Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Fatal Ischemic Heart Disease

Ambient polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and cardiovascular disease in China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a prominent category of ambient air pollutants worldwide, but our understanding of their potential health effects at ambient concentrations is severely limited. Our goal was to investigate the relation between ambient PAHs and daily hospitalizations for cardiovascular disease and explore its potential mechanism. This research included both observational and experimental studies. For population-based study, we collected data on daily hospitalizations for cardiovascular events in 184 major Chinese cities, which cover a population of 280 million individuals, for period of 2014-2017. We utilized a time-series quasi-Poisson regression model to assess the city-specific relations between PAHs and hospitalizations, and then employed a random-effects meta-analysis to aggregate the effect estimates across the cities. We also employed meta-regression models and stratified analyses to explore possible effect modifiers. For animal study, mice were exposed to varying doses of PAHs via tracheal instillation to evaluate the cardiac damage induced by PAHs. Potential mechanisms were elucidated through transcriptomic and proteomic sequencing. On the national scale, each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PAHs concentrations at 0-7 days was related to a 5.18 % (3.27 %-7.12 %) increase in hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease, 5.72 % (3.83 %-7.65 %) for ischemic heart disease, and 6.08 % (3.37 %-8.87 %) for ischemic stroke. The cardiovascular impacts of PAHs remained even after controlling for PM2.5. The associations were more pronounced in cities with lower socioeconomic level, or higher temperatures and relative humidity, as well as in subpopulations with elder age (P < 0.05). We also found consistent associations between each of the seven individual PAHs and cardiovascular outcomes. In animal models, PAHs exposure induces cardiac injury via inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially linked to the PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways. This nationwide study indicated that ambient PAHs could represent a distinct risk factor for cardiovascular disease. They may contribute to cardiac damage through the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Exposure-Response Associations of Ambient Heavy Metal and Persistent Organic Pollutant with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study

The exposure-response associations of ambient heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with mortality in the general population remain unclear. This cohort study aimed to explore the long-term effect of exposure to four air pollutants, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] on all-cause and cause-specific mortality. This study involved 497,056 participants from the UK Biobank cohort. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to calculate associations. Effects of joint exposure to heavy metals were estimated using quantile g-computation. Shape of the exposure-response association was examined by fitting penalty splines, in both the total population and subpopulations stratified by age, sex, smoking status, and genetic factors. Modifying effects of age, sex, smoking status, and genetic factors were also examined. Over a median follow-up of 13.7 years, we identified 39,530 (8.0%) deaths. Exposure to mixtures of Pb, Cd, and Hg was associated with 1.040-1.154 times increased risk of all-cause cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, and respiratory disease mortality. Of the specific causes of mortality, Pb and Cd were most strongly associated with respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, followed by ischemic heart disease, CVD, and cancer. Hg and B(a)P seemed to exhibit lower toxicity compared with Pb and Cd. Exposure-response curves demonstrated monotonically increased risk for most mortality outcomes, though Hg was found to be nonlinearly associated with all-cause and stroke mortality. Age, smoking status, and genetic factors were found to modify the susceptibility to heavy metals. Our findings suggested that long-term exposure to heavy metals and B(a)P was monotonically associated with elevated risk of multiple mortality outcomes, indicating there may be no safe threshold for these chemicals. Substantial benefits to public health could be achieved through stringent environmental regulations and clean air initiatives.

Vascular toxicity of benzene series released from decorative materials

The health risks associated with benzene series emissions from decorative materials have become a paramount concern in indoor air quality assessments, particularly given their established link with cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. Despite epidemiological evidence supporting this correlation, the underlying mechanisms remain under debate. This research comprehensively reviewed contemporary epidemiological studies on the cardiovascular impacts of benzene series emissions. It concentrated on the elucidation of their vascular toxicity, encompassing structural damage to vascular tissues, impaired vasoconstrictive-diastolic function, and abnormal lipid accumulation. By illuminating these research advancements, this study aimed to outline directions for future investigations and furnish insights into mitigating the risk of cardiovascular diseases stemming from benzene-contaminated decorative materials, ultimately contributing to public health protection.

Associations of coke oven emission exposure with pulmonary function, blood pressure, blood cell parameters, and biochemical indices in coking workers: a cross-sectional pilot study

Background and objective: Coke oven emissions (COEs) are formed in the process of coking production, mainly composed of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzene; however, the health impacts of COE exposure in coking workers are not fully clear so far. We aimed to explore the associations of occupational COE exposure with pulmonary function, blood pressure, blood cell parameters, and blood biochemical indices, and to bolster health surveillance and disease prevention and control in coking workers. Methods: We investigated 566 coking workers at a large state-owned enterprise coking plant in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China, measured the concentrations of plasma 16 PAHs and urinary phenol, assessed the health outcomes including pulmonary function, blood pressure, the levels of peripheral hematologic parameters and biochemical indices, and examined the associations of PAH and phenol concentrations with the health outcomes using multiple linear regressions, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). Results: After adjustment for confounders, plasma ∑15PAH concentration was significantly associated with increases in hemoglobin (HGB) and triglyceride (TG) levels in coking workers, and urinary phenol concentration was significantly associated with increases in the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) level, and decreases in platelet (PLT) count. When phenol concentration and PAH concentration were simultaneously included in the multiple linear regression model, both of them were associated with the level of HGB. LASSO and BKMR indicated that the PAHs with four rings and above contributed to the HGB level. Conclusion: PAH exposure could damage hematological parameters and blood lipids, and benzene exposure could increase blood pressure and decrease PLT count.

Occupational exposures and coronary heart disease in the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS) - a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death among adults in Germany. There is evidence that occupational exposure to particulate matter, noise, psychosocial stressors, shift work and high physical workload are associated with CHD. The aim of this study is to identify occupations that are associated with CHD and to elaborate on occupational exposures associated with CHD by using the job exposure matrix (JEM) BAuA-JEM ETB 2018 in a German study population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 8,070 participants, members of the first sub-cohort of the Hamburg City Health Study (HCHS), was used. To classify occupations, we rely on standard occupational titles (ISCO-08). The level of exposure is assigned to each job using a JEM. CHD is measured by self-reported diagnosis. Absolute and relative frequencies were calculated. Using logistic regression, the association of CHD and standard occupation titles via ISCO-08 and the association of CHD and occupational exposures via JEM were calculated and adjusted for potentially confounding covariates. Multiple imputations with chained equations (MICEs) were applied for missing values. Sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The CHD prevalence in the study population was 4.6% (95% CI 4.2-5.1). Occupations associated with CHD were Physical and Engineering Science Technicians, Other Health Associate Professionals, General Office Clerks, Secretaries (general), Material Recording and Transport Clerks, Hairdressers, Beauticians and Related Workers, Electronics and Telecommunications Installers and Repairers, Other Craft and Related Workers, Car, Van and Motorcycle Drivers, Mobile Plant Operators and Domestic, Hotel and Office Cleaners and Helpers. Among occupational exposures retrieved from the JEM, Environmental Demands showed an association with CHD in the crude model but not after adjustment. The results remained robust in sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to assess the association of a wide range of occupations and occupational exposures with CHD in a German study population. We found no association between occupational exposures and CHD after adjustment, but 11 occupations associated with CHD were identified. The results are limited by cross-sectional design, healthy worker effect (HWE), and small group sizes. Further studies with a larger sample and longitudinal design containing data on occupational history, occupational exposures and time of CHD diagnosis are needed.

Bioenergetic mapping of 'healthy microbiomes' via compound processing potential imprinted in gut and soil metagenomes

Despite mounting evidence of their importance in human health and ecosystem functioning, the definition and measurement of 'healthy microbiomes' remain unclear. More advanced knowledge exists on health associations for compounds used or produced by microbes. Environmental microbiome exposures (especially via soils) also help shape, and may supplement, the functional capacity of human microbiomes. Given the synchronous interaction between microbes, their feedstocks, and micro-environments, with functional genes facilitating chemical transformations, our objective was to examine microbiomes in terms of their capacity to process compounds relevant to human health. Here we integrate functional genomics and biochemistry frameworks to derive new quantitative measures of in silico potential for human gut and environmental soil metagenomes to process a panel of major compound classes (e.g., lipids, carbohydrates) and selected biomolecules (e.g., vitamins, short-chain fatty acids) linked to human health. Metagenome functional potential profile data were translated into a universal compound mapping 'landscape' based on bioenergetic van Krevelen mapping of function-level meta-compounds and corresponding functional relative abundances, reflecting imprinted genetic capacity of microbiomes to metabolize an array of different compounds. We show that measures of 'compound processing potential' associated with human health and disease (examining atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, type 2 diabetes and anxious-depressive behavior case studies), and displayed seemingly predictable shifts along gradients of ecological disturbance in plant-soil ecosystems (three case studies). Ecosystem quality explained 60-92 % of variation in soil metagenome compound processing potential measures in a post-mining restoration case study dataset. With growing knowledge of the varying proficiency of environmental microbiota to process human health associated compounds, we might design environmental interventions or nature prescriptions to modulate our exposures, thereby advancing microbiota-oriented approaches to human health. Compound processing potential offers a simplified, integrative approach for applying metagenomics in ongoing efforts to understand and quantify the role of microbiota in environmental- and human-health.

