2010 Volume 51 Issue 3 Pages 128-132
Vulnerability of children to toxic substances is of great concern due to their susceptibility and specific exposure profiles. In this study, we examined urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) levels in 134 kindergarten children and their mothers in order to assess exposure profiles from foods. Mean concentration of 1-OHP in children (0.083 μmol/mol-creatinine) was 1.8-fold higher than that in mothers (0.046 μmol/mol-creatinine). Nonetheless, a significant correlation was observed between 1-OHP levels in the two groups, which presumably reflected the similarities of diet between child and mother on the day before urine sampling. Moreover, intake of foodstuff, such as meat and/or fish, elevated the urinary 1-OHP levels, apparently due to high cooking temperature. These results demonstrate the importance of exposure assessment of toxic substances (in children via the diet).
