Browsing by Author "Duca, R.C."
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- Effect biomarkers in e-waste management workersPublication . Silva, Maria João; Aimonen, K.; Louro, Henriqueta; Tavares, A.; Moreira, R.; Catalan, J.; Duca, R.C.; Godderis, L.; Mahiout, S.; Martins, C.; Martinsone, I.; Matisane, L.; Namorado, S.; Van Nieuwenhuyse, A.; Pinhal, H.; Porras, S.; Remes, J.; Scheepers, P.; Verdonck, J.; Viegas, S.; Santonen, T.; HBM4EU E-waste study teamDuring e-waste handling/processing, a broad range of toxic chemicals (metals and persistent organic compounds), are released and may affect workers’ health. This work intended to identify genotoxic effects in workers from European e-waste management companies. Micronuclei were analysed in peripheral blood lymphocytes (MNPBL) from 95 workers and 50 controls and in reticulocytes (MNRET) from 82 workers and 41 controls. No statistically significant differences were detected between the total exposed and control groups, for both MNPBL and MNRET frequencies. Stratification of workers in subgroups according to the main activities performed revealed that the subgroup involved in batteries recycling (n=23) presented a frequency of MNPBL significantly higher than that of controls. Significant differences in MNPBL frequencies were also found between battery workers and the subgroups handling/processing white goods, metals and plastics, and miscellaneous E-waste; no differences in MNRET frequencies among subgroups were detected. Worth to note, the subgroup dealing with brown goods (n=12) displayed the highest MNPBL and MNRET frequencies, although statistical significances were not observed when comparing with the other subgroups or controls. These preliminary results highlight the value of adding effect biomarkers to biomonitoring campaigns, to uncover groups of workers at enhanced risk and to prioritize risk management measures’ implementation.
- HBM4EU chromates study: untargeted metabolomics study of workers exposed to hexavalent chromiumPublication . Kozłowska, Lucyna; Santonen, T.; Duca, R.C.; Godderis, L.; Jagiello, K.; Janasik, B.; Van Nieuwenhuyse, A.; Poels, K.; Puzyn, T.; Scheepers, P.; Sijko, M.; Silva, Maria João; Sosnowska, A.; Viegas, S.; Verdonck, J.; Wąsowicz, W.; HBM4EU Chromates Study Team and Statistical TeamDue to the wide use of Cr(VI), a large number of workers in a variety of industries are ex-posed to the potential harmful effects of this compound. The aim of this study was to inves-tigate changes in metabolic pathways in response to Cr(VI) exposure and to search for new urinary biomarkers. The study included 220 male workers who were exposed to Cr(VI) (through welding, chromium plating, surface treatment) and 102 male controls from Bel-gium, Finland, Poland, Portugal, and the Netherlands. Urinary metabolite profiles were de-termined using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The changes in the abundancy of excreted metabolites observed in post-shift workers vs. controls reflect fatty acid and mon-oamine neurotransmitter metabolism, oxidative modifications of amino acid residues, the excessive formation of abnormal amino acid metabolites and changes mainly in steroid hormones. We observed that: argininosuccinic acid, ubiquinone-1, indole-3-propionicacid, 6-hydroxyphenylpropionylglycine, 20-oxo-leukotriene E4, 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine and succinylacetone are potential biomarkers for Cr(VI) exposure (area under the curve > 0.9). The results of our study could form the basis for vali-dating early biomarkers of Cr(VI) exposure and their application in screening tests, and also serve as a starting point for further targeted metabolomics studies to better understand the disorders associated with Cr(VI) exposure.
- HBM4EU diisocyanates study – results from a collaborative European human biological monitoring study on occupational exposurePublication . Jones, Kate; Galea, K.S.; Scholten, B.; Loikala, M.; Porras, S.P.; Bousoumah, R.; Ndaw, S.; Leese, E.; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria João; Viegas, S.; Godderis, L.; Verdonck, J.; Poels, K.; Gӧen, T.; Duca, R.C.; Santonen, T.; HBM4EU diisocyanates study teamDiisocyanates have long been a leading cause of occupational asthma in Europe, and they are now restricted under the REACH regulation. As part of the European Human Biomonitoring project (HBM4EU), we conducted an occupational exposure survey on diisocyanates in five European countries. 116 workers were recruited across four job categories: (1) Use of diisocyanates-based glues, adhesives or sealants; (2) Polyurethane coating of large surfaces; (3) Spray application of urethane foam; (4) Spray coating of vehicles. Fifty controls (within the same companies) were also recruited. The study collected urine samples (analysed for diisocyanate-derived diamines and lysine conjugates), blood samples (analysed for diisocyanate-specific antibodies, inflammatory markers, and diisocyanate-specific haemoglobin adducts), buccal cells (micronucleus analysis) and measured fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). In addition, occupational hygiene measurements (air monitoring and skin wipe samples) and questionnaires were collected. Initial results showed significant airborne exposures for some tasks (spraying polyurethane foam insulation), with elevated urinary diamine levels compared to controls (p<0.001), and detection of the specific MDI-lysine conjugate. Most workers did not show increased FeNO, but some individuals had elevated results (controls max 30 ppb (n=49), workers max 161 ppb (n=108). Further ongoing data analysis will be presented.
