Search results

1

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers

100%

Świerczyńska-Machura D., Brzeźnicki S., Nowakowska-Świrta E., Walusiak-Skorupa J., Wittczak T., Dudek W., Bonczarowska M., Wesolowski W., Czerczak S., Pałczyński C.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2015

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vol. 28

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issue 6

985-998

EN

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate health effects of occupational exposure to diisocyanates (DIC) among polyurethane foam products factory workers. Material and Methods Thirty workers had a physical examination, skin prick tests with common allergens, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to diisocyanates and pulmonary function tests. Concentrations of selected isocyanates in the workplace air samples as well as concentration of their metabolites in the urine samples collected from the workers of the plant were determined. Results The most frequent work-related symptoms reported by the examined subjects were rhinitis and skin symptoms. Sensitization to at least 1 common allergen was noted in 26.7% of the subjects. Spirometry changes of bronchial obstruction of a mild degree was observed in 5 workers. The specific IgE antibodies to toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and 4,4’-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) were not detected in any of the patients’ serum. Cellular profiles of the collected induced sputum (ISP) did not reveal any abnormalities. Air concentrations of TDI isomers ranged 0.2–58.9 μg/m³ and in 7 cases they exceeded the Combined Exposure Index (CEI) value for those compounds. Concentrations of TDI metabolites in post-shift urine samples were significantly higher than in the case of pre-shift urine samples and in 6 cases they exceeded the British Biological Monitoring Guidance Value (BMGV – 1 μmol amine/mol creatinine). We didn’t find a correlation between urinary concentrations of TDI, concentrations in the air and concentrations of toluenediamine (TDA) in the post shift urine samples. Lack of such a correlation may be an effect of the respiratory protective equipment use. Conclusions Determination of specific IgE in serum is not sensitive enough to serve as a biomarker. Estimation of concentrations of diisocyanate metabolites in urine samples and the presence of work-related allergic symptoms seem to be an adequate method for occupational exposure monitoring of DIC, which may help to determine workers at risk as well as to recognize hazardous workplaces.

2

A regional comparison of children’s blood cadmium, lead, and mercury in rural, urban and industrial areas of six European countries, and China, Ecuador, and Morocco

100%

Hrubá F., Černá M., Chen C., Harari F., Horvat M., Koppová K., Krsková A., Laamech J., Li Y.-F., Löfmark L., Lundh T., Lyoussi B., Mazej D., Osredkar J., Pawlas K., Pawlas N., Prokopowicz A., Rentschler G., Snoj Tratnik J., Sommar J., Spěváčková V., Špirić Z., Skerfving S., Bergdahl I. A.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2023

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vol. 36

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issue 3

349-364

EN

Objectives The authors aimed to evaluate whether blood cadmium (B-Cd), lead (B-Pb) and mercury (B-Hg) in children differ regionally in 9 countries, and to identify factors correlating with exposure. Material and Methods The authors performed a cross-sectional study of children aged 7–14 years, living in 2007–2008 in urban, rural, or potentially polluted (“hot spot”) areas (ca. 50 children from each area, in total 1363 children) in 6 European and 3 non-European countries. The authors analysed Cd, Pb, and total Hg in blood and collected information on potential determinants of exposure through questionnaires. Regional differences in exposure levels were assessed within each country. Results Children living near industrial “hot-spots” had B-Cd 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4–1.9) times higher in the Czech Republic and 2.1 (95% CI:1.6–2.8) times higher in Poland, as compared to urban children in the same countries (geometric means [GM]: 0.13 μg/l and 0.15 μg/l, respectively). Correspondingly, B-Pb in the “hot spot” areas was 1.8 (95% CI: 1.6–2.1) times higher than in urban areas in Slovakia and 2.3 (95% CI: 1.9–2.7) times higher in Poland (urban GM: 19.4 μg/l and 16.3 μg/l, respectively). In China and Morocco, rural children had significantly lower B-Pb than urban ones (urban GM: 64 μg/l and 71 μg/l, respectively), suggesting urban exposure from leaded petrol, water pipes and/or coal-burning. Hg “hot spot” areas in China had B-Hg 3.1 (95% CI: 2.7–3.5) times higher, and Ecuador 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2–1.9) times higher, as compared to urban areas (urban GM: 2.45 μg/l and 3.23 μg/l, respectively). Besides industrial exposure, traffic correlated with B-Cd; male sex, environmental tobacco smoke, and offal consumption with B-Pb; and fish consumption and amalgam fillings with B-Hg. However, these correlations could only marginally explain regional differences. Conclusions These mainly European results indicate that some children experience about doubled exposures to toxic elements just because of where they live. These exposures are unsafe, identifiable, and preventable and therefore call for preventive actions.

3

Zinc exposure for female workers in a galvanizing plant in Northern Italy

100%

Riccò M., Cattani S., Signorelli C.

