1-Hydroxypyrene levels in coal-handling workers at a coke oven.
An environmental and medical survey was conducted at the coal-handling area of a coke oven, where workers came in contact with coal-tar sludge. The purpose of the study was to determine if skin contact with coal-tar sludge was an important route of exposure to pyrene because workers were observed to have substantial contact with the sludge. Environmental monitoring revealed minimal airborne exposure to pyrene, a byproduct of the coke distillation process; only one personal breathing zone sample detected pyrene, and at least of 0.001 mg/m3. However, the mean preshift urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration was 1.00 mumol/mol creatinine (range, 0.16 to 2.96 mumol/mol creatinine) and the mean postshift level was 1.7 mumol/mol creatinine (range, 0.24 to 4.85 mumol/mol creatinine) (P < 0.01). These levels probably reflect absorption as a result of skin exposure.
Malkin
R
R
Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations, and Field Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226, USA.
Kiefer
M
M
Tolos
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D003033:Coal Tar / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003077:Coke; D006801:Humans; D007641:Keratolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D012869:Skin Absorption; D012907:Smoking
D015415:Biomarkers; D003077:Coke; D007641:Keratolytic Agents; D011721:Pyrenes; D003033:Coal Tar; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene