DNA damage in foundry workers using non-invasive micronucleus cytome assay

Workers in the foundry industry are exposed to hazardous chemical agents such as metal fumes, gases, vapor of molten metal, and respirable dust and hazardous physical agents such as heat, noise, and electromagnetic fields. Co-exposures to hazardous physical and chemical agents in foundry workplaces may cause DNA damage in workers. This study aimed to evaluate DNA damage in foundry workers. Thirty-three exposed foundry workers as a exposure groups and 33 non-exposed individuals as a control groups participated in this study. Buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt assay) assay was used to assess DNA damage. Results showed that foundry workers were under exposure to hazardous chemical and physical agents such as metal fumes and noise. The percentage of micronucleus (MN) cells in exposure group (0.59 ± 0.93 %) were statistically higher than control group (0.23 ± 0.23 %) (P < 0.05) %). Also, the percentage of nuclear bud cells and binucleated cells in exposure group were statistically higher than control group (P < 0.05). The percentage of differentiated normal cells were significantly higher in the control group compared to the exposed group (P < 0.05). Foundry workers are at risk of DNA damage; therefore, prevention measures need to be implemented to reduce exposure to air pollutants in foundry workplaces.

Biomonitoring of Exposure to Metals in a Population Residing in an Industrial Area in Brazil: A Feasibility Study

Background: Industries are sources of environmental pollutants. However, there are few human biomonitoring (HBM) studies in the vicinity of industrial areas. Thus, we evaluate the feasibility of conducting an HBM study to assess exposure to metals in an industrial area in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted near a steel factory. Adults (exposed = 775; controls = 775) were randomly selected and sex-matched. Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire and a 24 h dietary recall. Blood samples were collected to analyze metal concentrations, blood count, biochemical parameters, and thyroid hormones. The feasibility of the survey was assessed following guidelines. The descriptive analysis was performed for the first 250 participants (pilot study). Results: Adjustments were made to the survey execution, including age-matching, fieldwork team, questionnaire, blood collection, and research awareness. The complete questionnaire was answered by ≥97% of participants; metals were measured in ≥98% and clinical parameters in ≥89%, except thyroid hormones (13–44%). The average age and family income were of 50 years and USD 575/month, respectively. The participants had equal distribution among sexes: 50% had a medium education level, and 59% were nonwhite. Conclusion: This preliminary HBM study demonstrates feasibility for the total population, with results indicating representativeness of the target population.

Occupational exposure to potentially toxic elements in the foundry industry: an integrated environmental and biological monitoring

Industrial foundry processes release metal dust and fumes into the environment. Our study evaluated the exposure to potentially toxic elements in foundry workers. The assessed samples consisted of air particulate matter (n = 42), urine (n = 194), and blood (n = 167). Six workers had high concentrations of arsenic (As) in urine and one of them had a high cadmium (Cd) content in blood, according to Biological Exposure Index from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The work task significantly influenced the concentrations of cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) in air, barium (Ba) in urine, and lead (Pb) and cesium (Cs) in blood, while the employment years affected concentrations of Mn, tin (Sn), and uranium (U) in urine and iodine (I) in blood. Arsenic, Pb, Co, and Cd in particulate matter and biological matrices presented significant covariation by working activity, supporting the occupational exposure. In this study, subjects were occupationally exposed to multiple potentially toxic elements. Carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks were associated with As, Co, Ni, and Mn exposure.

Occupational exposure of foundry workers assessed by the urinary concentrations of 18 elements and arsenic species

BACKGROUND

Some raw materials applied in Fe foundry industries may contain potentially toxic elements. Thus, foundry worker's occupational exposure is a constant health concern.

METHOD

In this study, 194 urine samples from foundry workers were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for biomonitoring of Al, As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, I, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, Se, U and Zn. Moreover, arsenic speciation was performed in representative samples of production sector workers (group A) and administration sector workers (group B).

RESULTS

Concentrations of As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Cs, I, Sb in urines from group A were higher than those found for group B. Samples of group A presented Cs, Ni, Mn, Pb, U and Zn concentrations higher than values reported for exposed workers assessed by other studies. Forty-four samples from group A exceed As-reference limits. Group A had approximately seven times more inorganic As (as arsenite) and 14 times more organic As (as dimethyl As) than group B. A statistically significant difference was observed in the elemental concentration in the workers' urine by the time in the function. Moreover, alcohol consumption is probably influencing the urine concentration of As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, I, Se and Zn.

CONCLUSION

The monitored foundry workers are exposed to potentially toxic elements and more attention must be given to their health. Therefore, workplace safety conditions must be improved, and constant biomonitoring is necessary to ensure workers' health.

Biological Monitoring of Occupational Exposure to Metals in Electric Steel Foundry Workers and Its Contribution to 8-Oxo-7,8-Dihydro-2'-Deoxyguanosine Levels

In this study, the urinary concentrations of selected metals in workers from an electric steel foundry in Tunisia were assessed and compared with existing biological limit values and general population reference values. Moreover, the association between oxidative DNA damage, measured as urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) and co-exposure to metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was evaluated. Urinary levels of 12 metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) in end-shift spot samples from 89 workers. The urinary levels of phenanthrene (U-PHE), as marker of exposure to PAHs, and 8-oxodG were also available. Median levels ranged from 0.4 µg/L (cobalt, Co, and thallium, Tl) to 895 µg/L (zinc, Zn). Only 1% of samples was above the biological limit values for Co, and up to 13.5% of samples were above limit values for Cd. From 3.4% (Co) to 72% (lead, Pb) of samples were above the reference values for the general population. Multiple linear regression models, showed that manganese (Mn), Zn, arsenic (As), barium (Ba), Tl, and Pb were significant predictors of 8-oxodG (0.012 ≤ p ≤ 0.048); U-PHE was also a significant predictor (0.003 ≤ p ≤ 0.059). The variance explained by models was low (0.11 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.17, p < 0.005), showing that metals and PAHs were minor contributors to 8-oxodG. Overall, the comparison with biological limit values showed that the study subjects were occupationally exposed to metals, with levels exceeding biological limit values only for Cd.