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Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons among Dutch children
J H van Wijnen1, R Slob, G Jongmans-Liedekerken
1Municipal Health Service, Department of Environmental Medicine, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Environmental Health Perspectives
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) levels in Dutch children varied by location, with indoor polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) sources showing a slight association. Single 1-HP measurements were found to be unreliable for assessing exposure.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Biomonitoring
- Pediatric Exposure Assessment
Background:
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental pollutants linked to various health concerns.
- Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) is a biomarker for PAH exposure.
- Assessing children's exposure to PAHs is crucial due to their vulnerability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine urinary 1-HP concentrations in Dutch children aged 1-6 years across different PAH exposure areas.
- To investigate factors influencing PAH exposure, including indoor sources and residential soil.
- To evaluate the reliability of single 1-HP measurements for biomonitoring.
Main Methods:
- Collection of urine samples from 644 children across five distinct geographical areas.
- Analysis of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) and creatinine levels.
- Administration of questionnaires to gather data on potential PAH exposure factors.
- Repeat measurements of 1-HP in a subset of children (approx. 200) to assess reliability.
Main Results:
- Mean urinary 1-HP concentration was 2.06 nmol/l, with variations observed across different regions.
- Higher 1-HP levels were found in children from the Geul valley, and lower levels in a suburb of Amsterdam, compared to a reference area.
- Indoor PAH sources showed a small positive association with urinary 1-HP; ambient environment differences were less significant.
- A weak positive association between garden soil PAH content and urinary 1-HP was noted in one neighborhood built on coal-mine tailings.
- The reliability of a single 1-HP measurement was determined to be low.
Conclusions:
- Urinary 1-HP levels in children are influenced by geographical location and indoor PAH sources.
- Ambient PAH levels in the environment may have a limited impact on dietary intake variations.
- The reliability of single 1-HP measurements is insufficient for accurate exposure assessment in this population.
- Further research is needed to understand the complex interplay of environmental and domestic factors on children's PAH exposure.