Abbreviations:
1-HP = 1-hydroxypyrene
BaP = benzo(a)pyrene
HPLC = high pressure liquid chromatography
mg = microgram
mmol = mikromol
Abstract:
It is proved that various polycyclic hydrocarbons have major mutagenic
and carcinogenic activity. The basis for research on the mechanism of mutagenic
and carcinogenic activity of aromatic hydrocarbons was benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)
– one of the most potent and most widespread carcinogens in human environment.
In order to identify the persons particularly endangered, it is essential
to establish the type and amount of the carcinogen absorbed, by evaluating
concentrations of the carcinogen or its metabolites in body fluids, which
leads to the identification of exposure markers. As biomarker of the absorbed
dose of aromatic hydrocarbons the evaluation of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene
(1-HP) is commonly used. Our study presents urinary 1-HP measurement in
82 steel-mill workers, of whom 56 were coke-oven department workers exposed
to major concentrations of BaP, confirmed by environmental research. The
mean, minimum and maximum 1-HP excretions after the end of work were 10.78
mmol/mol of creatinine, 0.61 mmol/mol
of creatinine and 73.29 mmol/mol of creatinine,
respectively. After three days a significant difference was found: the
mean, maximum and minimum excretions were 1.50, 7.39 and 0.2, respectively.
This indicates the possibility of using 1-HP excretion as biomarker of
short-term exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons. 1-HP excretion falls rapidly
after 3 days, thus 1-HP assessment can be used as a marker of exposure
only when the material had been collected immediately after exposure. Minor
influence of tobacco smoking on 1-HP excretion was found; it was not significant
when compared to occupational exposure.
| Received: 2 April 1998
Accepted: 22 July 1998 Posted: 19 November 1998 |
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