Investigating the temporal link between PM2.5 exposure and acceleration of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury: Emphasizing the hazardous presence of metals in inhaled air

Exposure to PM2.5 is widely acknowledged to induce cardiotoxic effects, leading to decreased myocardial tolerance to revascularization procedures and subsequent ischemia reperfusion injury (IR). However, the temporal relationship between PM2.5 exposure and vulnerability to IR, along with the underlying mechanisms, remains unclear and is the focus of this study. Female Wistar rats were exposed to PM2.5 at a concentration of 250 μg/m³ for 3 h daily over varying durations (7, 14, and 21 days), followed by IR induction. Our results demonstrated a significant increase in cardiac injury, as evidenced by increased infarct size and elevated cardiac injury markers, starting from day 14 of PM2.5 exposure, accompanied by declined cardiac function. These adverse effects were associated with apoptosis and impaired mitochondrial function, including reduced bioenergetics, mitochondrial DNA copy number and quality control mechanisms, along with inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/AMPK signalling pathways. Furthermore, analysis of myocardial tissue revealed elevated metal accumulation, particularly within mitochondria. Chelation of PM2.5 -associated metals using EDTA significantly mitigated the toxic effects on cardiac IR pathology, as confirmed in both rat myocardium and H9c2 cells. These findings suggest that metals in PM2.5 play a crucial role in inducing cardiotoxicity, impairing myocardial resilience to stress through mitochondrial accumulation and dysfunction.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon skin permeation efficiency in vitro is lower through human than pigskin and decreases with lipophilicity

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are persistent environmental pollutants, which occasionally appear as contaminants in consumer products. Upon dermal contact, transfer of PAH into the stratum corneum (s.c.) and migration through the skin may occur, resulting in this class of highly toxic compounds to become bioavailable. In this study, dermal penetration through human and porcine skin of 24 PAH, comprising broad molar mass (M: 152-302 g/mol) and octanol-water partition coefficient (logP: 3.9-7.3) ranges, was evaluated via Franz diffusion cell in vitro assays. More lipophilic and potentially more toxic PAH had decreased permeation rates through the rather lipophilic s.c. into the more hydrophilic viable (epi-)dermis. Furthermore, human skin was less permeable than pigskin, a commonly used surrogate in skin penetration studies. In particular, the s.c. of human skin retains a greater share of PAH, an effect that is more pronounced for smaller PAH. Additionally, we compared the skin permeation kinetics of different PAH in pigskin. While small PAH (M < 230 g/mol, logP < 6) permeate the skin quickly and are detected in the receptor fluid after 2 h, large PAH (M > 252 g/mol, logP ≥ 6) do not fully permeate the skin up to 48 h. This indicates that highly lipophilic PAH do not become bioavailable as readily as their smaller congeners when transferred to the skin surface. Our data suggest that pigskin could be used as a surrogate for worst case scenario estimates of dermal PAH permeation through human skin.

Increased mortality risk from airborne exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

BACKGROUND

The potential health effects of airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) among general population remained extensively unstudied. This study sought to investigate the association of short-term exposure to low-level total and 7 carcinogenic PAHs with mortality risk.

METHODS

We conducted an individual-level time-stratified case-crossover study in Jiangsu province of eastern China, by investigating over 2 million death cases during 2016-2019. Daily concentrations of total PAH and its 7 carcinogenic species including benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), chrysene (Chr), dibenz[a,h]anthracene (DahA), and indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene (IcdP), predicted by well-validated spatiotemporal models, were assigned to death cases according to their residential addresses. We estimated mortality risk associated with short-term exposure to increase of an interquartile range (IQR) for aforementioned PAHs using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

An IQR increase (16.9 ng/m3) in 2-day (the current and prior day) moving average of total PAH concentration was associated with risk increases of 1.90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.71-2.09) in all-cause mortality, 1.90% (95% CI: 1.70-2.10) in nonaccidental mortality, 2.01% (95% CI: 1.72-2.29) in circulatory mortality, and 2.53% (95% CI: 2.03-3.02) in respiratory mortality. Risk increases of cause-specific mortality ranged between 1.42-1.90% for BaA (IQR: 1.6 ng/m3), 1.94-2.53% for BaP (IQR: 1.6 ng/m3), 2.45-3.16% for BbF (IQR: 2.8 ng/m3), 2.80-3.65% for BkF (IQR: 1.0 ng/m3), 1.36-1.77% for Chr (IQR: 1.8 ng/m3), 0.77-1.24% for DahA (IQR: 0.8 ng/m3), and 2.96-3.85% for IcdP (IQR: 1.7 ng/m3).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided suggested evidence for heightened mortality risk in relation to short-term exposure to airborne PAHs in general population. Our findings suggest that airborne PAHs may pose a potential threat to public health, emphasizing the need of more population-based evidence to enhance the understanding of health risk under the low-dose exposure scenario.

Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CAD) due to industrial air pollutants in the proximity of Islamabad Industrial Estate (IEI), Pakistan

Contaminated air quality, in lieu of massive industrial pollution, is severely attributing to health anomalies in the proximity of industrial units. Cardiovascular Disease (CAD) is rising around industrial units in the planned capital city of Pakistan, Pakistan. To study self-reported CAD in the proximity of Industrial Estate Islamabad (IEI) by equating two distinct study groups as 'Band-I': the residence 0-650 meters and 'Band-II' 650-1300 meters radius around the perimeter of IEI. The perimeters were digitized using Google Earth and GIS. Field survey was conducted on deploying 388 (194 in each Band) close-ended (self-administered) questionnaires at the household level, after adjusting the potential confounding variables. The research calculated odds ratios (ORs) of the CAD at 95% CI. The study's findings of the multiple logistic regression for ORs confirmed a significant increase in CAD problems due to industrial affluents in Band-I than in Band-II which were less severe and less life-threatening. Study confirmed high incidences of high blood pressure and breathing issues (up to 67%), due to accumulation of unhealthy affluents thus leading to heart stroke (Band I = 56.20% and Band II = 60.30%). It is aided by smoking that has increased CAD in Band-I. Societal attributes of knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and preferences fail to safeguard the local residents amid high concentration of harmful pollutants. As a counter measure the affected respondents engaged in highlighting the issue to the concerned public offices, yet there is a high need on part of the capital government to take mitigative measures to immediately halt the disastrous industrial air emissions to save precious lives.

Genetic and epigenetic modulations in toxicity: The two-sided roles of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the environment

This study emphasizes the importance of considering the metabolic and toxicity mechanisms of environmental concern chemicals in real-life exposure scenarios. Furthermore, environmental chemicals may require metabolic activation to become toxic, and competition for binding sites on receptors can affect the severity of toxicity. The multicomplex process of chemical toxicity is reflected in the activation of multiple pathways during toxicity of which AhR activation is major. Real-life exposure to a mixture of concern chemicals is common, and the composition of these chemicals determines the severity of toxicity. Nutritional essential elements can mitigate the toxicity of toxic heavy metals, while the types and ratio of composition of PAH can either increase or decrease toxicity. The epigenetic mechanisms of heavy metals and PAH toxicity involves either down-regulation or up-regulation of some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) whereas specific small RNAs (sRNAs) may have dual role depending on the tissue and circumstance of expression. Similarly, decrease DNA methylation and histone modification are major players in heavy metals and PAH mediated toxicity and FLT1 hypermethylation is a major process in PAH induced carcinogenesis. Overall, this review provides the understanding of the metabolism of environmental concern chemicals, emphasizing the importance of considering mixed compositions and real-life exposure scenarios in assessing their potential effects on human health and diseases development as well as the dual mechanism of toxicity via genetic or epigenetic axis.