International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health

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2017

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vol. 31

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issue 1

113-124

EN

Objectives: Very little is known regarding the toxicokinetics of inhaled zinc, in particular in the case of female workers and for modern, low exposure settings. Our aim is to evaluate the relationship of external zinc levels to those of serum and urine for female workers. Material and Methods: Eleven female workers (age: 41.7±8 years old, body mass index (BMI): 23.5±4.2 kg/m2) in a galvanizing plant were investigated. Exposure assessment consisted of personal/environmental air samples, and measurement of zinc in serum (collected at the end of first shift of the working week (T1)) and urine, collected before the first shift of the working week (T0), T1 and at the end of the last shift of the working week (T2). Results: Both environmental and personal air samplings for zinc and zinc compounds were below the recommended by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – DFG) limit values of 2 mg/m3 (7.34±2.8 μg/m3 and 8.31±2.4 μg/ m3, respectively). Serum (118.6±20.9 μg /dl) and urine zinc levels were within reference values for female Italian subjects: the latter increased from 56.4±33.5 μg/dl at T0, to 59.8±37.0 μg/dl at T1, and ultimately 65.4±34.4 μg/dl at T2, but no significant trend was found. End of shift (Spearman’s correlation coefficient p value = 0.027) and differential excretion of urinary zinc (both: T0 vs. T1 and T0 vs. T2) were correlated with airborne zinc concentration (p = 0.002 and 0.006, respectively). Conclusions: In general, our data suggests that urine may be a useful medium also for female in order to assess zinc exposure. Further studies are required in order to evaluate whether differential excretion may be useful for the biomonitoring of zinc exposure in the workplaces also for male workers. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):113–124

4

Drzewa przydrożne w gminie Buczkowice (województwo śląskie)

100%

Pietraszko E.

Polish Journal of Materials and Environmental Engineering

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2022

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vol. 3(23)

28-43

XX

The research consisted of inventory and health status assessment of 105 roadside trees growing along Voivodeship Road 942 (Buczkowice commune, Silesian Voivodeship). During the study, dendrometric data, such as: tree height, circumference and diameter at the base and at the breast height, crown height, height to first branches, crown span and its shape were collected. Roadside trees, on the one hand, are aesthetic element of road surroundings responsible for environmental and protective functions, and on the other they effect on the safety of road users. Taking this into consideration, it is necessary to take care of regularity of maintenance activities and treatments to ensure proper trees health. At the same time, the proximity of the road may lead to need to remove some trees - e.g. during modernization and construction works related to road infrastructure. Roadside trees in the Buczkowice commune belonged to 13 species, among which 10 were deciduous tree species and 3 were coniferous species. The most numerous were black poplars cultivar 'Italica' (Populus nigra L. 'Italica', 21 specimens). Two invasive alien species (green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica and black locust Robinia pseudoacacia) were found with a total number of 15. Three trees had circumference that corresponded to the circumference of monumental trees (two sycamores Acer pseudoplatanus and one black alder Alnus glutinosa). Trees health condition was based on presence of trunk and crown damage. Specifically, 53 of the examined roadside trees had satisfactory, 37 - average, 9 - good and 6 - poor health condition. In order to keep trees in good health, regular conservation and protection treatments are recommended. It was noted that such actions can help reduce the risk to road safety. The main threats to roadside trees were also indicated (collisions with vehicles, increase in salinity due to the use of chemicals to prevent road icing during winter and waste deposited around trees). In addition, the quantitative status of roadside trees in 2018 and 2022 were compared. Before 2022, 46 trees were removed as a result of road investments involving the construction of ring road of Buczkowice, sidewalk and bicycle path.

5

Ochrona zdrowia pracownika narażonego na czynniki chemiczne w środowisku pracy – monitoring biologiczny w ocenie ryzyka zdrowotnego: regulacje prawne

67%

Gregorczyk R., Janasik B., Smuga J.

Medycyna Pracy

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2022

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vol. 73

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issue 4

349-356

EN

One of the priorities in the field of occupational safety and health in the European Union (EU) is research on dissemination and application of scientific results, which results in changes in legislation on exposure assessment to chemical agents and risk estimation. The aim of this paper is to analyze the EU legislation on exposure assessment and risk estimation to chemical agents based on biological monitoring studies, in the context of workers’ health protection, with reference to the occupational hygiene management system and standard. An analysis was made of the current legal regulations as well as recommendations and guidelines for biological monitoring studies in the assessment of workers’ exposure to selected metals. A comparison was made between the regulations in force in Poland and in EU. The rationale for implementing biological monitoring tools in occupational health prevention as an additional tool to protect workers from chemical agents was evaluated.

PL

Jednym z priorytetów z zakresu bezpieczeństwa i higieny pracy w Unii Europejskiej (UE) są badania dotyczące rozpowszechniania oraz zastosowania wyników badań naukowych. Skutkuje to zmianami w prawodawstwie dotyczącym oceny narażenia na czynniki chemiczne i szacowania ryzyka. Celem pracy jest analiza regulacji prawnych stosowanych w UE dotyczących oceny narażenia i szacowania ryzyka na czynniki chemiczne na podstawie badań monitoringu biologicznego w kontekście ochrony zdrowia pracowników oraz w nawiązaniu do systemu i norm zarządzania higieną pracy. Przeprowadzono analizę obowiązujących przepisów prawnych oraz zaleceń i wytycznych dotyczących prowadzenia badań z zakresu monitoringu biologicznego w ocenie narażenia pracowników. Zestawiono obowiązujące w Polsce przepisy z regulacjami wprowadzonymi w UE. Przeprowadzono ocenę zasadności wdrażania narzędzi monitoringu biologicznego w profilaktyce zdrowia pracujących jako dodatkowego narzędzia służącego ochronie pracownika przed działaniem czynników chemicznych.

Refine search results

Occupational exposure to diisocyanates in polyurethane foam factory workers

A regional comparison of children’s blood cadmium, lead, and mercury in rural, urban and industrial areas of six European countries, and China, Ecuador, and Morocco

Zinc exposure for female workers in a galvanizing plant in Northern Italy

Drzewa przydrożne w gminie Buczkowice (województwo śląskie)

Ochrona zdrowia pracownika narażonego na czynniki chemiczne w środowisku pracy – monitoring biologiczny w ocenie ryzyka zdrowotnego: regulacje prawne