Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Exposure Among Aircraft Maintenance Workers

• Main Authors: Liu, Ming-Wei, 劉明威
• Other Authors: Lai, Ching-Huang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/58866287479464998968

碩士 === 國防醫學院 === 公共衛生學研究所 === 101 === Background: Aircraft engine exhausts contain complex mixture of toxicants, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which may induce oxidative DNA damage. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between PAHs exposure and the oxidative DNA damage among aircraft maintenance workers. Methods: We carried out a longitudinal study to evaluate the associations between PAHs exposure and the occurrence of DNA strand breaks. Exposure assessment was based on a biomarker of PAHs exposure, urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), and the effect was based on the percentage of DNA in tail (%T). We recruited 107 aircraft maintenance workers and categorized as exposed group and the reference group by their working characteristics. We distributed a self-administrated questionnaire to the subjects, which inquire about personal characteristics, working history and family history. Spot urine and blood samples were collected at pre-shift of the first workday and post-shift of the third workday. Statistical methods included linear regression and GEE models. Results: Urinary 1-OHP level in aircraft maintenance workers increased significantly (0.12→0.19 μg/g-creatinine) after 3 consecutive days exposure. Multivariate GEE analysis indicated that aircraft maintenance workers have elevated levels of 1-OHP than that of control group. On the other hand, the occurrence of DNA strand breaks, DNA in tail (%), of aircraft maintenance workers elevated (13.68→15.39) from pre-shift of the 1st day to post-shift of the 3rd day. Multivariate GEE analysis showed that aircraft maintenance workers had no significant increasing levels of DNA in tail (%) compared with control group. Pearson correlation analysis indicated urinary 1-OHP was not associated with DNA in tail (%). Multivariate GEE analysis demonstrated that the change of urinary 1-OHP with time didn’t affect the change of DNA in tail (%). Conclusions: Our results suggest that although DNA in tail (%) was not associated with 1-OHP to reflect oxidative DNA damage in aircraft maintenance workers, co-exposures at workplaces should be taken into consideration.