- Human biomonitoring in occupational setting – Cr VIPublication . Santonen, Tiina; Alimonti, A.; Bocca, B.; Duca, R.C.; Galea, K.S.; Godderis, L.; Göen, T.; Gomes, B.; Hanser, O.; Iavicoli, I.; Janasik, B.; Jones, K.; Leese, E.; Sparkie, S.; Leso, V.; Louro, Henriqueta; Ndaw, S.; Bousoumah, R.; Porras, S. P.; Robert, A.; Ruggieri, F.; Scheepers, P.T.J.; van Dael, M.; Silva, Maria João; Viegas, S.; Wasowicz, W.; Sepai, O.As for environmental studies, occupational studies performed by different researchers in individual countries are usually not aligned with respect to sampling, analytical methodologies or data collection, which hampers the comparison of the findings and the use of the data e.g. in regulatory risk assessment at European level. In addition, many national human biomonitoring (HBM) studies can recruit only limited numbers of workers. Therefore, combining national surveys using harmonized study designs and methodologies can potentially greatly improve the information collected and bring added value for the global data interpretation. Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is an important occupational carcinogen. Although Cr(VI) compounds are authorized in Europe under the European regulation (EC 1907/2006) concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), these compounds are still widely used in different applications. In addition, workers may be exposed to Cr(VI) formed during hot processes, like welding. These exposures are regulated in Europe by a binding occupational limit value (BOELV) recently set under EU Directive 2004/37/EC. It is, however, unclear how well workplaces comply with levels stated in legislation. The current study has been conducted in eight European countries using harmonized procedures. Up to 400 workers performing Cr(VI) surface treatment or welding activities were recruited. In addition to the collection of urinary chromium data, new methods for Cr biomonitoring were included, specifically the analysis of Cr(VI) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and Cr in red blood cells (RBC). Exposure biomarkers were complemented with early biological effect biomarkers and dermal and air monitoring data. According to preliminary results, chrome platers showed the highest urinary chromium levels, in some cases more than 10-times higher than levels measured in the control population. In the control population urinary chromium levels remained usually below 1 µg/g creatinine, in surface treatment workers the levels varied from these background levels up to 10 µg/g creatinine. In some cases, pre-shift chromium levels were also higher than in controls. Although welders showed elevated levels, their levels were lower than chrome platers. EBC samples exhibited the same trend as seen in urinary chromium: chrome platers showed higher levels than welders, although welders also had elevated levels compared to the controls. Analysis of the results from the air samples and wipe samples (collected from the hands of workers) provided information on the exposure routes, which will be used to give recommendations for the minimization of the exposure at workplaces.
- Physiologically based toxicokinetic models in aggregate exposure: A reviewPublication . Lamon, L.; Paini, A.; Siccardi, M.; Doyle, J.; McNamara, C.; Galea, K.S.; Ghosh, M.; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria Joao; El Yamani, N.; Dusinska, M.; Moeller, R.; Duca, R.C.; Cubadda, F.; Viegas, S.; Martins, C.; Price, P.This literature review explores the application of Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) models in aggregate exposure (AE) assessment across different chemical classes. It builds on the screening of 1119 publications and the identification of 40 relevant articles. The most frequently studied chemicals include volatile organic compounds and plant protection products, with metals, personal care products, persistent organic pollutants and plasticisers also represented. Most studies reported in this review are applied to human populations and build on human biomonitoring (HBM) data to enhance model reliability. However, some studies use animal models (primarily rat models) and apply cross-species extrapolation to the human AE scenario. Occupational exposure is taken into consideration as part of the AE scenario in a few studies. Many of the reviewed studies are designed in support of chemical risk assessment (CRA), illustrating the wide applicability of PBK models. The review discusses the joint role of HBM data and PBK model in AE scenarios, highlighting its importance for a reliable risk assessments. The studies identified and discussed in this review suggest a broad interpretation of AE. The diversity across case reported studies is attributed to varying interpretations and existing definitions of AE. Finally, the roles of forward and reverse dosimetry in refining AE assessments are discussed, highlighting their importance for future research. This scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of PBK model applications in addressing AE, serving as a valuable foundation for future research and development aimed at advancing human health protection towards the Next-Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA).
- The HBM4EU e-waste study: exploratory survey of worker’s exposure to toxic contaminantsPublication . Scheepers, Paul; Viegas, S.; Duca, R.C.; Cseresznye, A; Cleys, P.; Covaci, A.; Goën, T.; Galea, K.S.; Godderis, L.; Hardy, E.; Leese, E.; Louro, Henriqueta; Mahiout, S.; Ndaw, S; Poels, K.; Silva, Maria João; Verdonck, J.; Porras, S.; Santonen, T.; HBM4EU E-waste Study TeamSo far, human biomonitoring (HBM) has not been much used to study exposure of workers involved in the processing of e-waste in the EU. In this study we aimed to explore exposures of workers to chemical contaminants, contribute to raise awareness of potential hazards and to further improve work practices. The study was conducted in eight European counties in a target population of 195 exposed and 73 controls. Biomarkers of exposure were used for selected metals and organic contaminants. Occupational hygiene sampling methods and contextual information were collected to facilitate the interpretation of the biomarker results. We found somewhat elevated exposures in workers for cadmium and mercury in blood and urine compared to controls. Blood analysis indicated high lead levels in post-shift compared to pre-shift in battery workers. Some urinary phthalate metabolite levels indicated a contribution from work-related exposures and were more pronounced in battery workers. Only small differences were observed in urinary excretion before and after the shift for organophosphorus flame retardants. Brominated flame retardant and PCB serum levels were in the range of general population background. From this exploratory study we conclude that more studies are needed to better understand chemical exposure in the processing of e-waste.