1
|
Xu F, Wang B, Hu J, Cai N, Han L, Jiang M, Zhao Y, Zhu B. Optimization of benzene exposure risk assessment: An integrated approach utilizing internal and external concentrations with a focus on biomarkers S-PMA & t, t-MA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171719. [PMID: 38490405 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
In the majority of occupational settings within China, the concentrations of benzene are observed to fall markedly below the demarcated detection thresholds. Employing traditional risk assessment models, the presence of exceptionally low airborne benzene exposure concentrations may infuse heightened degrees of uncertainty. Consequently, the necessity arises to investigate risk assessment methodologies more apt for the prevalent exposure environment among employees. In the present study, a pharmacokinetic model premised on urinary benzene metabolites (S-PMA and t, t-MA) was employed to ascertain a more precise daily airborne benzene exposure concentration per individual. This value was integrated into the linear multistage model as the 'internal exposure concentration'. In conjunction with the U.S National Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) inhalation risk assessment model predicated on the external exposure concentration, the Singapore Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) model, and the linear multistage (LMS) model, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects of benzene were evaluated for 1781 benzene-exposed employees across 76 enterprises in Jiangsu Province. Findings suggest that in the linear multilevel model assessment, the cancer risk levels based on t, t-MA and S-PMA were higher in the printing and recording media reproduction industry, automobile manufacturing industry, general equipment manufacturing industry and the furniture manufacturing industry (median 2.842 × 10-4, 2.819 × 10-4, 2.809 × 10-4, and 2.678 × 10-4), which align more consistently with the actual benzene exposure circumstances of each industry's study participants, with overall risk levels calculated by the linear multistage model exceeding those of the EPA inhalation risk assessment model and the MOM model. This implies that the linear multistage model of internal exposure, based on the reciprocal of benzene biomarkers S-PMA and t, t-MA for airborne benzene exposure, presents enhanced sensitivity and suitability for the current occupational health risk assessment of workers. Without doubt, biomarker-based benzene exposure risk assessment emerges as the optimal choice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fanwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Boshen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Preventive Medical Association, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Juan Hu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Na Cai
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Lei Han
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Preventive Medical Association, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Minyun Jiang
- Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Baoli Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China; Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Preventive Medical Association, Nanjing 210000, Jiangsu, China; Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schettgen T, Belov V, Kraus T, Ziegler P. A novel method for the accurate quantification of two isomeric mercapturic acids of 1,3-dichlorobenzene in human urine using isotope dilution online-SPE-LC-MS/MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2024; 1234:124034. [PMID: 38306955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
1,3-dichlorobenzene (1,3-DCB) is an aromatic solvent that might be formed during thermal decomposition of bis(2,4-dichlorobenzoyl)peroxide used as initiator in silicone rubber production with many workers exposed worldwide. During metabolism of 1,3-DCB, two isomeric mercapturic acids can be formed from ring oxidation of 1,3-DCB in the liver, namely 2,4-dichlorophenylmercapturic acid (24CPhMA) and 3,5-dichlorophenylmercapturic acid (35CPhMA). These urinary mercapturic acids might serve as biomarkers of the toxicologically relevant absorbed dose of 1,3-DCB and have not been determined so far. Thus, we were aimed to develop an analytical method for quantification of these biomarkers. Authentic standards of both mercapturic acids as well as deuterium-labelled analogues were self-synthesized. A method for the quantification of both CPhMAs in human urine using online-SPE LC/MS/MS was developed and validated with an LOQ of 0.1 ng mL-1 for both CPhMAs. The analytes were extracted from urine by online-SPE on a restricted access material phase, transferred to the analytical column and quantified by tandem mass spectrometry. Interday (n = 6) and Intraday (n = 10) precision for both CPhMAs ranged from 1.7 to 4.3 % with accuracies between 99.4 and 109.9 % at concentrations of 0.6 and 3 ng mL-1. We applied the method on post-shift urine samples of 16 workers of the silicone rubber industry with occupational exposure to 1,3-DCB. Both CPhMAs were above LOQ in 15 of 16 urine samples with median levels (range) for 24CPhMA and 35CPhMA of 1.64 ng mL-1 (<0.1 - 8.2 ng mL-1) and 3.98 ng mL-1 (0.36 - 24.1 ng mL-1), respectively. This is the first report on specific urinary mercapturic acids of 1,3-DCB in humans. Our results show that ring oxidation of 1,3-DCB is considered to be a toxicologically relevant metabolic pathway in humans. This might improve risk assessment of 1,3-DCB-emissions in silicone rubber industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - V Belov
- Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Facility for Synthetic Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - T Kraus
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - P Ziegler
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moghadasi A, Yousefinejad S, Soleimani E. False positives and false negatives in benzene biological monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117836. [PMID: 38065394 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Benzene is a commonly used industrial chemical that is a significant environmental pollutant. Occupational health specialists and industrial toxicologists are concerned with determining the exact amount of exposure to chemicals in the workplace. There are two main approaches to assess chemical exposure; air monitoring and biological monitoring. Air monitoring has limitations, which biological monitoring overcomes and could be used as a supplement to it. However, there are several factors that influence biological monitoring results. It would be possible to assess exposure more accurately if these factors were taken into account. This study aimed to review published papers for recognizing and discussing parameters that could affect benzene biological monitoring. Two types of effects can be distinguished: positive and negative effects. Factors causing positive effects will increase the metabolite concentration in urine more than expected. Furthermore, the parameters that decrease the urinary metabolite level were referred to as false negatives. From the papers, sixteen influential factors were extracted that might affect benzene biological monitoring results. Identified factors were clarified in terms of their nature and mechanism of action. It is also important to note that some factors influence the quantity and quality of the influence of other factors. As a result of this study, a decision-making protocol was developed for interpreting the final results of benzene biological monitoring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Moghadasi
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Yousefinejad
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Esmaeel Soleimani
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rahimpoor R, Jalilian H, Mohammadi H, Rahmani A. Biological exposure indices of occupational exposure to benzene: A systematic review. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21576. [PMID: 38027568 PMCID: PMC10660043 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The current study aimed to systematically review the studies concerning the biological monitoring of benzene exposure in occupational settings. A systematic literature review was conducted in Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Medline from 1985 through July 2021. We included peer-reviewed original articles that investigated the association between occupational exposure to benzene and biological monitoring. We identified 4786 unique citations, of which 64 cross-sectional, one case-control, and one cohort study met our inclusion criteria. The most studied biomarkers were urinary trans-trans muconic acid, S- phenyl mercapturic acid, and urinary benzene, respectively. We found the airborne concentration of benzene as a key indicator for choosing a suitable biomarker. We suggest considering urinary benzene at low (0.5-5.0 TLV), urinary SPMA and TTMA at medium (5.0-25 and 25-50 TLV, respectively), and urinary phenol and hydroquinone and catechol at very high concentrations (500 and 1000 TLV ≤, respectively). Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase and oral intake of sorbic acid have confounding effects on the level of U-SPMA and U-TTMA, respectively. The airborne concentration, smoking habit, oral consumption of sorbic acid, and genetic polymorphism of workers should be considered in order to choose the appropriate indicator for biological monitoring of benzene exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Razzagh Rahimpoor
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Research Center for Health Sciences, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| | - Hamed Jalilian
- School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Heidar Mohammadi
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Research Center for Health Sciences, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| | - Abdulrasoul Rahmani
- Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Research Center for Health Sciences, School of Health, Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cheng PK, Ponnusamy VK, Prakasham K, Huang HI, Chang WT, Huang PC. Exposure and risk assessment of urinary trans, trans-Muconic acid in school-age children in the vicinity of a petrochemical complex in Central Taiwan. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1234823. [PMID: 37732090 PMCID: PMC10507417 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1234823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
School-age children living near large petrochemical factories may be at high risk of exposure to benzene released during manufacturing processes. We aimed to investigate the urinary concentrations of trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in school-age children living near a petrochemical complex and to estimate their cumulative risk of benzene exposure. We examined an established cohort (Taiwan Petrochemical Complex Cohort for Children, TPE3C) of school-age children (aged 6-13 years) who lived near large petrochemical factories in central Taiwan between October 2013 and September 2014. The cohort comprised 297 children from five elementary schools, namely S.-C. Branch (n = 63, school A, ~0.9 km), F.-A. (n = 51, school B, ~2.7 km), C.-T. (n = 63, school C, ~5.5 km), M.-L. (n = 54, school D, ~6.9 km), and L.-F. (n = 66, school E, ~8.6 km). We analyzed the urinary t,t-MA levels of each participant and estimated their daily intake of benzene. We also performed multiple regression analysis to investigate potential risk factors for a high urinary t,t-MA level in the study cohort. The median urinary t,t-MA levels and median estimated benzene daily intake of the children from each school were as follows: school A, 64.07 ng/mL, 11.13 μg/kg/day; school B, 61.01 ng/mL, 15.32 μg/kg/day; school C, 59.38 ng/mL, 14.81 μg/kg/day; school D, 42.35 ng/mL, 11.67 μg/kg/day; school E, undetected, 0.14 μg/kg/day. The distance between a school and a petrochemical complex (greater distance: β = -0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.52 to 0.00, p = 0.053), and the age of the children (older age: β = -3.44, 95% CI = -5.90 to -1.46, p < 0.001) were identified as potential risk factors. After confounders were adjusted for, the creatinine adjusted urinary t,t-MA levels of the school-age children tended to be lower when the distance between their school and a petrochemical complex was greater.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Po-Keng Cheng
