Hair and urinary 2-hydroxynaphthalene levels in the people living in a region with frequent oil pipeline incidents in Iran: Health risk assessment

TL;DR

This study assesses health risks from oil pipeline incidents in Iran by measuring 2-OHNAP levels in urine and hair samples of local residents.

Contribution

The study provides new data on 2-OHNAP exposure and health risk indices in a population affected by frequent oil spills.

Findings

2-OHNAP was detected in 100% of urine and 88% of hair samples.

Health risk indices (HQ and CR) were below threshold levels but near critical values.

No significant correlation was found between 2-OHNAP levels in urine and hair.

Abstract

Oil spills from pipeline accidents can have long-lasting health effects on residents of polluted regions. Assessing the potential health risk of these accidents is crucial for effective environmental health management. This study analyzed the concentration of 2-OHNAP in urine and hair as biomarkers of PAHs exposure among the people living in a region with frequent oil pipeline incident in Iran. Fifty pairs of hair and urine samples were collected from residents along with demographic information and dietary habits via a questionnaire. The concentration of 2-OHNAP was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). 2-OHNAP was detected in 100% of urine and 88% of hair samples. The mean concentration of 2-OHNAP in urine was 16.65 ± 21.98 μg/g creatinine and in hair was 8.16±7.62 ng/g dry weight (dw). However, there was no significant correlations between the levels of 2-OHNAP in urine and hair. The mean values of HQ and CR were below 1 and 10−6, respectively. Moreover, some simulated health risk indices were near the threshold levels, and the carcinogenic risk above 70% of the simulated CRs was above 10−6 as well. Therefore, the health risk attributed to the exposure to the parent compound of 2-OHNAP in the study area is currently acceptable, but it is not negligible and may be worsened in the future. This study provides a valuable scientific information for regional decision makers and stakeholders about human health programs and identification of environmental health priorities.

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