Pérez-Herrera N, Díaz de León-Martínez L, Flores-Ramírez R, Barbier O, Ortega-Romero M, May-Euán F, Saldaña-Villanueva K, Perera-Rios J, Pérez-Vázquez FJ. Evaluation of Benzene Exposure and Early Biomarkers of Kidney Damage in Children Exposed to Solvents Due to Precarious Work in Ticul, Yucatán, México.
Ann Glob Health 2019;
85:94. [PMID:
31276330 PMCID:
PMC6634607 DOI:
10.5334/aogh.2482]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The child labor situation has been associated with precarious job conditions and poor health conditions because children are often exposed to unsafe work environments, stressful psycho-social work conditions, scarce or no access to protective services, and heavy work burdens.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate markers of exposure to benzene through the exposure biomarker trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA), and biomarkers of early renal damage in children who work in sites that are under precarious job conditions.
METHOD
Samples of urine were obtained from children (aged 6-12 years old) who resided in Ticul, Yucatan, Mexico. Exposure to benzene was assessed through trans, trans-muconic acid (t,t-MA). Evaluated renal damage biomarkers were: Cystatin-C (Cys-C), Osteopontin (OPN), α1-Microglobulin (α1-MG) and Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL).
FINDINGS
Children who live where the workplace is inside the dwelling presented higher mean levels of tt-MA (0.59 mg/g creatinine) compared with those who live away from the workshops (0.19 mg/g creatinine). Likewise, mean levels of NGAL (4.7, 5.2 ng/ml), albuminuria (10, 10 ng/ml), Cys-C (11.8, 7.5 ng/ml), OPN (224.4, 226.5 ng/ml) and α1-MG (96.6, 73.6 ng/ml) were found in children where the workplace was inside the dwelling and outside, respectively.
CONCLUSION
Our data indicate that the children who work under precarious job conditions are exposed to benzene, and they exhibit protein levels that suggest renal damage in a population in precarious working conditions. Therefore, the child population should be considered as the most vulnerable and susceptible to suffer adverse health effects.
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