- Department of Finance and Cooperative Management, National Taipei University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, and Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital (KMUH), Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Karthikeyan Prakasham
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, and Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-I Huang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Ting Chang
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chin Huang
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, and Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
Historically, benzene has been widely used in a large variety of applications. Occupational exposure limits (OELs) were set for benzene as it was found to be acutely toxic, causing central nervous system depression at high exposures. OELs were lowered when it was discovered that chronic exposure to benzene could cause haematotoxicity. After confirmation that benzene is a human carcinogen causing acute myeloid leukaemia and possibly other blood malignancies, OEL were further lowered. The industrial application of benzene as solvent is almost completely discontinued but it is still used as feedstock for the production of other materials, such as styrene. Occupational exposure to benzene may also occur since it is present in crude oil, natural gas condensate and a variety of petroleum products and because benzene can be formed in combustion of organic material. In the past few years, lower OELs for benzene in the range of 0.05-0.25 ppm have been proposed or were already established to protect workers from benzene-induced cancer. The skin is an important potential route of exposure and relatively more important at lower OELs. Consequently, human biomonitoring - which integrates all exposure routes - is routinely applied to control overall exposure to benzene. Several potential biomarkers have been proposed and investigated. For compliance check of the current low OELs, urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA), urinary benzene and blood benzene are feasible biomarkers. S-PMA appears to be the most promising biomarker but proper validation of biomarker levels corresponding to airborne benzene concentrations below 0.25 ppm are needed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Boogaard
- AFSG - Division of Toxicology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cui S, Pang B, Yan H, Wu B, Li M, Xing C, Li J. Using Urinary Biomarkers to Estimate the Benzene Exposure Levels in Individuals Exposed to Benzene. TOXICS 2022; 10:636. [PMID: 36355928 PMCID: PMC9698901 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Urinary benzene metabolites trans, trans-muconic acid (t, t-MA), and S-phenyl mercapturic acid (S-PMA) are often used as biomarkers of internal exposure to benzene. However, there are few reports on using urinary benzene metabolites to estimate airborne benzene concentrations in individuals exposed to benzene. In this study, t, t-MA, and S-PMA were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS, and a simple pharmacokinetic model was used to calculate the daily intake (DI) of benzene based on the levels of urinary t, t-MA, and S-PMA in occupational individuals. The back-calculated airborne benzene levels (BCABL) were obtained from the DI of benzene. Among the exposed subjects (n = 84), the median BCABL (3.67 mg/m3) based on t, t-MA was very close to the median level of measured airborne benzene (3.27 mg/m3, p = 0.171), and there was no effect of smoking or dietary habits on t, t-MA-based BCABL. In the control subjects (n = 49), the levels of measured airborne benzene were all below the quantitation limit (0.024 mg/m3), and the BCABL (0.002-0.25 mg/m3) calculated by S-PMA was close to this background level. Our study suggests that the t, t-MA-based BCABL can reflect the actual airborne benzene level in a range of 1.10-86.91 mg/m3 and that the S-PMA-based BCABL is more reliable for non-professional benzene exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shiwei Cui
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Huifang Yan
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Science and Technology Research Center of China Customs, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Occupational Health, Jinan Railway Disease Control and Prevention Center, Jinan 250001, China
| | - Caihong Xing
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Hygienic Inspection, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wollin KM, Apel P, Chovolou Y, Pabel U, Schettgen T, Kolossa-Gehring M, Röhl C, Agency OBOTHBCOTGE. Concept for the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Substances in Population-Based Human Biomonitoring. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:7235. [PMID: 35742488 PMCID: PMC9223427 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Human Biomonitoring (HBM) Commission at the German Environment Agency holds the opinion that for environmental carcinogens for which no exposure levels can be assumed and are harmless to health, health-based guidance values corresponding to the classical definition of the HBM-I or HBM-II value cannot be established. Therefore, only reference values have been derived so far for genotoxic carcinogens from exposure data of the general population or subpopulations. The concept presented here opens up the possibility of performing health risk assessments of carcinogenic substances in human biomonitoring, and thus goes decisively beyond the purely descriptive statistical reference value concept. Using the presented method, quantitative dose descriptors of internal exposure can be derived from those of external exposure, provided that sufficient toxicokinetic information is available. Dose descriptors of internal exposure then allow the simple estimate of additional lifetime cancer risks for measured biomarker concentrations or, conversely, of equivalent concentrations for selected risks, such as those considered as tolerable for the general population. HBM data of chronic exposures to genotoxic carcinogens can thus be used to assess the additional lifetime cancer risk referring to the general population and to justify and prioritize risk management measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Petra Apel
- German Environment Agency (UBA), 14195 Berlin, Germany; (P.A.); (M.K.-G.)
| | - Yvonni Chovolou
- North Rhine-Westphalia Office of Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection, 45659 Recklinghausen, Germany;
| | - Ulrike Pabel
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), 10589 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
| | | | - Claudia Röhl
- Department of Environmental Health Protection, State Agency for social Services (LAsD) Schleswig-Holstein, 24534 Neumünster, Germany
- Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists, Christiana Albertina University of Kiel, 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fent KW, Mayer AC, Toennis C, Sammons D, Robertson S, Chen IC, Bhandari D, Blount BC, Kerber S, Smith DL, Horn GP. Firefighters' urinary concentrations of VOC metabolites after controlled-residential and training fire responses. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2022; 242:113969. [PMID: 35421664 PMCID: PMC9969558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Firefighters are exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during structural fire responses and training fires, several of which (e.g., benzene, acrolein, styrene) are known or probable carcinogens. Exposure studies have found that firefighters can absorb chemicals like benzene even when self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) are worn, suggesting that dermal absorption contributes to potentially harmful exposures. However, few studies have characterized VOC metabolites in urine from firefighters. OBJECTIVES We quantified VOC metabolites in firefighters' urine following live firefighting activity across two field studies. METHODS In two separate controlled field studies, spot urine was collected before and 3 h after firefighters and firefighter students responded to simulated residential and training fires. Urine was also collected from instructors from the training fire study before the first and 3 h after the last training scenario for each day (instructors led three training scenarios per day). Samples were analyzed for metabolites of VOCs to which firefighters may be exposed. RESULTS In the residential fire study, urinary metabolites of xylenes (2MHA), toluene (BzMA), and styrene (MADA) increased significantly (at 0.05 level) from pre- to post-fire. In the training fire study, MADA concentrations increased significantly from pre- to post-fire for both firefighter students and instructors. Urinary concentrations of benzene metabolites (MUCA and PhMA) increased significantly from pre- to post-fire for instructors, while metabolites of xylenes (3MHA+4MHA) and acrolein (3HPMA) increased significantly for firefighter students. The two highest MUCA concentrations measured post-shift from instructors exceeded the BEI of 500 μg/g creatinine. CONCLUSIONS Some of the metabolites that were significantly elevated post-fire are known or probable human carcinogens (benzene, styrene, acrolein); thus, exposure to these compounds should be eliminated or reduced as much as possible through the hierarchy of controls. Given stringent use of SCBA, it appears that dermal exposure contributes in part to the levels measured here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth W. Fent
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alexander C. Mayer
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Deborah Sammons
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, NIOSH, CDC, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - I-Chen Chen
- Division of Field Studies and Engineering, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Deepak Bhandari
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Benjamin C. Blount
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Steve Kerber
- Fire Safety Research Institute, Underwriters Laboratories Inc, Columbia, MD, USA
| | - Denise L. Smith
- Health and Human Physiological Sciences, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA, Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Gavin P. Horn
- Fire Safety Research Institute, Underwriters Laboratories Inc, Columbia, MD, USA, Illinois Fire Service Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Qin N, Zhu Y, Zhong Y, Tian J, Li J, Chen L, Fan R, Wei F. External Exposure to BTEX, Internal Biomarker Response, and Health Risk Assessment of Nonoccupational Populations near a Coking Plant in Southwest China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19020847. [PMID: 35055669 PMCID: PMC8775548 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19020847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene isomers (BTEX) have raised increasing concern due to their adverse effects on human health. In this study, a coking factory and four communities nearby were selected as the research area. Atmospheric BTEX samples were collected and determined by a preconcentrator GC-MS method. Four biomarkers in the morning urine samples of 174 participants from the communities were measured by LC-MS. The health risks of BTEX exposure via inhalation were estimated. This study aimed to investigate the influence of external BTEX exposure on the internal biomarker levels and quantitatively evaluate the health risk of populations near the coking industry. The results showed that the average total BTEX concentration in residential area was 7.17 ± 7.24 μg m-3. Trans,trans-muconic acid (T,T-MA) was the urinary biomarker with the greatest average level (127 ± 285 μg g-1 crt). Similar spatial trends can be observed between atmospheric benzene concentration and internal biomarker levels. The mean values of the LCR for male and female residents were 2.15 × 10-5 and 2.05 × 10-5, respectively. The results of the risk assessment indicated that special attention was required for the non-occupational residents around the area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Qin
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; (N.Q.); (F.W.)
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; (N.Q.); (F.W.)
