Urinary Concentrations of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolites in Drinkers in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Consumption of , an infusion of the herb , is associated with increased risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but the carcinogenic mechanism is unclear. Commercial brands of contain high levels of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are acquired during the traditional drying process. The purpose of this study was to characterize exposure to PAHs in drinkers over a wide range of consumption. We recruited 244 adults who answered a questionnaire and collected a fasting spot urine specimen. We quantified urinary concentrations of seven PAH metabolites and assessed associations between self-reported recent consumption and urinary PAH metabolites by multivariate regression. Recent consumption showed a significant dose-response association with 6 of 7 PAH metabolites in unadjusted models ( < 0.05). After adjustment for creatinine and potential confounders, concentrations of 2-naphthol, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, and the sum of 2- and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene remained significantly associated with recent intake. The sum of the urinary concentrations of the phenanthrene metabolites was similar or higher among drinkers who did not smoke than among smokers who did not drink Urinary concentrations of PAH metabolites were significantly associated with self-reported amounts of recent intake, and drinking increased urinary concentrations of some PAH metabolites as much as smoking cigarettes. Drinking is a source of exposure to potentially carcinogenic PAHs, consistent with the hypothesis that the PAH content of may contribute to the increased risk of ESCC in drinkers. .