Particulate matter such as hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides (SOx), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) dominate air pollutants released from vehicle emission and are notorious for their adverse health effects. High concentrations of traffic-related air pollutants in urban areas are sometimes neglected by society despite being harmful to human health. This study aimed to discover the blood markers of traffic-related particulate
matter in humans. The study collected traffic-related particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) data from 32 mechanics working in vehicle emission test stations in Pulo Gadung and Ujung Menteng, Jakarta. Every measurement was made according to the Environmental Protection Agency Isopropil Alcohol 10A (EPA IP 10 A) method. Blood
and urine samples were collected from 43 mechanics as an exposed group and 23 non-exposed workers as a control. Profile lipid, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), total Imunoglobin (IgE), calcium, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) in blood were measured in all 66 samples. Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was detected in 21
exposed group samples using a liquid chromatography fluorescence detector. As a result, the mean concentration of PM2.5 from mechanics was 306.91 ± 99.19 µg/m3. Independent t-test results of the biochemical analysis from blood examination within those groups showed a significant difference in several parameters such as triglyceride (p = 0.005), HbA1c NGSP (p = 0.01), HbA1c IFFC (p = 0.01), total IgE (p = 0.02), calcium (p = 0.03), and TNFα (p = 0.00). Total cholesterol and personal PM2.5 exposure showed a moderate correlation with r = 0.355 (p = 0.046). Urinary 1-OHP mean concentration from the exposed group was 21.61 ± 10 µg/L. In conclusion, HbA1c, IgE, and TNFα can be considered as a blood marker for long exposure to PM2.5, while further study is needed to determine the possibility of using 1-OHP as non-invasive method to detect the particulate matter exposure in humans, particularly from traffic-related sources.
Keywords: Biomarker, Fine Particles, Tnfα, 1-OHP, Vehicle Emission