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.
Serdar
Berrin
B
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7431, USA.
Egeghy
Peter P
PP
Gibson
Roger
R
Rappaport
Stephen M
SM
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