Forest Fire emissions: Exposure data and potential health risks for firefighters and the general population.

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Urinary biomonitoring in firefighters: baseline data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites

Publication . Barros, B.; Oliveira, M.; Paiva, M.; Fernandes, A.; Alves, S.; Vaz, J.; Esteves, F.; Slezakova, K.; Alves, M.J.; Madureira, J.; Pereira, M.C.; Morais, S.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most relevant pollutants in the firefighting context and urine the most straightforward and interesting matrix for biomonitoring. Recent studies have found elevated levels of PAH metabolites in firefighters in comparison to the general population. Since Portuguese firefighters are poorly characterized, the aim of this study was to determine the baseline data (i.e., with no recent exposure to fire emissions) of several urinary monohydroxyl-PAHs (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1- hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) in this occupational group. A total of 106 Portuguese firefighters were enrolled in this study and characterized through a previously validated questionnaire. Individual OHPAHs were detected with a frequency of 90-99%, except for 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs) that was not identified. The individual levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (the established biomarker for PAHs exposure) were lower than the recommended biological exposure limit proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (0.93 µmol/mol creatinine). This study characterized the baseline data of PAHs exposure in Portuguese firefighters by urinary biomonitoring, which enables comparison with occupational studies from other countries and contributes to fill a research gap in Portugal

2023-06-21Conference object

Open access

Baseline data and associations between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, blood pressure, hemogram, and lifestyle among wildland firefighters

Publication . Barros, Bela; Paiva, Ana Margarida; Oliveira, Marta; Alves, Sara; Esteves, Filipa; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana; Slezakova, Klara; Costa, Solange; Teixeira, João Paulo; Morais, Simone

Introduction: Available literature has found an association between firefighting and pathologic pathways leading to cardiorespiratory diseases, which have been linked with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are highlighted as priority pollutants by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative in occupational and non-occupational contexts. Methods: This cross-sectional study is the first to simultaneously characterize six creatinine-adjusted PAHs metabolites (OHPAHs) in urine, blood pressure, cardiac frequency, and hemogram parameters among wildland firefighters without occupational exposure to fire emissions (> 7 days), while exploring several variables retrieved via questionnaires. Results: Overall, baseline levels for total OHPAHs levels were 2 to 23-times superior to the general population, whereas individual metabolites remained below the general population median range (except for 1-hydroxynaphthalene+1-hydroxyacenaphtene). Exposure to gaseous pollutants and/or particulate matter during work-shift was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in total OHPAHs levels. Firefighters who smoke presented 3-times higher total concentration of OHPAHs than non-smokers (p < 0.001); non-smoker females presented 2-fold lower total OHPAHs (p = 0.049) than males. 1-hydroxypyrene was below the recommended occupational biological exposure value (2.5 μg/L), and the metabolite of carcinogenic PAH (benzo(a)pyrene) was not detected. Blood pressure was above 120/80 mmHg in 71% of subjects. Firefighters from the permanent intervention team presented significantly increased systolic pressure than those who performed other functions (p = 0.034). Tobacco consumption was significantly associated with higher basophils (p = 0.01–0.02) and hematocrit (p = 0.03). No association between OHPAHs and blood pressure was found. OHPAHs concentrations were positively correlated with monocyte, basophils, large immune cells, atypical lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume, which were stronger among smokers. Nevertheless, inverse associations were observed between fluorene and pyrene metabolites with neutrophils and eosinophils, respectively, in non-smokers. Hemogram was negatively affected by overworking and lower physical activity. Conclusion: This study suggests possible associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and health parameters in firefighters, that should be further assessed in larger groups.

2024-03-06Journal article

Open access