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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-08-2020 | Original Article

Neurobehavioral performance of PAH exposure in male coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Fang Wang, Liuye Yang, Bin Zhang, Gaisheng Liu, Chongjian Wang, Yawei Zhang, Tong Wang

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Objective

Coal miners are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of neurotoxicants formed and released during incomplete combustion of coal. High levels of anxiety and depression have been reported in coal miners, but little is known about neurobehavioral functions in populations that are occupationally exposed to PAHs. We tested neurobehavioral performance in coal miners and correlated it with levels of urinary markers of PAH exposure.

Methods

Levels of urinary PAH metabolites were measured in 652 male coal miners as an indicator of exposure. Subjects were divided into a high-exposure group and a low-exposure group based on the median level of total PAH metabolites. A neurobehavioral core test battery and a questionnaire were used to assess neurobehavioral performance and collect demographic information, respectively.

Results

The median level of total PAH metabolites in urine was 4.88 μmol/mol creatinine. Highly exposed workers exhibited more fatigue-inertia than less-exposed workers (p < 0.05), and had lower scores in forward digit span, digit symbol, and Benton visual retention tests (p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression indicated that age, education, and shift work were significantly correlated with test scores.

Conclusions

PAH exposure may be associated with neurobehavioral alterations, which should be monitored in coal miners to prevent neurobehavioral disorders.

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Title: Neurobehavioral performance of PAH exposure in male coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fang Wang
Liuye Yang
Bin Zhang
Gaisheng Liu
Chongjian Wang
Yawei Zhang
Tong Wang
Publication date: 01-08-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01521-w

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Neurobehavioral performance of PAH exposure in male coal miners in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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