Risk characterization of human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in vulnerable groups

Autor(es)

Souza, Marilia Cristina Oliveira ; Rocha, Bruno Alves ; Cruz, Jonas Carneiro ; Palir, Neza ; Campiglia, Andres Dobal ; Domingo, Jose L. ; Barbosa, Fernando

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Science of The Total Environment; v. 892, p. 6-pg., 2023-06-02.

Resumo

Nowadays, anthropogenic activities are a significant source of environmental pollutants at an alarming rate. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely spread and well-known mutagenic and carcinogenic legacy pollutants of public health concern. In underdeveloped countries like Brazil, limited data are available in the scientific literature on the risk assessment of exposure to PAHs, leading to a risk underestimation, especially in the vulnerable groups of the population. In the current investigation, we have measured seven PAH metabolites in healthy vulnerable groups (n = 400), including pregnant and lactating women, newborns, and children. Besides, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US.EPA) guidelines, the risk characterization of this exposure was performed by calculating estimated daily intake, hazard quotient, hazard index, and cancer risk. The highest levels and detection rates for all metabolites were found in pregnant women, with 15.71 ng/mL for the n-ary sumation OH-PAHs, presumably due to the increased metabolic rate related to pregnancy. The lowest n-ary sumation OH-PAHs were detected in infants, with 2.33 ng/mL due to unmatured metabolism. When analyzing the health hazards, the non-carcinogenic risk - as a sum of all PAH metabolites, we observed a health risk (in all groups) above the limit that the US.EPA considers without significant potential health risk. Regarding cancer risks, benzo[a]pyrene levels in all the groups indicated a potential risk. In general, higher levels of potential cancer risk were observed for lactating women, which implies risks to them and their infants. Low molecular weight PAHs (naphthalene, fluorene, and phenanthrene) are associated with acute toxic effects. Their high detection rate (i.e., naphthalene: 100 %) demonstrates their extensive exposure, making these PAHs a priority for human biomonitoring. Besides, benzo[a]pyrene is carcinogenic to humans, being also important to monitor its levels since our risk assessment showed a high cancer risk to this PAH. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 19/07161-6 - Avaliação da exposição a praguicidas, hidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos e metais tóxicos em crianças brasileiras: estabelecimento de valores de referência e possível associação com marcadores de estresse oxidativo.
• Beneficiário: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado
• Processo FAPESP: 22/06443-0 - Biodisponibilidade e bioacessibilidade de pesticidas e poluentes legados em alimentos: avaliação de risco à saúde pública e criação de ferramenta risco-benefício para consumidores brasileiros
• Beneficiário: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Projeto Geração
• Processo FAPESP: 18/24069-3 - Do biomonitoramento ao reconhecimento de assinaturas do exposoma humano visando antecipar riscos para uma saúde contínua
• Beneficiário: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático