d6a0b4a0e62d04324b5dba9b552d480458b140d2
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/210411/cdc_210411_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 5.06 MB ]