Environmental dose of 16 priority-controlled PAHs induce endothelial dysfunction: An in vivo and in vitro study

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure is related to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Endothelial dysfunction is considered an initial event of CVDs. To confirm the relationship of PAHs exposure with endothelial dysfunction, 8-week-old male SD rats and primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were co-treated with environmental doses of 16 priority-controlled PAHs for 90 d and 48 h, respectively. Results showed that 10× PAHs exposure remarkably raised tumor necrosis factor-α and malonaldehyde levels in rat serum (p < 0.05), but had no effects on interleukin-8 levels and superoxide dismutase activity. The expressions of SIRT1 in HUVECs and rat aorta were attenuated after PAHs treatment. Interestingly, PAHs exposure did not activate the expression of total endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), but 10× PAHs exposure significantly elevated the expression of phosphorylated eNOS (Ser1177) in HUVECs and repressed it in aortas, accompanied with raised nitrite level both in serum and HUVECs by 48.50-253.70 %. PAHs exposure also led to the augment of endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels by 19.76-38.54 %, angiotensin (Ang II) levels by 20.09-39.69 % in HUVECs, but had no effects on ET-1 and Ang II levels in serum. Additionally, PAHs exposure improved endocan levels both in HUVECs and serum by 305.05-620.48 % and stimulated the THP-1 cells adhered to HUVECs (p < 0.05). After PAHs treatment, the smooth muscle alignment was disordered and the vascular smooth muscle locally proliferated in rat aorta. Notably, the systolic blood pressure of rats exposed to 10× PAHs increased significantly compared with the control ones (131.28 ± 5.20 vs 116.75 ± 5.33 mmHg). In summary, environmental chronic PAHs exposure may result in endothelial dysfunction in SD rats and primary HUVECs. Our research can confirm the cardiovascular damage caused by chronic exposure to PAHs and provide ideas for the prevention or intervention of CVDs affected by environmental factors.

Association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure with red cell width distribution and ischemic heart disease: insights from a population-based study

This study investigates the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a sample of 3003 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We hypothesize that RDW may mediate the effect of hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAH) on IHD. Logistic regression models reveal significant associations between increased urinary PAH metabolite concentrations and IHD, as well as positive associations between PAH metabolites and RDW. Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) analyses confirm the significant associations of the OH-PAH mixture with IHD and RDW. Mediation analysis demonstrates that RDW partially mediates the relationship between PAH exposure and IHD, accounting for 2-4.6% of the total effects. Our findings highlight the potential underlying mechanisms linking PAH exposure, RDW, and IHD and emphasize the importance of addressing environmental pollutants like PAHs in maintaining cardiovascular health and informing public health policies.

Hydrophobic tag-based protein degradation: Development, opportunity and challenge

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as a promising approach for drug development, particularly for undruggable targets. TPD technology has also been instrumental in overcoming drug resistance. While some TPD molecules utilizing proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTACs) or molecular glue strategies have been approved or evaluated in clinical trials, hydrophobic tag-based protein degradation (HyT-PD) has also gained significant attention as a tool for medicinal chemists. The increasing number of reported HyT-PD molecules possessing high efficiency in degrading protein and good pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, has further fueled interest in this approach. This review aims to present the design rationale, hydrophobic tags in use, and diverse mechanisms of action of HyT-PD. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of HyT-PD in protein degradation are discussed. This review may help inspire the development of more HyT-PDs with superior drug-like properties for clinical evaluation.

Exposure to phenols, chlorophenol pesticides, phthalate and PAHs and mortality risk: A prospective study based on 6 rounds of NHANES

OBJECTIVES

Human exposure to various endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is widespread and long-lasting. The primary objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate the association of combined exposure of phenols, chlorophenol pesticides, phthalate and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mortality risk in a representative US population.

METHODS

The data on urinary levels of phenols, chlorophenol pesticides, phthalates, and PAH metabolites, were collected from participants aged ≥20 years in six rounds of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2003-2014). NHANES-linked death records up to December 31, 2015 were used to ascertain mortality status and cause of death. Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models were mainly used for chemical and mortality risk association analysis. The weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression were employed to estimate the association between EDC co-exposure and mortality risk.

RESULTS

High levels of mono-n-butyl phthalate, monobenzyl phthalate, and 1-napthol were significantly associated with increased risk of all cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer mortality among all participants. WQS index was associated with the risks of all-cause (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.389, 95%CI: 1.155-1.669) and CVD mortality (HR = 1.925, 95%CI: 1.152-3.216). High co-exposure scores were associated with elevated all-cause (HR = 2.842, 95% CI: 1.2.094-3.858), CVD (HR = 1.855, 95% CI: 1.525-2.255), and cancer mortality risks (HR = 2.961, 95% CI: 1.468-5.972). The results of subgroup analysis, competing risk model, and sensitivity analysis were generally consistent with the findings from the main analyses, indicating the robustness of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided the first epidemiological evidence that co-exposure to EDC at fairly low levels contributed to elevated mortality risk among US adults. The underlying mechanisms for the effects of EDC co-exposure on human health are worthy of future exploration.

Air pollution-associated shifts in the human airway microbiome and exposure-associated molecular events

Publications addressing air pollution-induced human respiratory microbiome shifts are reviewed in this article. The healthy respiratory microbiota is characterized by a low density of bacteria, fungi and viruses with high diversity, and usually consists of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteria, viruses and fungi. The air's microbiome is highly dependent on air pollution levels and is directly reflected within the human respiratory microbiome. In addition, pollutants indirectly modify the local environment in human respiratory organs by reducing antioxidant capacity, misbalancing proteolysis and modulating inflammation, all of which regulate local microbiomes. Improving air quality leads to more diverse and healthy microbiomes of the local air and, subsequently, residents' airways.

Focusing on testosterone levels in male: A half-longitudinal study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and diastolic blood pressure in coke oven workers

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can interfere with testosterone levels, and low levels of testosterone are associated with increased cardiovascular events. To explore the role of testosterone in PAHs exposure and cardiovascular health, we used data from the 2011-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and a longitudinal database of 332 male coke oven workers from China. The urine PAHs, tobacco metabolites and plasma testosterone levels of coke oven workers were measured. There were inverse associations between serum (plasma) testosterone concentrations and the risk of dysarteriotony and dyslipidemia among the NHANES participants and coke oven workers. The results of the cross-lagged panel analysis among workers showed that the decrease in testosterone preceded the increase in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the absolute value of the path coefficient from baseline testosterone to follow-up DBP (β₂ = -8.162, P = 0.077) was significantly larger than the absolute value of the path coefficient from baseline DBP to follow-up testosterone (β₁ = -0.001, P = 0.781). Results from the half-longitudinal mediation analysis showed that baseline hydroxyfluorene predicted significant decreases in plasma testosterone from baseline to follow-up (path a: 0.71, 95% CI: 1.26, -0.16), whereas plasma testosterone at baseline also predicted significant increments in DBP from baseline to follow-up (path b: 9.22, 95% CI: 17.24, -1.19). The indirect effect of PAHs on DBP via plasma testosterone level was marginally significant (test for indirect effects a*b (P = 0.08)). In conclusion, testosterone level is a longitudinal precursor to increased DBP and plays an essential role in the association between PAHs exposure and damage to the cardiovascular system. Coke oven workers with low plasma testosterone levels are more likely to experience adverse changes in blood pressure and lipid levels after exposure to PAHs.

Association between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and severe abdominal aortic calcification in adults: data from the National Health and Examination Nutrition Survey

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have found that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to explore the association between PAHs exposure and severe abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in adults.

METHODS

Data were collected from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. PAHs exposure was analyzed from urinary mono hydroxylated metabolites of PAHs. Logistic regression models and subgroup analysis were performed to explore the association of PAHs exposure with severe AAC prevalence.

RESULTS

A total of 1,005 eligible individuals were recruited into the study. After adjusting for confounding factors, those with the highest quartiles of 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1-NAP: OR 2.19, 95% CI 1.03-4.68, P_{for trend} < 0.001), 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-NAP: OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.04-4.64, P_{for trend} < 0.001) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-PYR: OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.06-4.33, P_{for trend} < 0.001) were associated with an increased prevalence of severe AAC in the adults compared to those who in the lowest quartile.

CONCLUSION

This study found that urinary 1-NAP, 2-NAP and 1-PYR were positively associated with severe AAC prevalence in adults.

Duration of employment within occupations and incident stroke in a US general population cohort 45 years of age or older (REGARDS study)

BACKGROUND

The work environment can contribute to the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) including stroke. Our objective was to identify occupations with elevated risk of stroke within the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort.

METHODS

We analyzed incident stroke outcomes (ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes) from 2003 to 2020 and employment characteristics of 13,659 adults aged ≥45 years enrolled in a national population-based cohort study. Using a modified Poisson regression approach, we estimated the relative risks (RRs) and the associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) of stroke in relation to years of employment within each occupation coded using the US Census two-digit Standard Occupation Code. Models were adjusted for Framingham Stroke Risk Score, region, race, age, and body mass index. We conducted stratified analysis by sex, employment time period (pre-1975 vs. post-1975), and region.

RESULTS

Workers in the following occupations had a greater risk of stroke with longer duration of employment (per decade): protective service (RR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.11, 4.97), food preparation and service (RR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.19), and transportation and material moving (RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.69). The stroke risk in these occupations was disproportionately elevated in men, and differed by region and employment time period.

CONCLUSIONS

Longer employment in protective service, food preparation and serving, and transportation and materials moving occupations may increase the risk of stroke. Surveillance may uncover specific work-related risk factors in these occupations, leading to interventions to reduce the burden of stroke among US workers.

Associations between short-term exposure of PM2.5 constituents and hospital admissions of cardiovascular diseases among 18 major Chinese cities

Previous studies showed different risk effects on exposure of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) mass for cardiovascular disease (CVD) globally, which is likely due to different constituents of PM_2.5. This study aimed to investigate the association between short-term exposure of PM_2.5 constituents and hospital admissions of CVD. Daily counts of city-specific hospital admissions for CVD in 18 cities in China between 2014 and 2017 were extracted from the national Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance database and the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning Information Center database. Directly measured PM_2.5 constituents, including ions and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, were collected by the Chinese Environmental Public Health Tracking system. We used the time-stratified case-crossover design to estimate the association between PM_2.5 constituents and hospital admissions of CVD. Concentrations of ions accounted for the majority of the detected constituents. Excess risk (ER) of average ions concentrations for CVD was highest as 2.30% (95% CI: 1.62-2.99%) for NH₄⁺, whose major sources are residential and agricultural emissions. This was followed by 1.85% (1.30-2.41%) for NO₃^- (generally from vehicles), 0.95% (0.28-1.63%) for SO₄^2- (often from fossil fuel burning) respectively. The association for ions were generally consistent with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and ischemic stroke, e.g., NH₄⁺ was associated with IHD (2.50%; 1.52-3.48%) and ischemic stroke (1.77%; 0.65-2.9%). For polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), mainly from coal and vehicle-related oil combustion, the constituents were all associated with ischemic stroke but not for IHD. The ER for ischemic stroke was highest at 1.69% (0.99-2.39%) for indeno (123-cd) pyrene. Thus, in terms of the subtypes of CVD, the risks of hospital admissions varied with exposure to different PM_2.5 constituents. Exposed to NH₄⁺ had the highest risk to IHD and ischemic stroke, whereas PAHs were predominately associated with ischemic stroke only.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis identifies benzo[a]pyrene-induced characteristic metabolic reprogramming during accumulation of lipids and reactive oxygen species in macrophages

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Macrophage lipid accumulation is a characteristic molecular event in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic reprogramming is an intervention target for diseases and toxic effects of environmental pollutants. However, comprehensive metabolic reprogramming related to BaP-induced macrophage lipid accumulation is currently unexplored. Therefore, metabolomics and transcriptomics were conducted to unveil relevant metabolic reprogramming in BaP-exposed macrophages, and to discover potential intervention targets. Metabolomics revealed that most amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides, and organic acids were significantly decreased, while most fatty acids and steroids accumulated in BaP-exposed macrophages. Transcriptomics showed that fatty acid synthesis and oxidation, and steroid synthesis and export were decreased, while import of fatty acids and steroids was increased, indicating potential roles of lipid transport in macrophage lipid accumulation following BaP exposure. Meanwhile, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, branched-chain amino acid degradation, nucleotide synthesis, monosaccharide import, pentose phosphate pathway, citrate synthesis, and glycolysis were decreased, while nucleotide degradation was increased, thus inducing decreases in most amino acids, nucleotides, monosaccharides, and organic acids in BaP-exposed macrophages. Additionally, increases in oxidative stress and the activation of antioxidant systems were observed in BaP-exposed macrophages, which was evinced by increases in reactive oxygen species, and the activation of Fenton reaction, Vdac2/3, Sod2, and Nrf2. Moreover, BaP-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipids in macrophages could be abolished by epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Quantitative PCR showed that BaP exposure activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling and promoted the proinflammatory phenotype in macrophages, and these effects were inhibited or even abolished by the separate treatment with epigallocatechin-3-gallate or CH-223191, suggesting the regulatory role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling in BaP-induced toxic effects. This study provides novel insights into the toxic effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on macrophage metabolism and potential intervention targets.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation-mediated vascular toxicity of ambient fine particulate matter: contribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and osteopontin as a biomarker

BACKGROUND

Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) is associated with vascular diseases. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in PM_2.5 are highly hazardous; however, the contribution of PM_2.5-bound PAHs to PM_2.5-associated vascular diseases remains unclear. The ToxCast high-throughput in vitro screening database indicates that some PM_2.5-bound PAHs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). The present study investigated whether the AhR pathway is involved in the mechanism of PM_2.5-induced vascular toxicity, identified the PAH in PM_2.5 that was the major contributor of AhR activation, and identified a biomarker for vascular toxicity of PM_2.5-bound PAHs.

RESULTS

Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells (VMSCs) with an AhR antagonist inhibited the PM_2.5-induced increase in the cell migration ability; NF-κB activity; and expression of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), 1B1 (CYP1B1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and osteopontin (OPN). Most PM_2.5-bound PAHs were extracted into the organic fraction, which drastically enhanced VSMC migration and increased mRNA levels of CYP1A1, CYP1B1, IL-6, and OPN. However, the inorganic fraction of PM_2.5 moderately enhanced VSMC migration and only increased IL-6 mRNA levels. PM_2.5 increased IL-6 secretion through NF-κB activation; however, PM_2.5 and its organic extract increased OPN secretion in a CYP1B1-dependent manner. Inhibiting CYP1B1 activity and silencing OPN expression prevented the increase in VSMC migration ability caused by PM_2.5 and its organic extract. The AhR activation potencies of seven PM_2.5-bound PAHs, reported in the ToxCast database, were strongly correlated with their capabilities of enhancing the migration ability of VSMCs. Benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) contributed the most to the AhR agonistic activity of ambient PM_2.5-bound PAHs. The association between PM_2.5-induced vascular toxicity, AhR activity, and OPN secretion was further verified in mice; PM_2.5-induced intimal hyperplasia in pulmonary small arteries and OPN secretion were alleviated in mice with low AhR affinity. Finally, urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene, a major PAH metabolite, were positively correlated with plasma OPN levels in healthy humans.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study offers in vitro, animal, and human evidences supporting the importance of AhR activation for PM_2.5-induced vascular toxicities and that BkF was the major contributor of AhR activation. OPN is an AhR-dependent biomarker of PM_2.5-induced vascular toxicity. The AhR activation potency may be applied in the risk assessment of vascular toxicity in PAH mixtures.

The Association between Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Metabolites and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered to be endocrine disruptors. In this study, the evidence on the association between PAHs and diabetes was systematically reviewed. PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science were systematically searched for studies reporting the association between PAHs and diabetes. Of the 698 articles identified through the search, nine cross-sectional studies were included. Seven were conducted in the general population and two in coke oven workers. Fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to calculate the total effect. Subgroup analysis was further carried out according to the types of PAH metabolites. The results showed that the odds of diabetes were significantly higher for the highest category of urinary naphthalene (NAP), fluorine (FLU), phenanthrene (PHEN), and total mono-hydroxylated (OH-PAH) metabolites compared to the lowest category. The pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 1.52 (95%CI: 1.19, 1.94), 1.53 (95%CI: 1.36, 1.71), 1.43 (95%CI: 1.28, 1.60), and 1.49 (95%CI: 1.07, 2.08), respectively. In coke oven workers, 4-hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OHPh) was significantly correlated with an increased risk of diabetes. Exposure measurements, outcome definitions, and adjustment for confounders were heterogeneous between studies. The results of the current study demonstrate a potentially adverse effect of PAHs on diabetes. Further mechanistic studies and longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether PAH metabolite levels are causative, and hence associative, with increased diabetes incidences.

Does healthy lifestyle attenuate the detrimental effects of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on phenotypic aging? An analysis from NHANES 2001-2010

Existing evidence has showed that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increases the risk of many chronic diseases. Given the close connection between aging (a major risk factor) and chronic diseases, however, very few studies have evaluated the association between PAHs and aging. Furthermore, whether modifiable healthy lifestyle could attenuate the detrimental effect of PAHs on aging remains unknown. Therefore, we conducted this study, aiming to: (1) examine the associations of urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and lifestyle with Phenotypic Age Acceleration (PhenoAge.Accel), a novel aging measure that captures morbidity and mortality risk; and (2) evaluate the potential interaction effects of OH-PAHs and lifestyle on PhenoAge.Accel. Cross-sectional data of 2,579 participants (aged 20-84 years, n = 1,292 females) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for years 2001-2010 were analyzed. A lifestyle index was constructed based on five components (drinking, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, and diet), ranging from 0 to 5. We calculated PhenoAge.Accel using algorithms developed previously. General linear regression models were used to examine the associations. We observed strong associations of OH-PAHs and lifestyle with PhenoAge.Accel. For instance, one unit increase in ∑NAP (sum of 1- and 2-hydroxynaphthalene) was associated with 0.37 year (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26, 0.48) increase in PhenoAge.Accel. We did not observe statistically significant interaction effects between OH-PAHs and lifestyle on PhenoAge.Accel. After stratified by sex, we observed strong associations as well as statistically significant interactions of OH-PAHs and lifestyle with PhenoAge.Accel among females. In conclusion, both OH-PAHs and lifestyle were independently associated with phenotypic aging and there were statistically significant interactions between OH-PAHs and lifestyle on phenotypic aging among females. The findings highlight the importance of adherence to a healthy lifestyle to attenuate the detrimental effects of exposures to PAHs on phenotypic aging among females.

