Browsing by Author "Poels, K."
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- 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.
- 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.