- China National Environmental Monitoring Center, Beijing 100012, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Yan Zhong
- Anshan Ecological Environment Monitoring Center of Liaoning Province, Anshan 114000, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Jing Tian
- Anshan Ecological Environment Monitoring Center of Liaoning Province, Anshan 114000, China; (Y.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Jihua Li
- Qujing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qujing 655011, China;
| | - Laiguo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecological Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China;
- Air Pollution Control Engineering Laboratory of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Science, Ministry of Ecological Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Ruifang Fan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Subtropical Biodiversity and Biomonitoring, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China;
| | - Fusheng Wei
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; (N.Q.); (F.W.)
- China National Environmental Monitoring Center, Beijing 100012, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nazarparvar-Noshadi M, Yadegari M, Mohammadian Y, Fakhri Y. The exposure to BTEX/Styrene and their health risk in the tire manufacturing. TOXIN REV 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2021.1891937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Nazarparvar-Noshadi
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Yadegari
- Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Health, Medical University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Yousef Mohammadian
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadolah Fakhri
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kuang H, Liu J, Zeng Y, Zhou W, Wu P, Tan J, Li Y, Pang Q, Jiang W, Fan R. Co-exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and toluene may impair lung function by increasing oxidative damage and airway inflammation in asthmatic children. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115220. [PMID: 32707352 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
As previous studies found that the direct associations between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), benzene and toluene (BT) metabolites and the decreased lung function were not conclusive, we further investigated relationship of oxidative damage and airway inflammation induced by PAHs and BTs exposure with lung function. A total of 262 children diagnosed with asthma and 72 heathy children were recruited. Results showed that asthmatic children had higher levels of PAHs and BTs exposure, as well as Malonaldehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) compared with healthy children. Furthermore, binary logistic regression showed that each unit increases in level of urinary 2-&3-hydroxyfluorene (2-&3-OHF), 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPhe), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-OHP) and S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) were significantly associated with an elevated risk of asthma in children with odds ratios of 1.5, 2.3, 1.7 and 1.4, respectively, suggesting that PAHs and BTs exposure could increase the risk of asthma for children. Neither PAH nor BT metabolite could comprehensively indicate the decreased lung function as only 2-&3-OHF and 1-OHP were significantly and negatively correlated with forced vital capacity (FVC). Moreover, levels of most individual PAH and BT metabolite were significantly correlated to MDA and 8-OHdG. Further hierarchical regression analysis indicated that MDA and 8-OHdG levels did not show significant effects on the decreased lung function, suggesting that they are not the suitable biomarkers to indirectly indicate the altered lung function induced by PAHs and BTs. Urinary 2-OHPhe and 1-&9-hydroxyphenanthrene (1-&9-OHPhe) were significantly correlated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Moreover, FeNO significantly contributed to decreased lung function and explained 7.7% of variance in ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FVC (FEV1/FVC%). Hence, FeNO, rather than oxidative damage indicators or any urinary PAH and BT metabolite, is more sensitive to indirectly reflect the decreased lung function induced by PAHs and BTs exposure for asthmatic children.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongxuan Kuang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yingwei Zeng
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Wenji Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Peiqiong Wu
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510120, China
| | - Jianhua Tan
- Guangzhou Quality Supervision and Testing Institute, Guangzhou, 511447, China
| | - Yonghong Li
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Qihua Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Wenhui Jiang
- Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
| | - Ruifang Fan
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Drug and Food Biological Resources Processing and Comprehensive Utilization, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Analysis of Benzene Exposure in Gas Station Workers Using Trans,Trans-Muconic Acid. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17155295. [PMID: 32717818 PMCID: PMC7432604 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17155295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In Brazil, gas station workers are occupationally exposed to the benzene present in gasoline. Brazilian law indicates the use of trans,trans-muconic acid(t,t-MA) as a biomarker of benzene exposure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of exposure to benzene in gas station workers, through the quantification of t,t-MA present in urine. A total number of 269 gas station workers divided into 179 filling station attendants exposed by inhalation and dermal route and 90 convenience store workers exposed only by inhalation were included. A control group was formed by 100 office workers, without occupational exposure to benzene. The urinary levels of t,t-MA were evaluated by HPLC with a UV detector. Gas station workers showed higher mean values of t,t-MA (0.204 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.170–0.237) than office workers (0.126 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.0817–0.1693). T,t-MA levels were higher in convenience store workers exposed to gasoline only by inhalation (0.221 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.160–0.282), than in those exposed to gasoline by inhalation and dermal route—filling station attendants (0.195 mg/g creatinine; 95% CI 0.155–0.235). Gas station workers with a higher level of t,t-MA had epistaxis. T,t-MA values were higher in the Downtown (0.15 mg/g creatinine) region’s workers than in the more affluent South Zone region’s workers (0.07 mg/g creatinine). Smoking habits influenced the urinary t,t-MA values, while the frequency of consumption of industrialized and frozen foods showed no influence.
Collapse
|
14
|
Meier E, Vandrey R, Rubin N, Pacek LR, Jensen JA, Donny EC, Hecht SS, Carmella SG, Murphy SE, Luo X, Stepanov I, Ikuemonisan J, Severson H, Al’absi M, Hatsukami DK. Cigarette Smokers Versus Cousers of Cannabis and Cigarettes: Exposure to Toxicants. Nicotine Tob Res 2020; 22:1383-1389. [PMID: 31616939 PMCID: PMC7366295 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabis and tobacco couse is common and could expose users to higher levels of toxicants. No studies have examined biomarkers of toxicant exposure in cousers of cannabis and cigarettes, compared with cigarette smokers (CS). AIMS AND METHODS Adult daily CS were recruited from 10 US sites for a study of reduced nicotine cigarettes. In this analysis of baseline data, participants were categorized as either cousers of cannabis and tobacco (cousers; N = 167; urine positive for 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ 9-tetrahydrocannnabinol and self-reported cannabis use ≥1×/week), or CS (N = 911; negative urine and no self-reported cannabis use). Participants who did not meet either definition (N = 172) were excluded. Self-reported tobacco and cannabis use and tobacco and/or combustion-related biomarkers of exposure were compared between groups. RESULTS Compared to CS, cousers were younger (couser Mage = 38.96, SD = 13.01; CS Mage = 47.22, SD = 12.72; p < .001) and more likely to be male (cousers = 67.7%, CS = 51.9%, p < .001). There were no group differences in self-reported cigarettes/day, total nicotine equivalents, or breath carbon monoxide, but cousers had greater use of non-cigarette tobacco products. Compared to CS, cousers had higher concentrations of 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid, 2-cyanoethylmercapturic acid, S-phenylmercapturic acid, 3-hydroxy-1-methylpropylmercapturic acid (ps < .05), and phenanthrene tetraol (p < .001). No biomarkers were affected by number of cannabis use days/week or days since last cannabis use during baseline (ps > .05). CONCLUSIONS Cousers had higher concentrations of biomarkers of exposure than CS, but similar number of cigarettes per day and nicotine exposure. Additional studies are needed to determine whether cannabis and/or alternative tobacco products are driving the increased toxicant exposure. IMPLICATIONS Cousers of cannabis and tobacco appear to be exposed to greater levels of harmful chemicals (ie, volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), but similar levels of nicotine as CS. It is unclear if the higher levels of toxicant exposure in cousers are due to cannabis use or the increased use of alternative tobacco products compared with CS. It is important for studies examining biomarkers of exposure among CS to account for cannabis use as it may have a significant impact on outcomes. Additionally, further research is needed examining exposure to harmful chemicals among cannabis users.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Meier
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin—Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
| | - Ryan Vandrey
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Nathan Rubin
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Lauren R Pacek
- Department of Psychiatry, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
| | - Joni A Jensen
- University of Minnesota, Tobacco Research Programs, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Eric C Donny
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Stephen S Hecht
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - Sharon E Murphy
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Xianghua Luo
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN
- Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414
| | - Irina Stepanov
- University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, Minneapolis, MN
- University of Minnesota, Tobacco Research Programs, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | | | - Mustafa Al’absi
- Department of Family Medicine and BioBehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Scheepers PTJ, de Werdt L, van Dael M, Anzion R, Vanoirbeek J, Duca RC, Creta M, Godderis L, Warnakulasuriya DTD, Devanarayana NM. Assessment of exposure of gas station attendants in Sri Lanka to benzene, toluene and xylenes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 178:108670. [PMID: 31472361 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to benzene, toluene and p-, m-, o-xylene (BTX) was studied in 29 gas station attendants and 16 office workers in Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure level and identify potential exposure mitigating measures. Pre- and post-shift samples of end-exhaled air were collected and analysed for BTX on a thermal desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry system (TD-GC-MS). Urine was collected at the same timepoints and analysed for a metabolite of benzene, S-phenyl mercapturic acid (SPMA), using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Environmental exposure was measured by personal air sampling and analysed by gas chromatography flame ionization detection (GC-FID). Median (range) breathing zone air concentrations were 609 (65.1-1960) μg/m3 for benzene and 746 (<5.0-2770) μg/m3 for toluene. Taking into account long working hours, 28% of the measured exposures exceeded the ACGIH threshold limit value (TLV) for an 8-h time-weighted average of 1.6 mg/m3 for benzene. Xylene isomers were not detected. End-exhaled air concentrations were significantly increased for gas station attendants compared to office workers (p < 0.005). The difference was 1-3-fold in pre-shift and 2-5-fold in post-shift samples. The increase from pre-to post-shift amounted to 5-15-fold (p < 0.005). Pre-shift BTX concentrations in end-exhaled air were higher in smokers compared to non-smokers (p < 0.01). Exposure due to self-reported fuel spills was related to enhanced exhaled BTX (p < 0.05). The same was found for sleeping at the location of the gas station between two work-shifts. Benzene in end-exhaled air was moderately associated with benzene in the breathing zone (r = 0.422; p < 0.001). Median creatinine-corrected S-phenyl mercapturic acid (SPMA) was similar in pre- and post-shift (2.40 and 3.02 μg/g) in gas station attendants but increased in office workers (from 0.55 to 1.07 μg/g). In conclusion, working as a gas station attendant leads to inhalation exposure and occasional skin exposure to BTX. Smoking was identified as the most important co-exposure. Besides taking preventive measure to reduce exposure, the reduction of working hours to 40 h per week is expected to decrease benzene levels below the current TLV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Laurie de Werdt
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maurice van Dael
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rob Anzion
