title: PAH exposure biomarkers are associated with clinico-chemical changes in the brick kiln workers in Pakistan.
abstract: In this study we investigated the clinico-chemical parameters and the level of exposure of brick kiln workers to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Punjab (Pakistan). The brick kiln workers and a non-occupationally exposed group were recruited for comparative analysis of urinary biomarkers of PAH exposure (i.e. 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr), α-naphthol and β-naphthol) and blood level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), as a biomarker of oxidative stress and other hematologic parameters. Questionnaires were used to document information on socio-demographic characteristics of all the subjects. The analysis of urinary biomarkers showed higher median concentrations of 1-OHPyr, and α- and β-naphthols in brick kiln workers (1.53, 3.65 and 1.53 μmol/mol-Cr, respectively) than non-occupationally exposed group (0.62, 0.64 and 0.66 μmol/mol-Cr, respectively). The 1-OHPyr in brick kiln workers was above the occupational exposure level. Among the clinical parameters of brick kiln workers, hemoglobin (Hb) and red blood cells (RBCs) were very low and closely associate with 1-OHPyr and β-naphthol. Additionally, the white blood cells (WBCs) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also elevated in brick kiln workers, which suggested inflammatory symptoms and high oxidative stress. The results show that regardless of possibly being affected by the poor nutrition, the anemic state and hematological changes observed in brick kiln workers may be associated with their exposure to smoke present in the environment of brick kilns.
authors.affiliation: Environmental Biology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan. Electronic address: dr.atifkamal@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Atif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.affiliation: Environmental Biology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Riffat Naseem
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Martellini
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: alessandra.cincinelli@unifi.it.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cincinelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003252:Construction Materials; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009284:Naphthols / Q000097:blood; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010154:Pakistan; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D009284:Naphthols; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011721:Pyrenes; C029350:1-naphthol; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene; C028405:2-naphthol
keywords: Anemia; Brick kiln workers; Hemoglobin; PAHs; Pakistan; SOD