Declining Pulmonary Function in Populations with Long-term Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons-Enriched...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Health
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Coke oven work involves significant exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
• Long-term inhalation of these pollutants may adversely affect respiratory health, specifically lung function and inflammatory responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of chronic exposure to PAHs-enriched PM2.5 on inflammatory markers and lung function in coke oven workers.
• To investigate the relationship between internal exposure levels (urinary 1-hydroxypyrene) and pulmonary function parameters.

Main Methods:

• Comparative study involving 390 male coke oven workers and 115 controls.
• Measurement of PAHs in PM2.5 samples and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) as a biomarker of exposure.
• Pulmonary function tests (spirometry) including FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%, and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) assessment.

Main Results:

• Exposed workers showed a 25.7-fold higher urinary 1-OHP level compared to controls.
• Increased 1-OHP levels were associated with decreased FEV1/FVC ratio, indicating impaired lung function.
• Exposure duration correlated with reduced FEV1/FVC and FEF25-75%, suggesting small airway obstruction.
• Elevated hs-CRP levels were linked to diminished pulmonary function across all subjects.

Conclusions:

• Long-term occupational exposure to PAHs-enriched PM2.5 leads to significant impairment of pulmonary function.
• Biomarkers of exposure (1-OHP) and inflammation (hs-CRP) are associated with reduced lung capacity and small airway dysfunction.
• Findings highlight the risk of respiratory disease in workers exposed to these specific air pollutants.