Association of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and cardiovascular disease among US population: A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

The main aim of the study was to illustrate the association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their metabolites with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary heart disease (CHD), angina, heart attack, and stroke among the US population.

METHODS

The National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-16, nationally representative data were utilized for this study. A cross-sectional observational study was designed to assess the strength of the association between urinary PAH and CVDs. The NHANES survey used a stratified multistage probability sample strategy for obtaining representative samples. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between PAH and the prevalence of CVDs.

RESULTS

In our study, the average ages of the three different PAHs tertiles were 42.56 ± 19.68, 42.21 ± 19.51, and 43.39 ± 17.99 years, respectively. A positive association was found between the second and third tertile of urinary PAH and increased prevalence of coronary heart disease (tertile-2: OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.09-1.42; tertile-3: OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.69-2.28), angina (tertile-2: OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.13-1.49; tertile-3: OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.76-2.42), heart attack (tertile-2: OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.12-1.47; tertile-3: OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.48-1.96) and stroke (tertile-2: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.02-1.33; tertile-3: OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.43-1.93) in total participants, respectively, with p-values less than 0.05.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study found a positive association between urinary PAHs and the prevalence of various CVDs among the US population.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and its effects on human health: An overeview

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals of considerable environmental significance. PAHs are chemical contaminants of fused carbon and hydrogen aromatic rings, basically white, light-yellow, or solid compounds without color. Natural sources of pollution are marginal or less significant, such as volcanic eruptions, natural forest fires, and moorland fires that trigger lightning bursts. The significant determinants of PAH pollution are anthropogenic pollution sources, classified into four groups, i.e., industrial, mobile, domestic, and agricultural pollution sources. Humans can consume PAHs via different routes, such as inhalation, dermal touch, and ingestion. The Effect of PAHs on human health is primarily based on the duration and route of exposure, the volume or concentration of PAHs to which one is exposed, and the relative toxicity of PAHs. Many PAHs are widely referred to as carcinogens, mutagens, and teratogens and thus pose a significant danger to human health and the well-being of humans. Skin, lung, pancreas, esophagus, bladder, colon, and female breast are numerous organs prone to tumor development due to long-term PAH exposure. PAH exposure may increase the risk of lung cancer as well as cardiovascular disease (CVD), including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hypertension, and myocardial infarction (MI). Preclinical studies have found a relationship between PAH exposure, oxidative stress, and atherosclerosis. In addition, investigations have discovered a relationship between PAH exposure at work and CVD illness and mortality development. This review aims to explain PAH briefly, its transportation, its effects on human health, and a relationship between environmental exposures to PAHs and CVD risk in humans.

Epigenetic Regulation in Exposome-Induced Tumorigenesis: Emerging Roles of ncRNAs

Environmental factors, including pollutants and lifestyle, constitute a significant role in severe, chronic pathologies with an essential societal, economic burden. The measurement of all environmental exposures and assessing their correlation with effects on individual health is defined as the exposome, which interacts with our unique characteristics such as genetics, physiology, and epigenetics. Epigenetics investigates modifications in the expression of genes that do not depend on the underlying DNA sequence. Some studies have confirmed that environmental factors may promote disease in individuals or subsequent progeny through epigenetic alterations. Variations in the epigenetic machinery cause a spectrum of different disorders since these mechanisms are more sensitive to the environment than the genome, due to the inherent reversible nature of the epigenetic landscape. Several epigenetic mechanisms, including modifications in DNA (e.g., methylation), histones, and noncoding RNAs can change genome expression under the exogenous influence. Notably, the role of long noncoding RNAs in epigenetic processes has not been well explored in the context of exposome-induced tumorigenesis. In the present review, our scope is to provide relevant evidence indicating that epigenetic alterations mediate those detrimental effects caused by exposure to environmental toxicants, focusing mainly on a multi-step regulation by diverse noncoding RNAs subtypes.

Colorimetric detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by using gold nanoparticles

The existence and content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment have gradually received attention because PAHs are widely detected in many sources. Therefore, an effective detection method for PAHs is necessary for further treatment. This study proposes a novel colorimetric detection method based on AuNPs to determine the contents of phenanthrene (Phe) and pyrene (Pyr). Trisodium citrate was used as a reducing agent to synthesize gold nanoparticles, and ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) was added as a reactant to detect the analyte content. Some assay parameters, such as the concentration of NH₄NO₃ solution, the volume of NH₄NO₃ solution, the concentration of MES buffer solution, the volume of MES buffer solution, and the reaction time influenced the analyte detection ability of AuNPs and were optimized. The limits of detection for Phe and Pyr are 0.06 mg/L and 0.087 mg/L, respectively. In addition, the detection method has good selectivity and anti-interference ability for the target analytes. This colorimetric method was used to detect target analytes in real water (tap water and mineral water) with acceptable results.

Urinary Metals, Arsenic, and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure and Risk of Self-reported Emphysema in the US Adult Population

PURPOSE

Metal and chemical exposure can cause acute and chronic respiratory diseases in humans. The purpose of this analysis was to analyze 14 types of urinary metals including mercury, uranium, tin, lead, antimony, barium, cadmium, cobalt, cesium, molybdenum, manganese, strontium, thallium, tungsten, six types of speciated arsenic, total arsenic and seven forms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the link with self-reported emphysema in the US adult population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional analysis using the 2011-2012, 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey datasets was conducted. A specialized weighted complex survey design analysis package was used in analyzing the data. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association between urinary metals, arsenic, and PAHs and self-reported emphysema among all participants and among non-smokers only. Models were adjusted for lifestyle and demographic factors.

RESULTS

A total of 4,181 adults were analyzed. 1-Hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene, 3-hydroxyfluorene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxypyrene, and 2 & 3-hydroxyphenanthrene were positively associated with self-reported emphysema. Positive associations were also observed in cadmium and cesium with self-reported emphysema. Among non-smokers, quantiles among 2-hydroxynaphthalene, arsenocholine, total urinary arsenic, cesium, and tin were associated with increased odds of self-reported emphysema. Quantiles among 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, cadmium, manganese, lead, antimony, thallium, and tungsten were associated with an inverse relationship with self-reported emphysema in non-smokers.

CONCLUSION

The study determined that six types of urinary PAHs, cadmium, and cesium are positively associated with self-reported emphysema. Certain quantiles of 2-hydroxynaphthalene, arsenocholine, total urinary arsenic, cesium, and tin are positively associated with self-reported emphysema among non-smokers.

Endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by anthracene and its nitrated or oxygenated derivatives at environmentally relevant levels

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are epidemiologically associated with cardiovascular diseases characterized by early key events involving in the disruption of endothelial barrier function. Whether PAHs can induce adverse cardiovascular outcome by directly destabilizing endothelial barrier function remains elusive. Herein, we investigated the effect of anthracene (ANT), 9-nitroanthracene (9-NANT), and 9,10-anthraquinone (9,10-AQ) on vascular endothelial barrier functions in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The integrity of endothelial barrier in HUVECs was disturbed with a 1.15-1.42 fold increase in fluorescein leakage, and 21.8%-58.3% downregulated transendothelial electrical resistance. ANT, 9-NANT and 9,10-AQ promoted paracellular gap formation as revealed by transmission electron microscope. The disrupted cell junctions after 24 h exposure to ANT, 9-NANT and 9,10-AQ at 0.01 μM were indicated by the downregulated mRNA expression of vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin by 33.2%-71.4%, 19.1%-21.0%, and 31.9% respectively, and the downregulated protein expression of ZO-1 and occludin, and by the internalization of VE-cadherin. We demonstrated that ANT and its derivatives at environmentally relevant concentrations induced endothelial barrier dysfunction via the disruption of cell junctions, providing essential in vitro evidence on the association with their adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Relationship Between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Cardiovascular Diseases: A Systematic Review

Objective: The primary aim of this systematic review was to examine the relationship of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and elaborate the current knowledge and recent advances in the area of PAH and its effects on CVDs and discuss the growing epidemiological evidence linking PAH to CVDs on the health of human populations. In this systematic review, the increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and their relationship with PAHs were discussed in detail.

Methods: On 05th April 2021, a systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed/Medline and Web of Science search engines in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. The search was limited to articles that were written in English and dealt with human issues. All original peer-review publications were considered for inclusion. Comments, case reports, reviews, duplicated papers, and conference reports were excluded. Data was collected from included papers by two independent reviewers.

