Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Male Reproductive Health

Details

• Personal Author:
  Jeng A ; Pan C-H ; Sram R ; Wu M-T
• Description:
  The objective of this study was to examine whether polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from occupational exposure was associated with alterations of coke-oven workers' semen quality and sperm DNA integrity. The long term goals of the project were: i) to develop field data collection methods to monitor human occupational exposure to PAHs; ii) to evaluate the reproductive altering potential of the exposure; and iii) to ultimately distribute the information to protect workers' health and safety. The longitudinal study included repeated measurements to account for PAH exposure as it relates to their effect over the course of spermatogenesis. Features of this design included efficient control for confounding factors, accurate exposure ascertainment, and sufficient power to detect exposure related changes in reproductive indicators. A total of 85 human subjects (29 topside-oven workers for the high exposure group, 35 side-oven workers for the low exposure group, and 21 administrators and rolling-steel workers) voluntarily participated in this project. Semen quality (volume, pH, sperm concentration, morphology, motility, and vitality) was examined according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA integrity was examined by measuring DNA fragmentation and bulky DNA adducts. Exposure assessment was conducted to quantify PAH levels in the personal breathing zones and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene to depict PAH intake levels. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess correlations between PAH levels and semen quality, while controlling for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and metals. Research results show that coke-oven workers have been exposed to significant PAH levels despite the use of personal protection equipment. Exposure to PAHs at the levels detected in this study did not significantly change sperm concentration. Coke-oven workers, however, had a significant decrease in normal sperm morphology as compared with the control subjects. Topside-oven workers had a 16.6% and 22.5% reduction in mortality and vitality, respectively, as compared to the control. Regarding sperm DNA integrity, exposure to PAHs did not associate with decreased DNA fragmentation, but did associate with increased bulky DNA adduct levels. The findings of the study expand our understanding about the role of PAH exposure from coke oven emissions and male reproductive health. This information has proved useful in promoting improvement of workplace practices to protect the reproductive health of workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Hydrocarbons Men Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Safety Urogenital System
• Keywords:
  Coke Ovens Coke Oven Workers DNA Damage Longitudinal Study Occupational Exposure Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Reproductive Effects
• Series:
  Grant Final Reports
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Final Grant Report
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OEP - Office of Extramural Programs
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-48
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20059280
• NTIS Accession Number:
  PB2021-100110
• Citation:
  Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, R03-OH-009504, 2012 Dec; :1-48
• Contact Point Address:
  Anna Jeng, Sc.D., Old Dominion University, College of Health Sciences, School of Community and Environmental Health, 4608 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529
• Email:
  hjeng@odu.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2013
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Performing Organization:
  Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• End Date:
  20120831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3f624be62be579e2d4bdf9f14943fb25d5728316bbb59be5fb49b241834040ca1d6fc698a1cf446f653080f7394429ff08789ebb01e8de71471a44de25c50a59
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/218973/cdc_218973_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 801.16 KB ]