Biological Monitoring of PAHs Exposure Among the Foundry Workers

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known to be human carcinogens and increased incidences of lung, skin, and bladder cancers with occupational exposure. Foundry workers are exposed to PAHs with other pollutants in the workplace during performing duties. To evaluate the PAHs exposure, biological monitoring was conducted among the foundry works to quantify the urinary levels of 1- hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) and hydroxylated phenenthrenes (OHPHE). Total 154 foundry workers including 26 controls were considered for the study and an urine sample was collected at the end of the shift of end the week to evaluate the urinary level of 1-OHP and OHPHE. It was found that mean urinary 1-OHP levels were significantly (<0.05) higher among foundry workers (1.09±1.31 µmol/mol creatinine) than control (0.38±0.73 µmol/mol creatinine). However, the mean OHPHE levels of the foundry workers (1.77±1.70 µmol/mol creatinine) were also high, but not significant compared with controls (1.65±1.38 µmol/mol creatinine). It was also observed that the mean OHPHE level was higher among the workers in shaking-out & blasting sections and the mean 1-OHP level were significantly higher in the melting and shaking-out section workers. The mean 1-OHP level of the workers with job experience ≤1, >1- ≤5 and >10 years was more significant with an elevated range than control.  From the present study it was observed that increased urinary level PAHs metabolites (1-OHP & OHPHE) were increasing with PAHs exposure among the foundry workers and these occupational groups of workers might be at higher risk of a long-term chronic exposure.