ELIMINATION OF 1-HYDROXYPYRENE AFTER HUMAN VOLUNTEER EXPOSURE TO POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS

The aim of this study was to estimate the kinetics of l-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) elimination after-inhalation exposure to polycyclic aromatic hy drocarbons (PAHs). Samples of inhaled and exhaled air were collected o n glass fiber filters backed with tubes filled with Amberlit XAD-2 res in. The filters were extracted by cyclohexane and Amberlit - by aceton itrile. Extracts for the determination of pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene (B [a]P) concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromato graphy (HPLC). 1-Hydroxypyrene in urine was determined after its preco ncentration on a C-18 column (solid phase extraction method) using the same analytical technique. Five male volunteers were exposed for 6 h (two times, with a 1-month interval) to a PAH mixture at an aluminium plant. The volunteers were breathing at rest through facial mask equip ped with a 1000-ml compensation container which allows collection of t he exhaled air. Inhaled air samples were collected in the breathing zo ne of each volunteer. Urine samples were collected until the 71st hour after the onset of exposure. The average respiratory retention of pyr ene was found to be 61%. The 1-HP elimination process could be describ ed by one-compartment model with the half-live of 9.8 hour (95% CI 7.9 -11.7 h). The simulation of 1-HP elimination in urine during a working week (4 days) indicates that the balance between absorption and elimi nation is achieved at the end of the second day.