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Review
. 2023 Oct;45(10):7099-7113.
doi: 10.1007/s10653-023-01699-1. Epub 2023 Aug 2.

Biomarkers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human excreta: recent advances in analytical techniques-a review

Katarzyna Styszko  1 , Justyna Pamuła  2 , Agnieszka Pac  3 , Elżbieta Sochacka-Tatara  3
Affiliations
Review

Biomarkers for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human excreta: recent advances in analytical techniques-a review

Katarzyna Styszko et al. Environ Geochem Health. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental pollutants that are generated by the incomplete combustion of organic materials. The main anthropogenic sources of PAHs are the combustion of solid fuels for heating purposes, illegal waste incineration, road transport and industries based on fossil fuels. PAHs can easily enter the body because they are present in all elements of the environment, including water, soil, air, and food. Due to their ubiquitous presence, PAHs, may exert a harmful effect on human health. Assessing PAH exposure through biomonitoring mostly involve techniques to measure the concentration of 1-hydroxypyrene in human urine. Nevertheless, through recent progress in analytical techniques, other common metabolites of PAHs in human biospecimens can be detected. A scientific literature search was conducted to determine which hydroxy derivatives of PAHs are markers of PAHs exposure and to reveal the leading sources of these compounds. Techniques for analyzing biological samples to identify OH-PAHs are also discussed. The most frequently determined OH-PAH in human urine is 1-hydroxypyrene, the concentration of which reaches up to a dozen ng/L in urine. Apart from this compound, the most frequently determined biomarkers were naphthalene and fluorene metabolites. The highest concentrations of 1- and 2-hydroxynaphthalene, as well as 2-hydroxyfluorene, are associated with occupational exposure and reach approximately 30 ng/L in urine. High molecular weight PAH metabolites have been identified in only a few studies. To date, PAH metabolites in feces have been analyzed only in animal models for PAH exposure. The most frequently used analytical method is HPLC-FLD. However, compared to liquid chromatography, the LOD for gas chromatography methods is at least one order of magnitude lower. The hydroxy derivatives naphthalene and fluorene may also serve as indicators of PAH exposure.

Keywords: Chromatographic analysis; Human biomonitoring; Metabolites; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Number of scientific publications that analyzed the occurrence of OH-PAHs in urine per country since 1995
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Frequency by which individual compounds have been identified in the analyzed publications
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Percentage of each analytical method used in the analyzed case studies
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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