title: Assessment of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in engine rooms by measurement of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Machinists have an increased risk of lung cancer and bladder cancer, and this may be caused by exposure to carcinogenic compounds such as asbestos and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the engine room. The aim of this study was to investigate the exposure of engine room personnel to PAHs, with 1-hydroxypyrene in urine as a biomarker.
  
  
  METHODS
  Urine samples from engine room personnel (n = 51) on 10 ships arriving in different harbours were collected, as well as urine samples from a similar number of unexposed controls (n = 47) on the same ships. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was quantitatively measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The exposure to PAHs was estimated by a questionnaire answered by the engine room personnel. On two ships, air monitoring of PAHs in the engine room was performed at sea. Both personal monitoring and area monitoring were performed. The compounds were analysed by gas chromatography of two types (with a flame ionisation detector and with a mass spectrometer).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly more 1-hydroxypyrene was found in urine of personnel who had been working in the engine room for the past 24 hours, than in that of the unexposed seamen. The highest concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene were found among engine room personnel who had experienced oil contamination of the skin during their work in the engine room. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed a significant relation between the concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene, smoking, and estimated exposure to PAHs. No PAHs were detected in the air samples.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Engine room personnel who experience skin exposure to oil and oil products are exposed to PAHs during their work. This indicates that dermal uptake of PAHs is the major route of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational Medicine, University of Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nordlinder
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ovrebø
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bleie
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Skorve
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Hollund
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005648:Fuel Oils; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012767:Ships; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D005648:Fuel Oils; D011721:Pyrenes; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene