title: Manganese in exhaled breath condensate: a new marker of exposure to welding fumes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate manganese in exhaled breath condensate (Mn-EBC) as an indicator of exposure to fumes from metal inert gas welding process.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected EBC and urine from 17 welders and 16 unexposed control subjects after 5 days exposure. Concentrations of manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe) and chromium (Cr) were measured in EBC and urine samples and correlated with cumulative exposure indices for the working week (CIW) and for the total welding years (WY), based on duration of welding activity and atmospheric metal measurements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentrations of Mn and Ni in EBC were significantly higher among welders than controls whereas this difference was not significant for Mn in urine. Levels of Mn and Ni in EBC were not correlated with their respective levels in urine. The linear regressions found significant positive coefficients between Mn-EBC, Ni-EBC, Ni-U and Cr-U concentrations and the cumulative exposure indices. Taking into account tobacco use, statistical analysis showed the same trends except for the relationship between Mn-U and CIW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This pilot study showed that Mn-EBC, as well as Ni-EBC, can serve as reliable indices of occupational exposure to welding fumes and provide complimentary toxicokinetic information to that provided by urine analyses.
authors: Univ Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France; UDSL, EA 4483, F-59000 Lille, France; CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France. Electronic address: sebastien.hulo@univ-lille2.fr.
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Hulo
authors: Univ Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France; UDSL, EA 4483, F-59000 Lille, France; CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France. Electronic address: nathalie.cherot@univ-lille2.fr.
authors: Nathalie
authors: N
authors: Chérot-Kornobis
authors: Univ Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France; CUMA Lille, F-59006 Lille, France. Electronic address: michael.howsam@univ-lille2.fr.
authors: Mike
authors: M
authors: Howsam
authors: ASTAV, F-59880 Valenciennes, France. Electronic address: sebastien.crucq@astav.fr.
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Crucq
authors: Univ Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France; UDSL, EA 4483, F-59000 Lille, France; CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France. Electronic address: virginie.debroucker@chru-lille.fr.
authors: Virginie
authors: V
authors: de Broucker
authors: Univ Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France; UDSL, EA 4483, F-59000 Lille, France; CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France. Electronic address: annie.sobaszek@univ-lille2.fr.
authors: Annie
authors: A
authors: Sobaszek
authors: Univ Lille Nord de France, F-59000 Lille, France; UDSL, EA 4483, F-59000 Lille, France; CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France. Electronic address: jledme@univ-lille2.fr.
authors: Jean-Louis
authors: JL
authors: Edme
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D001944:Breath Tests; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D045853:Exhalation; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008345:Manganese / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis* / Q000652:urine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016272:Occupational Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008345:Manganese; D009532:Nickel
keywords: Exhaled breath condensate; Manganese; Occupational exposure; Welding