Preliminary Investigation into Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene as a Biomarker for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons exposure among Charcoal Workers in Ogun and Oyo States, Nigeria.

Background: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) has been widely used as a biomarker of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in occupationally exposed workers. The objective of this study is to investigate the concentration of urinary 1-OHP among charcoal workers as subjects and non-charcoal workers as controls.

Methods: Early morning urine samples were collected from 68 persons (25 charcoal workers in Igbo-Ora, 20 charcoal workers in Alabata, and 23 non-charcoal workers) who volunteered to participate in this study.