| 1. |
- Gamal Ramzi, Ahmed, 1983-
(författare)
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Analytical methodologies for common skin allergens : Organic thioureas, isothiocyanates and fragrance hydroperoxides in everyday life products
- 2018
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis describes analytical methodologies for the determination of important skin-sensitizing chemicals in two types of commercial items: chloroprene rubber and fragrance products which are both well-known to be associated with contact allergy.Chloroprene rubber (neoprene) is widely used in different applications and products, such as bags, gloves, wetsuits, braces, mouse pads et c. Exposure to chloroprene rubber materials has resulted in numerous cases of allergic contact dermatitis. Organic thioureas have been considered the main culprits, even though they at the same time have been classified as weak or non-sensitizers in the murine local lymph node assay (LLNA). Previous findings indicate that a possible reason for sensitization is that organic thioureas are being metabolized in the skin into more reactive electrophiles, such as isothiocyanates and isocyanates, after skin exposure. In this thesis, chemical analyses of a number of chloroprene products from the European open market showed the presence of diethylthiourea in all analyzed items, while other organic thioureas could not be detected. The levels of diethylthiourea varied, with the highest at 158 µg cm-2 in a used back support that had previously caused allergic contact dermatitis in a patient. Furthermore, it was discovered that all the examined items emitted ethyl isothiocyanate. LLNA showed that ethyl isothiocyanate is a strong skin sensitizer, as has been shown earlier for other tested isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates were shown to be thermally formed from diethyl, diphenyl and dibutylthiourea at a temperature as low as 35 °C, i. e. around skin temperature. Altogether, the results from these experiments, patch tests and chemical analyses revealed that isothiocyanates are important haptens in contact allergy to chloroprene rubber.Fragrances constitute one of the main causes of contact allergy, next to nickel and preservatives. The most widespread fragrances in cosmetics and perfumes on the market are monoterpenes, such as linalool and limonene, which at air exposure easily oxidize to hydroperoxides, which are strongly skin sensitizing compounds and the main haptens. Despite this, there is so far no EU regulation concerning fragrance hydroperoxides in products, which may be due to lack of analytical methods which can reliably measure them in fragrances. Presented in this thesis is a toolbox of different analytical methods, applied on essential oils, shampoo, patch test preparations and different types of perfumes. Furthermore, one of our studies elucidated the first case (to my knowledge) of allergic contact dermatitis as being correlated to a product that contains a fragrance hydroperoxide.Taken together, the thesis shows the importance of developing analytical methods for the identification, measurement and detection of important haptens in contact allergy.
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| 2. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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A Case Study of Brass Foundry Workers' Estimated Lead (Pb) Body Burden from Different Exposure Routes
- 2020
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Ingår i: Annals of Work Exposures and Health. - : Oxford University Press. - 2398-7308 .- 2398-7316. ; 64:9, s. 970-981
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: The most pronounced occupational exposure routes for lead (Pb) are inhalation and gastrointestinal uptake mainly through hand-to-mouth behaviour. Skin absorption has been demonstrated for organic Pb compounds, but less is known about inorganic Pb species. Several legislative bodies in Europe are currently proposing lowering biological exposure limit values and air exposure limits due to new evidence on cardiovascular effects at very low blood Pb levels. In light of this, all exposure routes in occupational settings should be revisited to evaluate how to lower the overall exposure to Pb.METHODS: The aim of the study was to investigate the possible exposure routes in workers operating computer numerical control-machines in a brass foundry and specifically to understand if metal cutting fluids (MCFs) used by the workers could lead to skin absorption of Pb. The different bronze alloys at the facility may contain up to 20% Pb. After obtaining written informed consent from the workers (n = 7), blood, skin wipes, and personal air samples were collected. In addition, MCFs used on the day of exposure measurements were collected for in vitro skin absorption studies using stillborn piglet skin mounted in static Franz diffusion cells (n = 48). All samples were analysed for Pb content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.RESULTS: Pb air concentration (<0.1-3.4 µg m-3) was well below the Swedish occupational exposure limit value. Blood Pb was in the range of <0.72-33 µg dl-1, and Pb on skin surfaces, after performing normal work tasks during 2 h, was in the range of 0.2-48 µg cm-2. Using the MCFs in diffusion cells showed that skin absorption had occurred at very low doses, and that up to 10% of the Pb content was present in the skin after 24 h exposure. Using these results in the US EPA adult lead model, we could estimate a contribution to blood Pb from the three exposure routes; where hand-to-mouth behaviour yielded the highest contribution (16 µg Pb dl-1 blood), followed by skin absorption (3.3-6.3 µg Pb dl-1 blood) and inhalation (2.0 µg Pb dl-1 blood).CONCLUSIONS: This case study shows that MCF may lead to skin absorption of inorganic Pb and contribute to a systemic dose (quasi-steady state). Furthermore, even though good hand hygienic measures were in place, the workers' skin exposure to Pb is in all likelihood an important contributor in elevating blood Pb levels. Skin exposure should thus be monitored routinely in workers at facilities handling Pb, to help reducing unnecessary occupational exposure.
