title: Urinary biomarkers of occupational jet fuel exposure among Air Force personnel.
abstract: There is a potential for widespread occupational exposure to jet fuel among military and civilian personnel. Urinary metabolites of naphthalene have been suggested for use as short-term biomarkers of exposure to jet fuel (jet propulsion fuel 8 (JP8)). In this study, urinary biomarkers of JP8 were evaluated among US Air Force personnel. Personnel (n=24) were divided a priori into high, moderate, and low exposure groups. Pre- and post-shift urine samples were collected from each worker over three workdays and analyzed for metabolites of naphthalene (1- and 2-naphthol). Questionnaires and breathing-zone naphthalene samples were collected from each worker during the same workdays. Linear mixed-effects models were used to evaluate the exposure data. Post-shift levels of 1- and 2-naphthol varied significantly by a priori exposure group (levels in high group>moderate group>low group), and breathing-zone naphthalene was a significant predictor of post-shift levels of 1- and 2-naphthol, indicating that for every unit increase in breathing-zone naphthalene, there was an increase in naphthol levels. These results indicate that post-shift levels of urinary 1- and 2-naphthol reflect JP8 exposure during the work-shift and may be useful surrogates of JP8 exposure. Among the high exposed workers, significant job-related predictors of post-shift levels of 1- and 2-naphthol included entering the fuel tank, repairing leaks, direct skin contact with JP8, and not wearing gloves during the work-shift. The job-related predictors of 1- and 2-naphthol emphasize the importance of reducing inhalation and dermal exposure through the use of personal protective equipment while working in an environment with JP8.
authors: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. ksmith@hsph.harvard.edu
authors: Kristen W
authors: KW
authors: Smith
authors: Susan P
authors: SP
authors: Proctor
authors: A L
authors: AL
authors: Ozonoff
authors: Michael D
authors: MD
authors: McClean
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D001359:Aviation; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D009284:Naphthols / Q000652:urine*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010578:Petroleum; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D009281:Naphthalenes; D009284:Naphthols; D010578:Petroleum; C029350:1-naphthol; C028405:2-naphthol