| 1. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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Hexavalent chromium still a concern in Sweden : Evidence from a cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project
- 2024
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Ingår i: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 256
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesHexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.MethodsThis cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk and evaluate occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance.ResultsThe exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, plating, and various chemical processes. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3 (95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.21). Eight of the 113 exposed workers (7%) exceeded the Swedish OEL of 5 μg/m3, and the Bayesian analysis estimated the share of OEL exceedances up to 19.6% for stainless steel welders. Median post-shift urinary (0.60 μg/L, 5th-95th percentile 0.10–3.20) and RBC concentrations (0.73 μg/L, 0.51–2.33) of Cr were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the controls (urinary 0.10 μg/L, 0.06–0.56 and RBC 0.53 μg/L, 0.42–0.72). Inhalable Cr(VI) correlated with urinary Cr (rS = 0.64) and RBC-Cr (rS = 0.53). Workers within steel production showed the highest concentrations of inhalable, urinary and RBC Cr. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urinary and RBC Cr concentrations compared with those with inferred acceptable ventilation. Furthermore, workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of Cr(VI) in air and had higher levels of Cr in urine and RBC than those assessed with incorrect or no use. Based on the Swedish job-exposure-matrix, approximately 17 900 workers were estimated to be occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). Employers and workers seem aware of Cr(VI) exposure, but more efficient exposure control strategies are required. National strategies aligned with the European strategies are needed in order to eliminate this cause of occupational cancer.
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| 2. |
- Jiang, Zheshun, et al.
(författare)
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P-205 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY SHOWS THAT HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IS STILL A CONCERN IN SWEDEN
- 2024
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Ingår i: Occupational Medicine. - 0962-7480. ; 74:Suppl 1, s. 291-292
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr were significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urine- and RBC-Cr than those with acceptable ventilation. Workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection had higher inhalable Cr(VI), and, paradoxically, higher urine- and RBC-Cr concentrations than workers with incorrect use. We estimate that ~17 900 Swedish workers are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.Our study showed that although most air measurements were relatively low, 7\ and particularly stainless steel workers are at risk for exceeding the OEL. The existing protective measures implemented at workplaces are still inadequate and insufficient.Some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). National strategies aligned with European strategies are needed to eliminate occupational cancer.
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| 3. |
- Broberg, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of 92 cardiovascular proteins in dried blood spots collected under field-conditions : Off-the-shelf affinity-based multiplexed assays work well, allowing for simplified sample collection
- 2021
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Ingår i: BioEssays. - : Wiley. - 0265-9247 .- 1521-1878. ; 43:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Workplace-collected blood spots deposited on filter paper were analysed with multiplexed affinity-based protein assays and found to be suitable for proteomics analysis. The protein extension assay (PEA) was used to characterize 92 proteins using 1.2 mm punches in repeated samples collected from 20 workers. Overall, 97.8% of the samples and 91.3% of the analysed proteins passed quality control. Both within and between spot correlations using six replicates from the same individual were above 0.99, suggesting that comparable levels are obtained from multiple punches from the same spot and from consecutive spots. Protein levels from dried blood and wet serum from the same individuals were compared and the majority of the analysed proteins were found to be significantly correlated. These results open up for simplified sample collection of blood in field conditions for proteomic analysis, but also highlight that not all proteins can be robustly measured from dried whole blood.