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| 3. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Cobalt-containing alloys and their ability to release cobalt and cause dermatitis
- 2009
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 60:3, s. 165-170
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cobalt, nickel, and chromium are important skin sensitizers. However, knowledge about cobalt exposure and causes of cobalt sensitization is limited. To study release of cobalt, nickel, and chromium from some cobalt-containing hard metal alloys and to test reactivity to the materials in cobalt-sensitized patients. Discs suitable for patch testing were made of some hard metal alloys. Cobalt, nickel, and chromium release from the materials was determined by immersion in artificial sweat (2 min, 1 hr, 1 day, and 1 week). Patch test reactivity to the discs and to serial dilutions of cobalt and nickel was assessed in previously patch-tested dermatitis patients (19 cobalt positive and 18 cobalt-negative controls). All discs released cobalt, nickel, and chromium. Some discs released large amounts of cobalt (highest concentration: 290 mu g/cm(2)/week). Seven discs elicited three or more positive test reactions. The concentration of released cobalt was high enough to elicit allergic contact dermatitis in cobalt-sensitized patients. As the materials in the discs are used in wear parts of hard metal tools, individuals with contact allergy to cobalt may develop hand eczema when handling such materials.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Distribution of brominated flame retardants in different dust fractions in air from an electronics recycling facility
- 2005
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Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 350:1-3, s. 151-160
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Twelve air samples were collected from an electronic recycling facility in Sweden representing three different dust fractions; respirable, total and inhalable dust. Four samples were collected from each fraction. The highest concentration of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) #209 (ten bromine atoms) was found in the samples from the inhalable dust fraction (ID), which was 10 times higher than for the "total dust" fraction (TD). The concentration ranges were 157.6-208.6; 13.9-16.7; and 2.8-3.3 ng/m3 for inhalable, total and respirable fractions, respectively. The second most abundant PBDE congener was PBDE #183 (seven bromine atoms), followed by the second most abundant substance 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) in all samples. In addition, decabromodiphenyl ethane (DeBDethane) was tentatively identified in five of the samples. Because of the large differences in air concentrations between the three fractions in ID, TD and RD, it is suggested that the inhalable instead of "total dust" fraction should be used to assess air concentrations, in particular for the larger and higher brominated flame retardants (BFRs).
