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Title: Human exposure to the jet fuel, JP-8.

Authors: Tu, Raymond H; Mitchell, Clifford S; Kay, Gary G; Risby, Terence H

Published In Aviat Space Environ Med, (2004 Jan)

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: This study investigates anecdotal reports that have suggested adverse health effects associated with acute or chronic exposure to jet fuel. METHODS: JP-8 exposure during the course of the study day was estimated using breath analysis. Health effects associated with exposure were measured using a neurocognitive testing battery and liver and kidney function tests. RESULTS: Breath analysis provided an estimate of an individual's recent JP-8 exposure that had occurred via inhalation and dermal routes. All individuals studied on base exhaled aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons that are found in JP-8. The subject who showed evidence of the most exposure to JP-8 had a breath concentration of 11.5 mg x m(-3) for total JP-8. This breath concentration suggested that exposure to JP-8 at an Air Guard Base is much less than exposure observed at other Air Force Bases. This reduction in exposure to JP-8 is attributed to the safety practices and standard operating procedures carried out by base personnel. The base personnel who exhibited the highest exposures to JP-8 were fuel cell workers, fuel specialists and smokers, who smoked downwind from the flightline. DISCUSSION: Although study-day exposures appear to be much less than current guidelines, chronic exposure at these low levels appeared to affect neurocognitive functioning. JP-8-exposed individuals performed significantly poorer than a sample of non-exposed age- and education-matched individuals on 20 of 47 measures of information processing and other cognitive functions.

PubMed ID: 14736133 Exiting the NIEHS site

MeSH Terms: Adult; Aviation*/manpower; Breath Tests; Cognition; Comparative Study; Environmental Monitoring; Exhalation; Female; Humans; Hydrocarbons/toxicity*; Kidney Function Tests; Liver Function Tests; Maintenance/manpower; Male; Middle Aged; Military Personnel; Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*; Psychomotor Performance*; Questionnaires; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

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