Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and their associations with serum lipid profiles in the general Korean adult population.

Background: Previous studies on associations between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and lipid profiles are limited. We investigated the associations between urinary PAH metabolites and serum lipid profiles using a representative sample of Korean adults.

Methods: This study utilized data from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (2018-2020) (n = 2,516). The associations of PAH metabolites, heavy metals, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), which are ubiquitous pollutants, with lipid indicators and dyslipidemia types were evaluated using linear and logistic regression models, respectively. We examined the associations between a mixture of PAH metabolites, heavy metals, and PFASs and lipid profiles using quantile g-computation analyses.

Results: A doubling of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) concentrations was associated with higher total cholesterol (TC) [β = 2.50 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09, 3.91], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (β = 2.39 mg/dL, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.63), and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) concentrations (β = 2.13 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.77, 3.49). A doubling of 1-OHP concentrations was also linked to higher odds of high TC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.30]. Additionally, 2-naphthol concentrations were associated with higher odds of high TC (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.29) and high LDL-C (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.51). Lead concentrations were associated with higher levels of TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), as well as with higher odds of high TC, high LDL-C, and high non-HDL-C. Mercury concentrations were associated with higher levels of TC, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C, and with higher odds of high TC. Several PFASs, such as perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, and perfluorodecanoic acid, were also associated with lipid profiles. A mixture of PAH metabolites, heavy metals, and PFASs was associated with higher TC, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and HDL-C concentrations. This mixture was also linked to higher odds of high TC and high LDL-C.

Conclusion: Concentrations of PAH metabolites, heavy metals, and PFASs were associated with unfavorable lipid profiles in the general adult population.