Human exposure to the jet fuel, JP-8.
BACKGROUND
This study investigates anecdotal reports that have suggested adverse health effects associated with acute or chronic exposure to jet fuel.


METHODS
JP-8 exposure during the course of the study day was estimated using breath analysis. Health effects associated with exposure were measured using a neurocognitive testing battery and liver and kidney function tests.


RESULTS
Breath analysis provided an estimate of an individual's recent JP-8 exposure that had occurred via inhalation and dermal routes. All individuals studied on base exhaled aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons that are found in JP-8. The subject who showed evidence of the most exposure to JP-8 had a breath concentration of 11.5 mg x m(-3) for total JP-8. This breath concentration suggested that exposure to JP-8 at an Air Guard Base is much less than exposure observed at other Air Force Bases. This reduction in exposure to JP-8 is attributed to the safety practices and standard operating procedures carried out by base personnel. The base personnel who exhibited the highest exposures to JP-8 were fuel cell workers, fuel specialists and smokers, who smoked downwind from the flightline.


CONCLUSIONS
Although study-day exposures appear to be much less than current guidelines, chronic exposure at these low levels appeared to affect neurocognitive functioning. JP-8-exposed individuals performed significantly poorer than a sample of non-exposed age- and education-matched individuals on 20 of 47 measures of information processing and other cognitive functions.
Tu
Raymond H
RH
Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Mitchell
Clifford S
CS
Kay
Gary G
GG
Risby
Terence H
TH
D000328:Adult; D001359:Aviation; D001944:Breath Tests; D003071:Cognition; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D045853:Exhalation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008283:Maintenance; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce
D006838:Hydrocarbons; C098607:JP8 aviation fuel