Full Length Research Paper

Phase 1 metabolites of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in blood samples of exposed subjects

Chimezie Anyakora¹, Funke Babalogbon¹, Ugochukwu Obiakor¹, Ibukun Afolami² and Herbert Coker¹

¹Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

²Department of Biochemistry, University of Lagos, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: chimezie@email.com.

Accepted 2 June, 2008.

   Abstract

Automobile mechanics are known to have a high occupational exposure to toxic substances, which include polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in refined petroleum products which are the main source of contamination for these subjects. This paper describes a qualitative investigation of phase I metabolites of PAHs in the blood samples of exposed subjects. In the study, thirty-one healthy adult volunteers residing in Lagos were screened using a gas chromatograph, coupled to a mass spectrometer. Several phase I metabolites such as 1-phenanthrene carboxylic acid, 1,4-naphthalene dione, 2-naphthalene methanol and 9,10-anthacenedione were detected. These are mainly the metabolites of low molecular weight polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons i.e. anthracene, phenanthrene and naphthalene. No correlation was established between the presence of these metabolites and the years of exposure of the subjects, which can be attributed to the complex and varied metabolism of PAHs in different individuals.

Key words: Phase I metabolites, GC/MS, occupational exposure, PAHs.