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| 4. |
- Broberg, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Metodutveckling för blodprovstagning på filterpapper
- 2022
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Blodprov för metallanalyser tas vanligtvis via prov av venblod från armvecket. Detta är dock eninvasiv metod och provtagningen måste utföras av medicinskt utbildad personal. Ett sätt att erhållablod med en mindre invasiv metod och som ger betydligt mindre blodvolym är att genom ett stick ifingret droppa kapillärblod på ett filterpapper som får torka. Ytterligare fördelar med dennaprovtagningsmetod är att det blir möjligt med ”självprovtagning” och att för en mindre kostnad kanblod samlas in från fler personer.Vi genomförde ett utvecklingsprojekt för att ta fram en metod för att samla in och mäta metallernakadmium, kvicksilver och bly i torkat blod (blodspottar på filterpapper) erhållet via självprovtagninggenom stick i fingret.Vi tog fram en sur tvättmetod för att tvätta bort metaller (bakgrundshalter) i filterpapper innan dekan användas för provtagning. Vi utvecklade en enkel men effektiv alkalisk urlakningsmetod avmetaller i blodspottarna. Vi tog fram ett självprovtagningskit för blodspottar samt instruktionsvideodesignat för att minimera kontaminering av metaller i omgivningsmiljön. Vi jämfördevenblodsprovtagning med självprovstagning för 17 försökspersoner och fann överensstämmelseframförallt för bly. Vi gjorde en inter-laboratoriejämförelse för mätning av metaller i blodspottar frånfem personer och fann överensstämmelse för kvicksilver och bly.Studien visar att det är möjligt att mäta toxiska metaller i små volymer från blodspottar erhållna viasjälvprovtagning. Emellertid skilde sig halterna i venblod och i blodspottar för vissa personer ochframförallt för kadmium. Det beror troligen på att blodspottarna kan kontamineras vid utstansningmed de stansverktyg som finns att köpa på marknaden. Ytterligare metodutveckling via framtagningav adekvat stansverktyg rekommenderas för att kunna mäta kadmium i blodspottar samt att däreftertesta metoden i HÄMI-projekt.
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| 5. |
- Gliga, Anda R., et al.
(författare)
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Exposure to Mild Steel Welding and Changes in Serum Proteins With Putative Neurological Function—A Longitudinal Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-2565. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Welders are exposed to high levels of metal particles, consisting mainly of iron and manganese (Mn) oxide. Metal particles, especially those containing Mn can be neurotoxic. In this exploratory study, we evaluated associations between welding and expression of 87 putative neurology-related proteins in serum in a longitudinal approach. The study cohort from southern Sweden included welders working with mild steel (n = 56) and controls (n = 67), all male and non-smoking, which were sampled at two timepoints (T1, T2) 6-year apart. Observed associations in the longitudinal analysis (linear mixed models) were further evaluated (linear regression models) in another cross-sectional sample which included welders (n = 102) and controls (n = 89) who were sampled only once (T1 or T2). The median respirable dust levels for welders after adjusting for respiratory protection was at T1 0.6 (5–95 percentile: 0.2–4.2) and at T2 0.5 (0.1–1.8) mg/m3. The adjusted median respirable Mn concentration was at T2 0.049 mg/m3 (0.003–0.314) with a Spearman correlation between adjusted respirable dust and respirable Mn of rS = 0.88. We identified five neurology-related proteins that were differentially expressed in welders vs. controls in the longitudinal sample, of which one (nicotinamide/nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 1; NMNAT1) was also differentially expressed in the cross-sectional sample. NMNAT1, an axon-protective protein linked to Alzheimers disease, was upregulated in welders compared with controls but no associations were discerned with degree of exposure (welders only: years welding, respirable dust, cumulative exposure). However, we identified five additional proteins that were associated with years welding (GCSF, EFNA4, CTSS, CLM6, VWC2; welders only) both in the longitudinal and in the cross-sectional samples. We also observed several neurology-related proteins that were associated with age and BMI. Our study indicates that low-to-moderate exposure to welding fumes is associated with changes in circulating levels of neurology-related proteins.
