Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in men and lactating women in Slovenia: Results of the first national human biomonitoring

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2022 Feb 7;241:113943. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.113943. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTIn the first national human biomonitoring study in the Slovenian population of adults (18-49 years), including men (n = 297) and lactating primiparous women (n = 304), exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated. Nine urinary metabolites of four parent PAHs were determined. These included 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPYR), 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-OHNAP), 2-hydroxyphenanthrene (2-OHPHE), 3-hydroxyphenanthrene (3-OHPHE), 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OHPHE), a combination of 2-hydroxyfluorene and 3-hydroxyfluorene (2/3-OHFLU) and a combination of 1-hydroxyphenanthrene and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (1/9-OHPHE). For comparison, the analysed phenanthrene metabolites were reported as a sum (ΣOHPHE = 1/9-OHPHE + 2-OHPHE + 3-OHPHE + 4-OHPHE) and all the analysed PAH metabolites were reported as a sum (ΣOHPAH = 1-OHPYR + 2/3-OHFLU + 2-OHNAP + ΣOHPHE). All metabolites or their combinations were determined in more than 91% of the samples, except 4-OHPHE, which was determined in only 5% of the samples. The highest concentration was found for 2-OHNAP. This was followed by 2/3-OHFLU and the phenanthrene metabolites, while the lowest concentration was determined for 1-OHPYR. Among the phenanthrene metabolites, the highest concentration was determined for 2-OHPHE, followed by 1/9-OHPHE and then by 3-OHPHE. Values in units of volume and values adjusted for specific gravity ...
Source: International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: research