title: Occupational Exposure to Aflatoxin B1 in a Portuguese Poultry Slaughterhouse.
abstract: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary metabolite produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and is the most potent hepatocarcinogen known in mammals and has been classified by the International Agency of Research on Cancer as Group 1 carcinogen. Although dietary exposure to AFB1 has been extensively documented, there are still few studies dedicated to the problem of occupational exposure. Considering recent findings regarding AFB1 occupational exposure in poultry production, it was considered relevant to clarify if there is also exposure in poultry slaughterhouses. Occupational exposure assessment to AFB1 was done with a biomarker of internal dose that measures AFB1 in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thirty workers from a slaughterhouse were enrolled in this study. A control group (n = 30) was also considered in order to know AFB1 background levels for Portuguese population. Fourteen workers (47.0%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values from 1.06 to 4.03ng ml(-1), with a mean value of 1.73ng ml(-1). No AFB1 was detected in serum of individuals used as controls. Despite uncertainties regarding the exposure route that is contributing more to exposure (inhalation or dermal) is possible to state that exposure to AFB1 is occurring in the slaughterhouse studied. It seems that reducing AFB1 contamination in poultry production can have a positive result in this occupational setting.
authors.affiliation: 1.Environment and Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal; 2.Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública (CISP/ENSP/UNL), 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal; susana.viegas@estesl.ipl.pt.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Viegas
authors.affiliation: 3.Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal;
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Veiga
authors.affiliation: 3.Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal;
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: 1.Environment and Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal;
authors.forename: Mateus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: dos Santos
authors.affiliation: 1.Environment and Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal;
authors.forename: Elisabete
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carolino
authors.affiliation: 1.Environment and Health RG, Lisbon School of Health Technology, Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, Av. D. João II, lote 4.69.01, Parque das Nações, 1990-096 Lisboa, Portugal; 4.Faculty of Medicine, Environmental Health Institute, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viegas
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000328:Adult; D016604:Aflatoxin B1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D001231:Aspergillus flavus; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011174:Portugal; D011200:Poultry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016604:Aflatoxin B1
keywords: aflatoxin B1; occupational exposure; poultry slaughterhouse