Urinary S-PMA related to indoor benzene and asthma in children. (June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rive, S.; Hulin, M.; Baiz, N.; Hassani, Y.; Kigninlman, H.; Toloba, Y.; Caillaud, D.; Annesi-Maesano, I.
• Is Part Of: Inhalation toxicology. Volume 25:Number 7(2013)
• Page Start: 373
• Page End: 382
• Publication Date: 2013-06
• Subjects: Pulmonary toxicology -- Animal models -- Periodicals; Pulmonary toxicology -- Periodicals; Air -- Pollution -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 616.200471
• DOI: 10.3109/08958378.2013.790522
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-8378

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Introduction</italic>: Benzene is a ubiquitous pollutant of both indoor and outdoor environments which impacts on respiratory health. Our aim was to relate urinary <italic>S</italic>-phenylmercapturic acid (<italic>S</italic>-PMA), a biomarker of benzene exposure, to benzene concentrations and related sources at home and asthma in a population-based sample of children.</p> <p> <italic>Methods</italic>: Exposure to benzene was assessed in the dwellings of 63 children (32 asthmatics and 31 controls) through the identification of sources of benzene and <italic>in situ</italic> assessments with passive samplers. The determination of urinary <italic>S</italic>-PMA was obtained by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.</p> <p> <italic>Results</italic>: At home, asthmatics were significantly more polluted by benzene levels from ambient sampling than controls (<italic>p</italic> ≤ 0.05). Benzene exposure significantly aggravated asthma symptoms overall in non-atopic children (OR = 10.10; 95% confidence interval: 10.10). Urinary <italic>S</italic>-PMA was significantly associated with benzene concentrations in the entire population (regression coefficient = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.07–0.49; <italic>p</italic> < 0.05) and asthma (OR = 7.69; 95% CI: 1.37–42.52 for an increase of 1 µg/g creatinine of urinary <italic>S</italic>-PMA). However, after adjustment for environmental tobacco smoking exposure, familial allergy, age and sex, the latter relationship was no more significant (OR = 4.95; 95% CI: 0.91–27.4, <italic>p</italic> < 0.10). Both benzene concentrations and urinary <italic>S</italic>-PMA concentrations were higher in dwelling built after 1948 and in flats.</p> <p> <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Our study suggests a relationship between childhood asthma and benzene concentrations at home, even at low levels of this pollutant. This was confirmed when considering urinary <italic>S</italic>-PMA, which was related to both benzene concentrations and asthma. Further epidemiological and toxicological studies are needed to confirm our results.</p> </abstract>