Introduction. The aim of presented study was comparison of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration among coke plant
workers (before and after working week) and among non-exposed individuals from the same area, taking smoking status
into consideration.
Materials and method. 647 coke plant workers and 206 individuals living in the same area were analysed with respect
to urinary 1-OHP concentration and smoking status. Urinary samples were measured using high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. Concentrations were normalized with respect to creatinine concentration.
For workers, two samples were collected before and after working week. Multiple regression was performed to distinguish
and quantify the influence of cigarette smoking and occupational PAH exposition on the urinary 1-OHP levels.
Results. Average urinary 1-OHP concentration of samples collected before the working week was: 1.07 μg/g; after the
working week: 2.36 μg/g and for control: 0.74 μg/g. The samples collected at the beginning of the working week were
not suitable for assessment of the workers’ background (non-occupational) exposition. Smoking cigarettes induced a rise
in urinary 1-OHP level by 16%, on average (CI: 5% – 28%), and working for a whole working week at the coke plant made
urinary 1-OHP levels, on average, 3.21 times higher (CI: 2.91 – 3.54).
Conclusions. Working at the coke plant increases significantly urinary 1-OHP concentration in comparison to nonoccupationally
exposed individuals, both for samples collected before and after the working week. Smoking remains a
significant source of PAHs exposition, despite the fact that occupational exposure is greater. Health promotion programmes
should address both the occupational health risks reduction and smoking prevention.