1
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Göen T, Abballe A, Bousoumah R, Godderis L, Iavicoli I, Ingelido AM, Leso V, Müller J, Ndaw S, Porras SP, Verdonck J, Santonen T. HBM4EU chromates study - PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 346:140613. [PMID: 37944767 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to reveal the exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in workers in different industry sectors with exposures to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The PFAS exposure of in total 172 individuals from 4 countries was assessed by the determination of 8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and 4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids in plasma samples. The participants were 52 chrome plating workers, 43 welders, 3 surface treating workers and 74 workers without any occupational Cr exposure as controls. Significant differences between workers with Cr exposure and controls were found for the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, particularly for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The median and maximum levels were, respectively, 4.83 and 789 μg/l for chrome plating workers, 4.97 and 1513 μg/l for welders, and 3.65 and 13.9 μg/l for controls. The considerably high PFOS exposure in Cr platers and welders can be explained by the former application of PFOS as mist suppressants in electroplating baths, which resulted in an exposure of the directly involved operators, but also of welders performing maintenance and repair service at these workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Göen
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Annalisa Abballe
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Environment and Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Radia Bousoumah
- French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), Vandœuvre-Lès-Nancy, France
| | - Lode Godderis
- Catholic University Leuven, Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium; IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Public Health, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Ingelido
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Environment and Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Veruscka Leso
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Public Health, Naples, Italy
| | - Johannes Müller
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sophie Ndaw
- French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), Vandœuvre-Lès-Nancy, France
| | - Simo P Porras
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jelle Verdonck
- Catholic University Leuven, Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
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2
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Vorkamp K, Esteban López M, Gilles L, Göen T, Govarts E, Hajeb P, Katsonouri A, Knudsen LE, Kolossa-Gehring M, Lindh C, Nübler S, Pedraza-Díaz S, Santonen T, Castaño A. Coordination of chemical analyses under the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU): Concepts, procedures and lessons learnt. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 251:114183. [PMID: 37148759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) ran from 2017 to 2022 with the aim of advancing and harmonizing human biomonitoring in Europe. More than 40,000 analyses were performed on human samples in different human biomonitoring studies in HBM4EU, addressing the chemical exposure of the general population, temporal developments, occupational exposure and a public health intervention on mercury in populations with high fish consumption. The analyses covered 15 priority groups of organic chemicals and metals and were carried out by a network of laboratories meeting the requirements of a comprehensive quality assurance and control system. The coordination of the chemical analyses included establishing contacts between sample owners and qualified laboratories and monitoring the progress of the chemical analyses during the analytical phase, also addressing status and consequences of Covid-19 measures. Other challenges were related to the novelty and complexity of HBM4EU, including administrative and financial matters and implementation of standardized procedures. Many individual contacts were necessary in the initial phase of HBM4EU. However, there is a potential to develop more streamlined and standardized communication and coordination in the analytical phase of a consolidated European HBM programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Marta Esteban López
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Thomas Göen
- Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva Govarts
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Mol, Belgium
| | - Parvaneh Hajeb
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Roskilde, Denmark
| | | | - Lisbeth E Knudsen
- University of Copenhagen, Institute of Public Health, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Christian Lindh
- Lund University, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Nübler
- Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Susana Pedraza-Díaz
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Argelia Castaño
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, National Centre for Environmental Health, Majadahonda, Spain
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3
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Khalili M, Nasrabadi T. Assessment of occupational health risk due to inhalation of chemical compounds in an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul company. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:57558-57570. [PMID: 36964811 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
