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Urinary 1‐hydroxypyrene concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers relative to job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking
Author(s) -
Chen Bo,
Hu Yunping,
Zheng Lixing,
Wang Qiangyi,
Zhou Yuanfen,
Jin Taiyi
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20502
Subject(s) - respirator , medicine , urine , creatinine , urinary system , coke oven , body mass index , cigarette smoking , toxicology , zoology , coke , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Background 1‐Hydroxypyrene (1‐OHP) is a biomarker of recent exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We investigated whether urinary 1‐OHP concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers (COWs) are modulated by job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking. Methods The present cross‐sectional study measured urinary 1‐OHP concentrations in 197 COWs from Coking plant I and 250 COWs from Coking plant II, as well as 220 unexposed referents from Control plant I and 56 referents from Control plant II. Results Urinary 1‐OHP concentrations (geometric mean, µmol/mol creatinine) were 5.18 and 4.21 in workers from Coking plants I and II, respectively. The highest 1‐OHP levels in urine were found among topside workers including lidmen, tar chasers, and whistlers. Benchmen had higher 1‐OHP levels than other workers at the sideoven. Above 75% of the COWs exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of 2.3 µmol/mol creatinine. Respirator usage and increased body mass index (BMI) slightly reduced 1‐OHP levels in COWs ( P < 0.1). Cigarette smoking significantly increased urinary 1‐OHP levels in unexposed referents ( P < 0.005), but had no effect in COWs ( P > 0.1). Conclusions Chinese COWs, especially topside workers and benchmen, are exposed to high levels of PAHs. Urinary 1‐OHP concentrations appear to be modulated by respirator usage and BMI in COWs, as well as by smoking in unexposed referents. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:657–663, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.