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Clauzel A, Persoons R, Maître A, Balducci F, Petit P. Review of environmental airborne pyrene/benzo[a]pyrene levels from industrial emissions for the improvement of 1-hydroxypyrene biomonitoring interpretation. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2024; 27:212-232. [PMID: 38845364 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2024.2362632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous pollutants of significant public health concern, with several that are highly toxic to humans, including some proven or suspected carcinogens. To account for the high variability of PAH mixtures encountered in occupational settings, adjusting urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels by the total airborne pyrene (PyrT)/benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) ratio is essential for human biomonitoring (HBM). Given the complexity and cost of systematically monitoring atmospheric levels, alternative approaches to simultaneous airborne and HBM are required. The aim of this review was to catalog airborne PyrT/BaP ratios measured during different industrial activities and recommend 1-OHP-dedicated biological guidance values (BGV). A literature search was conducted. Seventy-one studies were included, with 5619 samples pertaining to 15 industrial sectors, 79 emission processes, and 213 occupational activities. This review summarized more than 40 years of data from almost 20 countries and highlighted the diversity and evolution of PAH emissions. PyrT/BaP ratios were highly variable, ranging from 0.8 in coke production to nearly 40 in tire and rubber production. A single PyrT/BaP value cannot apply to all occupational contexts, raising the question of the relevance of defining a single biological limit value for 1-OHP in industrial sectors where the PyrT/BaP ratio variability is high. Based upon the inventory, a practical approach is proposed for systematic PAH exposure and risk assessment, with a simple frame to follow based upon specific 1-OHP BGVs depending upon the occupational context and setup of a free PAH HBM interactive tool.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anne Maître
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | | | - Pascal Petit
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Grenoble, France
- Universite Grenoble Alpes, AGEIS, Grenoble, France
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McCormick S, Snawder JE, Chen IC, Slone J, Calafat AM, Wang Y, Meng L, Alexander-Scott M, Breitenstein M, Johnson B, Meadows J, Fairfield Estill C. Exposure assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in refined coal tar sealant applications. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 242:113971. [PMID: 35472749 PMCID: PMC9169065 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Refined coal tar sealant (RCTS) emulsions are used to seal the surface of asphalt pavement. Nine of the 22 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) evaluated in this study are classified as known, probable, or possible human carcinogens. Exposure assessment research for RCTS workers has not been published previously. OBJECTIVES The overall objective of this study was to develop a representative occupational exposure assessment of PAH exposure for RCTS workers based on worksite surveys. The specific aims were to: 1) quantify full-shift airborne occupational exposures to PAHs among RCTS workers; 2) quantify workers' dermal exposures to PAHs; 3) quantify biomarkers of PAH exposure in workers' urine; 4) identify specific job titles associated with RCTS exposure; and 5) apply these results to a biological exposure index to assess risk of potential genotoxicity from occupational exposures. METHODS A total of twenty-one RCTS workers were recruited from three companies. Personal and area air samples were collected using a modification of NIOSH Method 5515. Dermal exposure was assessed by hand and neck wipes before and after shifts. Twenty-two PAHs were quantified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry selected ion monitoring. Internal dose was estimated by quantifying select PAH metabolites in pre- and post-shift urine samples using on-line solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS PAH levels in the worker breathing zones were highest for naphthalene, acenaphthene, and phenanthrene, with geometric means of 52.1, 11.4, and 9.8 μg/m3, respectively. Hand wipe levels of phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene were the highest among the 22 PAHs with geometric means of 7.9, 7.7, and 5.5 μg/cm2, respectively. Urinary PAH biomarkers for naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene were detected in all workers and were higher for post-shift samples than those collected pre-shift. Urinary concentrations of the metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene were greater than the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Biological Exposure Index (BEI) for this metabolite in 89 percent of post-shift samples collected on the final day of the work week or field survey. Statistically significances were found between concentrations of fluorene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene in the breathing zone of workers and their corresponding urinary PAH biomarkers. Workers were placed in two work place exposure groups: applicators and non-applicators. Applicators had higher total PAH concentrations in personal breathing zone (PBZ) air samples than non-applicators and were more likely to have post-shift hand wipe concentrations significantly higher than pre-shift concentrations. Concentrations of post-shift urinary biomarkers were higher, albeit not significantly, for applicators than non-applicators. CONCLUSIONS The exposure results from RCTS worker samples cannot be explained by proximal factors such as nearby restaurants or construction. Air and skin concentration levels were substantially higher for RCTS workers than previously published levels among asphalt workers for all PAHs. PAH profiles on skin wipes were more consistent with RCTS sealant product than air samples. Last day post-shift urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene greatly exceeded the ACGIH BEI benchmark of 2.5 μg/L in 25 of 26 samples, which suggests occupational exposure and risk of genotoxicity. When pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene were both detected, concentration ratios from personal exposure samples were used to calculate the adjusted BEI. Concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene exceeded the adjusted BEIs for air, hand wipes, and neck wipes in most cases. These results indicate the need to increase safety controls and exposure mitigation for RCTS workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth McCormick
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA.
