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Cited by 44Toxic Organic Pollutants ImpactOccupational Health and Safety in WorkplacesAir Quality and Health Impacts

Dermal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in asphalt workers

Fustinoni, Silvia, Campo, Laura, Cirla, Piero E, Martinotti, Irene, Buratti, Marina, Longhi, Omar, Foà, Vito, Bertazzi, PierAlberto·2010·Occupational and Environmental Medicine
DOI 10.1136/oem.2009.050344
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Abstract

Objectives: To assess dermal exposure to 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in asphalt workers by applying polypropylene pads to six body sites (neck, shoulder, upper arm, wrist, groin, ankle), to identify the compounds and exposure sites most representative, and to integrate dermal exposure results with environmental and biological data. Methods: Twenty-four asphalt workers were recruited. Dermal exposure was assessed during a single work shift. Sixteen PAHs (from naphthalene to indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene) were quantified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Airborne exposure, urinary PAHs and monohydroxy metabolites were also investigated. Results: Phenanthrene (PHE), present in all samples, was the most abundant compound (median 0.805–1.825 ng/cm 2). Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was present in 75% of the samples (0.046–0.101 ng/cm 2). Wrist had the highest contamination, with median PHE, pyrene (PYR), and BaP concentrations of 1.825, 0.527, and 0.063 ng/cm 2. PHE and PYR on wrist correlated with almost all 3- to 4-ring PAHs (0.405≤r≤0.856), but not with BaP; BaP correlated with almost all 4- to 6- ring PAHs (0.584≤r≤0.633). Significant correlations were observed between PHE level, airborne exposure, and the corresponding urinary PHE and monohydroxy metabolites. For PYR, significant correlations existed only between urinary PYR and monohydroxy metabolites. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that 42% of the end-of-shift monohydroxy metabolites were the result of airborne exposure, dermal exposure, and baseline levels of biomarkers. Conclusions: Dermal exposure to PAHs was in the low ng/cm 2 range. PHE or PYR and BaP were the most representative compounds and the wrist was the best location to perform dermal exposure assessments. Both dermal and airborne exposure contributed to the total body burden of PAHs, though the relative contribution was analyte-dependent.

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  • Dermal uptake is a direct route of pollutant contamination.

    “These studies all indicate that dermal uptake is a direct route of pollutant contamination (Fig. 1).”

    From The impact of airborne pollution on skin (2019) · cites this paper as [19]

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Authors
Fustinoni, S., Campo, L., Cirla, P. E., Martinotti, I., Buratti, M., Longhi, O., Foà, V., & Bertazzi, P.
Affiliations
University of Milan (IT)
ORCID
Venue
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2009-11-12
Volume
67
Issue
7
Pages
456-463
ISSN
  • 0007-1072 (ISSN-L)
  • 1351-0711
  • 1470-7926
DOI
10.1136/oem.2009.050344
OpenAlex
W2168838599
Cited by
43
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 5
FWCI
3.07
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Occupational and Environmental Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Safety in Workplaces
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Air Quality and Health Impacts
Keywords
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dermal exposure, asphalt workers, occupational exposure, phenanthrene, benzo[a]pyrene, pyrene, urinary biomarkers, airborne exposure, wrist, exposure assessment
MeSH terms
Adult, Air Pollutants, Occupational, Benzo(a)pyrene, Humans, Hydrocarbons, Italy, Male, Middle Aged, Phenanthrenes, Skin Absorption, Biomarkers, Occupational Exposure, Inhalation Exposure, Young Adult

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