title: Biomonitoring of a worker population exposed to low antimony trioxide levels.
abstract: Antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) is used as a flame retardant in the textile industry. We carried out a study in a factory for the evaluation of antimony (Sb) occupational exposure and urinary levels in workers exposed to Sb2O3. Urinary levels and airborne Sb2O3 personal exposure values were very low when compared to international occupational standards (500 microg/m3, as Sb). The range of forty-two personal exposures was 0.01-0.55 microg Sb/m3, while twenty-four area samplings ranged from < 0.01 microg Sb/m3 to 1.45 microg Sb/m3. The mean urinary Sb levels at the beginning (n = 39) and end of the shift (n = 39) were 0.31 +/- 0.25 microg/L and 0.35 +/- 0.29 microg/L respectively, without any significant statistical difference. When the workers were divided into two subgroups according to "higher" and 'lower" exposure levels, a statistical difference (P < 0.001) was observed between the mean Sb urinary levels of the two subgroups during the workweek, both at the beginning and end of the shift. A statistical difference was also observed between the above mentioned subgroups and the controls (n = 15). No correlation was found between personal Sb2O3 exposure and the difference in urinary Sb levels at the beginning and end of the workshift on the day the flame retardant was utilized. This lack of correlation could be due to low airborne Sb2O3 levels and Sb dietary intake, estimated as 3 microg/day in UK, but not yet fully investigated in Italy. Any accidental occupational Sb per os exposure however low, could further enhance the lack of correlation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iavicoli
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Caroli
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alimonti
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000388:Air / Q000032:analysis; D000965:Antimony / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005411:Flame Retardants / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013696:Temperature; D013783:Textile Industry
chemical_list: D005411:Flame Retardants; D000965:Antimony; C037554:antimony trioxide