Urinary biomarkers of environmental health: Jet fuel

Abstract

Urinary biomarkers of exposure have become an important tool for use in exposure assessment for occupations involving the use of jet fuel. Aircraft mechanics, fuel handlers, and workers on air bases and airports are exposed to jet fuel. The health effects of jet fuel exposure include skin irritation and dermatitis for direct skin contact and various neurophysiological problems including headache, general fatigue, and poor concentration from vapor exposure. A number of immunosuppressive effects have been seen after exposure to some formulations of jet fuel. The health effects of the many components of jet fuel have been described extensively in the toxicology literature. Since jet fuel is a complex mixture of chemicals, it also represents a challenge in choosing appropriate and accurate biomarkers of exposure. Urinary metabolic biomarkers are the best choice for exposure assessment; metabolites of naphthalene, benzene, and toluene are particularly well suited for accurate exposure biomarkers. (2-Methoxyethoxy)acetic acid is also well suited for JP-8 specifically owing to its unique formulation package. Jet fuel health hazards are a continuing health concern from the fuel's widespread use in modern society; thus, jet fuel urinary biomarkers of exposure are vital tools to study the occupational environment and reduce worker exposure.