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Urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in workers exposed to vapours and aerosols of bitumen

  • Toxicokinetis and Metabolism
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Abstract

Urinary hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were investigated as potential biomarkers of bitumen exposure in a cross-shift study in 317 exposed and 117 non-exposed workers. Personal measurements of the airborne concentration of vapours and aerosols of bitumen during a working shift were weakly associated with post-shift concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and 1-, 2+9-, 3- and 4-hydroxyphenanthrenes (further referred to their sum as OHPHE), but not 1- and 2-hydroxynaphthalene (OHNA). Smoking showed a strong influence on the metabolite concentrations, in particular on OHNA. Pre-shift concentrations of 1-OHP and OHPHE did not differ between the study groups (P = 0.16 and P = 0.89, respectively). During shift, PAH metabolite concentrations increased in exposed workers and non-exposed smokers. Statistical modelling of post-shift concentrations revealed a small increase in 1-OHP by a factor of 1.02 per 1 mg/m3 bitumen (P = 0.02) and 1.04 for OHPHE (P < 0.001). A group difference was observed that was diminished in non-smokers. Exposed non-smokers had a median post-shift 1-OHP concentration of 0.42 μg/l, and non-smoking referents 0.13 μg/l. Although post-shift concentrations of 1-OHP and OHPHE were slightly higher than those in the general population, they were much lower than in coke-oven workers. The small content of PAHs in vapours and aerosols of bitumen, the increasing use of additives to asphalt mixtures, the strong impact of smoking and their weak association with airborne bitumen limit the use of PAH metabolites as specific biomarkers of bitumen exposure.

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Acknowledgments

The Human Bitumen Study was initiated by the German Committee for Hazardous Substances (AGS) and the German Bitumen Forum and financially supported by: German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), Eurobitume, Deutscher Asphaltverband e.V., Concawe, Zentralverband des Deutschen Dachdeckerhandwerks, Industrieverband Bitumen-, Dach- und Dichtungsbahnen e.V., Berufsgenossenschaft Rohstoffe und Chemische Industrie (BG RCI) and Aksys GmbH, Beratungsstelle Gussasphaltanwendungen (bga), BG BAU, and Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Bitumenindustrie (Arbit). We thank all workers having participated in the Human Bitumen Study. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the field team especially Anne Flagge, Anja Molkenthin, Bianca Wachter, Dieter Höber, Gerd Zoubek, and in parts of the study Klaus Schott (†) and Hans-Jürgen Schicker.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Bürkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany

    Beate Pesch, Anne Spickenheuer, Benjamin Kendzia, Birgit Karin Schindler, Peter Welge, Boleslaw Marczynski, Hans-Peter Rihs, Monika Raulf-Heimsoth, Jürgen Angerer & Thomas Brüning

  2. Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social- and Environmental Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schillerstrasse 25/29, Erlangen, Germany

    Birgit Karin Schindler & Jürgen Angerer

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  1. Beate Pesch
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  2. Anne Spickenheuer
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  9. Jürgen Angerer
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Correspondence to Beate Pesch.

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Pesch, B., Spickenheuer, A., Kendzia, B. et al. Urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in workers exposed to vapours and aerosols of bitumen. Arch Toxicol 85 (Suppl 1), 29–39 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-011-0680-7

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