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Matteo Creta
- Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - D T D Warnakulasuriya
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya, Thalagaolla Raod, Ragama, 11010, Sri Lanka
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Forsell K, Liljelind I, Ljungkvist G, Nordlinder R, Andersson E, Nilsson R. Benzene Exposure and Biomarkers in Alveolar Air and Urine Among Deck Crews on Tankers Transporting Gasoline. Ann Work Expo Health 2019; 63:890-897. [PMID: 31382272 PMCID: PMC6855362 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxz055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increased rates of leukaemia have been found among tanker crews. Occupational exposures to the leukomogen benzene during loading, unloading, and tank cleaning are possible causes. Studies on older types of tankers carrying gasoline with most handling being done manually have revealed important exposures to benzene. Our study explores benzene exposures on tankers with both automatic and manual systems. Correlations between benzene exposure and benzene in alveolar air (AlvBe), benzene in urine (UBe), and trans,trans-muconic acid (ttMA) in urine were investigated. METHODS Forty-three male seafarers (22 deck crewmembers and 21 not on deck) on five Swedish different product and chemical tankers transporting 95- or 98-octane gasoline were investigated between 1995 and 1998. The tankers used closed systems for the loading and unloading of gasoline but stripping and tank cleaning were done manually. Benzene in respiratory air was measured using personal passive dosimeters during a 4-h work shift. Samples for biomarker analyses were collected pre- and post-shift. Smoking did occur and crewmembers did not use any respiratory protection during work. RESULTS The average 4-h benzene exposure level for exposed was 0.45 mg m-3 and for non-exposed 0.02 mg m-3. Benzene exposure varied with type of work (range 0.02-143 mg m-3). AlvBe, UBe, and ttMA were significantly higher in post-shift samples among exposed and correlated with exposure level (r = 0.89, 0.74, and 0.57, respectively). Smoking did not change the level of significance among exposed. DISCUSSION Benzene in alveolar air, unmetabolized benzene, and ttMA in urine are potential biomarkers for occupational benzene exposure. Biomarkers were detectable in non-exposed, suggesting benzene exposure even for other work categories on board tankers. Work on tankers carrying gasoline with more or less closed handling of the cargo may still lead to significant benzene exposure for deck crewmembers, and even exceed the Swedish Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL; 8-h time-weighted average [TWA]) of 1.5 mg m-3.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karl Forsell
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Ingrid Liljelind
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Ljungkvist
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Rolf Nordlinder
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Eva Andersson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Ralph Nilsson
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Göteborg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Rismanchian M, Ebrahim K, Ordudari Z. Development of a simple and rapid method for determination of trans, trans-Muconic Acid in human urine using PDLLME preconcentration and HPLC–UV detection. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-019-00800-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
18
|
Gjesteland I, Hollund BE, Kirkeleit J, Daling P, Bråtveit M. Biomonitoring of Benzene and Effect of Wearing Respirators during an Oil Spill Field Trial at Sea. Ann Work Expo Health 2018; 62:1033-1039. [PMID: 30010761 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxy067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The main aim of this study was to assess the biological uptake of benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for subjects exposed to fresh crude oil released at sea. Methods The study included 22 subjects participating in an 'oil-on-water' field trial in the North Sea. Over 2 consecutive days, there were six releases with two different types of fresh crude oils. Exposed subjects (n = 17) were either located in small, open-air boats downwind and close to the released oil (<50 m) or on the main deck of two large vessels further from the released oil (100-200 m). Subjects assumed to be unexposed (n = 5) were located indoors on the command bridge of either vessel. Full-shift personal benzene exposure was monitored with passive thermal desorption tubes (ATD-tubes) packed with Tenax TA and subsequent gas chromatographic analysis. Urine samples were collected before and after work-shift on both days and analyzed for urinary markers of benzene [(S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA)] and PAHs [1-hydroxypyrene (1-OH)]. Information about the use of personal protective equipment, smoking habits, location, work tasks, and length of work-shift were recorded by a questionnaire. Results Subjects located in the small boats downwind and close to the released oil were exposed to relatively high concentrations of benzene (arithmetic mean = 0.2 ppm, range 0.002-1.5 ppm) compared to the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for 8 h (1 ppm) and 12 h (0.6 ppm). Although respirators were available to all exposed subjects, SPMA was detected in post-shift urine (0.5-3.3 µmol mol-1) of five exposed subjects reporting not wearing respirators, all located in the small boats downwind and close to the released oil. For exposed subjects wearing respirators (n = 12), the post-shift urinary SPMA was below the detection limit (0.8 µmol mol-1) even when the benzene exposure exceeded the OELs. Urinary levels of PAH were within the reference range of what is considered as background levels (<0.4 µmol mol-1). Conclusions During the initial stages of a bulk oil spill at sea, when the evaporation of benzene is at its highest, it is important to use appropriate respirators to prevent biological uptake of benzene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Gjesteland
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Bjørg Eli Hollund
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jorunn Kirkeleit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Per Daling
- SINTEF Ocean, Department of Environment and New Resources, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Magne Bråtveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
KOH DH, LEE MY, CHUNG EK, JANG JK, PARK DU. Comparison of personal air benzene and urine t,t-muconic acid as a benzene exposure surrogate during turnaround maintenance in petrochemical plants. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2018; 56:346-355. [PMID: 29643270 PMCID: PMC6066433 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2017-0225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that biomarkers of chemicals with long half-lives may be better surrogates of exposure for epidemiological analyses, leading to less attenuation of the exposure-disease association, than personal air samples. However, chemicals with short half-lives have shown inconsistent results. In the present study, we compared pairs of personal air benzene and its short-half-life urinary metabolite trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA), and predicted attenuation bias of theoretical exposure-disease association. Total 669 pairs of personal air benzene and urine t,t-MA samples were taken from 474 male workers during turnaround maintenance operations held in seven petrochemical plants. Maintenance jobs were classified into 13 groups. Variance components were calculated for personal air benzene and urine t,t-MA separately to estimate the attenuation of the theoretical exposure-disease association. Personal air benzene and urine t,t-MA showed similar attenuation of the theoretical exposure-disease association. Analyses for repeated measurements showed similar results, while in analyses for values above the limits of detection (LODs), urine t,t-MA showed less attenuation of the theoretical exposure-disease association than personal air benzene. Our findings suggest that there may be no significant difference in attenuation bias when personal air benzene or urine t,t-MA is used as a surrogate for benzene exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hee KOH
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine,
International St. Mary’s Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University, Korea
| | - Mi-Young LEE
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea
Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Korea
| | - Eun-Kyo CHUNG
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea
Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Korea
| | - Jae-Kil JANG
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea
Occupational Safety and Health Agency, Korea
| | - Dong-Uk PARK
- Department of Environmental Health, Korea National Open
University, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Khoury C, Werry K, Haines D, Walker M, Malowany M. Human biomonitoring reference values for some non-persistent chemicals in blood and urine derived from the Canadian Health Measures Survey 2009–2013. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2018; 221:684-696. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
|
21
|
McNally K, Sams C, Loizou GD, Jones K. Evidence for non-linear metabolism at low benzene exposures? A reanalysis of data. Chem Biol Interact 2017; 278:256-268. [PMID: 28899792 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The presence of a high-affinity metabolic pathway for low level benzene exposures of less than one part per million (ppm) has been proposed although a pathway has not been identified. The variation of metabolite molar fractions with increasing air benzene concentrations was suggested as evidence of significantly more efficient benzene metabolism at concentrations <0.1 ppm The evidence for this pathway is predicated on a rich data set from a study of Chinese shoe workers exposed to a wide range of benzene concentrations (not just "low level"). In this work we undertake a further independent re-analysis of this data with a focus on the evidence for an increase in the rate of metabolism of benzene exposures of less than 1 ppm. The analysis dataset consisted of measurements of benzene and toluene from personal air samplers, and measurements of unmetabolised benzene and toluene and five metabolites (phenol hydroquinone, catechol, trans, trans-muconic acid and s-phenylmercapturic acid) from post-shift urine samples for 213 workers with an occupational exposure to benzene (and toluene) and 139 controls. Measurements from control subjects were used to estimate metabolite concentrations resulting from non-occupational sources, including environmental sources of benzene. Data from occupationally exposed subjects were used to estimate metabolite concentrations as a function of benzene exposure. Correction for background (environmental exposure) sources of metabolites was achieved through a comparison of geometric means in occupationally exposed and control populations. The molar fractions of the five metabolites as a function of benzene exposure were computed. A supra-linear relationship between metabolite concentrations and benzene exposure was observed over the range 0.1-10 ppm benzene, however over the range benzene exposures of between 0.1 and 1 ppm only a modest departure from linearity was observed. The molar fractions estimated in this work were near constant over the range 0.1-10 ppm. No evidence of high affinity metabolism at these low level exposures was observed. Our reanalysis brings in to question the appropriateness of the dataset for commenting on low dose exposures and the use of a purely statistical approach to the analysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- K McNally
- Health & Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK
| | - C Sams
- Health & Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK
| | - G D Loizou
- Health & Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK
| | - K Jones
- Health & Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Campos MAA, Fernandes APSM, André LC. Avaliação da exposição ocupacional ao benzeno em trabalhadores frentistas e analistas de combustíveis utilizando o Teste Cometa como biomarcador de genotoxicidade. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE SAÚDE OCUPACIONAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/2317-6369000118415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Introdução: frentistas e analistas de combustíveis estão expostos a vários compostos orgânicos voláteis presentes na gasolina, incluindo benzeno, que se destaca por sua importância toxicológica. Objetivo: avaliar a exposição ocupacional ao benzeno na gasolina, utilizando o Teste Cometa como biomarcador de genotoxicidade em comparação ao ácido trans,trans-mucônico urinário (AttM) como biomarcador de exposição ao benzeno. Métodos: estudo de corte transversal com análises de biomarcadores de exposição e de genotoxicidade em grupo de expostos ocupacionalmente ao benzeno através da gasolina e grupo controle. Resultados: o Teste Cometa mostrou uma média (desvio padrão) de índice de dano, expresso em unidades arbitrárias, no grupo exposto de 28,4 (10,1) significativamente mais elevado do que no grupo não-exposto, 18,4 (10,1). O AttM urinário, em mg/g de creatinina, foi significativamente maior no grupo exposto, 1,13 (0,45), em relação ao grupo não exposto, 0,44 (0,33). Os dois biomarcadores apresentaram boa correlação linear (r=0,81; p<0,05), indicando uma forte associação entre o biomarcador de exposição e o biomarcador de efeito. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que uma maior exposição ocupacional ao benzeno está associada a um risco aumentado de dano genotóxico entre indivíduos expostos à gasolina.
