Exposure to diesel engine exhausts and increase of urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine among Male tank maintenance workers in the Republic of Korea Army

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the exposure of diesel engine exhaust (DEE) and oxidative stress among tank maintenance workers in the Republic of Korea Army. Airborne concentrations of elemental carbon (EC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and metals were measured at two units. Urine analysis for 1-hydroxypyrene and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was performed for tank maintenance workers from one unit (n=17). To compare the level of 8-OHdG, the analysis was performed in 17 unexposed controls. The airborne EC concentration was 8.6-24.3 mu g/m(3) in indoor unit. EC was not detected in the outdoor unit. As for the PAHs, trace -0.0004 mg/m(3) of naphthalene was detected. I-TWA for 26 metals was calculated to be 0.009-0.027. The geometric mean urinary 1-hydroxypyrene was 0.08 mu g/g creatinine. The geometric mean of 8-OHdG was 1.04 mu g/g for the maintenance workers, while 0.45 mu g/g for controls. The level of urinary 8-OHdG was significantly higher among maintenance workers in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, tank maintenance workers are exposed to various by-products from diesel engine combustion during work, and their level of oxidative stress marker was increased. Countermeasures for reducing hazardous substances in the military workplace are necessary.