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. 1997 Aug;54(8):619–621. doi: 10.1136/oem.54.8.619

Biological monitoring of environmental exposure to PAHs in the vicinity of a Söderberg aluminium reduction plant.

N L Gilbert 1, C Viau 1
PMCID: PMC1128988  PMID: 9326167

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the vicinity of a Söderberg aluminium reduction plant in Shawinigan, Canada with urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as a biomarker. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 20 non-occupationally exposed subjects living less than 500 m from the plant and from 20 controls living in Trois-Rivières, another industrial town 40 km from Shawinigan. Concentrations of 1-OHP were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: Among controls, geometric mean (range) 1-OHP concentrations were 0.046 (0.012-0.116) mumol/mol creatinine in non-smokers and 0.125 (0.051-0.282) mumol/mol creatinine in smokers. Among exposed subjects, values were 0.103 (0.056-0.196) mumol/mol creatinine in non-smokers and 0.250 (0.112-0.448) mumol/mol creatinine in smokers. Excretion of 1-OHP was significantly higher in exposed subjects than in controls among non-smokers and smokers (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on urinary 1-OHP as a biomarker, it seems that living near an industrial point source of PAHs is associated with higher exposure. The health significance of this finding will require further investigation.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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