Exposure assessment of PM2.5 and urinary 8-OHdG for diesel exhaust emission inspector Original Research Article

Animal studies have shown exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) to induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and increase levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyquanosine (8-OHdG). Controversial results have been obtained regarding the effects of workplace exposure on urinary 8-OHdG level. This study assessed concentrations of environmental PM2.5 in DEP (DEP2.5), personal DEP2.5 and urinary 8-OHdG of diesel engine exhaust emission inspector (inspector) at a diesel vehicle emission inspection station (inspection station). The analysis specifically focuses on the factors that influence inspector urinary 8-OHdG. Repeated-measures study design was used to sample for five consecutive days. A total of 25 environmental PM2.5 measurements were analyzed at 5 different locations by using a dichotomous sampler, and a total of 55 personal PM2.5 measurements were analyzed from inspectors by using PM2.5 personal sampler. During the sampling period, a total of 110 pre- and post-work urine samples from inspectors, and 32 samples from the control group were collected. Following age and sex matching between the inspectors and the control group, levels of urinary 8-OHdG were analyzed.