Biomonitoring of Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene as an Indicator of PAHs Exposure in the Adult Population of West Bengal, India

Author(s): Anupa Yadav, Aniruddha Mukhopadhayay, Amit Chakrabarti, AsimSaha and Pritha Bhattacharjee

Background: Exposure to environmental Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) among the general population is a global issue. PAHs exposure causes various health issues that depend on Intensity, exposure duration, age, health status, and genetic susceptibility.

Aim: To evaluate PAHs exposure by biomonitoring of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in residents of West Bengal, India.

Method: Urine samples were obtained from 100 individuals living in urban and rural areas. 1-OHP was quantified by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). A structured questionnaire was used to collect daily exposure-related information.

Results: The mean value of 1-OHP was 0.44μg/L (median 0.26μg/L) in total individuals. It was higher in urban and male than rural and female individuals. The 95th percentile value of 1-OHP was found higher than reference value 1.03μg/L established by German Environment Agency. The highest 1-OHP was observed in age group 40->40years (0.49μg/L). Low income group (LIG), smoker males and females involved in cooking practice have significantly high 1-OHP (p<0.0001; p=0.0002; p=0.0002 respectively). Females who were using biomass cooking fuel had significantly high 1-OHP(p=0.002). 1-OHP in smoker travellers was 3.4-fold higher than non-smoker nontraveller individuals. Rural females staying indoors had significantly higher (p=0.0003)1-OHP than urban females.

Conclusion: High PAHs exposure was found in our study individuals compared to other countries. In urban environments, traffic emissions and tobacco smoke were found as the prime contributors, while in rural areas biomass fuel smoke was a major contributing factor. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reduce PAHs exposure at regulatory and individual levels.