STUDY OF 1-HYDROXYPYRENE PAH EXPOSURE IN URINE OF WORKERS OF THE ALUMINUM SMELTER IN EASTERN SIBERIA

Aim: to study the content of the biomarker of PAH exposure - 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPyr) in the urine of workers in modern aluminum production in Eastern Siberia. Materials and methods. 159 workers of electrolysis workshops with the technology of self-baked and pre-baked anodes were examined. The I group included 142 workers of the main professions engaged in the servicing of electrolyzers, anodes and cranes, the group II included 17 workers of auxiliary professions for pouring metal. The control group consisted of 14 people. Determination of 1-OHPyr was carried out by chromato-mass-spectrometry on an Agilent 7890A gas chromatograph. The data was processed in the Statictica 6.1 program. Results. Significant differences were established between the median levels of 1-OHPyr in urine among workers of the main (2.2-75.2 mu g/l) and auxiliary (0.48-7.6 mu g/l) occupations in comparison with the values of the control group (0.17 mu g/l) and Biological Exposure Index (2.5 mu g/l, AGGIH 2020). The concentrations of 1-OHPyr in anodes workers were 6.4-20.9 times higher than those of electrolyzers workers and crane operators, and 9.9-156.7 times higher than the levels of auxiliary professions. The lowest concentrations of 1-OHPyr were found in urine samples of workers - operators of workshops with the technology of pre-baked anodes. Conclusion. The research results confirmed the increased professional impact of PAHs on aluminum production workers. The highest levels of 1-OHPyr in urine, characterizing the internal loads of PAHs and the associated high risk of health disorders, were found in operators servicing anodes of workshops with the technology of self-baked anodes.