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Original Article
- Associations Between Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Liver Enzyme Levels Among Korean Firefighters
- Jaeyong Lee, Mun-Joo Bae, Mi-Ji Kim, Sung Soo Oh, Ki Soo Park, Chan Joo Lee, Sungha Park, Seung-Koo Lee, Sang-Baek Koh, Hyeon Chang Kim, Changsoo Kim, Jaelim Cho
- J Prev Med Public Health. 2025;58(6):563-571. Published online July 12, 2025
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.25.271
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Abstract
Summary
PDF - Objectives
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), byproducts of incomplete combustion of organic compounds, have been linked to various adverse health outcomes; however, evidence associating PAHs with liver damage remains inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between PAH exposure and liver enzyme levels among firefighters, who have an increased risk of PAH exposure.
Methods
A total of 961 firefighters were included in the study. Urinary concentrations of 4 PAH metabolites (2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and 1-hydroxypyrene) were measured and categorized into quartiles. Serum levels of liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were evaluated. Age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI), job position, and self-reported disease history were adjusted as covariates. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between PAH metabolites and serum AST and ALT levels. Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations between PAH metabolites and abnormal AST and ALT levels, defined as 40 IU/L or higher.
Results
Participants in the highest quartile of urinary 2-naphthol had an increased risk of abnormal ALT levels compared to those in the lowest quartile (odds ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.09 to 3.65). No significant associations were observed for the other PAH metabolites. The association between urinary 2-naphthol and abnormal ALT levels did not differ significantly by smoking status, alcohol consumption, or BMI.
Conclusions
Elevated urinary 2-naphthol levels were associated with abnormal liver enzyme levels among firefighters, suggesting that monitoring and managing PAH exposure may help protect liver health in this occupational group. -
SummaryKorean summary
이 연구는 한국 소방관을 대상으로 요중 다환방향족탄화수소 대사체와 간 효소 수치의 연관성을 조사하였다. 연구 결과, 요중 2-naphthol 수치가 가장 높은 사분위수에 속하는 참가자들은 가장 낮은 사분위수와 비교하여 비정상 ALT 수치를 보일 위험이 유의하게 높았다. 이러한 결과는 다환방향족탄화수소 노출을 모니터링하고 관리하는 것이 소방관의 간 건강 보호에 중요한 역할을 할 수 있음을 시사한다.Key Message
This study investigated the association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites and serum liver enzyme levels among Korean firefighters. Results showed that participants in the highest quartile of urinary 2-naphthol had a significantly increased odds of having abnormal ALT levels compared to those in the lowest quartile. These findings suggest that monitoring and managing PAH exposure may play an important role in protecting the liver health of firefighters.
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