Collapse
|
23
|
Gonçalves ES, Borges RM, Carvalho LVBD, Alves SR, André LC, Moreira JC. Estratégias analíticas com cromatografia e espectrometria de massas para biomonitorização da exposição ao benzeno pela determinação do ácido S-fenilmercaptúrico urinário. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE SAÚDE OCUPACIONAL 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/2317-6369000127615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Resumo Introdução: o benzeno é uma substância de reconhecida toxicidade e sua biomonitorização torna-se fundamental para a prevenção de danos à saúde humana, principalmente em situações de exposição ocupacional. Dentre os biomarcadores de exposição, o ácido S-fenilmercaptúrico é considerado o único específico, mas, devido a suas baixas concentrações na urina, é requerido o uso de técnicas analíticas sensíveis capazes de quantificar traços. Objetivo: revisar metodologias baseadas na cromatografia e na espectrometria de massas para a determinação do ácido S-fenilmercaptúrico. Método: revisão da literatura sobre a determinação do ácido S-fenilmercaptúrico urinário por técnicas de cromatografia e espectrometria de massas, nas principais bases de dados científicas, considerando o período entre 1951 e 2015. Resultados: 120 documentos serviram como base teórica para a construção desta revisão. A técnica analítica mais empregada foi o acoplamento da cromatografia a líquido com a espectrometria de massas. Contudo, os métodos diferem quanto ao preparo das amostras. Conclusão: o alto custo de aquisição e a manutenção de equipamentos são fatores limitantes para a difusão dos sistemas de cromatografia e espectrometria de massas. No entanto, sua elevada sensibilidade e seletividade faz com que essas técnicas, acopladas, possibilitem elucidar situações de exposição ocupacional e ambiental a poluentes, como o benzeno.
Collapse
|
24
|
Flores-Ramírez R, Pérez-Vázquez FJ, Cilia-López VG, Zuki-Orozco BA, Carrizales L, Batres-Esquivel LE, Palacios-Ramírez A, Díaz-Barriga F. Assessment of exposure to mixture pollutants in Mexican indigenous children. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 23:8577-88. [PMID: 26797947 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6101-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to complete an exposure assessment in three Mexican indigenous communities using the community-based health risk assessment, which is the first step in the CHILD framework. We used 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as an exposure biomarker to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) as an exposure biomarker to benzene, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), lead, manganese, arsenic, and fluoride. Anthropometric measurements were also taken. In these communities, high percentages of children with chronic malnutrition were found (28 to 49 %) based on their weight and age. All communities showed a high percentage of children with detectable levels of four or more compounds (70 to 82 %). Additionally, our results showed that in indigenous communities, children are exposed to elevated levels of certain environmental pollutants, including manganese with 17.6, 16.8, and 7.3 μg/L from SMP, TOC, and CUA, respectively. Lead and HCB levels were similar in the indigenous communities (2.5, 3.1, and 4.2 μg/dL and 2.5, 3.1, and 3.7 ng/mL, respectively). 1-OHP and t,t-MA levels were higher in TOC (0.8 μmol/mol of creatinine, 476 μg/g of creatinine, respectively) when compared with SMP (0.1 μmol/mol of creatinine, 215.5 μg/g of creatinine, respectively) and CUA (0.1 μmol/mol of creatinine, 185.2 μg/g of creatinine, respectively). DDE levels were 30.7, 26.9, and 9.6 ng/mL in CUA, SMP, and TOC, respectively. The strength of this study is that it assesses exposure to pollutants with indications for the resultant risk before an intervention is made by the CHILD program to manage this risk in the indigenous communities. Considering the large number of people, especially children, exposed to multiple pollutants, it is important to design effective intervention programs that reduce exposure and the resultant risk in the numerous indigenous communities in Mexico.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Flores-Ramírez
- Catedrático CONACYT-Coordinación para la Innovación y Aplicación de la Ciencia y la Tecnología (CIACYT), Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Avenida Sierra Leona No. 550, Colonia Lomas Segunda Sección, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - F J Pérez-Vázquez
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - V G Cilia-López
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - B A Zuki-Orozco
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - L Carrizales
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - L E Batres-Esquivel
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - A Palacios-Ramírez
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México
| | - F Díaz-Barriga
- Centro de Investigación Aplicada en Ambiente y Salud, CIACYT, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Venustiano Carranza 2405, CP 78210, San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., México.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Carbonari D, Chiarella P, Mansi A, Pigini D, Iavicoli S, Tranfo G. Biomarkers of susceptibility following benzene exposure: influence of genetic polymorphisms on benzene metabolism and health effects. Biomark Med 2016; 10:145-63. [PMID: 26764284 DOI: 10.2217/bmm.15.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Benzene is a ubiquitous occupational and environmental pollutant. Improved industrial hygiene allowed airborne concentrations close to the environmental context (1-1000 µg/m(3)). Conversely, new limits for benzene levels in urban air were set (5 µg/m(3)). The biomonitoring of exposure to such low benzene concentrations are performed measuring specific and sensitive biomarkers such as S-phenylmercapturic acid, trans, trans-muconic acid and urinary benzene: many studies referred high variability in the levels of these biomarkers, suggesting the involvement of polymorphic metabolic genes in the individual susceptibility to benzene toxicity. We reviewed the influence of metabolic polymorphisms on the biomarkers levels of benzene exposure and effect, in order to understand the real impact of benzene exposure on subjects with increased susceptibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damiano Carbonari
- INAIL Reaserch, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone (RM), Italy
| | - Pieranna Chiarella
- INAIL Reaserch, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone (RM), Italy
| | - Antonella Mansi
- INAIL Reaserch, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone (RM), Italy
| | - Daniela Pigini
- INAIL Reaserch, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone (RM), Italy
| | - Sergio Iavicoli
- INAIL Reaserch, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone (RM), Italy
| | - Giovanna Tranfo
- INAIL Reaserch, Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology & Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1 - 00040 Monte Porzio Catone (RM), Italy
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Wisnewski AV, Liu J, Nassar AF. In vitro cleavage of diisocyanate-glutathione conjugates by human gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-1. Xenobiotica 2015; 46:726-32. [PMID: 26678254 DOI: 10.3109/00498254.2015.1118576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Isocyanates differ from many other xenobiotics in their ability to form S-linked conjugates with glutathione (GSH) through direct nucleophilic addition reactions (e.g. without enzymatic "preactivation" and/or transferase activity), potentially predisposing them to metabolism via the mercapturic acid pathway. In vivo, mono-isocyanates are metabolized via the mercapturic acid pathway and excreted as N-acetylated cysteine conjugates, however, the metabolism of di-isocyanates remains unclear. We assessed the ability of purified human gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-1 (GGT-1), a primary enzyme of the mercapturic acid pathway, to cleave S-linked GSH conjugates of 4,4'-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), two widely used industrial chemicals. A combination of liquid chromatography (LC), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and hydrogen-deuterium exchange studies confirmed GGT-1 mediated formation of the 607.2 and 525.2 m/z (M + H)(+) ions corresponding to bis(cys-gly)-MDI and bis(cys-gly)-HDI, respectively, the cleavage products expected from the corresponding bis(GSH)-diisocyanate conjugates. Additional intermediate metabolites and mono(cys-gly)-conjugates with partially hydrolyzed diisocyanate were also observed. Consistent with GGT enzyme kinetics, metabolism proceeded more rapidly under conditions that favored transpeptidation versus hydrolytic mechanisms of cleavage. Together the data demonstrate the capacity of human GGT-1 to cleave GSH conjugates of both aromatic and aliphatic diisocyanates, suggesting a potential role in their metabolism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam V Wisnewski
- a Department of Medicine , Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Jian Liu
- a Department of Medicine , Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Ala F Nassar
- a Department of Medicine , Yale University School of Medicine , New Haven , CT , USA
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Wang Z, Zheng Y, Zhao B, Zhang Y, Liu Z, Xu J, Chen Y, Yang Z, Wang F, Wang H, He J, Zhang R, Abliz Z. Human metabolic responses to chronic environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure by a metabolomic approach. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:2583-93. [PMID: 25990285 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The toxicities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been extensively explored due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic potency; however, little is known about the metabolic responses to chronic environmental PAH exposure among the general population. In the present study, 566 healthy volunteers were dichotomized into exposed and control groups to investigate PAH-induced perturbations in the metabolic profiles. Nine urine PAH metabolites were measured by a sensitive LC-MS/MS method to comprehensively evaluate the PAH exposure level of each individual, and the metabolic profiles were characterized via a LC-MS-based metabolomic approach. PAH exposure was correlated to its metabolic outcomes by linear and logistic regression analyses. Metabolites related to amino acid, purine, lipid, and glucuronic acid metabolism were significantly changed in the exposed group. 1-Hydroxyphenanthrene and dodecadienylcarnitine have potential as sensitive and reliable biomarkers for PAH exposure and its metabolic outcomes, respectively, in the general population. These findings generally support the hypothesis that environmental PAH exposure causes oxidative stress-related effects in humans. The current study provides new insight into the early molecular events induced by PAH exposure in the actual environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghua Wang
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yajie Zheng
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Baoxin Zhao
- ‡Taiyuan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- ‡Taiyuan Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Taiyuan 030012, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- §Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Jing Xu
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Yanhua Chen
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- ∥School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Fenfen Wang
- ∥School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan 030001, China
| | - Huiqing Wang
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Jiuming He
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Ruiping Zhang
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zeper Abliz
