Oxidative damage in foundry workers occupationally co-exposed to PAHs and metals.
Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been reported in foundries. A higher risk for DNA damage or oxidative damage lesions was also found in occupationally PAH-exposed groups. The aim of this study was to assess PAH exposure by urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), a biological exposure marker. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the oxidative damage of foundry workers with different job tasks and the association between 1-OHP, metal exposure and oxidative damage in foundry workers exposed to pervasive carcinogens. A higher concentration of 1-OHP was found in the exposed group (0.322+/-0.289 microg/g creatinine) relative to the control group (0.178+/-0.289 microg/g creatinine) (p<0.05). Moreover, higher levels of 1-OHP were found in workers involved in manufacturing processes (0.346 microg/g creatinine) compared to administrative workers (0.018 microg/g creatinine). A positive correlation was identified between levels of 1-OHP and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG), DNA strand breakage and malondialdehyde (MDA) in all study subjects. However, when foundry workers were considered based on their specific job categories, a similar trend for 1-OHP and three oxidative damage markers was only found for DNA strand breakage, but not for 8-OH-dG or MDA. Other factors such as furnace equipment, PAH types, and job categories may contribute to different PAH emissions. The study also suggested that co-exposure to metal and PAHs, and smoking status in foundry industries may also cause the oxidative damage in foundry workers.
School of Occupational Safety and Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
Hung-Hsin
HH
Liu
Ming-Hsiu
MH
Lin
Chia-I
CI
Chan
Hsiu-Ling
HL
Chen
D006801:Humans; D008669:Metallurgy; D008670:Metals / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000097:blood / Q000633:toxicity* / Q000652:urine; D011721:Pyrenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
D008670:Metals; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D011721:Pyrenes; C033146:1-hydroxypyrene