Lipid peroxidation in workers exposed to aluminium, gallium, indium, arsenic, and antimony in the optoelectronic industry.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to investigate whether exposure to aluminum, gallium, indium, arsenic, and antimony induces lipid peroxidation in humans.


METHODS
Whole blood and urine levels of 103 exposed electronic industry workers and 67 referents were analyzed by use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Malondialdehyde (MDA), the product of lipid peroxidation, was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The mean plasma MDA level in the 103 workers was significantly higher than that in 67 referents. The levels of MDA in the exposed workers were correlated significantly with the levels of urinary gallium and arsenic.


CONCLUSIONS
Malondialdehyde as an index of lipid peroxidation can be induced by gallium and arsenic exposure. By reducing exposure to these metals, biologic effects such as lipid peroxidation may also be diminished.
Liao
Yen-Hsiung
YH
Kent Institute of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Kent, and School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan [corrected]
Hwang
Long-Chih
LC
Kao
Jing-Shwu
JS
Yiin
Shuenn-Jiun
SJ
Lin
Shu-Fang
SF
Lin
Chia-Hong
CH
Lin
Yu-Cheng
YC
Aw
Tar-Ching
TC
D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D000965:Antimony / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D001151:Arsenic / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D004581:Electronics; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005708:Gallium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007204:Indium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood* / Q000652:urine*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D055095:Optics and Photonics
D015415:Biomarkers; D007204:Indium; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000965:Antimony; D005708:Gallium; D000535:Aluminum; D001151:Arsenic