Evaluation and Comparison of Urinary Metabolic Biomarkers of Exposure for the Jet Fuel JP-8

Abstract

A study of workers exposed to jet fuel propellant 8 (JP-8) was conducted at U.S. Air Force bases and included the evaluation of three biomarkers of exposure: S-benzylmercapturic acid (BMA), Sphenylmercapturic acid (PMA), and (2-methoxyethoxy)acetic acid (MEAA). Postshift urine specimens were collected from various personnel categorized as high (n = 98), moderate (n = 38) and low (n = 61) JP-8 exposure based on work activities. BMA and PMA urinary levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/ MS), and MEAA urinary levels were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The numbers of samples determined as positive for the presence of the BMA biomarker (above the test method's limit of detection [LOD = 0.5 ng/ml]) were 96 (98.0%), 37 (97.4%), and 58 (95.1%) for the high, moderate, and low (control) exposure workgroup categories, respectively. The numbers of samples determined as positive for the presence of the PMA biomarker (LOD = 0.5 ng/ml) were 33 (33.7%), 9 (23.7%), and 12 (19.7%) for the high, moderate, and low exposure categories. The numbers of samples determined as positive for the presence of the MEAA biomarker (LOD = 0.1 μg/ml) were 92 (93.4%), 13 (34.2%), and 2 (3.3%) for the high, moderate, and low exposure categories. Statistical analysis of the mean levels of the analytes demonstrated MEAA to be the most accurate or appropriate biomarker for JP-8 exposure using urinary concentrations either adjusted or not adjusted for creatinine; mean levels of BMA and PMA were not statistically significant between workgroup categories after adjusting for creatinine.Biomarkers of exposure are important tools for use in exposure assessment and toxicological research. As the term implies, biomarkers of exposure are those related to exposure and the internal levels of some agent or chemical. A well-chosen biomarker of exposure should have several qualities. Primarily, the biomarker should be specific for the exposure of interest; some metabolites are common to multiple parent chemical substances and therefore may not be suitably specific biomarkers. Second, the biomarker needs to be associated with the et al. 2003). The fuel is formulated to meet military performance specifications, and therefore, the overall chemical composition varies from batch to batch with the exception of an anti-icing component (NRC 2003). With the many constituent chemicals present at varying concentrations, the best or most accurate biomarker for JP-8 exposure has not been extensively addressed in the literature, and this was the main objective of the current study. Three potential biomarkers of JP-8 exposure were compared since a previous study had investigated only one of these potential biomarkers (B'Hymer et al. 2012). HHS Public AccessThe specifications for JP-8 include a maximum olefin content of 5%, a maximum aromatic content of 22%, and a maximum sulfur content of 0.3%. On average, the composition is approximately 33-61% alkanes, 10-45% cycloalkanes, 12-22%...

Biomarkers after Controlled Inhalation Exposure to Exhaust from Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO)

“…BMA has been reported in average concentrations of 16 ± 29 ng/mL in smokers and 15 ± 32 ng/mL in non-smokers [ 28 ]; in concentrations (median values) of 15 ng/mL in women in Cape Town [ 29 ]; and in average concentrations of 8.7 ng/mL in low exposed jet-fuel workers [ 31 ]. PMA was measured in average concentrations of 0.9 ± 2.1 ng/mL (smokers) and 0.6 ± 0.4 ng/mL (non-smokers) [ 28 ]; in concentrations (median values) of 0.05 ng/mL in women in Cape Town [ 29 ]; and in average concentrations of 0.5 ng/mL in low exposed jet-fuel workers [ 31 ].…”

“…BMA has been reported in average concentrations of 16 ± 29 ng/mL in smokers and 15 ± 32 ng/mL in non-smokers [ 28 ]; in concentrations (median values) of 15 ng/mL in women in Cape Town [ 29 ]; and in average concentrations of 8.7 ng/mL in low exposed jet-fuel workers [ 31 ]. PMA was measured in average concentrations of 0.9 ± 2.1 ng/mL (smokers) and 0.6 ± 0.4 ng/mL (non-smokers) [ 28 ]; in concentrations (median values) of 0.05 ng/mL in women in Cape Town [ 29 ]; and in average concentrations of 0.5 ng/mL in low exposed jet-fuel workers [ 31 ]. 4-MHA concentrations were slightly lower in our exposure studies compared to other studies ( Figure 2 and Table S3 ): 3- and 4-MHA were reported in average concentrations of 1020 ± 1379 ng/mL in smokers and 579 ± 3692 ng/mL in non-smokers [ 28 ]; and in concentrations (median values) of 1061 ng/mL in women from Cape Town [ 29 ].…”