Biomonitoring of tram drivers exposed to airborne platinum, rhodium and palladium.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary levels of Pt, Rh and Pd in occupationally exposed subjects.


METHODS
A total of 122 healthy male subjects of Rome (Italy) were studied; 64 were municipal tram drivers and 58 control subjects. Metal quantification in the urine samples was carried out by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.


RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences between urinary Pt and Rh levels of the workers and the control group (Pt median: 1.23 versus 1.03 ng/g creatinine; Rh median: 19.16 versus 11.18 ng/g creatinine), while no difference in Pd levels was observed (Pd median: 11.47 versus 8.75 ng/g creatinine).


CONCLUSIONS
Urinary Pt and Rh could be useful biomarkers for monitoring population groups occupationally exposed to these elements. Urinary concentration of Pt and Rh, though still low, could be of some concern in workers heavily exposed to urban car traffic.
Iavicoli
Ivo
I
Institute of Occupational Medicine, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy.
Bocca
Beatrice
B
Carelli
Giovanni
G
Caroli
Sergio
S
Caimi
Stefano
S
Alimonti
Alessandro
A
Fontana
Luca
L
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D001334:Automobile Driving; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D010165:Palladium / Q000652:urine*; D010984:Platinum / Q000652:urine*; D012238:Rhodium / Q000652:urine*; D012384:Rome
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D010984:Platinum; D010165:Palladium; D012238:Rhodium