- †State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xiannongtan Street, Beijing 100050, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bader M, Van Weyenbergh T, Verwerft E, Van Pul J, Lang S, Oberlinner C. Human biomonitoring after chemical incidents and during short-term maintenance work as a tool for exposure analysis and assessment. Toxicol Lett 2014; 231:328-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2014.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
29
|
Urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid as a key biomarker for measuring occupational exposure to low concentrations of benzene in Chinese workers: a pilot study. J Occup Environ Med 2014; 56:319-25. [PMID: 24561506 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000000098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study analyzed the level of urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid (U-SPMA) for low benzene exposure in a group of Chinese shoe-making workers. METHODS Urinary samples from 55 workers exposed to benzene at levels lower than 10 parts per million (ppm) were collected at postshift. U-SPMA level was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrography (HPLC/MS) method. RESULTS Good linearity of U-SPMA was observed within the range from 10 to 320 μg/L (r = 0.9994). Concentration of airborne benzene ranged from 0.71 to 32.17 mg/m³, and three segments were divided with different levels of exposure (≤6.0, 6.0 to 10.0, 10 to 32.5 mg/m³), the median U-SPMA concentrations were 49.55, 102.15, and 335.69 μg/g Cr, respectively. CONCLUSION A good linear correlation was found between U-SPMA levels and airborne benzene concentrations. The selected method could be applied for detecting other working conditions in China.
Collapse
|
30
|
Fan R, Li J, Chen L, Xu Z, He D, Zhou Y, Zhu Y, Wei F, Li J. Biomass fuels and coke plants are important sources of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene and toluene. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2014; 135:1-8. [PMID: 25261857 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2014] [Revised: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/13/2014] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Large amounts of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene and toluene (BT) might be emitted from incomplete combustion reactions in both coal tar factories and biomass fuels in rural China. The health effects arising from exposure to PAHs and BT are a concern for residents of rural areas close to coal tar plants. To assess the environmental risk and major exposure sources, 100 coke plant workers and 25 farmers in Qujing, China were recruited. The levels of 10 mono-hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs), four BT metabolites and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the urine collected from the subjects were measured. The 8-OHdG levels in the urine were determined to evaluate the oxidative DNA damage induced by the PAHs and BT. The results showed that the levels of the OH-PAHs, particularly those of 1-hydroxynathalene and 1-hydroxypyrene, in the farmers were 1-7 times higher than those in the workers. The concentrations of the BT metabolites were comparable between the workers and farmers. Although the exact work location within a coke oven plant might affect the levels of the OH-PAHs, one-way ANOVA revealed no significant differences for either the OH-PAHs levels or the BT concentrations among the three groups working at different work sites. The geometric mean concentration (9.17 µg/g creatinine) of 8-OHdG was significantly higher in the farmers than in the plant workers (6.27 µg/g creatinine). The levels of 8-OHdG did not correlate with the total concentrations of OH-PAHs and the total levels of BT metabolites. Incompletely combusted biomass fuels might be the major exposure source, contributing more PAHs and BT to the local residents of Qujing. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of naphthalene and fluorene for all of the workers and most of the farmers were below the reference doses (RfDs) recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), except for the pyrene levels in two farmers. However, the EDIs of benzene in the workers and local farmers ranged from 590 to 7239 µg/day, and these levels were 2- to 30-fold higher than the RfDs recommended by the EPA. Biomass fuel combustion and industrial activities related to coal tar were the major sources of the PAH and BT exposure in the local residents. Using biomass fuels for household cooking and heating explains the higher exposure levels observed in the farmers relative to the workers at the nearby coal tar-related industrial facility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruifang Fan
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Junnan Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Laiguo Chen
- Urban Environment and Ecology Research Center, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Zhencheng Xu
- Urban Environment and Ecology Research Center, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China.
| | - Dechun He
- Urban Environment and Ecology Research Center, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Yuanxiu Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Science in Guangdong Higher Education, School of Life Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhu
- China National Environmental Monitoring Center, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Fusheng Wei
- China National Environmental Monitoring Center, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Jihua Li
- Qujing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yunan 655099, China
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Choi YH, Kim JH, Lee BE, Hong YC. Urinary benzene metabolite and insulin resistance in elderly adults. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 482-483:260-8. [PMID: 24657371 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzene is a volatile organic compound present in traffic-related and indoor air pollution. It is of particular concern since it is known to induce oxidative stress, which can affect insulin resistance (IR). We therefore examined the association between exposure to environmental benzene and IR in the elderly. STUDY DESIGN Between 2008 and 2010, benzene metabolite levels (urinary trans,trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA)) and homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR) were repeatedly measured in 505 adults aged ≥60 years. Linear mixed-effect models and marginal logistic models were used to evaluate associations of t,t-MA concentration with HOMA-IR score and elevated IR, defined as HOMA-IR ≥2.6. RESULTS After adjustment for sociodemographic and behavioral factors, environmental co-exposures, and metabolic conditions, quartile levels of urinary t,t-MA demonstrated a dose-dependent association with elevated IR (p-trend<0.001) and the level of oxidative stress estimated by urinary malondialdehyde (p-trend<0.001). As compared to the lowest quartile, the upper quartiles of t,t-MA (t,t-MA concentration >0.017mg/g CR) were associated with elevated IR [odds ratio=Q2: 2.00 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16-3.46); Q3: 3.33 (95% CI: 1.90-5.84); Q4: 2.07 (95% CI: 1.02-4.22)]. CONCLUSION Urinary benzene at levels currently observed in the urban elderly population is associated with IR, independent of traditional risk factors. Reduction of community-level exposure to benzene is therefore important for the effective prevention of IR in older adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Hyeong Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hee Kim
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Eun Lee
- Environmental Health Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun-Chul Hong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Environmental Health Center, Seoul National University Medical Research Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Inoue O, Kanno E, Yusa T, Kakizaki M, Watanabe T, Higashikawa K, Ikeda M. A simple HPLC method to determine urinary phenylmercapturic acid and its application to gasoline station attendants to biomonitor occupational exposure to benzene at less than 1 ppm. Biomarkers 2013; 6:190-203. [PMID: 23886275 DOI: 10.1080/13547500010009582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to establish a hand-saving method to measure phenylmercapturic acid (PMA) and to examine urinary PMA as a marker of occupational exposure to benzene at levels less than 1 ppm. A simple HPLC method was developed to analyse PMA by monitoring absorption at 195 nm of the ef? uent from an ODS-3 column with acetonitrile-methanol-perchloric acid-water as a mobile phase. The detection limit of the method was 0.2 μg l(-1) with sufficient reproducibility. The method was applied to end-of-shift urine samples from 70 gasoline station attendants exposed to up to 107 ppb benzene, and 20 non-exposed controls of both sexes. Time-weighted average (TWA) exposure to benzene was measured by diffusive sampling. A regression analysis was applied to examine the quantitative relationship between the intensity of exposure to benzene and PMA in the end-of-shift urine samples. Multiple regression analysis showed no effects of age, sex, smoking and co-exposure to toluene and xylenes on urinary PMA. There was a linear relationship between TWA benzene exposure and urinary PMA (r = 0.60-0.67, P < 0.01). Background PMA in urine of the non-exposed controls was low and scattering of PMA around the regression line was narrow so that those with 20 ppb benzene exposure can be separated from the non-exposed by urinalysis for PMA. Thus, urinary PMA is sensitive enough for biological exposure monitoring of those exposed to less than 1 ppm benzene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- O Inoue
- Tohoku Rosai Hospital, Sendai 981-8563, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
33
|
S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA) levels in urine as an indicator of exposure to benzene in the Kinshasa population. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2013; 216:494-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2012] [Revised: 02/20/2013] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
34
|
Arnold SM, Angerer J, Boogaard PJ, Hughes MF, O'Lone RB, Robison SH, Schnatter AR. The use of biomonitoring data in exposure and human health risk assessment: benzene case study. Crit Rev Toxicol 2013; 43:119-53. [PMID: 23346981 PMCID: PMC3585443 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2012.756455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Abstract A framework of "Common Criteria" (i.e. a series of questions) has been developed to inform the use and evaluation of biomonitoring data in the context of human exposure and risk assessment. The data-rich chemical benzene was selected for use in a case study to assess whether refinement of the Common Criteria framework was necessary, and to gain additional perspective on approaches for integrating biomonitoring data into a risk-based context. The available data for benzene satisfied most of the Common Criteria and allowed for a risk-based evaluation of the benzene biomonitoring data. In general, biomarker (blood benzene, urinary benzene and urinary S-phenylmercapturic acid) central tendency (i.e. mean, median and geometric mean) concentrations for non-smokers are at or below the predicted blood or urine concentrations that would correspond to exposure at the US Environmental Protection Agency reference concentration (30 µg/m(3)), but greater than blood or urine concentrations relating to the air concentration at the 1 × 10(-5) excess cancer risk (2.9 µg/m(3)). Smokers clearly have higher levels of benzene exposure, and biomarker levels of benzene for non-smokers are generally consistent with ambient air monitoring results. While some biomarkers of benzene are specific indicators of exposure, the interpretation of benzene biomonitoring levels in a health-risk context are complicated by issues associated with short half-lives and gaps in knowledge regarding the relationship between the biomarkers and subsequent toxic effects.