Results: Conclusively, 20 research articles published between 2005 and 2021 were chosen for the final analysis. The systemic review included 20 studies with a variety of geographical studies. The most common research category among the nominated studies were time-series studies followed by retrospective cohort, cross-sectional, quasi-experimental, panel, and case-control studies. Most of the studies were conducted in the United States, whereas others were showed in various geographical countries around the world, such as Denmark, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, France, China, Norway, Korea, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium. Eight studies assessed the association between PAH exposure and CVDs, four articles observed this relationship with blood pressure (BP), two observed association between atherosclerotic CVD and PAH, one congenital heart disease, cardiovascular events, and two with obesity. Furthermore, in some investigations, a favorable association between PAH exposure and hypertension as well as PAH exposure and obesity was found.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this systematic review examined the relationship of PAH exposure with CVDs and CVD-related risk factors by searching several digital databases. After a comprehensive literature searches and summarizing findings from 20 articles, the authors concluded that a positive relationship was observed between PAH exposure and CVD risks.

Poor regulation implications in a low and middle income country based on PAH source apportionment and cancer risk assessment

Ambient particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were collected for one year at an urban background site, and spatially and temporally compared to yearly averages in three coastal cities in Lebanon. The samples were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and source apportioned with an optimized robust method using positive matrix factorization (PMF). Three major sources were found to contribute to PAH emissions at the urban background site, namely, traffic (48%), diesel generators (23%), and incineration (29%). The cancer risk was found higher than what was measured at the same site in previous years with an increase of 35%. Improper regulations of the sources (incineration, power plant, diesel generators and traffic) identified in the different sites resulted in PAH intraurban variability. It is essential to study the chemical components of particulate matter (PM) in order to assess toxicity. In particular, particle-bound PAHs and their oxidation products are known for their carcinogenicity as well as their persistence in the atmosphere, which facilitate their transport to new locations. In the absence of law enforcement, unregulated sources and their total contribution to ambient PAHs present a major health risk. This calls for the attention of development funding agencies and their need to implement sustainable "carbon-free" funding strategies in support of urban development of low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

In utero exposure to mixed PAHs causes heart mass reduction in adult male mice

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a risk factor for the occurrence of cardiac diseases. The present study was conducted to investigate the influence of prenatal exposure to a mixed PAHs on heart and the underlying mechanism. Pregnant mice were orally administered with a mixture of 8 kinds of PAHs (0, 5, 50, 500 μg/kg body weight) once every 2 days for a total of 8 dosages. The mixed PAHs contained naphthalene, acenaphthylene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene and benzo[g,h,i]perylene at a weight ratio of 10: 10: 10: 10: 10: 1: 1: 1. The adult males, not females, showed significantly decreased heart/body weight ratio, which was attributed to the loss of cardiac fiber and the increase of cell apoptosis. The protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and its downstream transcription factors, Smad3 and Smad4, was significantly downregulated, which caused the loss of cardiac fiber. The downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and AKT led to increased expression of caspase3, caspase9, BAX and reduced expression of Bcl-2, which was responsible for the increased cell apoptosis. Different levels of aromatic hydrocarbon receptor and sex hormone receptors between males and females were associated with the distinct effect on heart.

Association between blood ethylene oxide levels and the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the general population

Ethylene oxide (EtO) is a highly reactive organic compound that is mainly used as a sterilizing agent. However, to date, the effects of EtO on the cardiovascular system are not clear. We aimed to explore the association between blood EtO levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the general US population. We obtained information on blood levels of EtO and CVD outcomes in 3,410 participants from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 and 2015-2016. Logistic regression models were applied to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association between EtO and risk of all CVD as well as subtypes of CVD. Linear regression analyses were used to estimate the associations of EtO with potential mechanistic parameters of CVD, including blood pressure, blood lipid levels and inflammatory parameters. Higher blood levels of EtO were associated with an increased risk of all CVD (p for trend = 0.003), with an adjusted OR (95% CI) in the highest quartile of 1.94 (1.24, 3.02) compared with the lowest quartile as a reference. Higher concentrations of EtO were positively associated with the risk of angina (p for trend = 0.04) and heart attack (p for trend = 0.011). In addition, the concentration of EtO was positively associated with the levels of triglycerides, white blood cells, lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils (p = 0.003 for eosinophils and p < 0.001 for the others) and negatively associated with the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.001). We found that exposure to EtO was associated with angina, heart attack and all CVD in a large representative US population. Furthermore, EtO may induce CVD through the inflammatory response and abnormal fatty acid metabolism.

Effect of air pollution on gout development: a nationwide population-based observational study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of air pollution on gout development.

METHODS

A total of 170318 participants were enrolled. These pollutants were considered: carbon monoxide (CO), fine particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5), total hydrocarbons (THC) and methane (CH4). The yearly average concentrations were calculated from 2000 to 2011. Univariate and multivariate analyses by Cox proportional hazard regression models were adopted to estimate hazard ratios for gout in the Q2-Q4 concentrations of air pollutants compared with the Q1 concentration.

RESULTS

In THC, relative to the Q1 concentration, the risk of gout was higher in participants exposed to the Q2-Q4 concentrations [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.10 with 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01-1.19 in the Q2 concentration of THC; aHR, 4.20 with 95% CI, 3.93-4.49 in the Q3 concentration of THC; aHR, 5.65 with 95% CI, 5.29-6.04 in the Q4 concentration of THC]. In regard to CH4, when the Q1 concentration was defined as the reference, the risks of gout were increased for participants exposed to the Q2, Q3 and Q4 concentrations (aHR, 1.16 with 95% CI, 1.06-1.26 in the Q2 concentration of CH4; aHR, 2.37 with 95% CI, 2.20-2.55 in the Q3 concentration of CH4; aHR, 8.73 with 95% CI, 8.16-9.34 in the Q4 concentration of CH4).

CONCLUSIONS

Association between air pollution and risk of gout was noted.

In silico approaches in organ toxicity hazard assessment: Current status and future needs for predicting heart, kidney and lung toxicities

The kidneys, heart and lungs are vital organ systems evaluated as part of acute or chronic toxicity assessments. New methodologies are being developed to predict these adverse effects based on in vitro and in silico approaches. This paper reviews the current state of the art in predicting these organ toxicities. It outlines the biological basis, processes and endpoints for kidney toxicity, pulmonary toxicity, respiratory irritation and sensitization as well as functional and structural cardiac toxicities. The review also covers current experimental approaches, including off-target panels from secondary pharmacology batteries. Current in silico approaches for prediction of these effects and mechanisms are described as well as obstacles to the use of in silico methods. Ultimately, a commonly accepted protocol for performing such assessment would be a valuable resource to expand the use of such approaches across different regulatory and industrial applications. However, a number of factors impede their widespread deployment including a lack of a comprehensive mechanistic understanding, limited in vitro testing approaches and limited in vivo databases suitable for modeling, a limited understanding of how to incorporate absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) considerations into the overall process, a lack of in silico models designed to predict a safe dose and an accepted framework for organizing the key characteristics of these organ toxicants.

Trends in urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the non-smoking U.S. population, NHANES 2001-2014

BACKGROUND

Recent studies indicate airborne PAH levels have decreased in the U.S., but it is unclear if this has resulted in PAH exposure changes in the U.S.

POPULATION

OBJECTIVE

Examine temporal trends in urinary metabolites of Naphthalene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, and Pyrene in U.S. non-smokers, 6+ years old.

METHODS

We used biomonitoring data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) program, 2001-2014, (N = 11,053) using survey weighted linear regression. Models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, creatinine, BMI, income, diet, and seasonality. Stratified models evaluated the effect of age, sex, and race/ethnicity on trends.

RESULTS

Between 2001 and 2014, Naphthalene exposure increased 36% (p < 0.01); Pyrene exposure increased 106% (p < 0.01); Fluorene and Phenanthrene exposure decreased 55% (p < 0.01), and 37% (p < 0.01), respectively. Naphthalene was the most abundant urinary PAH, 20-fold higher than Fluorene and Phenanthrene, and over 50-fold higher than Pyrene compared to reference groups, effect modification was observed by age (Naphthalene, Pyrene), sex (Fluorene, Pyrene), and race/ethnicity (Naphthalene, Fluorene, Phenanthrene, Pyrene).

SIGNIFICANCE

This study shows exposure to Naphthalene and Pyrene increased, while exposure to Fluorene and Phenanthrene decreased among the non-smoking U.S. general population between 2001 and 2014, suggesting environmental sources of PAHs have changed over the time period.

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and mortality in the United States: A prospective analysis

BACKGROUND

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous organic compounds associated with chronic disease in epidemiologic studies, though the contribution of PAH exposure on fatal outcomes in the U.S. is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated urinary hydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a representative sample of the U.S. population.

