Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the work atmosphere: Determination of area-specific concentrations and job-specific exposure in a vertical pin Soderberg aluminum plant.
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and particulates in the work atmospheres of the potrooms and anode paste plant of an aluminum reduction plant were determined by stationary and personal sampling and a glass capillary gas chromatographic method. The relative distribution of PAH (PAH profile), the fraction of PAH on particulates, and the ratio between particulate and gaseous PAH were also determined. The PAH profile was found to be similar to that found for another aluminum plant. The PAH fraction of particulate matter was generally between 1 and 4%, and the ratio between particulate and gaseous PAH in the potrooms varied from 0.2 to 1. The occupational exposures were determined from an analysis of a total of 167 personal samples. For most job categories, the geometric mean of the exposure values was higher than 40 microg/m3, spike pulling having the highest exposure of the categories measured. (+info)
Serum level of a soluble form of endoglin (CD105) is decreased after Goeckerman's therapy of psoriasis.
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BACKGROUND: Goeckerman's therapy (GT) of psoriasis is based on daily application of pharmacy grade coal tar on affected skin with subsequent exposure to UV light. Disturbances in angiogenic activity are characteristic for the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of GT of psoriasis on proinflammatory and angiogenic activities expressed as changes in levels of endoglin (CD105). METHODS: Serum levels of a soluble form of endoglin were measured in peripheral blood samples of 38 patients with psoriasis before and after therapy. Sixty three otherwise healthy blood donors serve as a control group. The efficacy of GT was expressed as changes in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). RESULTS: PASI score was significantly diminished by GT (p < 0.001). Serum levels of soluble CD105 were significantly diminished after GT. The serum level of soluble CD105 dropped from 7.85 +/- 2.26 ng/ml before therapy to 7.01 +/- 1.71 ng/ml after therapy (p = 0.0002). Compared to serum levels of soluble CD105 in healthy blood donors, serum levels of soluble CD105 in patients before GT were significantly higher (p < 0.001) and remained elevated after therapy (p < 0.001). Angiogenic activity expressed as serum endoglin is diminished in patients with psoriasis treated by GT. (+info)
Coal-tar-based pavement sealcoat and PAHs: implications for the environment, human health, and stormwater management.
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CYP1A1 gene polymorphisms: modulator of genetic damage in coal-tar workers.
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AIM: It is well known that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as benzo (a) pyrene have carcinogenic properties and may cause many types of cancers in human populations. Genetic susceptibility might be due to variation in genes encoding for carcinogen metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P-450 (CYP450). Our study aimed to investigate the effect of genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 (m1 and m2) on genetic damage in 115 coal-tar workers exposed to PAHs in their work place. METHODS: Genetic polymorphisms of CYP1A1 were determined by the PCR-RFLP method. Comet and buccal micronucleus assays were used to evaluate genetic damage among 115 coal tar workers and 105 control subjects. RESULTS: Both CYP1A1 m1 and CYP1A1 m2 heterozygous and homozygous (wt/mt+mt/mt) variants individually as well as synergistically showed significant association (P<0.05) with genetic damage as measured by tail moment (TM) and buccal micronuclei (BMN) frequencies in control and exposed subjects. CONCLUSION: In our study we found significant association of CYP1A1 m1 and m2 heterozygous (wt/mt) +homozygous (mt/mt) variants with genetic damage suggesting that these polymorphisms may modulate the effects of PAH exposure in occupational settings. (+info)