[New findings in monitoring health status of welders and grinders of stainless steel]. / Novejsí zkusenosti se sledováním zdravotního stavu svárecu a brusicu nerezových ocelí.

During the occupational preventive care check up we investigated a group of 20 stainless steel welders and grinders in the factory producing technology for chemical industry. Results have been compared with 21 healthy persons--blood donors. In the group exposed there have not been discovered any marked deviations in either their health status, or in the CBC and biochemical screening results, though there had been found substantially increased chromium and nickel concentrations, mainly in grinders. Also the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were in some cases even higher than on the busy city crossing. The chromosome aberrations investigations proved to be very sensitive and confirmed that employees of the followed up factory are exposed to an increased genotoxic risk.

Monitoring of occupational exposure in manufacturing of stainless steel constructions. Part I: Chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium in the workplace air of stainless steel welders.

Exposure to workplace airborne pollutants was examined in a group of 20 workers dealing mainly with welding, polishing, drilling and assembling of stainless steel constructions. Airborne particulate matter (APM) collected using both personal and stationary samplers was analyzed by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). Quality assurance procedures of both sampling and analytical stages are described. Of the elements determined, results are presented for chromium, iron, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and vanadium. The median values of element concentrations exceeded the maximum admissible limits for workplace pollutants only for chromium, while for nickel the limit was exceeded in several individual cases. Sampling of hair, nails, blood, urine and saliva to be used for biological monitoring of the exposed and control groups is also described.

[Health status of persons occupationally exposed to chromium, nickel, manganese and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]. / Zdravotní stav osob profesionálne exponovaných chromu, niklu, manganu a polycyklickým aromatickým uhlovodíkum.

Occupational environment monitoring and biological-medical monitoring of persons professionally exposed to welding fumes have been performed. Chromium, manganese and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in welding fumes represents an important health risk. Pollutant concentrations found in metal welding fumes represented only fractions of those acceptable ones. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been reached the concentration found in a busy road crossing in Hradec Králové (compared with these as in Czech Republic no maximum acceptable levels for PAHs having been declared). Family, personal and occupational history have been taken. Health state including total haematological count, biochemical and cytogenetical changes of 19 stainless steel welders were checked-up. The level of mercapturates in urine were examined as well. The data were statistically compared with those of non exposed (control group). No changes witnessing the above mentioned risk factors influence on the haematological, biochemical and cytogenetical findings were ever proved. In conclusion, our results did not confirm an increased professional risk in this group of welders.

[Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. I. Environmental contamination and environmental exposure]. / Polycyklické aromatické uhlovodíky I. Kontaminace prostredí a expozice osob.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent danger ubiquitous environmental pollutants. A lot of them have toxic and carcinogenic potential. Presented work summarises most of available data describing properties, origin and occupational and non-occupational sources of PAHs. Contamination of environment is described separately for air, water, soil, sediments and food. Possibilities of occupational and non-occupational exposure of persons are discussed and populations with potentially high exposures to PAHs are defined. The work is concluded by digest of regulations and guidelines regarding environmental contamination of PAHs.

[Biological monitoring of occupational exposure in welders of stainless steel. Immunologic methods]. / Biologické monitorování pracovní expozice u svárecu nerezových ocelí. Imunologické metody.

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic compounds enables an early detection of adverse health effects. Apart from the standard biological monitoring methods of occupational exposure represented by metabolites and enzymes activities analysis also immunological detection methods seem to be promising. The changes of immunological system are demonstrable extraordinary sensitive markers of load of organism. The process of welding belongs between important sources of pollution of working environment with heavy metals and other harmful compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. According to IARC classification the welding fumes are included into group 2B and are supposed as possible human carcinogens. Numbers of different epidemiological studies have proved relationship between welding and serious health disorders namely malignancies. We recorded a number of changes in immunological parameters when compared with those in control group in our study. The results of analysis were statistically evaluated. The statistically significant reduction of number of phagocytosis capable cells was found in the group of welders when compared with the control group. The levels of neopterin, beta-2-microglobulin and IL-1 beta have indirectly monitored cell component of immunological response. In the case of these markers a statistically significant increases were found in the group of welders. We found statistically significant IgM decrease and statistically significant IgA increase in humoral responses with the same group when compared with control group.

Long-term monitoring of the immune reactivity of stainless steel welders.

The immune reactivity of stainless steel welders (n = 22-53) was evaluated in a three year's study. The results (phagocytic activity, cellular and humoral immunity) were statistically compared with those in control group of non-exposed persons from the same plant (n = 14-23) and with long-term laboratory reference values (LRV) (n = 14-311). In welders several changes were found when compared to the LRV: in humoral response there were higher prealbumin, lysozyme, circulating immune complexes and lower IgG. In phagocytic tests there were lower ingestion, bactericidal activity and higher metabolic activity of peripheral mononuclear leucocytes. In cellular immunity the marked lymphocytosis, higher counts of T-lymphocytes, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes were noticed. After lowering the concentrations of metals in the working area there were trends to normal values in some parameters [relative numbers of T-lymphocytes, relative number of CD4+ lymphocytes, phagocytic activity, metabolic activity of leucocytes (INT index), IgA, complement C3, transferrin]. The extent and the length of the exposure to welding fumes, smoking and changed conditions at working place were followed as well.