This study was conducted in an aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) company in 2021 to identify the extent of occupational exposures and quantitative assessment of the health risk due to inhalation of chemical compounds. According to the inspection of different parts of this company, heavy metals including Co, Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr(VI), and Mn and organic compounds including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene (BTEX), and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) were selected for health risk assessment. In total, the air in the inhalation area of active workers was sampled in 51 workstations. Measurement of the above pollutants showed that the average occupational exposure to Cd, Pb, and all organic compounds fell within the acceptable range of occupational exposure standard, while the measured values for Co, Ni, Mn, and Cr(VI) exceeded the standard limit. According to calculations, the highest carcinogenic risk (CR) was seen in the plating (airplane) workshop for exposure to Cr(VI) (7.58E-01), and the lowest CR was observed in the electronic workshop for exposure to Pb (7.75E-08). The highest non-carcinogenic hazard (HQ) was found in the welding workshop for exposure to Co (1.00E + 04), while the lowest HQ was related to toluene in the fabrication workshop (9.10E-03). Considering the high rate of exposure indicators, CR and HQ exceeded the standards set by the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in most workshops. Accordingly, company managers should take the necessary measures to reduce the vulnerability of individuals working in areas with unacceptable CR and HQ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Touraj Nasrabadi
- Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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4
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A step towards harmonising human biomonitoring study setup on European level: Materials provided and lessons learnt in HBM4EU. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 249:114118. [PMID: 36773579 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Internal exposure of the human body to potentially harmful chemical substances can be assessed by Human Biomonitoring (HBM). HBM can be used to generate conclusive data that may provide an overview of exposure levels in entire or specific population groups. This knowledge can promote the understanding of potential risks of the substances of interest or help monitoring the success of regulatory measures taken on the political level. Study planning and design are key elements of any epidemiologic study to generate reliable data. In the field of HBM, this has been done using differing approaches on various levels of population coverage so far. Comparison and combined usage of the resulting data would contribute to understanding exposure and its factors on a larger scale, however, the differences between studies make this a challenging and somewhat limited endeavour. This article presents templates for documents that are required to set up an HBM study, thus facilitating the generation of harmonised HBM data as a step towards standardisation of HBM in Europe. They are designed to be modular and adaptable to the specific needs of a single study while emphasising minimum requirements to ensure comparability. It further elaborates on the challenges encountered during the process of creating these documents during the runtime of the European Joint Programme HBM4EU in a multi-national expert team and draws up lessons learnt in the context of knowledge management.
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5
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Santonen T, Louro H, Bocca B, Bousoumah R, Duca RC, Fucic A, Galea KS, Godderis L, Göen T, Iavicoli I, Janasik B, Jones K, Leese E, Leso V, Ndaw S, Poels K, Porras SP, Ruggieri F, Silva MJ, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Verdonck J, Wasowicz W, Tavares A, Sepai O, Scheepers PTJ, Viegas S. The HBM4EU chromates study - Outcomes and impacts on EU policies and occupational health practices. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114099. [PMID: 36528954 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Within the EU human biomonitoring initiative (HBM4EU), a targeted, multi-national study on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was performed. Cr(VI) is currently regulated in EU under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and under occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation. It has recently been subject to regulatory actions to improve its risk management in European workplaces. Analysis of the data obtained within the HBM4EU chromates study provides support both for the implementation of these regulatory actions and for national enforcement programs and may also contribute to the updating of occupational limit values (OELs) and biological limit values for Cr(VI). It also provides useful insights on the contribution of different risk management measures (RMMs) to further reduce the exposure to Cr(VI) and may support the evaluation of applications for authorisation under REACH. Findings on chrome platers' additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure highlight the need to also pay attention to this substance group in the metals sector. A survey performed to evaluate the policy relevance of the HBM4EU chromates study findings supports the usefulness of the study results. According to the responses received from the survey, the HBM4EU chromates study was able to demonstrate the added value of the human biomonitoring (HBM) approach in assessment and management of occupational exposure to Cr(VI). For future occupational studies, we emphasise the need for engagement of policy makers and regulators throughout the whole research process to ensure awareness, relevance and uptake of the results in future policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P, and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Radia Bousoumah
- French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Radu Corneliu Duca
- Department Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Aleksandra Fucic
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium; IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Kate Jones
- Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton, UK
