Comparing Urinary Biomarkers of Airborne and Dermal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds in Asphalt-Exposed Workers

• DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mep042
• Publication Date: 2009-07-15T01:39:51Z
• Authors: Jon R. Sobus; Michael D. McClean; Robert F. Herrick; Suramya Waidyanatha; Leena A. Nylander...; Lawrence L. Kupper; Stephen M. Rappaport
• Keywords: Inhalation exposure

When working with hot mix asphalt, road pavers are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) through the inhalation of vapors and particulate matter (PM) dermal contact PM contaminated surfaces. Several PAHs four six rings potent carcinogens which reside in these emissions. Since urinary biomarkers large rarely detectable asphalt workers, attention has focused upon levels more volatile abundant two-ring three-ring as potential PAH exposure. Here, we compare compounds (P-PACs, a group containing heterocyclic or rings) air patch samples from 20 corresponding naphthalene (U-Nap) (two rings), phenanthrene (U-Phe) (three monohydroxylated metabolites (OH-Nap) (OH-Phe), 1-hydroxypyrene (OH-Pyr) (four most widely used biomarker For each worker, daily breathing-zone (n = 55) 56) were collected on three consecutive workdays along postshift, bedtime, morning urine 149). Measured P-PACs analytes statistically model exposure–biomarker relationships while controlling for creatinine, smoking status, age, body mass index, timing sampling. Levels OH-Phe at following all significantly associated samples. U-Nap, U-Phe, OH-Pyr, both measurements significant predictors postshift levels, bedtime (all analytes) (U-Nap OH-Pyr only). Significant effects creatinine concentration observed analytes, modest status index U-Phe respectively. OH-Nap not P-PAC but affected by day sample collection, creatinine. We conclude that OH-Phe, can be exposure emissions, being promising candidate. Indications well into evening after given work shift, combined small ratios within-person variance components between-person suggest may useful investigating exposures.