Evaluation of Blood Lipid Concentrations of Dioxins in Firefighters Depending on Polymorphic Variants of Xenobiotic Detoxification Genes

Abstract

Summary. Background: The specifics of occupational activities of firefighters is determined by exposures to both fire hazards and a combination of occupational risk factors of various nature significantly exceeding their standard values. Adverse chemical exposures rank first due to unpredictable toxic effects of combustion products from burning synthetic polymers. Yet, the most dangerous are low-temperature fires emitting a wide range of air contaminants including highly lipophilic, bioaccumulative and persistent dioxins. The purpose of the research was to study the relationship between various polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes and blood lipid concentrations of dioxins in firefighters. Materials and methods: We measured average dioxin concentrations in ambient air at different stages of firefighting and in blood lipids of firefighters with different length of service using the analytical method of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cumulative effect of dioxins was estimated in relation to polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes of the first and second phases of biotransformation by determining polymorphisms, the main research method being polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: High concentrations of dioxins measured in ambient air at all stages of firefighting and in blood lipids of firefighters with a significant correlation with work experience indicate that inhalation is one of the main routes of exposure to dioxins and that these chemicals are occupational risk factors for this professional group. The analysis of the relationship between various polymorphic variants of xenobiotic detoxification genes and blood lipid concentrations of dioxins in the firefighters showed a higher blood level of dioxins in carriers of minor alleles. Conclusions: Genotyping of firefighters and identification of carriers of minor alleles of xenobiotic detoxification genes may contribute to timely preventive and rehabilitation measures aimed at elimination of adverse health effects of occupational exposure to dioxins.