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Nanoparticles and health effects: an evidence based approach
No full textThe possibility of health effects related to nanoparticles (less than 100 nanometers diameter) exposure may be considered as an emerging problem. Current approaches are usually partial and do not consider the multidisciplinary available data. The purpose of this work is to define the problem using an evidence-based approach: we characterized the possible nanoparticles-human interactions by collection of all pertinent scientific data available in the literature and by their critical evaluation. The distinction between non-intentional nanoparticles ("ultrafine particles", UFP) and intentional nanoparticles ("intentionally produced nanomaterials" or simply "nanomaterials", IPN) is a critical item. Each single type of nanoparticle is more relevant than isolated metric characteristics. Globally, the experimental studies suggest a possible inflammatory acute effect. The available data regard mainly the UFP. Regarding IPN, the studies about attaints on human health are actually few and limited: no cardiovascular. respiratory and coagulation effect were showed as consistent with exposure. No human study about IPN chronic effect is available, and any human data is not showed relating carcinogenic and sensitizing effects
Attività di bonifica in area ex-industriale : approccio integrato alla valutazione dell'esposizione ad agenti chimici
No full textBiological monitoring of low exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
No full textAim of the work was the assessment of low exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by biological monitoring. Italian asphalt workers (AW, n=100) and roadside construction workers (CW, n=47) were investigated by measurement of hydroxylated metabolites and unmetabolized PAHs in urine spot samples collected respectively after two days of vacation (baseline), before and at the end of the monitored workshift, in the second part of the workweek. Biomarkers were determined by HPLC-fluorimetry and GC-MS.
Median airborne levels during the workshift of 15 PAHs (both vapour and particulate phases), from naphthalene to indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, ranged from below 0.03 to 426 ng/m3. Median excretion values of 1-hydroxypyrene (OH-Py) in baseline, before- and end-shift samples were 1.04, 1.84 and 3.16 nmol/L for AW and 1.19, 1.39 and 1.73 nmol/L for CW; lower values were found in non-smokers compared to smokers. In all subjects a weak correlation between personal exposure to the sum of airborne 15 PAHs and OH-Py was observed. Urinary naphthalene, phenanthrene, pyrene and fluorene were detected in the majority of the samples in the range below 0.01 to 2.54 nmol/L. Significant differences in the levels of the unmetabolized compounds were found between AW and CW. Moreover in AW samples the urinary excretion of most analytes increased during the work shift. The results of this study show that AW experienced a moderate occupational exposure to airborne PAHs, resulting in a significant increase of urinary biomarkers during the workday and the workweek. Both hydroxylated metabolites and unmetabolized PAHs in urine may be suggested as biomarkers of low exposure to PAHs
PAH dermal contamination in asphalt road pavers
No full textDermal exposure has been suggested as a major determinant of the total PAH dose absorbed by road pavers from bitumen fumes. In the present research we assessed dermal contamination by sixteen PAH [from naphtalene to indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene] in 24 asphalt road pavers in Italy. To each subject six pads (round polypropylene membrane) were applied in different parts of the body: neck, shoulder, upper arm, wrist, upper leg and ankle, during the workshift.
Personal exposure to airborne Σ16PAH was in the range 323-1365 ng/m3. Phenantrene (PhA), pyrene (Py), and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were detected in 100, 98 and 75% of pads. Their relative abundances in the different positions were similar. Wrist and neck had the highest PAH contamination with median values of 1.82, 0.52 and 0.06 and 1.19, 0.24 and 0.10 ng/cm2 for PhA, Py and BaP, respectively. In these positions PhA and Py were correlated with almost all 2- to 4-ring volatile PAH (0.41<r<0.91), but not with BaP; BaP was correlated with almost all 4- to 5- ring PAH (0.43<r<0.78). The results of this study suggest that, for a proper estimation of dermal contamination, at least one light (e.g. PhA and Py) and one heavy (e.g. BaP) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, selected as the most representative compounds because of their abundance and/or toxicological relevance, should be determined; wrist and neck may be suggested as the most representative and convenient positions to perform sample collection
Exposure to PAH in asphalt road pavers by environmental and biological monitoring
No full textIn the present study we assessed exposure to PAH in 100 road pavers exposed to bitumen fumes and diesel exhausts in Italy, by means of environmental and biological monitoring. 1-Hydroxypyrene (HO-Py) was determined in 3 urine spot samples collected respectively after two days of vacation (baseline, BL), at the beginning (BS) and at the end (ES) of the monitored workshift, in the second part of the workweek. Median airborne levels during the workshift of sixteen PAH (both vapour and particulate phases), from naphtalene to indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, ranged from 426 to below 0.03 ng/m3. Excretion of HO-Py was 228, 402 and 690 ng/l at BL, BS and ES, with higher values in smokers compared to non-smokers (e.g. 565 and 781 vs. 252 and 506 ng/l in BS and ES, respectively). In all subjects a very weak correlation between personal exposure to airborne Σ16PAH and OH-Py was observed by the exclusion of smokers, a higher correlation coefficient was obtained. The results of this study show that asphalt road pavers experienced a moderate occupational exposure to airborne PAH, resulting in a significant increase of urinary OH-Py during the workweek. The contribution of working activities to internal dose seems to be in the same order of magnitude of the contribution of cigarette smoking
Gli idrocarburi policiclici aromatici urinari nel monitoraggio biologico delle esposizioni a basse dosi nel settore dell’edilizia
No full textAim of this work was to investigate the use of unmetabolized polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine (U-PAHs) as
possible biomarker of exposure.
Forty roofers (12 non smokers, 28 smokers) participated to the study and for each workers three urine samples were obtained: on Monday morning (baseline, BL), at the beginning (BS) and at end (ES) of the work
shift. Quantification of 13 U-PAHs was performed via GC/MS. 1-Hydroxypyrene was also quantified.
Urinary naphthalene and phenanthrene were the most abundant analytes. Their median levels were 155, 173, 210 ng/L and 24, 34, 36
ng/L (BL, BS and ES samples). Significant differences were found comparing BL/ES and BS/ES samples. High molecular-weight
compounds (from chrysene to benzo[a]pyrene) were always below the quantification limit. Naphthalene levels were higher than in asphalt and construction workers previously investigated. 1-Hydroxypyrene levels
(300, 412, 500 μg/L) were similar to those found in asphalt workers. A strong influence of cigarette smoking was evidenced on 1-hydroxypyrene but not on naphthalene excretion.
In conclusion, the determination of U-PAHs permitted to deeper characterize roofer’s occupational exposure. U-PAHs, and U-NAP in
particular, showed to be more specific than 1-hydroxypyrene and may be used as sensitive biomarker of exposure
Esposizione ad idrocarburi policiclici aromatici nei pizzaioli con forno a legna
No full textPizza makers during their activity are exposed to wood-burning fumes from special typical ovens. Up to now some questions regarding level of exposure to PAH were discussed with the only aim of eater’s health protection, but never considering workers. Such a specific study is lacking in literature. During the 2007 year a research was performed in Lombardy to assess occupational exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) of 14 pizza work-places. The protocol included interview by questionnaires, environmental air monitoring
(the 16 most relevant PAH according to the American Environmental Protection Agency, EPA) and biological monitoring of
urinary 1-hydroxypyrene. Airborne PAH exposure in these workers resulted with a similar range as observed in other working activities by studies demonstrating low level. The excretion of the 1-hydroxypyrene in urine collected in three different moments demonstrated that pizza makers experienced a modest positive trend (baseline<before shift<end of shift). The results showed that making pizza by traditional wood-oven expose the operators to an acceptable levels of PAH
Urinary hydroxylated metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as biomarkers of exposure in asphalt workers