METHODS

Study participants were ≥20 years old from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2014. Concentrations (nmol/L) of eight OH-PAHs from four parent PAHs (naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, pyrene) were measured in spot urine samples at examination. We identified all-cause, cancer-specific, and cardiovascular-specific deaths through 2015 using the National Death Index. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between ΣOH-PAHs and mortality endpoints. We assessed potential heterogeneity by age, gender, smoking status, poverty, and race/ethnicity. Additionally, we examined the overall mixture effect using quantile g-computation.

RESULTS

In 9,739 eligible participants, there were 934 all-cause deaths, 159 cancer-specific deaths, and 108 cardiovascular-specific deaths (median 6.75 years follow-up). A log10 increase in ΣOH-PAHs was associated with higher all-cause mortality (HRadj = 1.39 [95%CI: 1.21, 1.61]), and possibly cancer-specific mortality (HRadj = 1.15 [95%CI: 0.79, 1.69]), and cardiovascular-specific mortality (HRadj = 1.49 [95%CI: 0.94, 2.33]). We observed substantial effect modification by age, smoking status, gender, and race/ethnicity across mortality endpoints. Risk of cardiovascular mortality was higher for non-Hispanic blacks and those in poverty, indicating potential disparities. Quantile g-computation joint associations for a simultaneous quartile increase in OH-PAHs were HRadj = 1.15 [95%CI: 1.02, 1.31], HRadj = 1.41 [95%CI: 1.05, 1.90], and HRadj = 0.98 [95%CI: 0.66, 1.47] for all-cause, cancer-specific, and cardiovascular-specific mortalities, respectively.

DISCUSSION

Our results support a role for total PAH exposure in all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the U.S. population.

Occupational Exposure during Asphalt Paving-Comparison of Hot and Warm Mix Asphalt in Field Experiments

OBJECTIVES

Several studies have demonstrated an increased risk of adverse health effects, including reduced lung function and lung cancer among asphalt pavers, which has been related to occupational exposure to contaminants during asphalt paving. Consequently, occupational exposure among asphalt pavers must be reduced. The aim of this study was to compare the impact of hot mix asphalt (HMA) and warm mix asphalt (WMA) paving on occupational exposure levels during road paving in field experiments. Asphalt temperatures when paving with WMA are usually lower than when paving with HMA due to differences in the asphalt's composition and method of application.

METHODS

On 11 different road sections, one lane was paved with WMA and one with HMA during the same work shift under approximately identical weather conditions. The weather conditions and asphalt surface temperature were monitored during paving. Fifty-seven samples of fumes and vapor, organic and elemental carbon, amines, and respirable, thoracic, and inhalable particulate matter (PM) fractions were collected by stationary sampling. In addition, 30 samples of fumes and vapor were collected by personal sampling.

RESULTS

Compared to paving with HMA, paving with WMA significantly (P < 0.05; paired Student's t-test) reduced the geometric mean (GM) air concentration of asphalt vapor (0.04 versus 0.08 p.p.m.), organic carbon (OC; 0.09 versus 0.18 mg m-3), and respirable PM (0.12 versus 0.22 mg m-3). Additionally, the air concentration of OC correlated strongly with the respirable fraction of PM (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Measured airborne concentrations of respirable PM, OC, and asphalt vapor were lower when paving with WMA than with HMA. Because exposure to airborne contaminants generated during asphalt paving is believed to be responsible for the adverse health effects observed among asphalt pavers, paving with WMA rather than HMA may have health benefits.

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction in the workforce: Findings from the Occupational Disease Surveillance System

BACKGROUND

Increased risks of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be attributable to the workplace, however, associations are not well-established. Using the Occupational Disease Surveillance System (ODSS), we sought to estimate associations between occupation and industry of employment and AMI risk among workers in Ontario, Canada.

METHODS

The study population was derived by linking provincial accepted lost-time workers' compensation claims data, to inpatient hospitalization records. Workers aged 15-65 years with an accepted non-AMI compensation claim were followed for an AMI event between 2007 and 2016. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each industry and occupation group, compared to all other workers in the cohort. Sex-stratified analyses were also performed.

RESULTS

In all, 24,514 incident cases of AMI were identified among 1,502,072 Ontario workers. Increased incidence rates of AMI were found across forestry (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.19-1.58) and wood processing (HR 1.50, 1.27-1.77) job-titles. Elevated rates were also detected within industries and occupations both broadly related to mining and quarrying (HR 1.52, 1.17-1.97), trucking (HR 1.32, 1.27-1.38), construction (HR 1.32, 1.14-1.54), and the manufacturing and processing of metal (HR 1.41, 1.19-1.68), textile (HR 1.41, 1.07-1.88), non-metallic mineral (HR 1.30, 0.82-2.07), and rubber and plastic (HR 1.42, 1.27-1.60) products. Female food service workers also had elevated AMI rates (HR 1.36, 1.23-1.51).

CONCLUSION

This study found occupational variation in AMI incidence. Future studies should examine work-related hazards possibly contributing to such excess risks, like noise, vibration, occupational physical activity, shift work, and chemical and particulate exposures.

Health Risk Assessment, Composition, and Distribution of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Drinking Water of Southern Jharkhand, East India

The studies on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) occurrence, distribution, health risk, and composition in drinking water are limited in India and worldwide. The main objective of this study was to find the contaminant sources, composition, health risk, and distribution of USEPA's 16 priority pollutant PAHs in the drinking water samples collected between July 2019 to September 2019 from six districts of Southern Jharkhand. The Σ_16PAHs mean ± standard deviation [SD] concentration values were ordered as East Singhbhum (ES) (21.5 ± 14.8 ng L^-1) > West Singhbhum (WS) (16.57 ± 13.21 ng L^-1) > Saraikela Kharsawan (SK) (11.48 ± 9.92 ng L^-1) > Khunti (KH) (10.32 ± 9.09 ng L^-1) > Simdega (SM) (9.96 ± 7.85 ng L^-1) > Gumla (GU) (9.41 ± 8.63 ng L^-1). The results show that ES and WS districts' groundwater samples were more contaminated by the PAHs, which may be attributed to the presence of many small-, medium-, and large-scale industries and high vehicular density in these districts. The concentrations of lower molecular weight ring (3-rings) and middle molecular weight ring (4-rings) PAHs were dominant throughout all drinking samples. The concentration of the 3-ring PAH Anthracene and 4-ring PAH Fluoranthene were dominant in all districts. The molecular ratios suggested that the potential sources of PAHs are fuel combustion and coal, grass, and wood burning. Risk assessment shows that the incremental lifetime cancer risk and risk index (RI) were ranged from 0.02 × 10^-10 to 4.93 × 10^-10 for children and 0.01 × 10^-10 to 2.98 × 10^-10 for adults. The RI values for seven carcinogenic PAHs were 8.83 × 10^-10 for children and 7.38 × 10^-10 for adults. Although the carcinogenic risks were within the permissible values, chronic exposure to PAHs through the ingestion of drinking water could still be a human health concern.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and mortality risk in an adult population

Occupational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure has been shown to increase the risk of various cancers and may be associated with carcinogenic mortality. However, no study has explored the relationship between environmental PAH exposure and mortality in general population. The aim of our study was to explore the association between PAH exposure and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a general US adult population. We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2001-2006) based on the information in this dataset on 692 males and 717 females. PAH exposure was detected using biomarkers from urine samples. Follow-up data on mortality were derived from initial examination of the subjects until death or 31 December 2006 in the NHANES database. We calculated hazard ratios (HRs) of PAH metabolites among all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality using the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model after adjusting for covariates. Among males, 3-phenanthrene was positively associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality (HR 1.043, 95%CI 1.019-1.066). Female participants with higher 2-napthol (HR 1.043, 95%CI 1.014-1.072), 3-fluorene (HR 2.159, 95%CI 1.233-3.779), and 1-phenanthrene (HR = 1.259, 95%CI 1.070-1.481) levels had increased all-cause mortality. In addition, high 3-phenanthrene (HR 1.333, 95%CI 1.008-1.763) and 1-phenanthrene (HR 1.463, 95%CI 1.126-1.900) levels increased the risk of cardiovascular mortality. However, there were no significant findings for cancer mortality in both genders. Environmental PAH exposure among the adult population is associated with non-carcinogenic but not cancer mortality. Future studies are warranted to determine the underlying mechanisms related to these findings.

