Increased urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels among adults living near a petrochemical complex

摘要

Background: The suitability of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a biological marker, to assess adults' polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)exposure surrounding a petrochemical complex has not been studied before. Aims: This study aims to investigate whether concentrations of urinary 1-OHP and PAHs in air are related to distances from the emission sources. Methods: We collected spot urine samples from1325 residents aged above 35 and 152 PM2.5 filters within 30 km radius from a petrochemical complex in central Taiwan. The study area was further divided into smaller areas of Zone A for ＜10km. Zone B for 10-20 km, and Zone C for 20-30 km. Urinary 1-OHP was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, while PAHs was done by GC-MS. Multiple linear regression models were used to estimate the distance-to-emission relationship for urinary 1-OHP levels adjusting for potential confounding factors. ANOVA tests were used to compare difference in particulate-phase PAH levels during downwind periods among three zones. Results: ANOVA tests show that urinary 1-OHP level in u.mol/mol-creatinine in Zone A (0.17 ± 0.29) was higher than that in either Zone B (0.14 ± 0.30) or Zone C (0.11 ± 0.31). Multiple linear regression models showed that residents who were in Zones A and B had higher urinary 1-OHP levels than those lived in Zone C. Those who were females or smokers also had higher 1-OHP levels regardless where they lived. The concentrations of industry-related PAHs, such as 4-ringed B(a)A, B(k)F, FI and Pyr, in Zone A were higher than those in Zone B and C during downwind periods. Their respective concentrations in ng/m3 were 0.025 ± 0.047 for B(a)A, 0.024 ± 0.050 for B(k)F, 0.036 ± 0.086 for FI, and 0.026 ± 0.045 for Pyr in Zone A. Conclusion: 1-OHP levels of adult's urine samples can be used to assess resident's exposure to PAHs emitted from petrochemical manufacturing process.