Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon retention indices on SE-54 stationary phase of the volatile components of a coal tar pitch

Gas Chromatography/Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization-Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry of Pyrolysis Oil from German Brown Coal

Pyrolysis oil from the slow pyrolysis of German brown coal from Schöningen, obtained at a temperature of 500°C, was separated and analyzed using hyphenation of gas chromatography with an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization source operated in negative ion mode and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (GC-APCI-FT-ICR-MS). Development of this ultrahigh-resolving analysis method is described, that is, optimization of specific GC and APCI parameters and performed data processing. The advantages of GC-APCI-FT-ICR-MS hyphenation, for example, soft ionization, ultrahigh-resolving detection, and most important isomer separation, were demonstrated for the sample liquid. For instance, it was possible to separate and identify nine different propylphenol, ethylmethylphenol, and trimethylphenol isomers. Furthermore, homologous series of different acids, for example, alkyl and alkylene carboxylic acids, were verified, as well as homologous series of alkyl phenols, alkyl dihydroxy benzenes, and alkoxy alkyl phenols.

Oxidative stress modulation by Rosmarinus officinalis in creosote-induced hepatotoxicity

Coal tar is a significant product generated from coal pyrolysis. Coal tar can be utilized as raw materials for various industries. It is also a type of raw material from which phenols, naphthalenes, and anthracene can be extracted. The present study was designed to investigate the possibility of coal tar creosote to induce oxidative stress and biochemical perturbations in rat liver and the role of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in ameliorating its toxic effects. Male Wister Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups of seven each, group I served as control; group II treated with rosemary (10 mL of water extract/kg BW for 21 days), group III received coal tar creosote (200 mg/4 mL olive oil/kg BW for 3 days), and group IV treated with both rosemary and coal tar creosote. The administration of coal tar creosote significantly caused elevation in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction in the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST). A significant decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) content was also observed. Liver aminotransferases aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)] and alkaline phosphatase (AlP) were significantly decreased while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was increased. Rosemary pretreatment to coal tar creosote-treated rats decreased LPO level and normalized GPx, GR, SOD, CAT, and GST activities, while GSH content was increased. Also, liver AST, ALT, AlP, and LDH were maintained near normal level due to rosemary treatment. In conclusion, rosemary has beneficial effects and could be able to antagonize coal tar creosote toxicity.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in gas and particle phases and source determination in atmospheric samples from a semiurban area of Dourados, Brazil

A headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) procedure that employs a PDMS/DVB fiber was developed for the analysis of gas-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) collected in polyurethane foam (PUF) by gas chromatography (GC) mass spectrometry. The method exhibited good linearity (R (2) > 0.99) and repeatability (4.9-25 %) as well as an impressive detection limit that ranged from 1.1 to 3.3 ng. Twenty-two air samples were collected by high-volume samplers from January to November 2007 in a semiurban area of Dourados (Brazil) and were analyzed for their content of total suspended particulates and PAHs. The PAHs were extracted from the PUF samples using the developed procedure (HS-SPME), and PAHs adsorbed on particulate matter were extracted with dichloromethane/methanol (4:1 [v/v]) in an ultrasonic bath. The values of the total daily concentrations of 16 PAHs determined in the samples ranged from 0.375 to 8.407 ng m(-3). In addition, diagnostic ratios were calculated, showing that the PAHs in the atmosphere at the sampling site originated predominantly from vehicle emissions and the combustion of grass and wood. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were performed as well, the results of which indicated (1) the same sources of PAH identified by the diagnostic ratios and (2) that the sampling days could be categorized into three groups depending on the atmospheric conditions. GC retention indices were also used to identify PAHs, biphenyl (phenylbenzene), and heterocyclic organic compounds (benzofurans) in some of the samples.