Collapse
|
35
|
Manuela C, Francesco T, Tiziana C, Assunta C, Lara S, Nadia N, Giorgia A, Barbara S, Maria F, Carlotta C, Valeria DG, Pia SM, Gianfranco T, Angela S. Environmental and biological monitoring of benzene in traffic policemen, police drivers and rural outdoor male workers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 14:1542-50. [PMID: 22555192 DOI: 10.1039/c2em30120b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate exposure to benzene in urban and rural areas, an investigation into personal exposure to benzene in traffic policemen, police drivers and rural (roadmen) male outdoor workers was carried out. Personal samples and data acquired using fixed monitoring stations located in different areas of the city were used to measure personal exposure to benzene in 62 non-smoker traffic policemen, 22 police drivers and 57 roadmen. Blood benzene, urinary trans-trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) and S-phenyl-mercapturic acid (S-PMA) were measured at the end of work shift in 62 non-smoker traffic policemen, 22 police drivers and 57 roadmen and 34 smoker traffic policemen, 21 police drivers and 53 roadmen. Exposure to benzene was similar among non-smoker traffic policemen and police drivers and higher among non-smoker urban workers compared to rural workers. Blood benzene, t,t-MA and S-PMA were similar among non-smoker traffic policemen and police drivers; blood benzene and t,t-MA were significantly higher in non-smoker urban workers compared to rural workers. Significant increases in t,t-MA were found in smokers vs. non-smokers. In non-smoker urban workers airborne benzene and blood benzene, and t,t-MA and S-PMA were significantly correlated. This study gives an evaluation of the exposure to benzene in an urban area, comparing people working in the street or in cars, to people working in a rural area. Benzene is a certain carcinogen for humans. The results we showed should lead to more in-depth studies about the effects on health of these categories of workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ciarrocca Manuela
- University of Rome Sapienza, Department of Anatomy, Histology, Medical-Legal and the Orthopedics, Unit of Occupational Medicine, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Trans, trans-muconic acid as a biomarker of occupational exposure to high-level benzene in China. J Occup Environ Med 2012; 53:1194-8. [PMID: 21915070 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0b013e31822cfd36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The work aimed to study the potential correlation between the high-level benzene exposure and its urinary metabolites S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA) and trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA) in Chinese shoe-making workers. METHODS Individual benzene-exposed levels were determined by gas chromatography analysis, urinary t,t-MA, and urinary SPMA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography-an ultraviolet detector and liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry method, respectively. RESULTS The concentration of benzene ranged from 2.57 to 146.11 mg/m³. And the correlation between benzene and t,t-MA was significantly higher than that of SPMA at the postshift, for example, the correlation coefficient was 0.905 and 0.537 for t,t-MA and SPMA, respectively. Moreover, The relative internal exposure index of t,t-MA (0.28 mg/g Cr: mg/m³) was more similar to the data supplied by American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists compared to the index of SPMA (0.025 mg/g Cr:mg/m³). CONCLUSIONS t,t-MA appeared to be a more specific biomarker than SPMA at high-level benzene exposure.
Collapse
|
37
|
Haro-García LC, Juárez-Pérez CA, Aguilar-Madrid G, Vélez-Zamora NM, Muñoz-Navarro S, Chacón-Salinas R, González-Bonilla CR, Iturbe-Haro CR, Estrada-García I, Borja-Aburto VH. Production of IL-10, TNF and IL-12 by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Mexican Workers Exposed to a Mixture of Benzene–Toluene–Xylene. Arch Med Res 2012; 43:51-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2012.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/10/2012] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
|
38
|
Scheepers PTJ, Bos PMJ, Konings J, Janssen NAH, Grievink L. Application of biological monitoring for exposure assessment following chemical incidents: a procedure for decision making. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2011; 21:247-261. [PMID: 20336049 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2010.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2009] [Accepted: 01/08/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Determination of the level of exposure during and after a chemical incident is crucial for the assessment of public health risks and for appropriate medical treatment, as well as for subsequent health studies that may be part of disaster management. Immediately after such an incident, there is usually no opportunity to collect reliable quantitative information on personal exposures and environmental concentrations may fall below detectable levels shortly after the incident has passed. However, many substances persist longer in biological tissues and thus biological monitoring strategies may have the potential to support exposure assessment, as part of health studies, even after the acute phase of a chemical incident is over. Reported successful applications involve very persistent chemical substances such as protein adducts and include those rare cases in which biological tissues were collected within a few hours after an incident. The persistence of a biomarker in biological tissues, the mechanism of toxicity, and the sensitivity of the analysis of a biomarker were identified as the key parameters to support a decision on the feasibility and usefulness of biological monitoring to be applied after an incident involving the release of hazardous chemicals. These input parameters could be retrieved from published methods on applications of biomarkers. Methods for rapid decision making on the usefulness and feasibility of using biological monitoring are needed. In this contribution, a stepwise procedure for taking such a decision is proposed. The persistence of a biomarker in biological tissues, the mechanism of toxicity, and the sensitivity of the analysis of a biomarker were identified as the key parameters to support such a decision. The procedure proposed for decision making is illustrated by case studies based on two documented chemical incidents in the Netherlands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paul T J Scheepers
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Tranfo G, Bartolucci GB, Pigini D, Paci E, Scapellato ML, Doria D, Manno M, Carrieri M. Comparison of hydrolysis and HPLC/MS/MS procedure with ELISA assay for the determination of S-phenylmercapturic acid as a biomarker of benzene exposure in human urine. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2010; 878:2529-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2009.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2009] [Revised: 10/21/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
40
|
Arayasiri M, Mahidol C, Navasumrit P, Autrup H, Ruchirawat M. Biomonitoring of benzene and 1,3-butadiene exposure and early biological effects in traffic policemen. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:4855-4862. [PMID: 20627202 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Revised: 06/11/2010] [Accepted: 06/17/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine benzene and 1,3-butadiene exposure through ambient air and personal air monitoring, as well as through biomarkers of exposure, and to evaluate the potential health risk of exposure through the use of biomarkers of early biological effects in central Bangkok traffic policemen. Ambient air concentrations of benzene and 1,3-butadiene at the roadsides were significantly higher than in police offices used as control sites (p<0.001). Traffic policemen had a significantly higher exposure to benzene (median 38.62 microg/m(3)) and 1,3-butadiene (median 3.08 microg/m(3)) than office policemen (median 6.17 microg/m(3) for benzene and 0.37 microg/m(3) for 1,3-butadiene) (p<0.001). Biomarkers of benzene exposure, blood benzene, and urinary metabolite, trans, trans-muconic acid were significantly higher in traffic policemen than office policemen (p<0.001). No significant difference between traffic and office policemen was found in urinary benzene metabolite, S-phenyl mercapturic acid, or in urinary 1,3-butadiene metabolite, monohydroxy-butenyl mercapturic acid. Biomarkers of early biological effects, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in leukocytes (8-OHdG), DNA-strand breaks, and DNA-repair capacity, measured as an increase in gamma ray-induced chromosome aberrations were significantly higher in traffic policemen than controls (p<0.001 for 8-OHdG, p<0.01 for tail length, p<0.001 for olive tail moment, p<0.05 for dicentrics and p<0.01 for deletions). Multiple regression model including individual exposure, biomarkers of exposure, ages and years of work as independent variables showed that only the levels of individual 1,3-butadiene exposure were significantly associated with 8-OHdG and olive tail moment at p<0.0001 indicating more influence of 1,3-butadiene on DNA damage. These results indicated that traffic policemen, who are exposed to benzene and 1,3-butadiene at the roadside in central Bangkok, are potentially at a higher risk for development of diseases such as cancer than office policemen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manaswee Arayasiri
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Vibhavadee Rangsit Highway, Laksi, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Schettgen T, Ochsmann E, Alt A, Kraus T. A biomarker approach to estimate the daily intake of benzene in non-smoking and smoking individuals in Germany. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2010; 20:427-433. [PMID: 19491941 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2009.32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2009] [Revised: 04/29/2009] [Accepted: 05/05/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Owing to its carcinogenic properties, benzene is one of the most important environmental air pollutants. We have applied a simple pharmacokinetic model to estimate the individual daily exposure of persons of the general population to benzene using their urinary excretion of S-phenylmercapturic acid as biomarker of exposure. On the basis of a non-representative convenience sample of the general population, spontaneous urine samples of 43 non-smoking persons, 13 persons with exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) (as determined by urinary cotinine) and 72 smokers were analyzed for S-phenylmercapturic acid, and benzene exposure was back calculated on the basis of the results. The pharmacokinetic model was based either on estimated daily urinary volume or creatinine excretion. Median daily exposure of non-smokers was calculated to be 47 microg/day (volume-based model) and 63 microg benzene/day (creatinine-based model). ETS-exposed persons had a slightly higher median daily exposure of 65 microg/day (volume-based model) and 72 microg benzene/day (creatinine-based model). The daily exposure of smokers was significantly higher with median values of 491 microg benzene/day (volume-based model) and 693 microg benzene/day (creatinine-based model). Our biomarker-based model gave plausible results for daily benzene exposure that were in good agreement with exposure estimations published earlier. As it is purely based on the determination of individual internal dose, our model provides a powerful tool for the risk assessment of environmental benzene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstrasse 30, Aachen D-52074, Germany.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
