title: Effects of a powered air-purifying respirator intervention on indium exposure reduction and indium related biomarkers among ITO sputter target manufacturing workers.
abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) worn by the workers, and to investigate the effect of this application on exposure and preclinical effects in terms of workplace measuring and biomarker monitoring in ITO sputter target manufacturing plants and workers, respectively. Fifty-four workers were recruited and investigated from 2010-2012, during which PAPRs were provided to on-site workers in September 2011. Each worker completed questionnaires and provided blood and urine samples for analysis of biomarkers of indium exposure and preclinical effects. Area and personal indium air samples were randomly collected from selected worksites and from participants. The penetration percentage of the respirator (concentration inside respirator divided by concentration outside respirator) was 6.6%. Some biomarkers, such as S-In, SOD, GPx, GST, MDA, and TMOM, reflected the decrease in exposure and showed lower levels, after implementation of PAPRs. This study is the first to investigate the efficacy of PAPRs for reducing indium exposure. The measurement results clearly showed that the implementation of PAPRs reduces levels of indium-related biomarkers. These findings have practical applications for minimizing occupational exposure to indium and for managing the health of workers exposed to indium.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational Safety and Health , Chung Shan Medical University and Chung Shan Medical University Hospital , Taichung , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hung-Hsin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: b Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor , Taipei , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chang-Yuh
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Occupational Safety and Health , Chung-Hwa University of Medical Technology , Tainan , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Hang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.affiliation: d Department of Occupational Safety and Health , Chang Jung Christian University , Tainan , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Cheng-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: e Department of Public Health , Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.|f Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University , Kaohsiung , Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chiung-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D053960:DNA Breaks; D006801:Humans; D007204:Indium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D015415:Biomarkers; D007204:Indium
keywords: Glutathione S-transferase; malondialdehyde; powered air-purifying respirator; serum indium