Association of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in moss with blood biomarker among nearby residents in Portland, Oregon

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a component of air pollutants that are costly to measure using traditional air-quality monitoring methods. We used an epiphytic bio-indicator (moss genus: Orthotrichum) to cost-effectively evaluate atmospheric deposition of PAHs in Portland, Oregon in May 2013. However, it is unclear if measurements derived from these bioindicators are good proxies for human exposure. To address this question, we simultaneously, measured PAH-DNA adducts in blood samples of non-smokers residing close to the sites of moss measurements. We accounted for individual determinants of PAH uptake that are not related to environmental air quality through questionnaires, e.g., wood fires, consumption of barbecued and fried meats. Correlation and linear regression (to control for confounders from the lifestyle factors) evaluated the associations. We did not observe evidence of an association between PAH levels in moss and PAH-DNA adducts in blood of nearby residents, but higher level of adduct were evident in those who used wood fire in their houses in the last 48 hours. It remains to be determined whether bio-indicators in moss can be used for human health risk assessment. HighlightsO_LIConcentration of PAH in moss do not relate to DNA adducts of PAH in blood of nearby residents in our sample. C_LIO_LIContent of moss may not be suitable for assessing exposure to PAH among humans. C_LI