Oxidative damage in foundry workers occupationally co-exposed to PAHs and metals

Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been reported in foundries. A higher risk for DNA damage or oxidative damage lesions was also found in occupationally PAH-exposed groups. The aim of this study was to assess PAH exposure by urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a biological exposure marker. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the oxidative damage of foundry workers with different job tasks and the association between 1-OHP, metal exposure and oxidative damage in foundry workers exposed to pervasive carcinogens. A higher concentration of 1-OHP was found in the exposed group (0.322+/-0.289 microg/g creatinine) relative to the control group (0.178+/-0.289 microg/g creatinine) (p<0.05). Moreover, higher levels of 1-OHP were found in workers involved in manufacturing processes (0.346 microg/g creatinine) compared to administrative workers (0.018 microg/g creatinine). A positive correlation was identified between levels of 1-OHP and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), DNA strand breakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) in all study subjects. However, when foundry workers were considered based on their specific job categories, a similar trend for 1-OHP and three oxidative damage markers was only found for DNA strand breakage, but not for 8-OH-dG or MDA. Other factors such as furnace equipment, PAH types, and job categories may contribute to different PAH emissions. The study also suggested that co-exposure to metal and PAHs, and smoking status in foundry industries may also cause the oxidative damage in foundry workers.