125 Biological monitoring of exposure to benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and persistent organic pollutants in Norwegian Firefighters

It is well known that firefighters may be exposed to carcinogenic compounds present in the fire smoke during extinguishing of fires. Several of these compounds can be adsorbed by the body both by inhalation and dermal exposure. Recently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reclassified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans. Firefighters in Norway are currently using protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) during both knock down and overhaul. The amount of known carcinogenic compounds absorbed by the body during extinguishing of fires is, however, not known. Thus, there is a need to determine firefighters’ exposure to known carcinogens in fire smoke. S-phenyl mercapturic acid (SPMA), a specific metabolite of benzene, and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a biomarker of PAHs exposure, were determined in urine samples collected from a total of 205 firefighters extinguishing regular fires (n=123) and controlled-residential fires (n=82). Furthermore, fifty seven persistent organic pollutants (dioxins, PCBs, PBDEs and PFAS) were determined in serum collected from a sub-group of twenty firefighters with a duration of employment of minimum twenty years. The measured concentrations of SPMA and 1-OHP in urine were in the range < 0.02 – 16.1 µg/g creatinine and < 0.03 – 5.8 µg/g creatinine, respectively, six hours after the work related to the fire. The firefighters’ concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in serum were similar to those found in the general Norwegian population or other investigated groups in Norway.