Integrated evaluation of workplace exposures and biomarkers of bladder cancer among textile dyeing workers.

BACKGROUND: The textile industry is the second risk factor for bladder cancer, after smoking. Previous studies focused on the impact of exposure to high concentrations of bladder carcinogenic chemicals in the textile dyeing industry on the elevation of bladder cancer biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate bladder carcinogenic air pollutants in a textile dyeing factory and investigate its role and the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vit. D) on cancer bladder biomarkers in exposed workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Particulate and vapor forms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were monitored in the printing, dyeing, and preparing sections of a textile factory. Bladder tumor antigen (BTA), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP-22), and 25-OH vit. D were estimated in all the exposed workers (147 exposed workers) and in workers not occupationally exposed to chemicals (130 unexposed workers). RESULTS: Aromatic bladder carcinogenic compounds were either in low concentrations or not detected in the air samples of working areas. BTA and NMP-22 of exposed workers were not significantly different from the unexposed. However, 25-OH vit. D was significantly lower in the exposed than unexposed workers. There was a significant inverse correlation between 25-OH vit. D and duration of exposure in exposed workers. CONCLUSION: The mean levels of PAHs and VOCs were within the safe standard levels in the working areas. The non-significant difference in BTA and NMP-22 between the exposed and unexposed groups suggests the presence of occupational exposures to safe levels of bladder carcinogenic aromatics, while the significantly lower 25-OH vit. D levels among the exposed than the unexposed groups could suggest the potential association of 25-OH vit. D with occupational exposures to low levels of PAHs and VOCs, and this association was found to be inversely correlated with the duration of exposures. Accordingly, more specific predictor tests must be applied for early diagnosis of bladder cancer among the exposed workers.

Hazard assessment study on organic compounds and heavy metals from using artificial turf.

Introduction: Artificial turf or synthetic grass releases hazardous substances such as heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the concentration levels of hazardous substances that are emitted from artificial turf as a result of sunlight effect; and to assess the expected exposure risks to such emitted substances during various activities.The current study aimed to evaluate the concentration levels of hazardous substances that are emitted from artificial turf as a result of the effect of sunlight. And to assess the expected risks of exposure to these substances emitted during the various activities. Study design: VOCs emitted from artificial turf samples were monitored and collected in the ambient air of three football fields, the ambient air around a piece of new artificial turf that has not yet been used on playing fields, but has been exposed to sunlight within one year and in the indoor air around a piece of new artificial turf. Which has not yet been used on the playgrounds and was placed at room temperature and away from sunlight. Results: The current study shows that average afternoon morning VOCs levels were 277, 333, 405 and 509 mg/m3 in winter, autumn, spring and summer, respectively. The most predominant PAHs compounds present in the samples were compounds with 3-rings and 4-rings.The average daily intake (ADI) for three exposure routes (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact) was calculated for different age categories (3-6, 7-15, 16-18, 19-22, 23-55, and 56-70 year). Non-Carcinogenic exposure risk as hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were detected. Conclusion: All HI values were <1, indicating that there is no potential adverse health effects occur as a result of a chemical exposure. Total carcinogenic risk (R) values for the different age categories were higher than 1E-04 for three football artificial grass fields, which indicated a high cancer risk development probability. HI and R probability increased in the age group of 7-15 year > 3-6 years.

Nephrotoxic effect of heavy metals and the role of DNA repair gene among secondary aluminum smelter workers.

This study aims to estimate the association between some heavy metals in suspended particulate matter (SPM) and kidney damage among workers at different departments in a secondary aluminum production plant. It also investigates the association between Xeroderma Pigmentosum complementation group D (XPD) gene polymorphisms and worker's susceptibility to kidney dysfunction. It was conducted on 30 workers from the administrative departments and 147 workers from different departments in the production line. Estimation of some heavy metals (Al, Co, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Cd) in suspended particulate matter (SPM) is done. Also, urinary levels of those metals were measured for all workers. Kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), clusterin levels, and XPD protein level were estimated. Genotyping of XPD gene polymorphisms was performed. The measured annual average concentrations of the estimated heavy metals were lower than the permissible limits. Gravity area had the maximum concentration of metals with a higher Al average daily dose and hazardous index > 1. Kidney injury biomarkers (clusterin and KIM-1) were increased significantly (p < 0.05) while XPD protein showed the lowest levels among workers at the gravity and cold rolling areas. XPD Asn/Asp genotype was more dominant among those workers (85.7%). Conclusion: aluminum workers are at risk of kidney disorders due to heavy metal exposure. The individual's susceptibility to the diseases is related to the DNA repair efficiency mechanisms. The defect in XPD protein represents a good indicator of susceptibility to the disease. KIM-1 and clusterin estimation is a predictor biomarker for early-staged kidney diseases.