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| 6. |
- Julander, Anneli, 1974-
(författare)
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Exposure to brominated flame retardants in electronics recycling : air and human plasma levels
- 2004
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE) and 1,2-bis(2,3,4,5,6-pentabromophenyl)ethane (DeBDethane) were analysed in air and blood samples from workers at an electronics recycling facility. The samples were collected regularly for 18 months and were analysed by isomer specific GC/MS analysis in both electron impact (EI) and negative chemical ionisation (NCI) mode. In addition, triiodotyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were monitored and put in relation to the workers’ PBDE concentration in blood. Breathing zone air samples showed that the electronics dismantlers were highly exposed to PBDE #209 in comparison with other workers in the facility (30 ng/m3 and 8 ng/m3, respectively). However, for BTBPE and the other PBDE congeners no such difference was found. It was also shown that when dismantling small electronic products (computers and household electronics) the air levels were higher than when dismantling larger products (photocopiers). Monitoring dust fractions (“total dust”, inhalable dust and respirable dust) revealed that the PBDE #209 concentration was more than ten times higher in the inhalable dust fraction than the traditionally used “total dust” fraction (“total” 15 ng/m3, inhalable 192 ng/m3), which was not the case for the other BFRs. The sampler for inhalable dust collects particles of larger size more efficiently than the “total” dust sampler. PBDE #209 was found to bind to a higher extent to larger particles in the air. However, PBDE #209 was also present in the respirable fraction (3.1 ng/m3) that reaches the alveolar region in the lungs, making it available for uptake. The levels of PBDEs detected in the workers’ blood were within the range of the general population in Sweden, except for PBDE #183 and #209 which were slightly elevated (1.2 pmol/g l.w. and 5.7 pmol/g l.w., respectively) among the dismantlers. No clinical effect could be seen on the thyroid hormone status in the workers, caused by the PBDE concentration. Steady state blood concentration estimations based on levels in the respirable dust fraction suggested that the increase for PBDE #209 was due to occupational air-borne dust. To study biological samples with high levels of PBDEs to identify possible metabolites from PBDEs and other bromine containing compounds, whales from the Mediterranean Sea were analysed. PBDEs were found at high concentrations in the range of 66-8100 ng/g l.w.. Three methoxylated tetraBDEs (MeO-TeBDE) were identified in the whale samples at a range of 2-630 ng/g l.w.. Several unidentified organobromine compounds were also detected in the whales.
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| 7. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Formal recycling of e-waste leads to increased exposure to toxic metals : An occupational exposure study from Sweden
- 2014
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 73, s. 243-251
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) contains multiple toxic metals. However, there is currently a lack of exposure data for metals on workers in formal recycling plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate workers' exposure to metals, using biomarkers of exposure in combination with monitoring of personal air exposure. We assessed exposure to 20 potentially toxic metals among 55 recycling workers and 10 office workers at three formal e-waste recycling plants in Sweden. Workers at two of the plants were followed-up after 6 months. We collected the inhalable fraction and OFC (37-mm) fraction of particles, using personal samplers, as well as spot samples of blood and urine. We measured metal concentrations in whole blood, plasma, urine, and air filters using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry following acid digestion. The air sampling indicated greater airborne exposure, 10 to 30 times higher, to most metals among the recycling workers handling e-waste than among the office workers. The exposure biomarkers showed significantly higher concentrations of chromium, cobalt, indium, lead, and mercury in blood, urine, and/or plasma of the recycling workers, compared with the office workers. Concentrations of antimony, indium, lead, mercury, and vanadium showed close to linear associations between the inhalable particle fraction and blood, plasma, or urine. In conclusion, our study of formal waste recycling shows that workers performing recycling tasks are exposed to multiple toxic metals.
