Effects of chromic acid exposure on immunological parameters among electroplating workers.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immunological parameters of chromic acid exposure among electroplating workers.


METHODS
Forty-six subjects were selected from five electroplating plants in central Taiwan. Each subject was interviewed by questionnaire, and urine chromium (urine-Cr) concentration was assessed. Immunological parameters were evaluated by interleukin (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) and levels of lymphocyte subsets (T-cell, B-cell, T4, T8 and T4/T8).


RESULTS
Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 significantly increased in subjects with high urine Cr concentration, but TNF-alpha levels decreased. IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were undetected. Flow cytometry was used to determine levels of lymphocyte subsets: only B-cells percentage had a negative correlation with urine-Cr. Smoking was an important factor that influenced levels of lymphocyte subsets.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to Cr has a detrimental effect on the immune system, so it is evident that worker exposure to chromic acid in the electroplating workplace must be reduced to a minimum.
Kuo
Hsien-Wen
HW
Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan. wukuo@mail.cmc.edu.tw
Wu
Mei-Liang
ML
D000328:Adult; D002840:Chromates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D004595:Electroplating; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013624:Taiwan
D002840:Chromates; D016207:Cytokines; C034944:chromic acid