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Assessment of multipathway exposure of small children to PAH
1Département de médecine du travail et d'hygiène du milieu, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, c.p. 6128, Succursale Centre-ville, Québec, H3C 3J7, Montréal, Canada
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Children
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Exposure
Background:
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) are environmental pollutants.
- Children's exposure to PAH can occur through various pathways.
- 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) is a biomarker for PAH exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) uptake in children residing in urban environments.
- To evaluate the relationship between environmental PAH exposure and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) excretion in children.
- To identify the primary sources of PAH uptake in young children.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of PAH exposure in children from kindergartens in high-traffic ('polluted') versus green ('non-polluted') areas.
- Estimation of PAH uptake from food, air, and soil.
- Measurement of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels.
Main Results:
- Outdoor PAH concentrations were significantly higher in the 'polluted' area.
- Food consumption was the predominant source of pyrene and total PAH uptake.
- Higher urinary 1-OHP concentrations were observed in children from the 'polluted' kindergarten.
- Soil pyrene concentration showed a negligible contribution to the total absorbed dose.
Conclusions:
- Dietary intake is the primary contributor to PAH and pyrene uptake in young children, even with high air exposure.
- Urinary 1-OHP is a potential biomarker for environmental PAH exposure in children.
- Further research is needed to fully establish the utility of urinary 1-OHP for monitoring PAH exposure.
Abstract:
The aim of study was to assess the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by children living in a city and its effect on 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) excretion. Two groups of children (n=11 and 13; 3-6 years old) were chosen: (1) a group from a kindergarten situated near a road with a high traffic density ('polluted' area); (2) a group from a kindergarten situated in a green zone ('non polluted' area). Food consumption was recorded in all children and PAH uptake from foodstuffs was estimated. Ambient air samples were collected on the playground and indoor of kindergartens during 3 days in summer 1997. Soil samples were collected on the playground. Urine samples were collected in the morning and in the evening. Mean outdoor total PAH concentration (sum of 12 individual PAH) in 'polluted' area was 12 times higher than that in 'non polluted' area (22.9 vs. 1.9 ng/m(3)). However, indoor concentrations were similar (3.0 vs. 2.1 ng/m(3)). The same trend was observed for pyrene concentrations. The contribution to the total pyrene absorbed dose from food consumption (estimated daily absorbed dose of 167 and 186 ng, respectively, in 'polluted' and 'non polluted' area) was much more important than that from inhalation (8.4 and 5.4 ng, respectively) in both areas. The estimated daily absorbed doses of pyrene from the soil were 0.061 and 0.104 ng in 'polluted' and 'non polluted' kindergarten, respectively, which correspond to 0.032 and 0.059% of the total absorbed dose. Higher urinary concentrations of 1-OHP were found in children from 'polluted' kindergarten. In conclusion, the food seems to be a main source of the total pyrene and total PAH uptake in small children, even under a relative high PAH air exposure in the city. Pyrene concentration in soil had a negligible contribution to the total pyrene absorbed dose. Usefulness of the urinary 1-OHP as an indicator of the environmental exposure to PAH needs further research.