Association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hypertension in the Korean population: data from the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012-2014)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are environmental and occupational pollutants derived from incomplete combustion of organic materials, including wood and fossil fuels. Epidemiological studies have evaluated the association between PAH exposure and hypertension or cardiovascular disease in the general population, but the evidence is limited. In this study, we evaluated the association between urinary PAH metabolites and hypertension in the Korean adult population. A total of 6478 adults who participated in the Second Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2012–2014) were included. The differences in urinary concentrations of four PAH metabolites, including 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 2-naphthol, were compared according to hypertension status using a general linear model. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for hypertension were calculated according to the quartile groups of urinary PAH metabolites after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and alcohol consumption in multiple logistic regression analyses. The estimated mean concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxyphenanthrene were significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the non-hypertension group. In 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, the OR for hypertension was significantly higher in the third and fourth quartile groups than in the first quartile group (third: OR 1.707, 95% CI 1.203–2.423, fourth: OR 1.604, 95% CI 1.158–2.223). No significant associations were detected for the other metabolites. Our results suggest an association between exposure to PAHs and hypertension in a Korean adult population. Further studies are required to evaluate the effects of low-dose long-term exposure to PAHs on hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in urban adults: The mediating role of oxidatively damaged DNA

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure has been considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), whereas possible mechanisms for this association have not been fully understood. This study focused on exploring the potential effect of oxidatively damaged DNA on the relationships between PAH exposure and the 10-year atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) risk. Urinary levels of monohydroxy PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG, the typical biomarker for oxidatively damaged DNA) were measured among 3052 subjects in the baseline of the Wuhan-Zhuhai cohort. The relationships between urinary OH-PAHs, 8-oxodG and 10-year risk of ASCVD were analyzed by linear mixed models and logistic regression models, respectively. The mediation analysis was further applied to explore the role of 8-oxodG in the relationship between urinary OH-PAHs and 10-year ASCVD risk. After controlling for potential confounders, the log-transformed level of total urinary low molecular weight OH-PAHs (∑LMW OH-PAHs) was significantly associated with an elevated risk of 10-year ASCVD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.222, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.065-1.402]. More specifically, significantly positive dose-response relationships between total urinary hydroxynaphthalene (∑OHNa), hydroxyfluorene (∑OHFlu), hydroxyphenanthrene (∑OHPh) and 10-year ASCVD risk were observed (all P for trend <0.05). We also found positive relationships between urinary OH-PAH levels and 8-oxodG, as well as between urinary 8-oxodG levels and 10-year risk of ASCVD. Moreover, mediation analyses indicated that urinary 8-oxodG mediated 14.49%, 12.62% and 10.55% of the associations between urinary ∑LMW OH-PAHs, ∑OHNa, ∑OHFlu and 10-year ASCVD risk, respectively. These findings suggest that the oxidatively damaged DNA pathway may be a possible mechanism underlying PAH-associated ASCVD risk elevation.

Lifetime cumulative exposure to rubber dust, fumes and N-nitrosamines and non-cancer mortality: a 49-year follow-up of UK rubber factory workers

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between occupational exposures to rubber dust, rubber fumes and N-nitrosamines and non-cancer mortality.

METHODS

A cohort of 36 441 males aged 35+ years employed in British rubber factories was followed-up to 2015 (94% deceased). Competing risk survival analysis was used to assess risks of dying from non-cancer diseases (respiratory, urinary, cerebrovascular, circulatory and digestive diseases). Occupational exposures to rubber dust, rubber fumes, N-nitrosamines were derived based on a population-specific quantitative job-exposure matrix which in-turn was based on measurements in the EU-EXASRUB database.

RESULTS

Exposure-response associations of increased risk with increasing exposure were found for N-nitrosomorpholine with mortality from circulatory diseases (subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) 1.17; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.23), ischaemic heart disease (IHD) (SHR 1.19; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.26), cerebrovascular disease (SHR 1.19; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.32) and exposures to N-nitrosodimethylamine with respiratory disease mortality (SHR 1.41; 95% CI 1.30 to 1.53). Increased risks for mortality from circulatory disease, IHD and digestive diseases were found with higher levels of exposures to rubber dust, rubber fumes and N-nitrosamines sum, without an exposure-dependent manner. No associations were observed between rubber dust, rubber fumes and N-nitrosamines exposures with mortality from asthma, urinary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, liver disease and some digestive diseases.

CONCLUSIONS

In a cohort of rubber factory workers with 49 years of follow-up, increased risk for mortality from circulatory, cerebrovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases were found to be associated with cumulative occupational exposures to specific agents.

The interaction effects of smoking and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure on the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in coke oven workers

INTRODUCTION

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of interrelated risk factors, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. The prevalence of MetS might be affected by environmental pollution and individual's poor lifestyles.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to evaluate the interactions effect of PAHs exposure and poor lifestyles on MetS among coke oven workers. We measured the concentrations of 11 urinary PAH metabolites among 682 coke oven workers by HPLC-MS. China adult blood lipid abnormality prevention guide (2016) was employed for diagnosing MetS. An interaction effect was tested in the modified Poisson regression models.

RESULTS

The results showed that the urinary level of 1-NAP (P for trend = 0.043) and 2-FLU (P for trend = 0.037) had significant dose-response relationships with increased PR of MetS. For 1-NAP, statistically significant positive association was with low HDL among individuals (P for trend = 0.003). Besides, smoking was associated with a significantly increased risk of prevalence ratio of MetS (PR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.00-1.13), high triglycerides (PR = 1.13; 95% CI 1.05-1.20) and low HDL (PR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.14). Smokers who with high levels of 1-NAP and 2-FLU had higher prevalence ratio of MetS compared with non-smokers who with low levels of 1-NAP [PR (95% CI): 1.17 (1.06-1.29); P for trend = 0.002] and 2-FLU [PR (95% CI): 1.17 (1.06-1.29); P for trend = 0.004].

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested PAHs exposure increased the prevalence ratio of MetS and this effect can be modified by smoking status.

An association between oil spill clean-up work and cardiovascular disease

BACKGROUND

In December 2007, Taean, South Korea, experienced the largest oil spill in Korean history. After about 10 years of follow-up, we evaluated the long-term effect of the disaster on the cardiovascular health of residents and clean-up workers/volunteers.

OBJECTIVE

We examined the relationship between the duration of oil clean-up work and the risk of incident angina and myocardial infarction (MI).

METHODS

We used data from a prospective cohort study, the Health Effects Research of Oil Spill (HEROS); we included adult cohort members free from cardiovascular disease who completed at least the first two surveys (n = 1737). At baseline, members reported the number of days they participated in oil clean-up work; during the subsequent surveys, they reported newly diagnosed cases of angina or MI. We fitted a time-varying interval-censored proportional hazard model, controlling for age, sex, body mass index, smoking status, monthly household income, and distance from the affected seashore to residence.

RESULTS

The risk of incident angina or MI was greater in those with more than 15 days' exposure; those with 15-59 days showed a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.34 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.87, 2.06) those with 60-179 days had an HR of 1.31 (0.95, 1.79), and those worked longest (180 or more days) showed the strongest association with a HR of 1.75 (95% CI: 1.17, 2.61).

CONCLUSION

We found that a greater duration of clean-up work was associated with an increased risk of incident angina or MI.

The association between urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis study

To examine the association between urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and diabetes, online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched on July 17, 2019. Of the 668 articles identified through searching, six cross-sectional studies involving 24,406 participants were included. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effect model. Heterogeneity was measured by reporting the I-square index. Moreover, subgroup analysis according to types of metabolites was performed. We found a significantly higher odds of diabetes in the highest versus the lowest category of urinary naphthalene (NAP), fluorine (FLU), phenanthrene (PHEN), and total OH-PAH metabolites. The pooled OR (95% CI) was estimated at 1.47 (1.17, 1.78), 1.50 (1.29, 1.71), 1.41 (1.21, 1.60), and 1.61 (1.01, 2.21), respectively. We also found a significant association per 1-fold increase in FLU (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.00, 1.19]) and PHEN (OR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.08, 1.30]) metabolites. In subgroup analysis stratified by types of OH-PAH metabolites, A significant stronger odds of diabetes was observed in the highest versus the lowest category of 2-PHEN (OR = 1.66, 95% CI [1.32, 2.00]), 2-NAP (OR = 1.66, 95% CI [1.16, 2.17]), 2-FLU (OR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.28, 1.97]), and 9-FLU (OR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.21, 2.04]) metabolites. Furthermore, there was a meaningfully greater likelihood of diabetes per 1-fold increase in 2-FLU (OR = 1.34, 95% CI [1.10, 1.57]), 2-PHEN (OR = 1.33, 95% CI [1.14, 1.51]), and 3-PHEN (OR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.04, 1.34]) metabolites. In conclusion, our study suggests the significant odds of association between urinary OH-PAH metabolites and diabetes.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and development of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases in workers

OBJECTIVES

to identify the scientific evidence on the development of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases due to workplace contamination by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

METHODS

integrative literature review. The search for primary articles was held in October 2017 in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (through Pubmed), Web of Science and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS).

RESULTS

the 16 studies analyzed showed that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons was associated with cardiovascular diseases, such as increased blood pressure, heart rate variation, and ischemic heart disease; and respiratory disorders, such as decreased lung function, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, wheeze, coughing, pulmonary wheezing, chest tightness, effort dyspnea, and sore throat.

CONCLUSIONS

polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons cause deleterious effects on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems through mutations and cellular inflammation, being a risk to exposed individuals.