Baseline data and associations between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, blood pressure, hemogram, and lifestyle among wildland firefighters

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Klara Slezakova (Author) FEUP; Barros, Bela (Author) Other; Paiva, Ana Margarida (Author) Other; Oliveira, Marta (Author) Other; Alves, Sara (Author) Other; Esteves, Filipa (Author) Other; Fernandes, Adília (Author) Other; Vaz, Josiana (Author) Other; Costa, Solange (Author) Other; Teixeira, João Paulo (Author) Other; Morais, Simone (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Frontiers in Public Health

Vol. 12

Initial page: 1338435

Publisher: Frontiers Media

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 2 Citations

Scientific classification

CORDIS: Natural sciences > Environmental science ; Health sciences

Associated Projects

ALiCE - ALiCE - Laboratório Associado em Engenharia Química

BioFirEx - Um painel de (bio)marcadores para a vigilância da saúde e da segurança do bombeiro

LEPABE - Financiamento Plurianual 2020-2023 da Unidade de I&D LEPABE - Laboratório de Engenharia de Processos, Ambiente, Biotecnologia e Energia

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-010-5MK

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1338435

Abstract (EN): Introduction Available literature has found an association between firefighting and pathologic pathways leading to cardiorespiratory diseases, which have been linked with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are highlighted as priority pollutants by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative in occupational and non-occupational contexts. Methods This cross-sectional study is the first to simultaneously characterize six creatinine-adjusted PAHs metabolites (OHPAHs) in urine, blood pressure, cardiac frequency, and hemogram parameters among wildland firefighters without occupational exposure to fire emissions (> 7 days), while exploring several variables retrieved via questionnaires. Results Overall, baseline levels for total OHPAHs levels were 2 to 23-times superior to the general population, whereas individual metabolites remained below the general population median range (except for 1-hydroxynaphthalene+1-hydroxyacenaphtene). Exposure to gaseous pollutants and/or particulate matter during work-shift was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in total OHPAHs levels. Firefighters who smoke presented 3-times higher total concentration of OHPAHs than non-smokers (p < 0.001); non-smoker females presented 2-fold lower total OHPAHs (p = 0.049) than males. 1-hydroxypyrene was below the recommended occupational biological exposure value (2.5 mu g/L), and the metabolite of carcinogenic PAH (benzo(a)pyrene) was not detected. Blood pressure was above 120/80 mmHg in 71% of subjects. Firefighters from the permanent intervention team presented significantly increased systolic pressure than those who performed other functions (p = 0.034). Tobacco consumption was significantly associated with higher basophils (p = 0.01-0.02) and hematocrit (p = 0.03). No association between OHPAHs and blood pressure was found. OHPAHs concentrations were positively correlated with monocyte, basophils, large immune cells, atypical lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume, which were stronger among smokers. Nevertheless, inverse associations were observed between fluorene and pyrene metabolites with neutrophils and eosinophils, respectively, in non-smokers. Hemogram was negatively affected by overworking and lower physical activity. Conclusion This study suggests possible associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and health parameters in firefighters, that should be further assessed in larger groups.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 19