Coal tar creosote abuse by vapour inhalation presenting with renal impairment and neurotoxicity: a case report

A 56 year old aromatherapist presented with advanced renal failure following chronic coal tar creosote vapour inhalation, and a chronic tubulo-interstitial nephritis was identified on renal biopsy. Following dialysis dependence occult inhalation continued, resulting in seizures, ataxia, cognitive impairment and marked generalised cerebral atrophy. We describe for the first time a case of creosote abuse by chronic vapour inhalation, resulting in significant morbidity. Use of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-containing wood preservative coal tar creosote is restricted by many countries due to concerns over environmental contamination and carcinogenicity. This case demonstrates additional toxicities not previously reported with coal tar creosote, and emphasizes the health risks of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure.

Sources of interference in field studies of diesel exhaust emissions

This article describes interferences encountered in a variety of occupational settings during industrial hygiene surveys of diesel particulate material (DPM) using the NIOSH 5040 Method. The method yields time-weighted-average measurements of elemental carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), and total carbon (TC = EC + OC). NIOSH recommends EC as proxy for DPM, but other agencies (e.g., MSHA) regulate exposure as TC. Surveys were conducted in an engine factory and a wood treatment plant where diesel equipment was used, and in a foundry where its use was being considered. Full shift samples were collected using open-faced cassettes and cyclones fitted with 37-mm quartz fiber filters analyzed by the NIOSH 5040 Method. Non-DPM-related interferences were noted for both the OC and EC. In the engine factory and wood treatment facility, OC measurements were very high (range of 10.0-1600 microg/m(3)), while EC levels were mostly below the LOD. These findings almost certainly reflect interferences by cutting oil mists and airborne creosote respectively. In the foundry, EC levels were high and comprised mainly of larger (>4 microm) particles (open face samples: arithmetic mean = 136 microg/m(3), geometric mean = 74.0 microg/m(3); cyclone samples: arithmetic mean = 30.2 microg/m(3), geometric mean = 14.7 microg/m(3)). These findings suggest that OC interferences should be suspected if the EC:TC ratio is <0.35 and, if DPM surveys are performed with open-faced samplers, at least a small number of size-selective samplers should be employed to assure that results do not reflect EC interference by larger (i.e., >1-4 microm) particles. They also support the ACGIH decision to modify its proposed DPM TLV to specifically consider elemental carbon, rather than total carbon.

Biological versus ambient exposure monitoring of creosote facility workers

Traditional methods for monitoring occupational creosote exposure have focused on inhalation. However, there is evidence that dermal exposure contributes importantly to total systemic dose, as measured by biological monitoring methods. This study was conducted to further characterize the relationships between inhalation and dermal exposures to creosote, and to compare traditional ambient exposure monitoring versus biological monitoring in 36 creosote-exposed wood treatment workers. Full-shift personal air samples were obtained, along with post-shift and next-day urine measurements for 1-hydroxypyrene. There was little or no correlation between airborne measures and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (r2 = 0.05 to 0.35). More than 90% of 1-hydroxypyrene could be attributed to dermal exposure. These data indicate that traditional monitoring methods may be inappropriate for creosote workers, raising concerns about the adequacy of methods currently mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Polycyclic aromatic compounds: extraction and determination in food

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in general, comprise the largest class of known environmental carcinogens. Reports of some studies of total diet in a number of developed countries indicate that food constitutes an important source of exposure of man to PACs, although other authors have shown the need to develop accurate data, in order that the overall public health hazard may be effectively evaluated and controlled. In this context, this review aims to give an overview of methods used to determine the PAC content of foodstuffs. At first, the nature, classification and derived compounds of PAHs are considered. Likewise, the occurrence of PAHs in processed and in non-processed foods is shown. The main causes are environmental contamination and the utilization of procedures which give rise to the presence of PACs during the processing, preservation, and packaging of foods. Octanol: water partition coefficients of PACs and their relationships with some properties, such as aqueous solubility and bioaccumulation, are considered. The solubility of complex mixtures of PACs in several organic solvents and the different methods for extraction and isolation of the PAC-fraction from foodstuffs are reviewed. The methodologies used for the separation, identification and quantitative determination also are briefly considered.