Percorrer por autor "Afonso, Catarina Maia"
A mostrar 1 - 2 de 2
Resultados por página
Opções de ordenação
- HBM4EU chromates study: the Portuguese integrated and harmonized study on exposure to hexavalent chromium and related early effects.Publication . Viegas, Susana; Martins, Carla; Ribeiro, Edna; Ladeira, Carina; Pinhal, Hermínia; Nogueira, Ana; Santos, Sílvia; Tavares, Ana; Gomes, Bruno Costa; Afonso, Catarina Maia; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria JoaoIn the scope of the European Union (EU) human biomonitoring initiative, a multicentric study on different occupational settings from several European countries was performed, to provide information on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a known lung carcinogen. Biomonitoring approaches were used to obtain exposure data to support the implementation of new risk management measures and policy actions at the national and European levels. This work describes the Portuguese contribution to the study, which aimed to assess workers' exposure to Cr, by using exposure biomarkers (urinary chromium [U-Cr]), and industrial hygiene samples (air and hand wipes) and to link exposure to potential long-term health effects by using effect biomarkers. Exposure determinants influencing exposure were explored from the contextual information and human biomonitoring data. The ultimate goal of the study was to appraise the risk management measures contributing to minimize exposure and protect workers' health. Several occupational settings and activities were considered, including plating, welding, and painting. A control group from the Portuguese general population was also included. Data on age, sex, and smoking habits from both groups were considered in the statistical analysis. Information on the risk management measures available for workers was collected and used to identify the ones that mainly contributed to reduce exposure. Environmental monitoring and human biomonitoring revealed that painters were the highest exposed group. The use of respiratory protection equipment showed an influence on total U-Cr levels for workers involved in painting activities. Concerning early health effects, the painters presented also a significantly higher level of DNA and chromosomal damage in peripheral blood cells, as compared to the control group, suggesting a plausible association between exposure to Cr(VI) and early genotoxic effects. The results showed that workers are exposed to Cr(VI) in those occupational settings. These findings point to the need to improve the prevention and risk management measures and the implementation and enforcement of new regulatory actions at the national level.
- Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium: biomarkers of genotoxicity in human peripheral bloodPublication . Afonso, Catarina Maia; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria JoãoThe hexavalent Chromium [Cr(VI)] is a human carcinogen, which is still authorized for use in several industrial settings because it has been difficult to replace. This was the reasoning to select it as a priority chemical by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU, https://www.hbm4eu.eu/), which aims to bridge chemicals human exposure to their possible impact on health. For that purpose, not only exposure was evaluated, but also early effect biomarkers were done to reflect potential health outcomes in several countries across Europe. In Portugal, the study was developed in one aircraft maintenance company since the substitution of Cr(VI) is not expected in the near future. Following the company agreement and the volunteers informed consent, an individual questionnaire was filled in order to obtain personal information, as well as lifestyle habits and occupational issues. Personal air samples were collected in order to assess occupational exposure to Cr(VI) soluble and insoluble compounds. Sampling for effect biomarkers analyses involved blood samples from 50 workers and 26 healthy individuals (controls). Biomarkers of effect involving the analysis of chromosome alterations (micronucleus assay) and DNA damage (comet assay) were studied; the results were statistically compared. Cr(VI)-exposed workers display a significantly higher frequency of micronucleated binucleated cells (p < 0.001) and an increased level of DNA breaks (comet assay) (p < 0.001) when compared with the non-exposed group. Only in the workplaces dedicated to painting exterior surfaces the values (0.4 mg/m3) were higher than the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL of 0.010 mg/m3) currently proposed by the Directive (EU) 2019/130, 16/01/2019.The present results suggest a potential health risk for this group of workers given that an association between an increased micronucleus frequency and cancer risk has been shown. Also, these findings should promote the investment in new risk management measures and the effective application of the ones already in place, such as adequate local ventilation and a frequent use of protective equipment.