Maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in South Texas, evaluation of silicone wristbands as personal passive samplers

Abstract

Background Prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with adverse health effects in children. Valid exposure assessment methods with accurate spatial and temporal resolution across pregnancy is a critical need for advancing environmental health studies. Objective The objective of this study was to quantify maternal PAH exposure in pregnant women residing in McAllen, Texas where the prematurity rate and childhood asthma prevalence rates are high. A secondary objective was to compare PAH levels in silicone wristbands deployed as passive samplers with concentrations measured using standardized active air-sampling techniques. Methods Participants carried a backpack that contained air-sampling equipment (i.e., filter and XAD sorbent) and a silicone wristband (i.e., passive sampler) for three nonconsecutive 24-h periods. Filters, XAD tubes, and wristbands were analyzed for PAHs. Results The median level of exposure for the sum of 16 PAHs measured via active sampling over 24 h was 5.54 ng/m3 (filters) and 43.82 ng/m3 (XADs). The median level measured in wristbands (WB) was 586.82 ng/band. Concentrations of the PAH compounds varied across sampling matrix type. Phenanthrene and fluorene were consistently measured for all participants and in all matrix types. Eight additional volatile PAHs were measured in XADs and WBs; the median level of exposure for the sum of these eight PAHs was 342.98 ng/m3 (XADs) and 632.27 ng/band. The silicone wristbands (WB) and XAD sorbents bound 1-methynaphthalyne, 2-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl following similar patterns of detection. Significance Since prior studies indicate linkages between PAH exposure and adverse health outcomes in children at the PAH levels detected in our study, further investigation on the associated health effects is needed. Data reflect the ability of silicone wristbands to bind smaller molecular weight, semivolatile PAHs similar to XAD resin. Application of wristbands as passive samplers may be useful in studies evaluating semivolatile PAHs.

Silicone wristbands as personal passive sampling devices: Current knowledge, recommendations for use, and future directions

“…One study reported moderate to strong correlations between wristband and active air sampler concentrations for a majority of the PAHs evaluated ( Dixon et al, 2018 ). In contrast, other studies reported no statistically significant correlations between wristband and active air sampler concentrations of PAHs ( Wang et al, 2019 ; Mendoza-Sanchez et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The pump draws air through a filter where particle-associated chemicals are captured before reaching a sorbent. Sorbents used in comparison to silicone wristbands include a polyurethane foam (PUF) cartridge ( Dixon et al, 2018 ) and XAD-2 cartridges ( Mendoza-Sanchez et al, 2021 ). Wristbands have also been compared to OSHA versatile sampler (OVS) cartridges which contained both PUF and XAD-2 components ( Wang et al, 2019 ; Nguyen et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Since all of the studies that have used active air sampling concurrently with the silicone wristbands have used different sorbents, it is impossible to directly compare the studies to each other. Additionally, multiple studies placed silicone passive samplers’ locations other than being worn on a wrist such as on an active air sampling backpack ( Mendoza-Sanchez et al, 2021 ) and as a brooch worn on the chest ( Nguyen et al, 2020 ), thereby only comparing the ability of the silicone wristband to act as an air sampler. The differences in sorbent used could explain differences in the reported correlation between worn silicone wristbands and active air samplers.…”

Recent progress in wearable extractive sampling technology

“…This means that if the concentration of an analyte is known from one sampler, the concentration that will be obtained from the other sampler can be predicted by correlation studies. Another comparative study for active and passive samplers was conducted by Itza et al In this study, participants wore wristbands and carried an active sampler with a PTFE filter and XAD tubes for 24 h [15].Based on the study results obtained from GC-MS, and as can be expected, each type of sampler provided different limits of quantifications. For instance, the limit of quantifications (LOQs) of PTFE filters were in a range from 0.01 to 0.38 ng/m 3 , for XAD adsorbent were in a range from 0.01 to 10.93 ng/m 3 , and passive samplers were from 0.03 to 56.85 ng/wristband.…”

Individual and Environmental Risk Factors for COVID-19 Mortality in Elderly in 7 European University Hospitals

“…Previous studies reported that urinary levels of black carbon strongly differ from one street to another, as a function to the distance from to a main road [16]. Personal passive samplers will also be helpful to improve estimation of individual exposure to air pollutants [17]. Difficulties to correctly address air pollution exposure have been highlighted in previous studies.…”