Dose-dependent production of urinary naphthols among workers exposed to jet fuel (JP-8).
BACKGROUND
Jet propulsion fuel-8 (JP-8) is one of the largest sources of chemical exposures among Air Force personnel. Urinary naphthols have been suggested as useful biomarkers of exposure to JP-8.


METHODS
Multivariate linear regression models were applied to evaluate the effects of environmental and work-related factors upon production of urinary naphthols among 323 Air Force personnel.


RESULTS
Naphthalene exposure, smoking status, and their interaction, plus self-reported skin irritation explained about two-thirds of the variation in naphthol levels. The exposure-smoking interaction was consistent with induction by smoking of one or more steps in the metabolism of naphthalene and naphthalene-1,2-oxide (NapO). A supralinear dose-response relationship was observed between urinary naphthols and naphthalene exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary naphthols were associated with specific sources of exposure to JP-8, arising from both inhalation and dermal contact. Smokers and nonsmokers metabolized naphthalene at different rates, consistent with induction of at least two metabolic pathways by smoking.
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7431, USA.
Berrin
B
Serdar
Peter P
PP
Egeghy
Roger
R
Gibson
Stephen M
SM
Rappaport
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000633:toxicity*; D000401:Aircraft; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000633:toxicity; D009284:Naphthols / Q000652:urine*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D006838:Hydrocarbons; C098607:JP8 aviation fuel; D009281:Naphthalenes; D009284:Naphthols; C031721:naphthalene