[Plasma concentration of selected neoplastic markers in persons occupationally exposed to arsenic and heavy metals].
BACKGROUND
Industrial development increases the threat to human health caused by chemical contamination of the environment. Occupational neoplasms induced by exposure to carcinogenic factors present in workplaces are one of its effects. Heavy metals, especially arsenic, play an important role in this process. The aim of the study was to assess potential carcinogenic effects of arsenic and other heavy metals and the relation between their concentrations in organic fluids and the level of specific neoplastic markers, which might indicate the risk of the development of occupation-related neoplastic diseases.


METHODS
Over two years, 224 men employed in the "Legnica" Copper Foundry, Divisions of Furnace Charge Preparing and Metallurgy, were examined. Plasma and urine concentrations of some metals and neoplastic markers were measured. We analyzed a possible correlations between metals and markers concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
The study allowed to establish a strong positive correlation between urine arsenic concentration, blood cadmium concentration and some serum neoplastic markers (CEA, SCC-Ag, PSA). There was a distinct synergistic reaction between the levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead intoxication and the number of smoked cigarettes, so that smoking copper smelters exposed to these metals form a high cancer risk group. Significant positive correlation between blood lead concentration, free erythrocyte protoporphyrins and the level of arsenic in copper smelters might indicate the increased risk of late effects of intoxication in persons under combined exposure to these metals.
Szymańska-Chabowska
Anna
A
Z Katedry i Kliniki Chorób Wewnetrznych, Zawodowych i Nadciśnienia Tetniczego, Akademii Medycznej we Wrocławiu. szyman@mp.pl
Antonowicz-Juchniewicz
Jolanta
J
Andrzejak
Ryszard
R
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood; D001151:Arsenic / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D002104:Cadmium / Q000097:blood; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000097:blood; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D007854:Lead / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000097:blood; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D015843:Serpins / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D015843:Serpins; C051072:squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D003300:Copper; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D015032:Zinc; D001151:Arsenic