Lung cancer risk in workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with emphasis on the role of DNA repair gene.

OBJECTIVE: Workers in secondary aluminum production plants are occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We aimed to monitor the concentrations of PAHs in air and in serum of workers at two secondary aluminum production plants. We also investigated the potential risk of lung cancer development among PAHs exposed workers with emphasis on the role of A1AT mutation and APEX1 gene polymorphisms. METHODS: This study included 177 workers from administrative departments and production lines. Blood samples were obtained for estimation of benzo(a)pyrene diol epoxide albumin adduct (BPDE-Alb adduct), anti-Cyclin-B1 marker (CCNB1) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg). Genes' polymorphism for human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APEX1) and alpha-1-anti-trypsin (A1AT) gene mutation were detected. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the level of BPDE-Alb adduct among exposed workers in comparison to non-exposed group. Moreover, 41.67% of exposed workers in El Tebbin had BPDE-Alb adduct level ≥ 15 ng/ml versus 29.6% of workers in Helwan factory. There was a significant increase in tumor markers (SCCAg and CCNB1) among workers whose BPDE-Alb adduct ≥ 15 ng/ml. There was a significant increase in the level of BPDE-Alb adducts in exposed workers carrying homozygous APEX1 genotype Glu/Glu. Furthermore, exposed workers with the Glu/Glu genotype had high tumor markers levels. There was a significant increase in levels of BPDE-Alb adducts in workers carrying A1AT mutant allele. Moreover, workers with mutant A1AT genotype had significantly high tumor markers (SCCAg and CCNB1) levels. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we conclude that aluminum workers may be at a potential risk of lung cancer development due to PAHs exposure. Although PAHs concentrations in air were within the permissible limits, yet evidence of DNA damage was present as expressed by high BPDE-albumin adduct level in exposed workers. Also, elevation of tumor markers (SCCAg and CCNB1) in exposed workers points to the importance of periodic biological monitoring of such workers to protect them from cancer risk.

Estimation of hospital admission respiratory disease cases attributed to exposure to SO2 and NO2 in two different sectors of Egypt.

Air Q2.2.3 was used to predicted hospital admissions respiratory disease cases due to SO2 and NO2 exposure in two sectors of Egypt during December 2015 to November 2016. Levels were 19, 22 µg/m3 at Ain Sokhna sector and 92, 78 µg/m3 at Shoubra El-Khaima sector for SO2 and NO2, respectively. These levels were less than the Egyptian Permissible limits (125 µg/m3 in urban and 150 µg/m3 in industrial for SO2, 150 µg/m3 in urban and industrial for NO2). Results showed that relative risks were 1.0330 (1.0246 - 1.0414) and 1.0229 (1.0171 - 1.0287) at Ain Sokhna sector while they were 1.0261 (1.0195 - 1.0327) and 1.0226 (1.0169 - 1.0283) at Shoubra El-Khaima sector for SO2 and NO2, respectively. The highest cases of HARD were found in Shoubra El-Khaima sector; 311 cases at 120 - 129 µg/m3 of SO2 and 234 cases at 120 - 129 µg/m3 of NO2. While, in Ain Sokhna, HARD were 18 cases at 50 - 59 µg/m3 of SO2 and 15 cases at 60 - 69 µg/m3 of NO2. The excess cases found in Shoubra El-Khaima sector as compared to those in Ain Sokhna sector, may be attributed to the higher density of population and industries in Shoubra El-Khaima sector.