| | | | - Veruscka Leso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sophie Ndaw
- French National Research and Safety Institute (INRS), Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Katrien Poels
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simo P Porras
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Flavia Ruggieri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria J Silva
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P, and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Verdonck
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Ana Tavares
- Department of Human Genetics, National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, I.P, and Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health (ToxOmics), NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), Lisbon, Portugal
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6
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Knudsen LE, Tolonen H, Scheepers PTJ, Loots I, Vorkamp K, Hajeb P, Sepai O, Gilles L, Splanemann P, Weise P, Kolossa-Gehring M. Implementation and coordination of an ethics framework in HBM4EU - Experiences and reflections. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2023; 248:114098. [PMID: 36565602 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2022.114098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring involves the use of human samples and data to investigate exposure to environmental chemicals and their impact on human health. HBM4EU developed a coordinated and harmonized approach involving 29 countries in Europe plus Israel. Addressing ethical issues has been an indispensable prerequisite, from the application phase, grant agreement, project performance to the closing of the project. HBM4EU has established a better understanding of the ethics in such projects and the need for a standardised way of reporting and handling of ethics and data exchange, securing compliance with ethics standards, transparency, transferability and sustainability. The main reflections were: KNOWLEDGE: Ethics awareness, norms and practices are dynamic and increased throughout the project, much learning and experience is achieved by practice and dialogue. ATTITUDE Rules and standards were very diversely known and needed to adhere to local practices. ASSISTANCE Good results achieved from webinars, training, help desk, and individual consultations. STANDARDISATION Was achieved by templates and naming convention across documents. MANAGEMENT The establishment of the SharePoint directory with uploading of all requested documents assisted collaboration and exchange. Also, a designated task for ethics within the management/coordination work package and the enthusiasm of the task leader were essential. COMPLIANCE Some, but not all partners were very good at complying with deadlines and standards. TRANSFERABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY All documents are archived in the SharePoint directory while a system assuring updating is recommended. TRANSPARENCY Assured by public access to annual ethics reports. The ethics reports bridged to the annual work plans (AWPs). EVALUATION The Ethics Check by the Commission was successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisbeth E Knudsen
- Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Oester Farimagsgade 5, DK 1353, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Hanna Tolonen
- Department of Health and Welfare, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ilse Loots
- Department of Sociology (CRESC) and IMDO, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Katrin Vorkamp
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
| | - Parvaneh Hajeb
- Aarhus University, Department of Environmental Science, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ovnair Sepai
- UK Health Security Agency, Harwell Science Park, OX11 0RQ, UK.
| | - Liese Gilles
- VITO Health, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400, Mol, Belgium.
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7
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Leese E, Jones K, Bocca B, Bousoumah R, Castaño A, Galea KS, Iavicoli I, López ME, Leso V, Ndaw S, Porras SP, Ruggieri F, Scheepers PT, Santonen T, Cattaneo A, Cavallo DM, De Palma G, Forte G, Lehtinen R, Lovreglio P, Melczer M, Senofonte M, Spankie S, van Dael M. HBM4EU chromates study - the measurement of hexavalent and trivalent chromium in exhaled breath condensate samples from occupationally exposed workers across Europe. Toxicol Lett 2023; 375:59-68. [PMID: 36535516 PMCID: PMC9887428 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the practicability of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as a biological matrix to detect and measure hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) in workers occupationally exposed to Cr(VI). EBC samples were collected from workers in France, Finland, Italy, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom from three different target activities: chrome platers, stainless steel welders and surface treatment workers. Pre and post working week EBC samples were collected from 177 exposed workers and 98 unexposed workers (control group). Hyphenated chromatography systems with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) were for the analysis. The results showed that the occupationally exposed workers had significantly higher levels of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) than the control group. Chrome platers exhibited the highest Cr(VI) levels in their EBC samples, with a significant increase from their pre to post samples for both Cr(VI) and Cr(III). A significant difference was also found between pre and post EBC samples for Cr(III) in welders. This study has shown that EBC has the potential to be a valid, non-invasive biological matrix to assess occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and Cr(III) for biological monitoring assessment, with the ability to detect low level inhalation exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Leese
- Health & Safety Executive, Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK.
