Environmental exposure assessment to PAH and benzene in population groups living near a steel plant and in a rural area

aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationships between personal environmental exposures to the above chemicals and several biomarkers. The paper reports the environmental and biological monitoring data collected from 15 people living in the rural area of Alberobello (Bari, Italy) and 18 people living in Taranto (Italy), near an important steel plant. Airborne PAH and benzene personal exposure levels were determined as well as urinary concentrations of benzene, trans,trans-muconic acid and 1-hydroxypyrene. PAH-DNA adducts levels in peripheral blood lymphocytes were also determined. The influence of genetic polymorphism of cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), glutathione transferases μ, θ (GSTM1, GSTT1) and DNA repair gene (XPD) on biomarkers levels was investigate