143 Urinary Metals Exposure and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Nanotechnology Workers: Results from the Nanoexplore Project

In: Annals of work exposures and health: addressing the cause and control of work-related illness and injury, Volume 67, Issue Supplement_1, p. i72-i73

Abstract

Abstract
Exposure to metal oxides nanomaterials (NMs) might trigger adverse health effects. NMs can generate Oxidative Stress (OS), causing redox effects detectable in urine through suitable biomarkers. We evaluated the cross-sectional association of urinary OS biomarkers with urinary metal concentrations, using data collected in the multicenter international study NanoExplore. One hundred forty-one workers were recruited at three R&D and four industrial facilities employing NMs in different processes (paints/coating[PC];construction chemicals[CC]). Only 129 workers had complete data and, based on the personal work-shift exposure to NMs, they were classified as unexposed workers (n=41), workers with negligible/low exposure (n=37), and with moderate/high exposure (n=51). OS biomarkers (IsoP,MDA,TAP) and metals (27Al,47Ti,52Cr,118Sn) were quantified in urine samples collected before and after exposure monitoring campaign (2-4 work-shifts). Between-group comparisons were performed with non-parametric tests according to the data distribution. Highly exposed workers had significantly higher pro-oxidant (IsoP and MDA,p<0.005) and antioxidant (TAP,p<0.05) biomarkers concentrations. 47Ti,118Sn and 29Si were significantly higher in CC workers (p<0.005). IsoP and TAP were positively associated with 29Si (both p<0.001), 47Ti (p=0.036,p=0.003), 52Cr (p=0.048,p=0.003) and 118Sn (p=0.047,p=0.022). The ongoing analyses will assess the potential mediation role of OS and metal biomarkers. Occupational exposure to NMs can represent an underestimated hazard for people handling NMs products, increasing OS and potentially beginning pathological processes. Although the health significance of such findings needs to be further elucidated, the assessment of metals in urine may represent a useful tool for estimating the body burden of NMs long-term exposure.