| | - Kate Jones
- Health & Safety Executive, Science and Research Centre, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK
| | | | | | - Argelia Castaño
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Esteban López
- National Centre for Environmental Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Veruscka Leso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Sophie Ndaw
- French National Research & Safety Institute, France
| | - Simo P. Porras
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Paul T.J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - HBM4EU chromates study teamAnzionRobiCattaneoAndreajCavalloDomenico MariajDe PalmaGiuseppekForteGiovannilLehtinenRistomLovreglioPieronMelczerMathieuoSenofonteMartalSpankieSallypvan DaelMauriceiRadboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the NetherlandsDepartment of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Como, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, University of Brescia, Brescia, ItalyIstituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyFinnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, FinlandInterdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, ItalyFrench National Research & Safety Institute, FranceInstitute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK
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8
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Ndaw S, Leso V, Bousoumah R, Rémy A, Bocca B, Duca RC, Godderis L, Hardy E, Janasik B, van Nieuwenhuyse A, Pinhal H, Poels K, Porras SP, Ruggieri F, Santonen T, Santos SR, Scheepers PTJ, Silva MJ, Verdonck J, Viegas S, Wasowicz W, Iavicoli I. HBM4EU chromates study - Usefulness of measurement of blood chromium levels in the assessment of occupational Cr(VI) exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113758. [PMID: 35764127 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposures to hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) can occur in welding, hot working stainless steel processing, chrome plating, spray painting and coating activities. Recently, within the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU), a study was performed to assess the suitability of different biomarkers to assess the exposure to Cr(VI) in various job tasks. Blood-based biomarkers may prove useful when more specific information on systemic and intracellular bioavailability is necessary. To this aim, concentrations of Cr in red blood cells (RBC-Cr) and in plasma (P-Cr) were analyzed in 345 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 175 controls to understand how these biomarkers may be affected by variable levels of exposure and job procedures. Compared to controls, significantly higher RBC-Cr levels were observed in bath plating and paint application workers, but not in welders, while all the 3 groups had significantly greater P-Cr concentrations. RBC-Cr and P-Cr in chrome platers showed a high correlation with Cr(VI) in inhalable dust, outside respiratory protective equipment (RPE), while such correlation could not be determined in welders. In platers, the use of RPE had a significant impact on the relationship between blood biomarkers and Cr(VI) in inhalable and respirable dust. Low correlations between P-Cr and RBC-Cr may reflect a difference in kinetics. This study showed that Cr-blood-based biomarkers can provide information on how workplace exposure translates into systemic availability of Cr(III) (extracellular, P-Cr) and Cr(VI) (intracellular, RBC-Cr). Further studies are needed to fully appreciate their use in an occupational health and safety context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Ndaw
- French National Research and Safety Institute, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France.
| | - Veruscka Leso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Radia Bousoumah
- French National Research and Safety Institute, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Aurélie Rémy
- French National Research and Safety Institute, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France
| | - Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Radu Corneliu Duca
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emilie Hardy
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - An van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hermínia Pinhal
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics and Environmental Health Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Katrien Poels
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Simo P Porras
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Flavia Ruggieri
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sílvia Reis Santos
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics and Environmental Health Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Maria João Silva
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics and Environmental Health Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Jelle Verdonck
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600 560, Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169 056, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
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Zare Jeddi M, Hopf NB, Louro H, Viegas S, Galea KS, Pasanen-Kase R, Santonen T, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, Verhagen H, Bopp SK, Antignac JP, David A, Mol H, Barouki R, Audouze K, Duca RC, Fantke P, Scheepers P, Ghosh M, Van Nieuwenhuyse A, Lobo Vicente J, Trier X, Rambaud L, Fillol C, Denys S, Conrad A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Paini A, Arnot J, Schulze F, Jones K, Sepai O, Ali I, Brennan L, Benfenati E, Cubadda F, Mantovani A, Bartonova A, Connolly A, Slobodnik J, Bruinen de Bruin Y, van Klaveren J, Palmen N, Dirven H, Husøy T, Thomsen C, Virgolino A, Röösli M, Gant T, von Goetz N, Bessems J. Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European exposure science strategy 2020-2030. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 168:107476. [PMID: 36067553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a crucial approach for exposure assessment, as emphasised in the European Commission's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). HBM can help to improve chemical policies in five major key areas: (1) assessing internal and aggregate exposure in different target populations; 2) assessing exposure to chemicals across life stages; (3) assessing combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures); (4) bridging regulatory silos on aggregate exposure; and (5) enhancing the effectiveness of risk management measures. In this strategy paper we propose a vision and a strategy for the use of HBM in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond. We outline six strategic objectives and a roadmap to further strengthen HBM approaches and increase their implementation in the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals to enhance our understanding of exposure and health impacts, enabling timely and targeted policy interventions and risk management. These strategic objectives are: 1) further development of sampling strategies and sample preparation; 2) further development of chemical-analytical HBM methods; 3) improving harmonisation throughout the HBM research life cycle; 4) further development of quality control / quality assurance throughout the HBM research life cycle; 5) obtain sustained funding and reinforcement by legislation; and 6) extend target-specific communication with scientists, policymakers, citizens and other stakeholders. HBM approaches are essential in risk assessment to address scientific, regulatory and societal challenges. HBM requires full and strong support from the scientific and regulatory domain to reach its full potential in public and occupational health assessment and in regulatory decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands.
