Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in firefighters at fire training facilities and in employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops.

Introduction: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are carcinogenic to humans and are formed by incomplete combustion. PAHs are always present during firefighting operations, and fire department members can be exposed to them in the workplace.
Methods: In this study, we analyzed 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in 36 urine samples from nine firefighters, collected before and after fire training sessions, and 32 urine samples from eight employees at respiratory protection and hose workshops. To assess breakthrough PAH exposure through personal protective equipment and potential dermal uptake, some of the workshop employees wore cotton garments under their regular workwear. Cotton samples were then examined for the presence of 17 semi-volatile and low-volatility PAHs.
Results: After firefighting exercises, we observed approximately a fivefold increase in mean 1-OHP concentrations in samples from firefighters, from 0.24 μg/L to 1.17 μg/L (maximum: 5.31 μg/L). In contrast, 1-OHP levels in workshop employees were found to be low, with the majority of urine samples yielding concentrations below the limit of quantification (LOQ: 0.05 μg/L, maximum: 0.11 μg/L). Similarly, low PAH levels were found on the workshop employees' cotton undergarments, with maximum concentrations of 250 and 205 ng/g for pyrene and benzo[a]pyrene, respectively.
Discussion: In conclusion, significant increases in 1-OHP in urine were observed in firefighters after training sessions, whereas work-related exposure remained low among workshop employees.
Competing Interests: SK, HUK, HMK, TW, TBr, TBe, and DT [as staff of the Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine (IPA)], BH, DK, and KP [as staff of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA)], and TP (as staff of the Department of Fire Services, Rescue Services, and Fire Protection of the German Social Accident Insurance) are employed by the study's main financing body, the German Social Accident Insurance. IPA is an independent research institute of the Ruhr University Bochum. The remaining author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
(Copyright © 2023 Koslitz, Heinrich, Käfferlein, Koch, Pelzl, Pitzke, Köster, Weiß, Harth, Brüning, Behrens and Taeger.)