Exposure to 1,3-Butadiene in the U.S. Population: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011–2016

Abstract

1,3-Butadiene is a volatile organic compound with a gasoline-like odour that is primarily used as a monomer in the production of synthetic rubber. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified 1,3-butadiene as a human carcinogen. We assessed 1,3-butadiene exposure in the U.S. population by measuring its urinary metabolites N-acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (34HBMA), N-acetyl-S-(1-hydroxymethyl-2-propenyl)-L-cysteine (1HMPeMA), N-acetyl-S-(2-hydroxy-3-butenyl)-L-cysteine (2HBeMA), and N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-buten-1-yl)-L-cysteine (4HBeMA). Urine samples from the 2011 to 2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed for 1,3-butadiene metabolites using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. 34HBMA and 4HBeMA were detected in >96% of the samples; 1HMPeMA and 2HBeMA were detected in 0.66% and 9.84% of the samples, respectively. We used sample-weighted linear regression models to examine the influence of smoking status (using a combination of self-reporting and serum-cotinine data), demographic variables, and diet on biomarker levels. The median 4HBeMA among exclusive smokers (31.5 µg/g creatinine) was higher than in non-users (4.11 µg/g creatinine). Similarly, the median 34HBMA among exclusive smokers (391 µg/g creatinine) was higher than in non-users (296 µg/g creatinine). Furthermore, smoking 1–10, 11–20, and >20 cigarettes per day (CPD) was associated with 475%, 849%, and 1143% higher 4HBeMA (p < 0.0001), respectively. Additionally, smoking 1–10, 11–20, and >20 CPD was associated with 33%, 44%, and 102% higher 34HBMA (p < 0.0001). These results provide significant baseline data for 1,3-butadiene exposure in the U.S. population, and demonstrate that tobacco smoke is a major exposure source.

Keywords:

• 1,3-butadiene
• volatile organic compound metabolites
• tobacco smoke exposure
• NHANES
• biomonitoring

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Volatile Organic Compound Metabolites Team, Tobacco and Volatiles Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the laboratory analysis of the NHANES biospecimens. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views, official policy or position of the US Department of Health and Human Services or any of its affiliated institutions or agencies. Use of trade names is for identification purposes and does not imply endorsement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Public Health Service, or the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Institutional review board approval

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations. NHANES is a major program of the National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS). NCHS is part of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and has the responsibility for producing vital and health statistics for the nation. NCHS has obtained approval to conduct the survey from its Research Ethics Review Board. All approvals can be found at the following link: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/irba98.htm.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Alma Nieto and Luyu Zhang were funded by the Research Participation Program at the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy [Interagency agreement # 17FED1706551] administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education.