Assessment of Serum Concentrations of 12 Aldehydes in the U.S. Population from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Aldehydes are known carcinogens and irritants that can negatively impact health. They are present in tobacco smoke, the environment, and food. The prevalence of aldehyde exposure and potential health impact warrants a population-wide study of serum aldehydes as exposure biomarkers. We analyzed 12 aldehydes in sera collected from 1843 participants aged 12 years or older in the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Several aldehydes were detected at high rates, such as isopentanaldehyde (99.2%) and propanaldehyde (88.3%). We used multiple linear regression models to examine the impact of tobacco smoke and dietary variables on serum concentrations of isopentanaldehyde and propanaldehyde. Although 12 serum aldehydes were analyzed and compared to tobacco smoke exposure, only isopentanaldehyde and propanaldehyde showed any significant association with tobacco smoke exposure. Survey participants who smoked 1-10 cigarettes per day (CPD) had 168% higher serum isopentanaldehyde and 28% higher propanaldehyde compared with nonusers. Study participants who smoked 11-20 CPD had higher serum isopentanaldehyde (323%) and propanaldehyde (70%). Similarly, study participants who smoked >20 CPD had 399% higher serum isopentanaldehyde and 110% higher serum propanaldehyde than nonexposed nonusers. The method could not, however, differentiate between nonexposed nonusers and nonusers exposed to secondhand smoke for either of these two aldehydes. No dietary variables were consistently predictive of serum isopentanaldehyde and propanaldehyde concentrations. This report defines baseline concentrations of serum aldehydes in the U.S. population and provides a foundation for future research into the potential health effects of aldehydes. In addition, this study suggests that tobacco smoke is a significant source of exposure to some aldehydes such as isopentanaldehyde and propanaldehyde.