Traffic-related air pollution and DNA damage: a longitudinal study in Taiwanese traffic conductors.
BACKGROUND
There is accumulating epidemiologic evidence that exposure to traffic-related air pollutants, including particulate matter (PM) and polyaromatic hydro carbons (PAHs), plays a role in etiology and prognosis of a large scale of illnesses, although the role of specific causal agents and underlying mechanisms for different health outcomes remains unknown.


OBJECTIVE
Our general objective was to assess the relations between personal exposure to traffic exhausts, in particular ambient PM(2.5) and PAHs, and the occurrence of DNA strand breaks by applying personal monitoring of PM and biomarkers of exposure (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide, 1-OHPG) and effect (urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG and DNA strand breaks).


METHODS
We recruited 91 traffic conductors and 53 indoor office workers between May 2009 and June 2011 in Taipei City, Taiwan. We used PM(2.5) personal samplers to collect breathing-zone particulate PAHs samples. Spot urine and blood samples after work shift of 2 consecutive days were analyzed for 1-OHPG, 8-OHdG and DNA strand breaks, respectively. Statistical methods included linear regression and mixed models.


RESULTS
Urinary 8-OHdG levels and the occurrence of DNA strand breaks in traffic conductors significantly exceeded those in indoor office workers in mixed models. Particulate PAHs levels showed a positive association with urinary 1-OHPG in the regression model (β = 0.056, p = 0.01). Urinary 1-OHPG levels were significantly associated with urinary 8-OHdG levels in the mixed model (β = 0.101, p = 0.023). Our results provide evidence that exposure to fine particulates causes DNA damage. Further, particulate PAHs could be biologically active constituents of PM(2.5) with reference to the induction of oxidative DNA damages.
Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Han-Bin
HB
Huang
Ching-Huang
CH
Lai
Guan-Wen
GW
Chen
Yong-Yang
YY
Lin
Jouni J K
JJ
Jaakkola
Saou-Hsing
SH
Liou
Shu-Li
SL
Wang
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000652:urine*; D000397:Air Pollution; D004249:DNA Damage; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D005965:Glucuronates / Q000652:urine; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000652:urine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D001335:Vehicle Emissions
C093851:1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide; D000393:Air Pollutants; D005965:Glucuronates; D052638:Particulate Matter; D011721:Pyrenes; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D003849:Deoxyguanosine