Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults

Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution and hearing loss are important issues in the environment and public health. However, current research still lacks data on their association in real-world environments. This study included 658 American adults who participated in the National...

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Main Authors: Xiuju Li, Zhaofeng Liu, Xiaohong Ding, Yuanling Zhou, Tingting Yu, Jin Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97315-6
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author Xiuju Li
Zhaofeng Liu
Xiaohong Ding
Yuanling Zhou
Tingting Yu
Jin Jiang
author_facet Xiuju Li
Zhaofeng Liu
Xiaohong Ding
Yuanling Zhou
Tingting Yu
Jin Jiang
author_sort Xiuju Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution and hearing loss are important issues in the environment and public health. However, current research still lacks data on their association in real-world environments. This study included 658 American adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2016. The correlation between single PAH exposure and hearing was estimated by the weighted logistic regression, the overall association between mixed PAHs and hearing was evaluated by Bayesian kernel machine regression and grouped weighted quantile sum regression, and the important chemicals were identified in this study. The results showed that the 1-Hydroxynaphthalene (1-OHNa) was positively correlated with the hearing condition, hearing level and hearing threshold (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.08–1.84, P < 0.01; OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.87, P < 0.05; OR = 4.34, 95% CI 1.74–10.81, P < 0.01, respectively). And 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was positively correlated with the hearing condition and hearing threshold (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 0.99–3.36, P < 0.05; OR = 5.83, 95% CI 1.31–26.03, P < 0.05, respectively) after using covariate correction. The results of BKMR and WQS indicated a positive correlation between overall PAHs exposure and decreased hearing, and the higher the overall exposure to PAHs, the greater the risk of hearing loss. Further analysis revealed that 1-OHP was an important chemical substance related to PAHs and hearing. This result was consistent with the results of the single PAH exposure model. These insights provide a critical new perspective on the association between PAHs and hearing, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to reduce environmental pollution and protect human health.
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spelling doaj-art-31670193129a4728be86171e8b6b49b62025-08-20T03:13:57ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111110.1038/s41598-025-97315-6Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. AdultsXiuju Li0Zhaofeng Liu1Xiaohong Ding2Yuanling Zhou3Tingting Yu4Jin Jiang5The Department of Occupational Disease, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan UniversityChronic Disease Prevention and Control, Jinshan District Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (District Health Supervision Institute)The Department of Occupational Disease, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan UniversityThe Department of Occupational Disease, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan UniversityThe Department of Occupational Disease, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan UniversityThe Department of Occupational Disease, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan UniversityAbstract Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pollution and hearing loss are important issues in the environment and public health. However, current research still lacks data on their association in real-world environments. This study included 658 American adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2016. The correlation between single PAH exposure and hearing was estimated by the weighted logistic regression, the overall association between mixed PAHs and hearing was evaluated by Bayesian kernel machine regression and grouped weighted quantile sum regression, and the important chemicals were identified in this study. The results showed that the 1-Hydroxynaphthalene (1-OHNa) was positively correlated with the hearing condition, hearing level and hearing threshold (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.08–1.84, P < 0.01; OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.04–1.87, P < 0.05; OR = 4.34, 95% CI 1.74–10.81, P < 0.01, respectively). And 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) was positively correlated with the hearing condition and hearing threshold (OR = 1.83, 95% CI 0.99–3.36, P < 0.05; OR = 5.83, 95% CI 1.31–26.03, P < 0.05, respectively) after using covariate correction. The results of BKMR and WQS indicated a positive correlation between overall PAHs exposure and decreased hearing, and the higher the overall exposure to PAHs, the greater the risk of hearing loss. Further analysis revealed that 1-OHP was an important chemical substance related to PAHs and hearing. This result was consistent with the results of the single PAH exposure model. These insights provide a critical new perspective on the association between PAHs and hearing, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to reduce environmental pollution and protect human health.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97315-6PAHs1-OHPHearingHearing lossOverall exposure
spellingShingle Xiuju Li
Zhaofeng Liu
Xiaohong Ding
Yuanling Zhou
Tingting Yu
Jin Jiang
Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults
Scientific Reports
PAHs
1-OHP
Hearing
Hearing loss
Overall exposure
title Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults
title_full Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults
title_fullStr Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults
title_full_unstemmed Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults
title_short Associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in U.S. Adults
title_sort associations of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with hearing in u s adults
topic PAHs
1-OHP
Hearing
Hearing loss
Overall exposure
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-97315-6
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AT yuanlingzhou associationsofexposuretopolycyclicaromatichydrocarbonswithhearinginusadults
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