A study of factors influencing urinary arsenic excretion in exposed workers.
This study was designed to evaluate the influence of occupational and non-occupational factors on urinary arsenic excretion in workers exposed to iAs (inorganic arsenic) in the dismantlement of a factory which once produced fertilisers. We measured iAs and its methylated metabolites in 108 urinary samples of workers exposed to iAs in July 2006. A total of 13.9% of the samples showed levels higher than the Biological Exposure Index (BEI) of 35 microg/l (mean value 23.9 microg/l). After the improvement of working conditions, in August-October 2006 we collected urinary samples from each of the 108 workers enrolled. We also administrated a questionnaire, in order to investigate the influence of occupational and non-occupational factors on the urinary arsenic excretion. A significant difference was observed in relation with seafood consumption and age stratification. We have found a significant reduction of urinary arsenic excretion between the two phases of biological monitoring, probably due to appropriate hygiene work-related interventions.
Vimercati
Luigi
L
Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health, Section of Occupational Medicine B. Ramazzini, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. l.vimercati@medlav.uniba.it
Carrus
Antonio
A
Sciannamblo
Giuseppe
G
Caputo
Francesca
F
Minunni
Viviana
V
de Nichilo
Gigliola
G
Bellotta
Maria Rosaria
MR
Gagliardi
Tommaso
T
Bisceglia
Lucia
L
Assennato
Giorgio
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001151:Arsenic / Q000652:urine*; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D005308:Fertilizers; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D017747:Seafood; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D005308:Fertilizers; D001151:Arsenic