Urinary Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Mate Drinkers in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

摘要

Background: Consumption of mate, an infusion of the herb Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate), is associated with increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the carcinogenic mechanism is unclear. Commercial brands of yerba mate contain high levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are acquired during the traditional drying process. The purpose of this study was to characterize exposure to PAHs in mate drinkers over a wide range of mate consumption.