URINARY 1-HYDROXYPYRENE - A BIOMARKER FOR POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBON EXPOSURE IN COAL-LIQUEFACTION WORKERS

This study was undertaken to assess the suitability of urinary l-hydro xypyrene (1-OHPyr) as a biological marker of polycyclic aromatic hydro carbon (PAH) exposure in coal liquefaction workers. This is believed t o be the first evaluation of the method in coal liquefaction workers. Ten workers were selected from a group of 30 workers considered likely to be at risk of contamination from PAHs by virtue of their jobs. Spo t urine samples were collected at the start of a work period and at th e end of each work shift, with analysis of 1-OHPyr being undertaken by high-performance liquid chromatography linked to a fluorescence detec tor. Exposure was assessed by the completion of questionnaires. Excret ion of 1-OHPyr increased significantly over the working period, and th ere was a significant increase in 1-OHPyr where start-shift and end-sh ift samples were taken over one shift. A significant decrease in 1-OHP yr was found during breaks away from work.