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics, Lisbon and ToxOmics - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work (ABCH), Switzerland
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), P.O. Box 40, FI-00032 Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), School of Medicine, Department of Radiology and Physical Medicine, Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Hans Verhagen
- University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | | | - Arthur David
- Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail), UMR_S 1085, F-35000 Rennes, France
| | - Hans Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research - part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Karine Audouze
- Université Paris Cité, T3S, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006 Paris, France
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), 1, Rue Louis Rech, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Paul Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire national de santé (LNS), 1, Rue Louis Rech, 3555 Dudelange, Luxembourg; Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- EEA - European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050 Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Xenia Trier
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Clémence Fillol
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Sebastien Denys
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - André Conrad
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Dessau-Roßlau/Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Alicia Paini
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | - Jon Arnot
- ARC Arnot Research and Consulting, Inc., Toronto ONM4M 1W4, Canada
| | - Florian Schulze
- European Center for Environmental Medicine, Weserstr. 165, 12045 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kate Jones
- HSE - Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton SK17 9JN, UK
| | | | | | - Lorraine Brennan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Institute of Food and Health, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emilio Benfenati
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Cubadda
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Mantovani
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità - National Institute of Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Alena Bartonova
- NILU Norwegian Institute for Air Research, 2027 Kjeller, Norway
| | - Alison Connolly
- Centre for Climate and Air Pollution Studies, Physics, School of Natural Science and the Ryan Institute, University of Galway, University Road, Galway H91 CF50, Ireland
| | - Jaroslav Slobodnik
- NORMAN Association, Rue Jacques Taffanel - Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Yuri Bruinen de Bruin
- Commission, Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Space, Security and Migration, Geel, Belgium
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | - Nicole Palmen
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | - Hubert Dirven
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine Husøy
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Department of Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Laboratório Associado TERRA, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Martin Röösli
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), CH-4123 Allschwil, Switzerland
| | - Tim Gant
- Center for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, UK
| | | | - Jos Bessems
- VITO HEALTH, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, 2400 Mol, Belgium
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10
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Tavares AM, Viegas S, Louro H, Göen T, Santonen T, Luijten M, Kortenkamp A, Silva MJ. Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium, Nickel and PAHs: A Mixtures Risk Assessment Approach Based on Literature Exposure Data from European Countries. TOXICS 2022; 10:431. [PMID: 36006111 PMCID: PMC9414170 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10080431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), nickel (Ni) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are genotoxic co-occurring lung carcinogens whose occupational health risk is still understudied. This study, conducted within the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), aimed at performing a mixtures risk assessment (MRA) based on published human biomonitoring (HBM) data from Cr(VI), Ni and/or PAHs occupational co-exposure in Europe. After data extraction, Risk Quotient (RQ) and Sum of Risk Quotients (SRQ) were calculated for binary and ternary mixtures to characterise the risk. Most selected articles measured urinary levels of Cr and Ni and a SRQ > 1 was obtained for co-exposure levels in welding activities, showing that there is concern regarding co-exposure to these substances. Similarly, co-exposure to mixtures of Cr(VI), Ni and PAHs in waste incineration settings resulted in SRQ > 1. In some studies, a low risk was estimated based on the single substances’ exposure level (RQ < 1), but the mixture was considered of concern (SRQ > 1), highlighting the relevance of considering exposure to the mixture rather than to its single components. Overall, this study points out the need of using a MRA based on HBM data as a more realistic approach to assess and manage the risk at the workplace, in order to protect workers’ health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Maria Tavares
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.M.T.); (H.L.)
- ToxOmics–Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Susana Viegas
- Public Health Research Centre, NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.M.T.); (H.L.)
- ToxOmics–Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine (IPASUM), University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Henkestraße 9-11, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland;
| | - Mirjam Luijten
- Centre for Health Protection, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Andreas Kortenkamp
- Centre for Pollution Research and Policy, College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, London UB8 3PH, UK;
| | - Maria João Silva
- Departamento de Genética Humana, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA), Avenida Padre Cruz, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.M.T.); (H.L.)
- ToxOmics–Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, 130, 1169-056 Lisbon, Portugal
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11
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HBM4EU Diisocyanates Study—Research Protocol for a Collaborative European Human Biological Monitoring Study on Occupational Exposure. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148811. [PMID: 35886663 PMCID: PMC9319997 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Diisocyanates have long been a leading cause of occupational asthma in Europe, and recently, they have been subjected to a restriction under the REACH regulations. As part of the European Human Biomonitoring project (HBM4EU), we present a study protocol designed to assess occupational exposure to diisocyanates in five European countries. The objectives of the study are to assess exposure in a number of sectors that have not been widely reported on in the past (for example, the manufacturing of large vehicles, such as in aerospace; the construction sector, where there are potentially several sources of exposure (e.g., sprayed insulation, floor screeds); the use of MDI-based glues, and the manufacture of spray adhesives or coatings) to test the usability of different biomarkers in the assessment of exposure to diisocyanates and to provide background data for regulatory purposes. The study will collect urine samples (analysed for diisocyanate-derived diamines and acetyl–MDI–lysine), blood samples (analysed for diisocyanate-specific IgE and IgG antibodies, inflammatory markers, and diisocyanate-specific Hb adducts for MDI), and buccal cells (micronucleus analysis) and measure fractional exhaled nitric oxide. In addition, occupational hygiene measurements (air monitoring and skin wipe samples) and questionnaire data will be collected. The protocol is harmonised across the participating countries to enable pooling of data, leading to better and more robust insights and recommendations.
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12
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HBM4EU Chromates Study: Determinants of Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium in Plating, Welding and Other Occupational Settings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063683. [PMID: 35329370 PMCID: PMC8953290 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Work-related exposures in industrial processing of chromate (chrome plating, surface treatment and welding) raise concern regarding the health risk of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). In this study, performed under the HBM4EU project, we focused on better understanding the determinants of exposure and recognising how risk management measures (RMMs) contribute to a reduction in exposure. HBM and occupational hygiene data were collected from 399 workers and 203 controls recruited in nine European countries. Urinary total chromium (U-Cr), personal inhalable and respirable dust of Cr and Cr(VI) and Cr from hand wipes were collected. Data on the RMMs were collected by questionnaires. We studied the association between different exposure parameters and the use of RMMs. The relationship between exposure by inhalation and U-Cr in different worker groups was analysed using regression analysis and found a strong association. Automatisation of Cr electroplating dipping explained lower exposure levels in platers. The use of personal protective equipment resulted in lower U-Cr levels in welding, bath plating and painting. An effect of wearing gloves was observed in machining. An effect of local exhaust ventilation and training was observed in welding. Regression analyses showed that in platers, exposure to air level of 5 µg/m3 corresponds to U-Cr level of 7 µg/g creatinine. In welders, the same inhalation exposure resulted in lower U-Cr levels reflecting toxicokinetic differences of different chromium species.