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| 6. |
- Gren, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Lung function and self-rated symptoms in healthy volunteers after exposure to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) exhaust with and without particles
- 2022
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Ingår i: Particle and Fibre Toxicology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1743-8977. ; 19:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Diesel engine exhaust causes adverse health effects. Meanwhile, the impact of renewable diesel exhaust, such as hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), on human health is less known. Nineteen healthy volunteers were exposed to HVO exhaust for 3 h in a chamber with a double-blind, randomized setup. Exposure scenarios comprised of HVO exhaust from two modern non-road vehicles with 1) no aftertreatment system ('HVOPM+NOx' PM1: 93 mu g-m(-3), EC: 54 mu g-m(-3), NO: 3.4 ppm, -NO2: 0.6 ppm), 2) an aftertreatment system containing a diesel oxidation catalyst and a diesel particulate filter ('HVONOx' PM1: similar to 1 mu g-m(-3), NO: 2.0 ppm, -NO2: 0.7 ppm) and 3) filtered air (FA) as control. The exposure concentrations were in line with current EU occupational exposure limits (OELs) of NO, -NO2, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the future OEL (2023) of elemental carbon (EC). The effect on nasal patency, pulmonary function, and self-rated symptoms were assessed. Calculated predicted lung deposition of HVO exhaust particles was compared to data from an earlier diesel exhaust study. Results: The average total respiratory tract deposition of PM1 during -HVO(PM+ NO)x was 27 mu g-h(-1). The estimated deposition fraction of HVO PM1 was 40-50% higher compared to diesel exhaust PM1 from an older vehicle (earlier study), due to smaller particle sizes of the -HVOPM+ NOx exhaust. Compared to FA, exposure to -HVOPM+ NOx and -HVONOx caused higher incidence of self-reported symptoms (78%, 63%, respectively, vs. 28% for FA, p < 0.03). Especially, exposure to -HVOPM+ NOx showed 40-50% higher eye and throat irritation symptoms. Compared to FA, a decrement in nasal patency was found for the -HVONOx exposures (- 18.1, 95% CI: - 27.3 to - 8.8 L-min(-1), p < 0.001), and for the -HVOPM+ NOx (- 7.4 (- 15.6 to 0.8) L -min(-1), p = 0.08). Overall, no clinically significant change was indicated in the pulmonary function tests (spirometry, peak expiratory flow, forced oscillation technique). Conclusion: Short-term exposure to HVO exhaust concentrations corresponding to EU OELs for one workday did not cause adverse pulmonary function changes in healthy subjects. However, an increase in self-rated mild irritation symptoms, and mild decrease in nasal patency after both HVO exposures, may indicate irritative effects from exposure to HVO exhaust from modern non-road vehicles, with and without aftertreatment systems.
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| 7. |
- Gren, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Underground emissions and miners' personal exposure to diesel and renewable diesel exhaust in a Swedish iron ore mine
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1246 .- 0340-0131.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PURPOSE: Underground diesel exhaust exposure is an occupational health risk. It is not known how recent intensified emission legislation and use of renewable fuels have reduced or altered occupational exposures. We characterized these effects on multipollutant personal exposure to diesel exhaust and underground ambient air concentrations in an underground iron ore mine.METHODS: Full-shift personal sampling (12 workers) of elemental carbon (EC), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and equivalent black carbon (eBC) was performed. The study used and validated eBC as an online proxy for occupational exposure to EC. Ambient air sampling of these pollutants and particle number size distribution and concentration were performed in the vicinity of the workers. Urine samples (27 workers) were collected after 8 h exposure and analyzed for PAH metabolites and effect biomarkers (8-oxodG for DNA oxidative damage, 4-HNE-MA for lipid peroxidation, 3-HPMA for acrolein).RESULTS: The personal exposures (geometric mean; GM) of the participating miners were 7 µg EC m-3 and 153 µg NO2 m-3, which are below the EU occupational exposure limits. However, exposures up to 94 µg EC m-3 and 1200 µg NO2 m-3 were observed. There was a tendency that the operators of vehicles complying with sharpened emission legislation had lower exposure of EC. eBC and NO2 correlated with EC, R = 0.94 and R = 0.66, respectively. No correlation was found between EC and the sum of 16 priority PAHs (GM 1790 ng m-3). Ratios between personal exposures and ambient concentrations were similar and close to 1 for EC and NO2, but significantly higher for PAHs. Semi-volatile PAHs may not be effectively reduced by the aftertreatment systems, and ambient area sampling did not predict the personal airborne PAHs exposure well, neither did the slightly elevated concentration of urinary PAH metabolites correlate with airborne PAH exposure.CONCLUSION: Miners' exposures to EC and NO2 were lower than those in older studies indicating the effect of sharpened emission legislation and new technologies. Using modern vehicles with diesel particulate filter (DPF) may have contributed to the lower ambient underground PM concentration and exposures. The semi-volatile behavior of the PAHs might have led to inefficient removal in the engines aftertreatment systems and delayed removal by the workplace ventilation system due to partitioning to indoor surfaces. The results indicate that secondary emissions can be an important source of gaseous PAH exposure in the mine.
