《Nontarget Screening of Novel Urinary Biomarkers for Occupational Exposure to Toxic Chemicals from Coking Industry Using HPLC-QTOF-MS, ES&T, 2023, 57 (35), 13004–13014》
《Coking-Produced Aromatic Compounds in Urine of Exposed and Nonexposed Populations: Exposure Levels, Source Identification, and Model-Based Health Implications, ES&T, 2023, 57 (41), 15379–15391》
1：
Website: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c01663.
Graphical Abstract：
Abstract：
High-resolution mass spectrometry is an advanced technique for comprehensive screening of toxic chemicals. In this study, urine samples were collected from both an occupationally exposed population at a coking site and normal inhabitants to identify novel urinary biomarkers for occupational exposure to coking contaminants. A coking-site-appropriate analytical method was developed for unknown chemical screening. Through non-target screening, 515 differential features were identified, and finally, 32 differential compounds were confirmed as candidates for the current study, including 13 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites. Beside monohydroxy-PAHs (such as 1-&2-naphthol, 2-&9-hydroxyfluorene, 2-&4-phenanthrol, and 1-&2-hydroxypyrene), many other PAH metabolites including dihydroxy metabolites, PAH oxide, and sulfate conjugate were detected, suggesting that the quantification based solely on monohydroxy-PAHs significantly underestimated the human exposure to PAHs. Furthermore, several novel compounds were recognized that could be considered as biomarkers for the exposure to coking contaminants, including quinolin-2-ol (1.10±0.44 ng/mL), naphthylmethanols (11.4±5.47 ng/mL), N-hydroxy-1-aminonaphthalene (0.78±0.43 ng/mL), hydroxydibenzofurans (17.4±7.85 ng/mL), hydroxyanthraquinone (0.13±0.053 ng/mL), and hydroxybiphenyl (2.70±1.03 ng/mL). Despite their lower levels than hydroxy-PAHs (95.1±30.8 ng/mL), their severe toxicities should not be overlooked. The study provides a non-target screening approach to identify chemicals in human urine, which is crucial for accurately assessing the health risks of toxic chemicals in the coking industry.
2：
Website: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c04906.
Graphical Abstract：
Abstract：
Coking contamination in China is complex and poses potential health risks to humans. In this study, we collected urine samples from coking plant workers, nearby residents, and control individuals to analyze twenty-five coking-produced aromatic compounds (ACs), including metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives, chlorophenols, and nitrophenols. The median concentration of total ACs in urine of workers was 102 μg·g−1 Creatinine, significantly higher than in the other two groups. Hydroxy-PAHs and hydroxy hetero-PAHs were the dominant ACs. Workers directly exposed from coking industrial processes, i.e., coking, coal preparation, and chemical production processes, showed higher concentrations of hydroxy-PAHs and hydroxy hetero-PAHs (excluding 5-hydroxyisoquinoline), while those from indirect exposure workshops had higher levels of other ACs, indicating different sources in the coking plant. The AC mixture in workers demonstrated positive effects on DNA damage and lipid peroxidation with 5-hydroxyisoquinoline and 3-hydroxycarbazole playing a significant role using quantile g-computation model. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that coking contamination elevated the carcinogenic risk for exposed workers by 5-fold compared to controls with pyrene, pentachlorophenol, and carbazole contributing the most, and workers from coking process are at the highest risk. This study enhances understanding of coking-produced AC levels and provides valuable insights into coking contamination control.
