Urinary hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as biomarkers of exposure in asphalt workers M. BURATTI 1 , L. CAMPO 1 , S. FUSTINONI 1 , P. E. CIRLA 1 , I. MARTINOTTI 1 , D. CAVALLO 2 , & V. FOA 1 1 Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Milan and Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Via S. Barnaba, Milan, Italy and 2 Department of Chemical and Environmental Sciences, University of Insubria at Como, Via Lucini, Como, Italy Abstract Background. Fumes and vapours released during laying of hot asphalt mix have been recognised as a major source of exposure for asphalt workers. Objectives. We investigated the relationships between inhalation exposure to asphalt emissions and urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in asphalt workers (AW, n  /75) and in ground construction workers (CW, n  /37). Methods. Total polyaromatic compounds (PAC) and 15 priority PAHs in inhaled air were measured by personal sampling. Hydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) (2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydro- xypyrene, 6-hydroxychrysene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene) were determined in urine spot samples collected in three different times during the work week. Results. Median vapour-phase PAC (5.5 mgm  3 ), PAHs ( 5 /50 ng m  3 ) and OH-PAHs (0.08  1.11 mgl  1 ) were significantly higher in AW than in CW, except in the cases of air naphthalene and 2-naphthol. Airborne levels of particle-phase contaminants were similar in the two groups and much lower than vapour- phase levels; metabolites of particulate PAHs were never found in quantifiable amounts. An appreciable increase in OH-PAH levels during the work day and work week was found in AW; median levels for 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene and 1-hydroxypyrene were, respectively, 0.29, 0.08 and 0.18 at baseline; 0.50, 0.18 and 0.29, pre-shift; 1.11, 0.44 and 0.44 mgl  1 , post-shift. Each OH-PAH exhibited a characteristic profile of increase, reflecting differences in half-lives of the parent compounds. In non-smoking subjects, positive correlations were found between vapour-phase PAC or PAHs and OH-PAHs both in pre- and post-shift samples (0.34 5 /r 5 /69). Smokers exhibited 2  5-fold higher OH-PAHs than non-smokers, at any time and at both workplaces. Conclusions. Our results suggest that OH-PAHs are useful biomarkers for monitoring exposure to asphalt emissions. The work-related exposure to PAC and PAHs was low in all AW, but urinary metabolites reflected exposure satisfactorily. Keywords: Bitumen emissions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, urinary metabolites, asphalt pavers, biological monitoring, biomarker (Received 24 July 2006; accepted 30 October 2006) Correspondence: L. Campo, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Milan and Fondazione IRCCS, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Via S. Barnaba, 8-20122 Milano, Italy. Tel:  /39 02 50320116. Fax:  /39 02 50320111. E-mail: laura.campo@unimi.it ISSN 1354-750X print/ISSN 1366-5804 online # 2007 Informa UK Ltd. DOI: 10.1080/13547500601100110 Biomarkers, May  June 2007; 12(3): 221  239 Biomarkers Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Milan For personal use only.