2405

This study was conducted in urban area of Rawalpindi city with an aim to analyze population exposure to particulate matter (PM) and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in relation to their vulnerability for diseases. Biomonitoring study using serum naphthalene, pyrene and urinary 1-hydroxyprene was also conducted to quantify PAH exposure. The health risks based on self-reported health status was also noted using a questionnaire. Results of HPLC based serum analysis showed that mean concentration of blood naphthalene was 106 μg L^-1 which had significant correlation with cigarette smoking (r=0.49; p<0.01). However, pyrene body burden (mean 19.18 μg L^-1) appeared to be a significant predictor of urinary 1-hydroxyprene pyrene (69.9 μmol mol^-1 creatinine). Among people associated with petroleum related occupations, there was fairly high significant effect of daily work-hours and job duration on serum pyrene levels. Urban population exposed to 6 hour per day or more had significantly high prevalence of physical disorders (OR=2.79, 95% CI=1.28-6.09). Neurasthenic symptoms were found in 65% of the subjects and were associated with years of involvement in job. Ten years or more occupational work at petrol pumps attributed substantial development of neurasthenic effects (OR=2.80, 95% CI=1.23-6.34). We conclude that subjects associating disturbances in physical and neurological behavior with petrol related occupation rated their overall health and functional capacity significantly poorer than that of urban area general population. A direct relationship between exposure to PM with population illness was observed especially during winter. To promote health of occupational groups, reduction in work hours and provision of masks and gloves could be introduced as health interventions.