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| 8. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Genomgång och strategisk utvärdering av HÄMI-serien ”Cancerframkallande ämnen i tätortsluft”
- 2020
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Institutet för Miljömedicin har av Naturvårdsverket fått i uppdrag att genomföra en strategisk utvärdering av HÄMI-serien ”Cancerframkallande ämnen i tätortsluft”. För att genomföra utvärderingen har vi studerat samtliga mätrapporter som publicerats inom projektet, gjort litteratursökning gällande vetenskapligt publicerade artiklar och grå litteratur, samt genomfört en semi-strukturerad intervju med samtliga utförare inom projektet. Utvärderingen har framförallt fokuserat på: lokalisering och omfattning av ingående städer, antal och urval av individer som ska ingå i studien, kvalitetssäkring av analysmetodik och jämförbarheten av analyser vid olika laboratorier, synligheten av projektet som helhet och en genomgång av möjliga nya ämnen och provtagningsmetoder som skulle kunna ingå. Baserat på detta ges ett fåtal rekommendationer för seriens utveckling och revidering. Våra slutsatser kan sammanfattas som att det finns goda förutsättningar för att synliggöra projektet bättre genom att sammanställa och publicera tidstrendsanalyser och populärvetenskapliga rapporter på NV’s hemsida. Dessutom bör NV överväga vikten av slumpartat urval av tvärsnittsbefolkningen vid rekrytering av deltagare då deltagarfrekvensen systematiskt minskat till ca 30%, alternativt bör man införa viktningsfaktorer så att deltagarnas svar följer den nationella proportionen av befolkningen, vilket är av särskild vikt för rökning. Vidare bör nyttan av upprepade mätningar sättas i förhållande till möjlighet att med dessa resurser utföra pumpad provtagning för black carbon (sot) för att få tidsupplöst information om förbränningspartiklar genererade av trafik, istället för att fortsätta mäta NO2, vilket inom projektet inte visat sig vara den proxy som man önskat för trafikrelaterade luftföroreningar. Inkludering av black carbon medger att en annan viktig faktor för befolkningens hälsa kan mätas, även om den ännu inte är klassad som cancerframkallande av IARC.
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| 9. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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New UK nickel-plated steel coins constitute an increased allergy and eczema risk
- 2013
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 68:6, s. 323-330
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Nickel-plated steel coins have recently been introduced in the United Kingdom. Objectives. To compare the performance and allergy risk of the new nickel-plated coins (five and ten pence) with those of the cupro-nickel coins being replaced. Materials and methods. Coin handling studies with assessment of skin exposure and metal release in artificial sweat were performed. Six volunteers participated. Results. The amount of nickel deposited onto skin during the handling of nickel-plated coins for 1 hr was 7.5 mu g/cm(2), four times higher than that from cupro-nickel coins. The nickel content in the oxidized surface of nickel-plated coins was higher, explaining the higher skin dose. Initial nickel release rates were 10-27 times higher than 1-week rates, emphasizing that brief and repeated contact results in significant nickel exposure. Conclusions. Nickel-plated coins deposit higher levels of nickel onto skin than cupro-nickel coins, and hence pose an increased allergy risk. One-week release in artificial sweat is not suitable for determining the risk of handling items with high nickel release that come into short, repeated contact with the skin. The nickel skin dose is recommended for risk assessment. UK citizens are now, because of this change in coinage, unnecessarily exposed to higher levels of nickel on the skin. This is of public health concern.
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| 10. |
- Julander, Anneli, et al.
(författare)
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Nickel penetration into stratum corneum in FLG null carriers—A human experimental study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Contact Dermatitis. - : Wiley. - 0105-1873 .- 1600-0536. ; 87:2, s. 154-161
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The filaggrin gene (FLG) plays a role in skin diseases, with the skin barrier function being impaired in FLG null carriers. The role of FLG status in relation to nickel penetration into the skin remains unclear. Objectives: To elucidate the association between FLG status and nickel penetration into stratum corneum (SC) in individuals without self-reported history of nickel allergy. Methods: Forty participants (23 FLG wt and 17 FLG null) were exposed to a nickel solution (80 μg/cm2) which was applied onto 2 × 2 cm on their left forearm. After 4 h, the area was tape-stripped with 10 consecutive tapes. Nickel in each tape was quantified using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The average recovered nickel dose was 35%–48%. A tendency towards lower recovery was seen in FLG null carriers compared to FLG wt carriers, and lower recovery in those with history of skin and/or respiratory symptoms compared to those without such history. This was however not statistically significant. Conclusion: FLG null carriers had less nickel recovered by tape strips compared with FLG wt carriers and, compared with individuals without a history of skin and/or respiratory symptoms, indicating higher nickel penetration into SC for FLG null carriers, but further studies are needed.
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