42
|
Hack CE, Haber LT, Maier A, Shulte P, Fowler B, Lotz WG, Savage RE. A Bayesian network model for biomarker-based dose response. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2010; 30:1037-51. [PMID: 20412521 DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2010.01413.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
A Bayesian network model was developed to integrate diverse types of data to conduct an exposure-dose-response assessment for benzene-induced acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The network approach was used to evaluate and compare individual biomarkers and quantitatively link the biomarkers along the exposure-disease continuum. The network was used to perform the biomarker-based dose-response analysis, and various other approaches to the dose-response analysis were conducted for comparison. The network-derived benchmark concentration was approximately an order of magnitude lower than that from the usual exposure concentration versus response approach, which suggests that the presence of more information in the low-dose region (where changes in biomarkers are detectable but effects on AML mortality are not) helps inform the description of the AML response at lower exposures. This work provides a quantitative approach for linking changes in biomarkers of effect both to exposure information and to changes in disease response. Such linkage can provide a scientifically valid point of departure that incorporates precursor dose-response information without being dependent on the difficult issue of a definition of adversity for precursors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Eric Hack
- Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment (TERA), Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Peripheral blood effects in benzene-exposed workers. Chem Biol Interact 2010; 184:174-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2009.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 12/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
44
|
Arnold SM, Price PS, Dryzga MD. Defining the contribution of non-benzene sources of benzene metabolites in urine: implications for biomonitoring and risk assessment. Chem Biol Interact 2010; 184:299-301. [PMID: 20096276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2010.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott M Arnold
- The Dow Chemical Company, Toxicology & Environmental Research & Consulting, 1803 Building, Midland, MI 48674, United States.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Correlation between environmental and biological monitoring of exposure to benzene in petrochemical industry operators. Toxicol Lett 2010; 192:17-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2009] [Revised: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 07/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
|
46
|
KrouzÌelka J, Linhart I. Preparation of Arylmercapturic Acids byS-Arylation ofN,Nâ²-Diacetylcystine. European J Org Chem 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ejoc.200900982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
|
47
|
Validity of new biomarkers of internal dose for use in the biological monitoring of occupational and environmental exposure to low concentrations of benzene and toluene. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2009; 83:341-56. [PMID: 19830448 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-009-0469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2009] [Accepted: 09/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study analyzes the validity of new, more sensitive and specific urinary biomarkers of internal dose, namely, urinary benzene for benzene and urinary toluene and S-benzylmercapturic acid (SBMA) for toluene, to assess their efficacy when compared to traditional biomarkers for biological monitoring of occupational exposure to low concentrations of these two toxic substances. METHODS Assessment was made of 41 workers occupationally exposed to benzene and toluene, 18 fuel tanker drivers and 23 filling-station attendants, as well as 31 subjects with no occupational exposure to these toxic substances (controls). Exposure to airborne benzene and toluene was measured using passive Radiello personal samplers worn throughout the work shift. In urine samples collected from all subjects at the end of the workday, both the traditional and the new internal dose biomarkers of benzene and toluene were assessed, as well as creatinine so as to apply suitable adjustments. RESULTS Occupational exposure to benzene and toluene resulted significantly higher in the fuel tanker drivers than the filling-station attendants, and higher in the latter than in controls. Significantly higher concentrations of t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA), S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), urinary benzene, SBMA and urinary toluene were found in the drivers than the filling-station attendants or the controls. Instead, urinary phenol and hippuric acid were not different in the three groups. In the entire sample, airborne benzene and toluene values were significantly correlated, as were the respective urinary biomarkers, showing coefficients ranging from 0.36 to 0.98. Subdividing the subjects by smoking habit, higher coefficients were evident in non-smokers than in smokers; at multiple regression analysis t,t-MA, SPMA and urinary benzene and toluene were dependent on the number of cigarettes smoked daily and on airborne benzene and toluene, respectively. Instead, SBMA was dependent only on airborne toluene. CONCLUSIONS Our research confirmed the validity of t,t-MA and SPMA for use in the biological monitoring of exposure to low concentrations of benzene. Urinary benzene showed comparable validity to SPMA; both parameters are affected by smoking cigarettes in the hours before urine collection, so it is best to ask subjects to refrain from smoking for 2 h before urine collection. Urinary toluene was found to be a more specific biomarker than SBMA.
Collapse
|
48
|
Ding YS, Blount BC, Valentin-Blasini L, Applewhite HS, Xia Y, Watson CH, Ashley DL. Simultaneous determination of six mercapturic acid metabolites of volatile organic compounds in human urine. Chem Res Toxicol 2009; 22:1018-25. [PMID: 19522547 DOI: 10.1021/tx800468w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The widespread exposure to potentially harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) merits the development of practical and accurate exposure assessment methods. Measuring the urinary concentrations of VOC mercapturic acid (MA) metabolites provides noninvasive and selective information about recent exposure to certain VOCs. We developed a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantifying urinary levels of six MAs: N-acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (CEMA), N-acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (HPMA), N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxy-3-butenyl)-L-cysteine (MHBMA), N-acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHBMA), N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxyethyl)-L-cysteine (HEMA), and N-acetyl-S-(phenyl)-L-cysteine (PMA). The method provides good accuracy (102% mean accuracy) and high precision (3.5% mean precision). The sensitivity (limits of detection of 0.01-0.20 microg/L) and wide dynamic detection range (0.025-500 microg/L) make this method suitable for assessing VOC exposure of minimally exposed populations and those with significant exposures, such as cigarette smokers. We used this method to quantify MA levels in urine collected from smokers and nonsmokers. Median levels of creatinine-corrected CEMA, HPMA, MHBMA, DHBMA, HEMA, and PMA among nonsmokers (n = 59) were 38.1, 24.3, 21.3, 104.7, 0.9, and 0.5 microg/g creatinine, respectively. Among smokers (n = 61), median levels of CEMA, HPMA, MHBMA, DHBMA, HEMA, and PMA were 214.4, 839.7, 10.2, 509.7, 2.2, and 0.9 microg/g creatinine, respectively. All VOC MAs measured were higher among smokers than among nonsmokers, with the exception of MHBMA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan S Ding
- Emergency Response and Air Toxicants Branch, Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, NE, Mailstop F-47, Atlanta, Georgia 30341-3724, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Wilbur S, Wohlers D, Paikoff S, Keith LS, Faroon O. ATSDR evaluation of health effects of benzene and relevance to public health. Toxicol Ind Health 2009; 24:263-398. [PMID: 19022880 DOI: 10.1177/0748233708090910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
As part of its mandate, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepares toxicological profiles on hazardous chemicals found at Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) National Priorities List (NPL) sites that have the greatest public health impact. These profiles comprehensively summarize toxicological and environmental information. This article constitutes the release of portions of the Toxicological Profile for Benzene. The primary purpose of this article is to provide public health officials, physicians, toxicologists, and other interested individuals and groups with an overall perspective on the toxicology of benzene. It contains descriptions and evaluations of toxicological studies and epidemiological investigations and provides conclusions, where possible, on the relevance of toxicity and toxicokinetic data to public health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Wilbur
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Lee J, Kim MH, Ha M, Chung BC. Urinary metabolic profiling of volatile organic compounds in acute exposed volunteers after an oil spill in Republic of Korea. Biomed Chromatogr 2009; 24:562-8. [PMID: 19795363 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.1328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jeongae Lee
- Bioanalysis and Biotransformation Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|