Browsing by Author "Iavicoli, I."
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- 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.
- A walk in the PARC: developing and implementing 21st century chemical risk assessment in EuropePublication . Marx-Stoelting, P.; Rivière, G.; Luijten, M.; Aiello-Holden, K.; Bandow, N.; Baken, K.; Cañas, A.; Castano, A.; Denys, S.; Fillol, C.; Herzler, M.; Iavicoli, I.; Karakitsios, S.; Klanova, J.; Kolossa-Gehring, M.; Koutsodimou, A.; Lobo Vicente, J.; Lynch, I.; Namorado, S.; Norager, S.; Pittman, A.; Rotter, S.; Sarigiannis, D.; Silva, M. J.; Theunis, J.; Tralau, T.; Uhl, M.; Van Klaveren, J.; Wendt-Rasch, L.; Westerholm, E.; Rousselle, C.; Sanders, P.Current approaches for the assessment of environmental and human health risks due to exposure to chemical substances have served their purpose reasonably well. Nevertheless, the systems in place for different uses of chemicals are faced with various challenges, ranging from a growing number of chemicals to changes in the types of chemicals and materials produced. This has triggered global awareness of the need for a paradigm shift, which in turn has led to the publication of new concepts for chemical risk assessment and explorations of how to translate these concepts into pragmatic approaches. As a result, next-generation risk assessment (NGRA) is generally seen as the way forward. However, incorporating new scientific insights and innovative approaches into hazard and exposure assessments in such a way that regulatory needs are adequately met has appeared to be challenging. The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) has been designed to address various challenges associated with innovating chemical risk assessment. Its overall goal is to consolidate and strengthen the European research and innovation capacity for chemical risk assessment to protect human health and the environment. With around 200 participating organisations from all over Europe, including three European agencies, and a total budget of over 400 million euro, PARC is one of the largest projects of its kind. It has a duration of seven years and is coordinated by ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety.