Humoral immunosuppression in men exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and related carcinogens in polluted environments.

Abstract

We evaluated humoral immunity by measuring IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE concentrations in 274 male workers in an iron foundry in Cracow, Poland. There were two groups: 199 coke oven workers and 76 cold-rolling mill workers. The groups were similar with respect to age, length of work (average 15 years), and smoking habits. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), assessed by personal and area monitoring, ranged from 0.2 to 50 micrograms/m3 benzo[a]pyrene in coke plant workers and was of 3-5 magnitudes higher than in the cold-rolling mill employees. Comparison of the two groups revealed a marked depression of mean serum IgG and IgA in coke oven workers (p < 0.001, Student's unpaired t-test). In the same subjects, serum IgM had a tendency to decrease, whereas serum IgE showed a trend toward higher values. Thus, workers exposed chronically to complex mixtures of air pollutants, composed primarily of PAHs, develop immunosuppression. It remains to be established whether the immunosuppression described here is related to the frequent development of lung cancer reported in coke plant employees. Workers exposed chronically to PAHs should have serum immunoglobulins monitored regularly.ImagesFigure 1.

Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs in air: A pilot study among pregnant women

“…Humoral immunity was depressed in male iron foundry workers exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (Szczeklik et al 1994). IgG, and IgA were depressed in those workers exposed to high levels.…”

Integrating Field Analyses with Laboratory Exposures to Assess Ecosystems Health

“…Exposures to PAHs can be monitored using major urinary metabolites . Some epidemiological evidence indicates that complex mixtures containing PAHs produce immunosuppression under conditions of environmental and industrial exposures in humans (Szczeklik et al, 1994;Winker et al, 1997;Karakaya et al, 1999;Biro et al, 2002;Karakaya et al, 2004;Oh et al, 2005).…”

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“…They found that factory employees who worked in areas with smaller concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene, had better health than those who worked in areas with larger concentrations of the PAH 11 . In 1994 a study found that serum immunoglobin levels were decreased in workers that were exposed to PAHs 12 . These workers were coke oven workers, who were exposed to various harmful PAHs including fluoranthene, perylene, pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene and chrysene 12 .…”

“…In 1994 a study found that serum immunoglobin levels were decreased in workers that were exposed to PAHs 12 . These workers were coke oven workers, who were exposed to various harmful PAHs including fluoranthene, perylene, pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene and chrysene 12 . Additionally, there is also evidence that suggests the formation of PAH-DNA adducts.…”

“…Additionally, there is also evidence that suggests the formation of PAH-DNA adducts. These may interrupt cellular processes, and eventually lead to cancer 12 .…”