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Assessing traffic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in Montreal, Canada
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Assessing traffic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in Montreal, Canada

Qun Miao, Michèle Bouchard, Dongmei Chen, Igor Burstyn, John J Spinelli and Kristan J Aronson
The Science of the total environment, v 470-471, pp 945-953
01 Feb 2014
PMID: 24239815

Abstract

1-OHPG PAH biomarker Traffic density Geographic information system (GIS) Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 1-OHP
The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies specific polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as probable carcinogens. This study compares two PAH biomarkers and their relationship with geographic information system (GIS) based traffic density (a proxy of PAH exposure), and explores the determinants of the PAH biomarkers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Montreal with 200 volunteers (107 females and 93 males) ages 20 to 53years. Data were collected by questionnaire, urine samples were used for biomarker analysis, and innovative GIS-based time- and distance-weighted traffic densities (TDWTD) were calculated for all locations of participants during the 48h prior to urine collection. Detection rates of the two biomarkers were greater than 95%. Female participants had higher 1-OHP and 1-OHPG levels than males, and no relationship was detected between TDWTD in 48h and the two PAH biomarkers. Biomarker levels were related to smoking more than one pack of cigarettes in the previous 48h, and among non-smokers, barbecued meat consumption increased the level of urinary 1-OHP (exp β: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.98). Both 1-OHP and 1-OHPG can be used to assess the relatively low PAH levels to which the general population is exposed. With the exception of smoking, the impact of PAH exposure factors on the biomarkers is relatively small in this study population. •We compared PAH biomarkers with an innovative method to measure traffic density.•Both biomarkers can be used effectively in general population studies.•PAH biomarker levels among females were higher than males.•Smoking was the strongest determinant.•Among non-smokers, barbequed meat consumption contributes to PAH level.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Environmental Sciences
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