| | - John E Snawder
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - I-Chen Chen
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | | | - Antonia M Calafat
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Yuesong Wang
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Lei Meng
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA, 30341, USA
| | - Marissa Alexander-Scott
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - Michael Breitenstein
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - Belinda Johnson
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - Juliana Meadows
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
| | - Cheryl Fairfield Estill
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1090 Tusculum Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226, USA
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Champmartin C, Jeandel F, Monnier H. Maintenance of Low-Pressure Carburising Furnaces: A Source of PAH Exposure. Ann Work Expo Health 2017; 61:321-332. [PMID: 28355413 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxw024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Low-pressure carburising is a new technology used to harden steel; the process has been shown to be a source of considerable polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) pollution. Some PAH are carcinogenic, and activities such as furnace maintenance may thus represent a risk to workers. Occupational exposure during these operations should therefore be assessed. Methods In this study, the PAH-related carcinogenic risk associated with furnace maintenance was assessed by monitoring atmospheric levels of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), a representative marker, alongside urinary levels of 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3-OHBaP), one of its metabolites. PAH exposure levels were monitored during seven sampling campaigns in four different factories specialized in heat-treatment of mechanical workpieces for the automotive and helicopter industries. Two types of furnace were studied, and 37 individuals were monitored. Results Values up to 20-fold the French regulatory value of 150 ng/m3 for atmospheric BaP, and, for urinary 3-OHBaP values up to 40-fold the French biological limit value (BLV) of 0.35 nmol/mol of creatinine were detected. Very high concentrations of BaP, close to or even exceeding those found in coal-tar pitch (up to about 20 g/kg), were measured in residues (tars, dusts) deposited inside the furnace. Even when adequate and suitable personal protective equipment was used, urinary 3-OHBaP values often exceeded the BLV. We hypothesize that this exposure is linked to insidious and fortuitous dermal contamination through contact with factory equipment and staining.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Champmartin
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), 1, rue du Morvan, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy 54519, France
| | - Fanny Jeandel
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), 1, rue du Morvan, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy 54519, France
| | - Hubert Monnier
- Institut National de Recherche et de Sécurité (INRS), 1, rue du Morvan, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy 54519, France
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Lee DG, Lavoué J, Spinelli JJ, Burstyn I. Statistical Modeling of Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Using OSHA Data. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2015; 12:729-742. [PMID: 26011057 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2015.1043049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of pollutants with multiple variants classified as carcinogenic. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provided access to two PAH exposure databanks of United States workplace compliance testing data collected between 1979 and 2010. Mixed-effects logistic models were used to predict the exceedance fraction (EF), i.e., the probability of exceeding OSHA's Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL = 0.2 mg/m3) for PAHs based on industry and occupation. Measurements of coal tar pitch volatiles were used as a surrogate for PAHs. Time, databank, occupation, and industry were included as fixed-effects while an identifier for the compliance inspection number was included as a random effect. Analyses involved 2,509 full-shift personal measurements. Results showed that the majority of industries had an estimated EF < 0.5, although several industries, including Standardized Industry Classification codes 1623 (Water, Sewer, Pipeline, and Communication and Powerline Construction), 1711 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning), 2824 (Manmade Organic Fibres), 3496 (Misc. Fabricated Wire products), and 5812 (Eating Places), and Major group's 13 (Oil and Gas Extraction) and 30 (Rubber and Miscellaneous Plastic Products), were estimated to have more than an 80% likelihood of exceeding the PEL. There was an inverse temporal trend of exceeding the PEL, with lower risk in most recent years, albeit not statistically significant. Similar results were shown when incorporating occupation, but varied depending on the occupation as the majority of industries predicted at the administrative level, e.g., managers, had an estimated EF < 0.5 while at the minimally skilled/laborer level there was a substantial increase in the estimated EF. These statistical models allow the prediction of PAH exposure risk through individual occupational histories and will be used to create a job-exposure matrix for use in a population-based case-control study exploring PAH exposure and breast cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derrick G Lee
- a School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
- b Cancer Control Research, British Columbia Cancer Agency , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Jérôme Lavoué
- c Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Université de Montreal , Montreal , Québec , Canada
- d University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM) , Montreal , Québec , Canada
| | - John J Spinelli
- a School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
- b Cancer Control Research, British Columbia Cancer Agency , Vancouver , British Columbia , Canada
| | - Igor Burstyn
- e Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Drexel University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
- f Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Drexel University , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania
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Andersen ME, Al-Zoughool M, Croteau M, Westphal M, Krewski D. The future of toxicity testing. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART B, CRITICAL REVIEWS 2010; 13:163-196. [PMID: 20574896 DOI: 10.1080/10937404.2010.483933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In 2007, the U.S. National Research Council (NRC) released a report, "Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century: A Vision and a Strategy," that proposes a paradigm shift for toxicity testing of environmental agents. The vision is based on the notion that exposure to environmental agents leads to adverse health outcomes through the perturbation of toxicity pathways that are operative in humans. Implementation of the NRC vision will involve a fundamental change in the assessment of toxicity of environmental agents, moving away from adverse health outcomes observed in experimental animals to the identification of critical perturbations of toxicity pathways. Pathway perturbations will be identified using in vitro assays and quantified for dose response using methods in computational toxicology and other recent scientific advances in basic biology. Implementation of the NRC vision will require a major research effort, not unlike that required to successfully map the human genome, extending over 10 to 20 years, involving the broad scientific community to map important toxicity pathways operative in humans. This article provides an overview of the scientific tools and technologies that will form the core of the NRC vision for toxicity testing. Of particular importance will be the development of rapidly performed in vitro screening assays using human cells and cell lines or human tissue surrogates to efficiently identify environmental agents producing critical pathway perturbations. In addition to the overview of the NRC vision, this study documents the reaction by a number of stakeholder groups since 2007, including the scientific, risk assessment, regulatory, and animal welfare communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melvin E Andersen
- Hamner Institutes for Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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