Perico et al

Assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in police in Florence, Italy, through personal air sampling and biological monitoring of the urinary metabolite 1-Hydroxypyrene. Perico et al., Archives of Environ Health 2001; 56: 506-512.

Andrea Perico
Department of Occupational Toxicology Health Agency of Florence
Florence Italy

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The author's report on a survey of PAH exposures of 21 workers (police officers) exposed to vehicle exhaust emissions. Sampling was carried out in winter and in summer for workers in both low-density and high-density traffic situations. The air samples were analysed for eight different PAH using HPLC and the concentrations of each are reported together with the sum of PAH. The urinary metabolite, 1-Hydroxypyrene was also determined by HPLC. Overall, the PAH exposures were higher in winter than in summer and workers in high-density traffic had greater exposures than workers in low-density traffic conditions. However, there was no appreciable correlation between the PAH levels and levels of urinary metabolite, except for the higher levels of exposure as found in the high-density traffic conditions during winter. Thus it is concluded that 1-Hydroxypyrene is only useful as an indicator of PAH exposure when the levels are not too low i.e. less than about 30 ngm3 (total PAH) or >3 ng/m3 for benzo(a)pyrene. Reasons given for the higher winter exposures are; increased use of domestic heating, greater traffic density, more cold-running engines and lower dispersal due to unfavourable atmospheric conditions. By studying non-smokers and asking subjects not to eat barbecued meats, (which are a source of dietary PAH), the authors have controlled these potential confounding factors.

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Review by Graeme Hughson, Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh

The views and opinions expressed in the text are solely of the review author

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