Immunological monitoring of dry-cleaning shop workers--exposure to tetrachloroethylene.

A panel of immunological parameters has been examined in a group of dry-cleaning workers (n = 21) and in a control group of administrators (n = 16) from the same plant. The results were also compared to long-term laboratory reference values (LRV) (n = 14-311). External exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PER) was represented by TWA (8 h) values in the range 11-752 mg PER/m3. Biological monitoring showed an amount from 9 to 344 mg PER/m3 in exhaled air by the end of workshift. 1. The exposed dry-cleaning workers compared to the controls from the plant had statistically significant changes in metabolic activity of phagocytes, alpha 2-macroglobulin, C3 and C4 complement component, salivary secretory IgA, and blastic transformation test. Most of the values were within the range of normal values. 2. The exposed dry-cleaning workers had several abnormal immune parameters compared to the long-term laboratory values (LRV) especially in the alpha 2-macroglobulin, C3 and percentage of T-lymphocytes. Most of the changes, even those that were statistically significant, were still within the range of normal values, but they might be classified as trends or shifts away from normal (spontaneous blastic transformation, absolute number of phagocyting cells, coeruloplasmin, circulating immunocomplexes, serum lysozyme). 3. The non-exposed controls from the same plant showed both quantitative and qualitative differences when compared to the LRV. Changes were seen in IgG, C4, CSI and in increased spontaneous metabolic activity of leucocytes, total leucocyte count, absolute number of phagocyting cells, alpha 2-macroglobulin, prealbumin, C4, circulating immunocomplexes and serum lysozyme. 4. The distribution analysis of all results detected a large number of abnormal values in both groups, more in the at-risk group. 5. As inhalation was the main route of PER exposure it was concluded that the changes might represent aspects of the response of the respiratory immune system, mainly of the alveolar macrophages. Additional postinfection effects could not be excluded in both studied groups. Individual differences in immune reactivity as well as individual range of exposure should be taken into consideration.

[Biological and medical monitoring of persons with occupational exposure to fibrous materials]. / K biologicko-medicínskému monitorování osob profesionálne exponovaných vláknitým materiálum.

Health status indicators in 3 groups of workers professionally exposed to fibrous materials and 1 control group have been followed. In spite of the fact that asbestos as a compound of friction elements has been forbidden and replaced by non-asbestos materials, quite important changes in peripheral lymphocytes aberrations we found in persons working with these new materials.

Environmental health.

A short history of the close connections between human health an ambient environment (environmental health) in the global and national (Czech Republic) sense is presented. Concrete tasks and prospects for the near future are mentioned, including the human ecology education programme.

[Health status in stainless steel welders]. / Sledování zdravotního stavu svárecu nerezových ocelí.

Health state, as well as hematological, biochemical and cytogenetical changes of 53 stainless steel welders were checked-up. Results were compared to those of non exposed persons (control), and to a group of firemen. Urine metals concentrations correlated with the welding fumes density. In the majority of welders typical complaints appeared: aqueous nasal secretion of a clogged nose feeling. Only some of workers suffered from a metal vapours fever. No changes witnessing the above mentioned risk factors influence on the hematological and biochemical findings were ever proved. Cytogenetical analysis confirmed an increased genetic risk.

Lack of renal changes in stainless steel welders exposed to chromium and nickel.

Biochemical markers of kidney damage were examined in 52 male stainless steel welders (manual metal arc welding) exposed to chromium and nickel. No difference was found in the mean urinary excretion of total proteins, albumin, protein 1, transferrin, retinol-binding protein, lactate dehydrogenase, lysozyme, or beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase in a comparison with matched referents. Beta 2-microglobulin was slightly increased in those welders with a urinary chromium concentration of greater than 64.5 nmol.mmol-1 creatinine. The prevalences of abnormal values did not differ from those observed in the reference group. No correlation was found between the concentrations of chromium or nickel in urine and that of proteins or enzymes. No consistent or clinically significant renal impairment was revealed among the stainless steel welders exposed to a chromium air concentration slightly above the current threshold limit value of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds (50 micrograms.m-3).

Study on kidney function in female workers exposed to perchlorethylene.

1. Biochemical markers of kidney damage were examined in 16 female workers chronically exposed to tetrachlorethylene (TCE) in five dry-cleaning shops. The results were compared with those obtained in 13 females non-occupationally exposed to organic solvents. 2. The intensity of exposure was monitored by personal environmental monitoring. The time-weighed average exposure to TCE amounted to 157 mg m-3 (range 9-799 mg m-3). A satisfactory agreement was found between the concentration of TCE in ambient air sampled with the charcoal tube method and with a passive dosimeter. 3. The urinary excretion of lysozyme was increased in the exposed group. No difference was found in the urinary excretion of albumin, beta 2-microglobulin, lactate dehydrogenase, total proteins or glucose. The prevalence of abnormal values of biochemical parameters in the exposed group did not differ from that observed in the control group. No correlation was found between the level of TCE exposure and biochemical parameters. 4. The present study suggests that chronic exposure to TCE does not lead to renal damage.