No full textBACKGROUND: Fumes and vapours released during laying of hot asphalt mix have been recognised as a major source of exposure for asphalt workers. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the relationships between inhalation exposure to asphalt emissions and urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in asphalt workers (AW, n=75) and in ground construction workers (CW, n=37). METHODS: Total polyaromatic compounds (PAC) and 15 priority PAHs in inhaled air were measured by personal sampling. Hydroxylated PAH metabolites (OH-PAHs) (2-naphthol, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 6-hydroxychrysene and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene) were determined in urine spot samples collected in three different times during the work week. RESULTS: Median vapour-phase PAC (5.5 microg m(-3)), PAHs (<or=50 ng m(-3)) and OH-PAHs (0.08-1.11 microg l(-1)) were significantly higher in AW than in CW, except in the cases of air naphthalene and 2-naphthol. Airborne levels of particle-phase contaminants were similar in the two groups and much lower than vapour-phase levels; metabolites of particulate PAHs were never found in quantifiable amounts. An appreciable increase in OH-PAH levels during the work day and work week was found in AW; median levels for 2-hydroxyfluorene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene and 1-hydroxypyrene were, respectively, 0.29, 0.08 and 0.18 at baseline; 0.50, 0.18 and 0.29, pre-shift; 1.11, 0.44 and 0.44 microg l(-1), post-shift. Each OH-PAH exhibited a characteristic profile of increase, reflecting differences in half-lives of the parent compounds. In non-smoking subjects, positive correlations were found between vapour-phase PAC or PAHs and OH-PAHs both in pre- and post-shift samples (0.34 <or= r<or=69). Smokers exhibited 2-5-fold higher OH-PAHs than non-smokers, at any time and at both workplaces. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that OH-PAHs are useful biomarkers for monitoring exposure to asphalt emissions. The work-related exposure to PAC and PAHs was low in all AW, but urinary metabolites reflected exposure satisfactorily
Unmetabolized hydrocarbons in urine as biomarkers of low exposure in asphalt workers
No full textThe aim of the study was the assessment of low-level
exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by biological
monitoring focusing on measurement of unmetabolized
PAHs in urine. Italian asphalt workers (AW, n = 100) and
roadside construction workers (CW, n = 47) were investigated
by measurement of unmetabolized PAHs and 1-hydroxypyrene
(OH-Py) in urine spot samples collected respectively after
two days of vacation (baseline), before and at the end of
the monitored workshift, in the second part of the workweek.
Personal exposure was also assessed by use of active samplers
collecting both vapor- and particulate-phase PAHs. Median
airborne levels during the workshift of 15 PAHs (both vapor
and particulate phases), from naphthalene to indeno(1,2,3-
cd)pyrene, ranged from below 0.03 to 426 ng/m3. Median
excretion values of OH-Py in end-shift samples was 690 ng/L
for AW and 378 ng/L for CW (p < 0.01). Urinary low-boiling
PAHs were detected in the majority of the samples. Median
levels for urinary naphthalene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene,
and pyrene in end-shift samples were 117, 50, 8, and 6 ng/L in
AWand 104, 19, 5, and 4 ng/L inCW, respectively. Significantly
higher levels of most of the unmetabolized compounds were
found in AW than in CW. Moreover, in AW samples the urinary
excretion of most analytes increased during the work shift
(before-shift vs. end-shift) and the workweek (baseline vs.
before-shift). Urinary high-boiling PAHs were found in less
than 10% of the samples. Significant correlations between
airborne and urinary PAHs were observed. The results of
this study show that low-boiling unmetabolized PAHs in urine
may be suggested as biomarkers of low-level exposure to
PAHs
Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in roofers : an Italian multicentric study
No full textIntroduction: Among various chemical agents present at the workplaces in the roofing activity, a particular attention was addressed to the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) contained in bituminous membrane, but some questions regarding level of exposure are also controversially discussed. The literature reports that PAH may have irritant effects; moreover, some of these have been recognized as probably or possibly carcinogenic to human by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the European Union, and other institutions. During last two years, a study aimed to evaluate the PAH occupational exposure in 51 roofers in Lombardy, Italy was planned.
Methods: The protocol included interview via questionnaires, environmental air monitoring (active personal sampling during the work shift), and biological monitoring (determination of 1-hydroxypyrene and unmetabolized compounds in urine spot samples collected three at different moments: baseline after two days of vacation, before shift and at end shift on a day in the second half of the week). Analysis of the most relevant PAH, according to the American Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, was performed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) by fluorimetric detector.
Results: Median airborne levels of PAH ranged from 229 to below 0.03 ng/m3. Particle-phase PAH was low (i.e. median Benzo(a)pyrene 1 ng/m3) and significantly lower than vapour-phase. Excretion of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (expressed by ng/g creatinine) showed a significant increase at different sampling moments in roofers, smokers, and non-smokers: baseline was lower than at the beginning of the workshift, and values were even higher in the end workshift sample (median values 227, 294, and 349, respectively).
Discussion: The results of this study demonstrate that roofers experience slight occupational exposure to PAH, resulting in a significant increase of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene during the workweek. The PAH exposure showed in these workers is generally not higher than that observed in other study regarding low-level exposure
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