Targeted Analysis of VOCS in Exhaled Breath of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis Patients, An Exploratory Study

Pneumoconiosis represents the most prevalent occupational disease in China, with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) showing the highest incidence. Analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the exhaled breath of CWP patients may provide novel insights into its pathogenesis.

Study data were collected through questionnaires and medical examinations. Thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was employed for targeted VOC analysis. Differential VOCs were identified using OPLS-DA, the Mann-Whitney U test, and fold change analysis. The discriminatory efficacy of differential VOCs was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Spearman correlation analysis explored relationships between differential VOCs, lung function indices, and blood cell levels.

The pneumoconiosis group showed elevated concentrations of 10 compounds, including isopentane, n-pentane, and isoprene, while four compounds, including 2,4-dimethylpentane, methylcyclohexane, 2,3,4-trimethylpentane, and 2-methylheptane showed decreased concentrations. Combined univariate and multivariate statistical analyses identified six significant VOCs, including isopentane and pentane. Notably, isopentane and n-pentane demonstrated negative correlations with forced vital capacity and levels, while 2-methylheptane showed positive correlations.

Clear metabolic differences in VOCs exist between CWP patients and non-dust-exposed healthy controls. Six compounds - isopentane, n-pentane, 3-methylpentane, n-hexane, cyclohexane, and 2-methylheptane - in exhaled breath demonstrate potential as biomarkers for CWP.