Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in chinese coke oven workers relative to job category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking

Background 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) is a biomarker of recent exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We investigated whether urinaryI-OHP concentrations in Chinese coke oven workers (COWs) are modulated byjob category, respirator usage, and cigarette smoking. Methods The present cross-sectional study measured urinary 1-OHP concentrations in 197 COWs from Coking plant I and 250 COWs from Coking plant 11, as well as 220 unexposed referents from Control plant I and 56 referents from Control plant II Results Urinary 1-OHP concentrations (geometric mean, mu mol/mol creatinine) were 5.18 and 4.21 in workers from Coking plants I and II, respectively. The highest 1-HP levels in urine were found among topside workers including lidmen, tar chasers, and whistlers. Benchmen had higher 1-OHP levels than other workers at the sideoven. Above 75% ofthe COWs exceeded the recommended occupational exposure limit of2.3,umollmol creatinine. Respirator usage and increased body mass index (BMI) slightly reduced 1-OHP levels in COWs (P < 0.1). Cigarette smoking significantly increased urinary 1-OHP levels in unexposed referents (P < 0.005), but had no effect in COWs (P > 0.1). Conclusions Chinese COWs, especially topside workers and benchmen, are exposed to high levels ofPAHs. Urinary 1-OHP concentrations appear to be modulated by respirator usage and BMI in COWs, as well as by smoking in unexposed referents. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:657-663, 2007. 0 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.