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Predictors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and internal dose in inner city Baltimore children

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 27, pages 290–298 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), the by-products of incomplete combustion of organic materials, are commonly found on particulate matter (PM) and have been associated with the development of asthma and asthma exacerbation in urban populations. We examined time spent in the home and outdoors as predictors of exposures to airborne PAHs and measured urinary 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide (1-OHPG) as internal dose of PAHs in 118 children aged 5–12 years from Baltimore, MD. During weeklong periods (Saturday–Saturday) in each of four seasons: daily activities were assessed using questionnaires, indoor air nicotine and PM concentrations were monitored, and urine specimens were collected on Tuesday (day 3) and Saturday (day 7) for measurement of 1-OHPG. Time spent in non-smoking homes was associated with significantly decreased 1-OHPG concentration in urine (β=−0.045, 95% CI (−0.076, −0.013)), and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposures modified these associations, with higher urinary 1-OHPG concentrations in children spending time in smoking homes than non-smoking homes (P-value for interaction=0.012). Time spent outdoors was associated with increased urinary 1-OHPG concentrations (β=0.097, 95% CI (0.037, 0.157)) in boys only. Our results suggest that SHS and ambient (outdoor) air pollution contribute to internal dose of PAHs in inner city children.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by National Institutes of Health Grants P50ES015903 and P01ES018176; and Environmental Protection Agency Grants RD83451001 and RD83615201. Dr. Peters was supported by a Bloomberg School of Public Health Diversity and Health Disparities Fellowship, and a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Education and Research Center Training Grant, Predoctoral Fellowship (T42-OH008428).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Kamau O Peters, D' Ann L Williams, Salahadin Abubaker, Meredith C McCormack, Patrick N Breysse, Elizabeth C Matsui, Nadia N Hansel, Gregory B Diette & Paul T Strickland

  2. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Jean Curtin-Brosnan & Elizabeth C Matsui

  3. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Meredith C McCormack, Nadia N Hansel & Gregory B Diette

  4. Department of Biostatistics, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    Roger Peng

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Peters, K., Williams, D., Abubaker, S. et al. Predictors of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and internal dose in inner city Baltimore children. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 27, 290–298 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/jes.2016.57

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