Associations between inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and fractional exhaled nitric oxide

Chemosphere. 2019 Mar:218:992-1001. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.196. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Abstract

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked to various respiratory outcomes. However, the associations of concentrations of PM2.5-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PM2.5-bound PAHs) with airway inflammatory indices remains unclear. To assess effects of short-term exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs on fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), we conducted a pilot study with repeated measures. We recruited 20 postgraduate students in Wuhan city, China, and repeatedly measured outdoor and indoor (including dormitories, offices and laboratories) PM2.5-bound PAHs concentrations, urinary monohydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and FeNO levels in the four seasons. Subsequently, we estimated inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound PAHs based on the micro-environmental PM2.5-bound PAHs concentrations, time-activity patterns and referred inhalation rates. We assessed the association of inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound PAHs with FeNO using linear mixed-effects regression models. We found the positive associations of urinary ∑OH-PAHs levels with inhaled doses of indoor PM2.5-bound PAHs (including dormitories and offices) (all p < 0.05). A one-unit increase in inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound PAHs or in urinary concentrations of ∑OH-PAHs was corresponded to a maximum FeNO increase of 13.5% (95% CI: 5.4, 22.2) at lag2 day or of 6.8% (95% CI: 3.4, 10.2) at lag1 day. Inhaled doses of PM2.5-bound PAHs or urinary OH-PAHs was positively related to increased FeNO, they may be accepted as a short-term biomarker of exposure to PAHs in air. Exposure to PM2.5-bound PAHs in indoor air may contribute more to the body burden of PAHs than outdoor air, and exhibited stronger effect on increased FeNO rather than urinary OH-PAHs.

Keywords: Exhaled nitric oxide; PM(2.5)-bound PAHs; Personal level; Time-activity patterns; Urinary mono-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metered Dose Inhalers
  • Nitric Oxide / chemistry*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / analysis
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / chemistry*

Substances

  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
  • Nitric Oxide