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| 8. |
- 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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| 9. |
- Kippler, Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Biomonitorering av kadmium i urin hos svenska och utländska kvinnor
- 2020
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Exponering för låga halter av kadmium (Cd) via kosten kan ge upphov till benskörhet samt hjärtkärlsjukdom. Kvinnor utgör en riskgrupp. På uppdrag av Naturvårdsverket har vi genomfört en studie med syfte att kartlägga Cd-nivåer i urin hos medelålders kvinnor i Sverige. Vi rekryterade svenska medelålders (50–59 år) kvinnor boende i olika delar av Sverige samt utlandsfödda kvinnor (50–59 år), ffa från Östafrika och från Mellanöstern och boende i södra Sverige. Ingen kvinna hade rökt >10 cigaretter/år de senaste 25 åren. Kvinnorna lämnade biologiska prover och besvarade en enkät med frågor om kost, sjukdom och livsstil. Medianhalten av Cd i urin (U-Cd) bland svenska kvinnor (n=192; medelålder 55 år) var 0,24 μg/g kreatinin (spridning 0,05–7,4), vilket är jämförbart med tidigare mätningar i samma åldersgrupp i Sverige. Medianhalten av U-Cd bland utlandsfödda kvinnor (n=43, medelålder 56 år) var 0,41 μg/g kreatinin (0,15–2,7). Tre svenska kvinnor (1,6%) hade U-Cd >1 μg/g kreatinin, där negativa effekter på njure och skelett påvisats i gruppundersökningar. Motsvarande hos utlandsfödda kvinnor var 7%. Vi fann enbart samband mellan kost och U-Cd hos svenska kvinnor: källa till dricksvatten hade störst betydelse följt av köttkonsumtion. Resultaten tyder på att vissa grupper av utlandsfödda kvinnor har högre U-Cd än svenska kvinnor i samma åldersgrupp och därmed en högre risk för Cd-relaterad sjukdom. Denna grupp av kvinnor bör ingå i den hälsorelaterade miljöövervakningen för Cd och följas upp över tid.
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| 10. |
- Krais, Annette M., et al.
(författare)
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Biomarkers after Controlled Inhalation Exposure to Exhaust from Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO)
- 2021
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 18:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) is a renewable diesel fuel used to replace petroleum diesel. The organic compounds in HVO are poorly characterized; therefore, toxicological properties could be different from petroleum diesel exhaust. The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure and effective biomarkers in 18 individuals after short-term (3 h) exposure to HVO exhaust and petroleum diesel exhaust fumes. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze urinary biomarkers. A proximity extension assay was used for the measurement of inflammatory proteins in plasma samples. Short-term (3 h) exposure to HVO exhaust (PM1 ~1 µg/m3 and ~90 µg/m3 for vehicles with and without exhaust aftertreatment systems, respectively) did not increase any exposure biomarker, whereas petroleum diesel exhaust (PM1 ~300 µg/m3 ) increased urinary 4-MHA, a biomarker for p-xylene. HVO exhaust from the vehicle without exhaust aftertreatment system increased urinary 4-HNE-MA, a biomarker for lipid peroxidation, from 64 ng/mL urine (before exposure) to 141 ng/mL (24 h after exposure, p < 0.001). There was no differential expression of plasma inflammatory proteins between the HVO exhaust and control exposure group. In conclusion, short-term exposure to low concentrations of HVO exhaust did not increase urinary exposure biomarkers, but caused a slight increase in lipid peroxidation associated with the particle fraction.
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