Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Sugarcane Workers in Guatemalan

Introduction: Burning of sugarcane prior to harvesting poses a significant health risk for both workers and the surrounding environment. Mortality from diseases such as kidney disease and lung cancer increase in regions near sugarcane burning. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are omnipresent environmental pollutants formed primarily through incomplete combustion of carbon. Sixteen PAHs are identified as EPA priority pollutants, and many are known carcinogens. To understand the potential role of PAHs in the negative health effects associated with sugarcane harvesting practices, we aimed to measure PAHs from ash in the sugarcane fields and compare them to PAH metabolites in the urine of Guatemalan workers.

Methods: PAHs were measured in soil and ash samples taken from sugarcane fields using a solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The PAHs measured were the 16 EPA priority PAHs. Monohydroxylated PAHs are found in the urine, in part as sulfated and glucuronidated conjugates. β-glucuronidase/arylsulfatase incubation releases the metabolites, allowing for quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography/ mass spectrometry.

Results: Fourteen of the 16 PAHs measured are detectable in ash and soil samples taken from sugarcane fields. PAHs are found in considerably higher concentrations in ash samples than in soil samples taken from the same field. Our PAH metabolite method validation studies demonstrate that our lower levels of quantitation are sufficient to detect even baseline levels in non-exposed populations.

Conclusions: Our pilot study demonstrates the necessity to further investigate the health effects of PAHs produced during the burning of sugarcane on the individuals working in and near these fields. Our method allows for the quantification of metabolites of PAHs in urine, providing valuable insight into the degree of exposure. In the near future, our study will evaluate PAH metabolites in urine samples from sugarcane workers to associate with PAHs found in the nearby soil and ash.