CHEMICAL-EXPOSURE
STEEL-INDUSTRY

ASSOCIATION OF EXPOSURE TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS (ESTIMATED FROM JOB CATEGORY) WITH CONCENTRATION OF 1-HYDROXYPYRENE GLUCURONIDE IN URINE FROM WORKERS AT A STEEL PLANT

The contribution of occupation and smoking on urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-OHPG) was examined in a group of steel workers in a modern steel production facility located in South Korea. Altogether, 44 employees exposed to increased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the air were studied. The mean 1-OHPG concentration in exposed workers was significantly increased compared with controls. Mean 1-OHPG concentrations in the blast furnace and coke oven workers were significantly increased compared with other workers. A clear dose response relationship was seen between mean 1-OHPG concentrations and levels of PAH exposure in current smokers and the nonsmokers. An association was noted between 1-OHPG levels and the quantity of cigarettes smoked among all workers or among no or low PAH exposed workers. The authors conclude that 1-OHPG is a common urinary metabolite in people with recent occupational exposure to PAHs and is associated both with job category and estimated level of PAH exposure.

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 52(9):593-599, 1995. (29 references)

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