Evaluation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons as Biomarkers of Exposure to Diesel Exhaust in Tunnel Workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Boachie FK
• Description:
  Diesel exhaust emissions include levels of volatile organic compounds and particulates that can be harmful to the health of both humans and the environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are often associated with particulates and can be absorbed through dermal contact, inhalation or ingestion. Exposures to excess occupational amounts of diesel exhaust have been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer; however, research supporting a possible connection between diesel exhaust and bladder cancer has yet to be agreed upon. The current study measured diesel exhaust exposure of construction workers in the Elbe Tunnel in Hamburg, Germany. The study examined the validity of using urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) as a biomarker of exposure to diesel exhaust by determining a statistical association between levels of 1-HP and the presence of DNA adducts which may contribute to tumor induction. Thirty-five urine samples from construction workers were measured by analyzing the levels of 1-HP in worker's pre- and post-shift urine samples collected over a six week period. Urinary 1-HP was detected using HPLC fluorescence techniques. DNA adduct levels were measured in exfoliated urothelial cells using a 32P-postlabelling assay. Each sample was double-blinded and the identifiers were not released until the results were completed. All thirty-five samples analyzed for urinary 1-HP contained levels below both the ACGIH recommendation of 1 ug/L and the population background level of 0.2 ug/L. The pre- and post-shift data for urinary 1-HP levels showed no statistical significance. There was no observed statistical significant association between urinary 1-HP and DNA adducts. A weak negative association between 1-HP and DNA adducts was observed (Pearson r=-0.313). Due to the variation of the results in this study combined with the lack of additional information concerning confounding data, no conclusions can be made that support the relationship between urinary 1-HP and DNA adduct levels. This study was a precursor to a larger study that will evaluate PAH breathing zone exposure, hand wipes from exposed construction workers, DNA adduct levels and 1-HP levels to find a correlation between cumulative external dose and internal effect. These baseline data will be a precursor to further epidemiological studies that attempt to determine the potential connection between diesel exhaust exposure and risk of bladder cancer. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Biomarkers Construction Industry Hydrocarbons Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Safety
• Keywords:
  Bladder Cancer Construction Workers Diesel Exhaust Exposure Assessment Occupational Exposure Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Tunnel Workers
• Publisher:
  University of Cincinnati
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Thesis
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-32
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058770
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati, 2012 May; :1-32
• CAS Registry Number:
  1-Hydroxypyrene (CAS RN 5315-79-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2012
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20090901
• Source Full Name:
  Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as biomarkers of exposure to diesel exhaust in tunnel workers
• End Date:
  20120831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:4d99f187224e180fac13e367a7748c5cf502332fd1c4af1c3a48a9430f39d1e81a859c7be5dca984a0a01d212a406f8885f875c05370c34b4d69a75577af0e32
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/223168/cdc_223168_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 564.58 KB ]