Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in firefighters at fire training facilities and in employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops

TY - JOUR

T1 - Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in firefighters at fire training facilities and in employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops

AU - Koslitz, S.

AU - Heinrich, B.

AU - Käfferlein, Heiko U

AU - Koch, Holger M

AU - Pelzl, T.

AU - Pitzke, Katrin

AU - Köster, Daniel

AU - Weiß, T

AU - Harth, Volker

AU - Brüning, Thomas

AU - Behrens, Thomas

AU - Taeger, Dirk

PY - 2023/12/13

Y1 - 2023/12/13

N2 - INTRODUCTION: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic to humans and are formed by incomplete combustion. PAHs are always present during firefighting operations, and fire department members can be exposed to them in the workplace.METHODS: In this study, we analyzed 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in 36 urine samples from nine firefighters, collected before and after fire training sessions, and 32 urine samples from eight employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops. To assess breakthrough PAH exposure through personal protective equipment and potential dermal uptake, some of the workshop employees wore cotton garments under their regular workwear. Cotton samples were then examined for the presence of 17 semi-volatile and low-volatility PAHs.RESULTS: After firefighting exercises, we observed approximately a fivefold increase in mean 1-OHP concentrations in samples from firefighters, from 0.24 μg/L to 1.17 μg/L (maximum: 5.31 μg/L). In contrast, 1-OHP levels in workshop employees were found to be low, with the majority of urine samples yielding concentrations below the limit of quantification (LOQ: 0.05 μg/L, maximum: 0.11 μg/L). Similarly, low PAH levels were found on the workshop employees' cotton undergarments, with maximum concentrations of 250 and 205 ng/g for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively.DISCUSSION: In conclusion, significant increases in 1-OHP in urine were observed in firefighters after training sessions, whereas work-related exposure remained low among workshop employees.

AB - INTRODUCTION: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic to humans and are formed by incomplete combustion. PAHs are always present during firefighting operations, and fire department members can be exposed to them in the workplace.METHODS: In this study, we analyzed 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in 36 urine samples from nine firefighters, collected before and after fire training sessions, and 32 urine samples from eight employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops. To assess breakthrough PAH exposure through personal protective equipment and potential dermal uptake, some of the workshop employees wore cotton garments under their regular workwear. Cotton samples were then examined for the presence of 17 semi-volatile and low-volatility PAHs.RESULTS: After firefighting exercises, we observed approximately a fivefold increase in mean 1-OHP concentrations in samples from firefighters, from 0.24 μg/L to 1.17 μg/L (maximum: 5.31 μg/L). In contrast, 1-OHP levels in workshop employees were found to be low, with the majority of urine samples yielding concentrations below the limit of quantification (LOQ: 0.05 μg/L, maximum: 0.11 μg/L). Similarly, low PAH levels were found on the workshop employees' cotton undergarments, with maximum concentrations of 250 and 205 ng/g for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively.DISCUSSION: In conclusion, significant increases in 1-OHP in urine were observed in firefighters after training sessions, whereas work-related exposure remained low among workshop employees.

U2 - 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1277812

DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1277812

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38152667

VL - 11

SP - 1277812

JO - FRONT PUBLIC HEALTH

JF - FRONT PUBLIC HEALTH

SN - 2296-2565

M1 - 1277812

ER -