EVALUATION OF BIOMARKERS IN PLASMA, BLOOD, AND URINE SAMPLES FROM COKE-OVEN WORKERS - SIGNIFICANCE OF EXPOSURE TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

Objective-The aim was to assess the significance of two biomarkers; an tibody to benzo(a)pyrene DNA adducts and concentration of hydroxyethyl valine haemoglobin adducts in samples from a well studied group of cok e oven workers. As a measure of exposure we have used 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. Methods-Urine and blood samples were collected from coke ove n workers and a control group. Samples from coke oven plant workers we re collected in January and June, 1-Hydroxypyrene was measured in urin e by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), antibodies to benz o(a)pyrene DNA adducts were measured by ELISA and hydroxyethylvaline h aemoglobin adducts were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectromet ry (GC-MS). Results-Mean urinary l-hydroxypyrene in samples from coke oven workers varied from 1.11 to 5.53 umol/mol creatinine and 0.14 umo l/mol creatinine in the control group. Workers at the top side had the highest values of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene. Antibody to benzo(a)pyrene DNA adducts did not correlate with either 1-hydroxypyrene nor length of work at the coke oven plant. But antibody concentration in samples collected in January was predictive of the concentration in samples co llected in June. A small non-significant increase in hydroxyethylvalin e haemoglobin adducts was found in samples from coke oven workers rela tive to the control group when comparing smokers and nonsmokers separa tely. Conclusion-1-Hydroxypyrene correlates well. with exposure groups based on job description. Antibodies to benzo(a)pyrene DNA adducts wa s related to people and not exposure. Work at a coke oven plant might lead to increased hydroxyethylvaline haemoglobin adducts.