Association of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and serum C-reactive protein

In a combined analysis, OH-PAHs were classified as low, medium, and high. Low OH-PAH was 2-hydroxyphenanthrene ≤48 ng/g creatinine and 9-hydroxyfluorene ≤160 ng/g creatinine. High OH-PAH was 2-hydroxyphenanthrene >148 ng/g creatinine or 9-hydroxyfluorene >749 ng/g creatinine. Participants not assigned to the low or high categories were classified as having medium OH-PAH concentrations. Compared to the low OH-PAH group, high OH-PAH had an odds ratio of 3.60 (95% CI 2.01-6.46) in an adjusted logistic regression. Given that inflammation (characterized here by CRP) is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, these results suggest a role for OH-PAHs in the progression of atherosclerosis.