title: The effect of occupational exposure to benzo[a]pyrene on neurobehavioral function in coke oven workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Coke oven workers are regularly exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), known as an indicator species for PAH contamination, is a neurobehavioral toxicant. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the relationship between B[a]P exposure, a B[a]P-related urinary metabolite and neurobehavioral function among coke oven workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Coke oven workers and oxygen factory workers participated in this study. B[a]P exposure was monitored by air sampling pump, and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) level was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A questionnaire and the neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) were administered to all subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B[a]P-exposed workers were found to have higher urinary 1-OHP levels and worse NCTB performances on eight items than control workers. B[a]P concentrations were higher in the coke oven plant than that in the controls' workplace. The performances on simple reaction time, correct pursuit aiming, and error pursuit aiming decreased with increasing airborne B[a]P in coke oven workers. There were significant correlations between urinary 1-OHP level and six items of the NCTB.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occupational exposure to B[a]P is associated with neurobehavioral function impairment in coke oven workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Chongying
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Shuqun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Yinyin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Baijie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003077:Coke; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000652:urine; D011930:Reaction Time; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D003077:Coke; D011721:Pyrenes; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene