title: Effects of coke oven emissions and benzo[a]pyrene on blood pressure and electrocardiogram in coke oven workers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects of occupational exposures to coke oven emissions (COEs) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on the prevalence of hypertension and abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) in coke oven workers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 880 coke oven workers and 710 oxygen employees in the exposed and control groups, respectively. Blood pressure (BP), ECG, blood lipid levels, and glucose levels of all subjects were measured. COE and B[a]P concentrations at the bottom, side, and top of the oven and control plants were estimated by weighing and high-performance liquid chromatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The COE concentration at the top and side was higher than that at the bottom (P < 0.05). The levels of B[a]P at the top and side significantly exceeded the limit value. Abnormal BP, ECG, the detection ratio of hypertension and left ventricular high voltage were significantly greater in the exposed group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The logistic regression analysis results revealed that age and B[a]P exposure were risk factors for hypertension in coke oven workers (P < 0.05) and both were risk factors for abnormal ECG (P < 0.05). Moreover, B[a]P exposure, age, and gender were risk factors for impaired fasting glucose in coke oven workers (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  B[a]P and COE exposures are risk factors for hypertension and abnormal ECG in coke oven workers.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Management, Research Center for Medicine and Social Development, Innovation Center for Social Risk Governance in Health, Chongqing Medical University.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Shuqun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chengzhi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xianqing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Baijie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000066428:Coal Industry; D003077:Coke / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D003077:Coke; D001564:Benzo(a)pyrene; D010100:Oxygen