Determinants of benzo(a)pyrenediol epoxide adducts to haemoglobin in workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to assess the determinants of benzo(a)pyrenediol epoxide adducts to haemoglobin (BaPDE-Hb) in workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).


METHODS
This was a study of the correlations between the concentrations of PAHs in air, 1-hydroxyprene in urine, and BaPDE-Hb adduct concentration in the blood in 206 men working in steel foundries and one graphite electrode producing plant, taking into consideration confounding factors such as smoking and dietary habits.


RESULTS
BaPDE-Hb adduct concentration was correlated (r = 0.26; p = 0.0002) with the airborne PAH concentration and was influenced by tobacco consumption but not by dietary habits. Benzo(a)-pyrene concentration in air, 1-hydroxypyrene concentration in urine, and duration of exposure to PAHs were not associated with the adduct concentration.


CONCLUSIONS
Although environmental exposure to PAHs was statistically associated with BaPDE-Hb adduct concentration, differences between individual subjects in the metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene probably play an important part in determining the amount of BaPDE-Hb adducts formed.
Ferreira Júnior
M F
MF
Industrial Toxicology and Occupational Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Tas
S
S
dell'Omo
M
M
Goormans
G
G
Buchet
J P
JP
Lauwerys
R
R
D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D009153:Mutagens / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013997:Time Factors
D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D006454:Hemoglobins; D009153:Mutagens; D011083:Polycyclic Compounds; D011721:Pyrenes; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene