Gli idrocarburi policiclici aromatici urinari nel monitoraggio biologico delle esposizioni a basse dosi nel settore dell’edilizia

Aim of this work was to investigate the use of unmetabolized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine (U-PAHs) as possible biomarker of exposure. Forty roofers (12 non smokers, 28 smokers) participated to the study and for each workers three urine samples were obtained: on Monday morning (baseline, BL), at the beginning (BS) and at end (ES) of the work shift. Quantification of 13 U-PAHs was performed via GC/MS. 1-Hydroxypyrene was also quantified. Urinary naphthalene and phenanthrene were the most abundant analytes. Their median levels were 155, 173, 210 ng/L and 24, 34, 36 ng/L (BL, BS and ES samples). Significant differences were found comparing BL/ES and BS/ES samples. High molecular-weight compounds (from chrysene to benzo[a]pyrene) were always below the quantification limit. Naphthalene levels were higher than in asphalt and construction workers previously investigated. 1-Hydroxypyrene levels (300, 412, 500 μg/L) were similar to those found in asphalt workers. A strong influence of cigarette smoking was evidenced on 1-hydroxypyrene but not on naphthalene excretion. In conclusion, the determination of U-PAHs permitted to deeper characterize roofer’s occupational exposure. U-PAHs, and U-NAP in particular, showed to be more specific than 1-hydroxypyrene and may be used as sensitive biomarker of exposure.