Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Residues in Serum Samples of Autopsied Individuals from Tennessee

Abstract

This study reports the concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in human blood sera samples (n = 650) obtained at autopsy from individuals who died of drug abuse, alcohol toxicity, homicide, suicide and other unknown causes. The analyzed samples from decedents revealed the presence of PAHs of which B(a)P was the most predominant one, followed by benzo(b)fluoranthene and benzo(k)fluoranthene. The other PAHs detected sporadically and measured were benzo(g,h,i)perylene, acenaphthene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene The mean concentrations of PAHs were greater in the twenties to fifties age groups compared to others. The PAH residue levels detected were high in African Americans compared to Caucasians, Asians, and Hispanics. It appears that environmental exposure, dietary intake and in some cases occupational exposure may have contributed to the PAH body burden. While the PAH residue concentrations measured fall within the range of those reported for healthy adults elsewhere, in isolated cases, the concentrations detected were high, calling the need for a reduction in PAH emissions and human biomonitoring studies for purposes of risk assessment.

Pilot Metabolome-Wide Association Study of Benzo(a)pyrene in Serum From Military Personnel

“…BaP was one of the most commonly detected PAHs in post-mortem blood from male and female Caucasians and African Americans (41), which ranged in concentration from 0.6 ng/mL to 10.5 ng/mL. A similar concentration range of 0-3.7 ng/mL was reported by Al-Daghri et al (11); however, Pleil et al (8), reported median and maximum BaP levels of 0.019 and 0.195 ng/mL, respectively, in plasma obtained from a healthy, non-smoking, adult population with no recent history of remarkable exposures.…”

The impact of airborne pollution on skin

“…Radioactive‐labelling studies established that inhaled ultrafine carbon particles could then be recovered in the blood . Advances in bioanalytical methods have now revealed that PAHs and their metabolites can be found in the blood of adults, children and neonates, as well as in urine and maternal milk . Thus, subjects of all ages and all types of organs can be exposed to pollutants.…”

Changes of the human skin microbiota upon chronic exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants

“…Clinical studies have correlated daily exposure to particulate matter (PM) with increased skin pigmentation spots and wrinkles [8][9][10]. Among the constituents of harmful atmospheric pollution, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a class of organic pollutants in ambient air commonly associated with PM, may enter the human body and bloodstream via inhalation, ingestion, and dermal absorption [11][12][13]. While chronic dermal exposure to PAHs may be associated with premature skin aging, pigmentary disorder, acne, and skin cancer [10,14,15], the exact mechanisms by which PAH pollution harms the skin remain poorly understood and are likely to be complex and multifaceted.…”