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Risk assessment and exposure patterns of hydroxypolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in elderly population: Insights from urinary metabolite levels and dietary habits.

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Title: Risk assessment and exposure patterns of hydroxypolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in elderly population: Insights from urinary metabolite levels and dietary habits.
Authors: Gao, Yafei1 (AUTHOR), Wang, Biwen1,2,3 (AUTHOR), Hua, Liting1,4 (AUTHOR), Li, Juanhua2,3 (AUTHOR), Liu, Junqi2,3 (AUTHOR), Peng, Yang3,5 (AUTHOR), Cheng, Lu6 (AUTHOR), Zhu, Hongkai1 (AUTHOR), Sun, Hongwen1 (AUTHOR), Li, Han1,2,3 (AUTHOR) leehan1988@126.com, Zhao, Hongzhi1 (AUTHOR) hongzhizhao@nankai.edu.cn
Source: Journal of Environmental Sciences (Elsevier). May2026, Vol. 163, p37-47. 11p.
Subject Terms: *Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, *Environmental exposure, *Carcinogenicity, *Biomarkers, Risk assessment, Dietary patterns, Older people
Geographic Terms: China
Abstract: • Ten PAH metabolites were detected in 85.7 to 100 % of the urine samples. • OH-PAH levels linked to gender, smoking, and alcohol; smoking was the main factor. • Consumption of fish, mycorrhizal and soy products was negatively linked to OH-PAHs. • The HI was below 1, but around 85 % exceeded the acceptable cancer risk threshold. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known for their adverse health effects and have garnered significant global attention. This study assessed the levels of ten monohydroxy metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), derived from naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, in urine samples collected from 495 elderly individuals in southern China. OH-PAH concentrations ranged from 0.134 to 183 ng/mL, with OH-Nap (the monohydroxy metabolite of naphthalene) being the most prevalent, accounting for 76.8 % of total metabolites. Significant correlations were observed between urinary OH-PAH levels and demographic factors including gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption, with smoking emerging as the strongest determinant. Regression analyses indicated that steaming significantly reduced PAH exposure (e.g., for 1-OHNap: β = -0.103, 95 % CI: -0.67, -0.04, p < 0.05), while dietary factors, such as fish, mycorrhizal algae, soy products, and coarse grains, influenced OH-PAH concentrations (p < 0.05). Monte Carlo simulations revealed a hazard index below the safety threshold of 1 and an overall carcinogenic risk ranging from 6.40 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.05 × 10⁻⁴, with approximately 85 % of individuals exceeding the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (lg(CR) > -6), primarily due to pyrene and naphthalene, which together accounted for 87.2 % of the total. This study delineates the link between PAH metabolites and dietary habits, uncovering health risks for the elderly population in the region. It provides a scientific basis for environmental health and pollution prevention policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of PAHs on environmental and public health. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:• Ten PAH metabolites were detected in 85.7 to 100 % of the urine samples. • OH-PAH levels linked to gender, smoking, and alcohol; smoking was the main factor. • Consumption of fish, mycorrhizal and soy products was negatively linked to OH-PAHs. • The HI was below 1, but around 85 % exceeded the acceptable cancer risk threshold. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well-known for their adverse health effects and have garnered significant global attention. This study assessed the levels of ten monohydroxy metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), derived from naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene, in urine samples collected from 495 elderly individuals in southern China. OH-PAH concentrations ranged from 0.134 to 183 ng/mL, with OH-Nap (the monohydroxy metabolite of naphthalene) being the most prevalent, accounting for 76.8 % of total metabolites. Significant correlations were observed between urinary OH-PAH levels and demographic factors including gender, smoking, and alcohol consumption, with smoking emerging as the strongest determinant. Regression analyses indicated that steaming significantly reduced PAH exposure (e.g., for 1-OHNap: β = -0.103, 95 % CI: -0.67, -0.04, p < 0.05), while dietary factors, such as fish, mycorrhizal algae, soy products, and coarse grains, influenced OH-PAH concentrations (p < 0.05). Monte Carlo simulations revealed a hazard index below the safety threshold of 1 and an overall carcinogenic risk ranging from 6.40 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.05 × 10⁻⁴, with approximately 85 % of individuals exceeding the acceptable carcinogenic risk threshold (lg(CR) > -6), primarily due to pyrene and naphthalene, which together accounted for 87.2 % of the total. This study delineates the link between PAH metabolites and dietary habits, uncovering health risks for the elderly population in the region. It provides a scientific basis for environmental health and pollution prevention policies aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of PAHs on environmental and public health. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:10010742
DOI:10.1016/j.jes.2025.10.018