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13
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Santonen T, Porras SP, Bocca B, Bousoumah R, Duca RC, Galea KS, Godderis L, Göen T, Hardy E, Iavicoli I, Janasik B, Jones K, Leese E, Leso V, Louro H, Majery N, Ndaw S, Pinhal H, Ruggieri F, Silva MJ, van Nieuwenhuyse A, Verdonck J, Viegas S, Wasowicz W, Sepai O, Scheepers PTJ. HBM4EU chromates study - Overall results and recommendations for the biomonitoring of occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111984. [PMID: 34492275 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] may occur in several occupational activities, e.g., welding, Cr(VI) electroplating and other surface treatment processes. The aim of this study was to provide EU relevant data on occupational Cr(VI) exposure to support the regulatory risk assessment and decision-making. In addition, the capability and validity of different biomarkers for the assessment of Cr(VI) exposure were evaluated. The study involved nine European countries and involved 399 workers in different industry sectors with exposures to Cr(VI) such as welding, bath plating, applying or removing paint and other tasks. We also studied 203 controls to establish a background in workers with no direct exposure to Cr(VI). We applied a cross-sectional study design and used chromium in urine as the primary biomonitoring method for Cr(VI) exposure. Additionally, we studied the use of red blood cells (RBC) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for biomonitoring of exposure to Cr(VI). Personal measurements were used to study exposure to inhalable and respirable Cr(VI) by personal air sampling. Dermal exposure was studied by taking hand wipe samples. The highest internal exposures were observed in the use of Cr(VI) in electrolytic bath plating. In stainless steel welding the internal Cr exposure was clearly lower when compared to plating activities. We observed a high correlation between chromium urinary levels and air Cr(VI) or dermal total Cr exposure. Urinary chromium showed its value as a first approach for the assessment of total, internal exposure. Correlations between urinary chromium and Cr(VI) in EBC and Cr in RBC were low, probably due to differences in kinetics and indicating that these biomonitoring approaches may not be interchangeable but rather complementary. This study showed that occupational biomonitoring studies can be conducted successfully by multi-national collaboration and provide relevant information to support policy actions aiming to reduce occupational exposure to chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiina Santonen
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Simo P Porras
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Radia Bousoumah
- French National Research and Safety Institute, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Radu Corneliu Duca
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen S Galea
- Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium; IDEWE, External Service for Prevention and Protection at Work, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Thomas Göen
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Emilie Hardy
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Beata Janasik
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - Kate Jones
- Health & Safety Executive, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK
| | | | - Veruscka Leso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics and Environmental Health Lisbon, Portugal; Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Nicole Majery
- Service de Santé Au Travail Multisectoriel (STM), Luxembourg
| | - Sophie Ndaw
- French National Research and Safety Institute, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Hermínia Pinhal
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics and Environmental Health Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - Maria J Silva
- National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Department of Human Genetics and Environmental Health Lisbon, Portugal; Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - An van Nieuwenhuyse
- Department of Health Protection, Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jelle Verdonck
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), Kapucijnenvoer 35, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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14
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HBM4EU Occupational Biomonitoring Study on e-Waste-Study Protocol. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph182412987. [PMID: 34948598 PMCID: PMC8701897 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182412987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Workers involved in the processing of electronic waste (e-waste) are potentially exposed to toxic chemicals. If exposure occurs, this may result in uptake and potential adverse health effects. Thus, exposure surveillance is an important requirement for health risk management and prevention of occupational disease. Human biomonitoring by measurement of specific biomarkers in body fluids is considered as an effective method of exposure surveillance. The aim of this study is to investigate the internal exposure of workers processing e-waste using a human biomonitoring approach, which will stimulate improved work practices and contribute to raising awareness of potential hazards. This exploratory study in occupational exposures in e-waste processing is part of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU). Here we present a study protocol using a cross sectional survey design to study worker’s exposures and compare these to the exposure of subjects preferably employed in the same company but with no known exposure to industrial recycling of e-waste. The present study protocol will be applied in six to eight European countries to ensure standardised data collection. The target population size is 300 exposed and 150 controls. Biomarkers of exposure for the following chemicals will be used: chromium, cadmium and lead in blood and urine; brominated flame retardants and polychlorobiphenyls in blood; mercury, organophosphate flame retardants and phthalates in urine, and chromium, cadmium, lead and mercury in hair. In addition, the following effect biomarkers will be studied: micronuclei, epigenetic, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and telomere length in blood and metabolomics in urine. Occupational hygiene sampling methods (airborne and settled dust, silicon wristbands and handwipes) and contextual information will be collected to facilitate the interpretation of the biomarker results and discuss exposure mitigating interventions to further reduce exposures if needed. This study protocol can be adapted to future European-wide occupational studies.
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15
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Zare Jeddi M, Virgolino A, Fantke P, Hopf NB, Galea KS, Remy S, Viegas S, Mustieles V, Fernandez MF, von Goetz N, Vicente JL, Slobodnik J, Rambaud L, Denys S, St-Amand A, Nakayama SF, Santonen T, Barouki R, Pasanen-Kase R, Mol HGJ, Vermeire T, Jones K, Silva MJ, Louro H, van der Voet H, Duca RC, Verhagen H, Canova C, van Klaveren J, Kolossa-Gehring M, Bessems J. A human biomonitoring (HBM) Global Registry Framework: Further advancement of HBM research following the FAIR principles. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 238:113826. [PMID: 34583227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Data generated by the rapidly evolving human biomonitoring (HBM) programmes are providing invaluable opportunities to support and advance regulatory risk assessment and management of chemicals in occupational and environmental health domains. However, heterogeneity across studies, in terms of design, terminology, biomarker nomenclature, and data formats, limits our capacity to compare and integrate data sets retrospectively (reuse). Registration of HBM studies is common for clinical trials; however, the study designs and resulting data collections cannot be traced easily. We argue that an HBM Global Registry Framework (HBM GRF) could be the solution to several of challenges hampering the (re)use of HBM (meta)data. The aim is to develop a global, host-independent HBM registry framework based on the use of harmonised open-access protocol templates from designing, undertaking of an HBM study to the use and possible reuse of the resulting HBM (meta)data. This framework should apply FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles as a core data management strategy to enable the (re)use of HBM (meta)data to its full potential through the data value chain. Moreover, we believe that implementation of FAIR principles is a fundamental enabler for digital transformation within environmental health. The HBM GRF would encompass internationally harmonised and agreed open access templates for HBM study protocols, structured web-based functionalities to deposit, find, and access harmonised protocols of HBM studies. Registration of HBM studies using the HBM GRF is anticipated to increase FAIRness of the resulting (meta)data. It is also considered that harmonisation of existing data sets could be performed retrospectively. As a consequence, data wrangling activities to make data ready for analysis will be minimised. In addition, this framework would enable the HBM (inter)national community to trace new HBM studies already in the planning phase and their results once finalised. The HBM GRF could also serve as a platform enhancing communication between scientists, risk assessors, and risk managers/policy makers. The planned European Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC) work along these lines, based on the experience obtained in previous joint European initiatives. Therefore, PARC could very well bring a first demonstration of first essential functionalities within the development of the HBM GRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zare Jeddi
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
| | - Ana Virgolino
- Environmental Health Behaviour Lab, Instituto de Saúde Ambiental, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nancy B Hopf
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Karen S Galea
- IOM - Institute of Occupational Medicine, Edinburgh, EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Sylvie Remy
- VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
| | - Susana Viegas
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Center (CHRC), 1169-056, Lisbon, Portugal; H&TRC-Health & Technology Research Center, ESTeSL-Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1500-310, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vicente Mustieles
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariana F Fernandez
- University of Granada, Center for Biomedical Research (CIBM), Granada, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joana Lobo Vicente
- EEA - European Environment Agency, Kongens Nytorv 6, 1050, Copenhagen K, Denmark
| | - Jaroslav Slobodnik
- NORMAN Association, Rue Jacques Taffanel - Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550 Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Loïc Rambaud
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Sébastien Denys
- SPF - Santé Publique France, Environmental and Occupational Health Division, France
| | - Annie St-Amand
- Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shoji F Nakayama
- Japan Environment and Children's Study Programme Office, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
| | - Tiina Santonen
- FIOH-Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40, FI-00032, Työterveyslaitos, Finland
| | - Robert Barouki
- Université de Paris, Inserm Unit 1124, 45 rue des Saints Pères, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Robert Pasanen-Kase
- SECO - State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, Labour Directorate Section Chemicals and Work (ABCH), Switzerland
| | - Hans G J Mol
- Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) - part of Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Theo Vermeire
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Kate Jones
- HSE - Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton, SK17 9JN, UK
| | - Maria João Silva
- INSA - National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal; TOXOMICS - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Henriqueta Louro
- INSA - National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Portugal; TOXOMICS - Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Hilko van der Voet
- Wageningen University & Research, Biometris, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Radu-Corneliu Duca
- Unit Environmental Hygiene and Human Biological Monitoring, Department of Health Protection, National Health Laboratory, Dudelange, Luxembourg; Centre Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Verhagen
- University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK; Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Cristina Canova
- Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Public Health-University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jacob van Klaveren
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | | | - Jos Bessems
- VITO - Flemish Institute for Technological Research, Health Unit, Mol, Belgium
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