Comparison between exhaled breath condensate analysis as a marker for cobalt and tungsten exposure and biomonitoring in workers of a hard metal alloy processing plant

Abstract

According to our study, urinary concentrations of Co and W seem to be more reliable indicators of current workplace exposure than EBC concentrations. As far as new methods and exposure matrices for valid concentration measurements in respiratory organs and possible hazardous effects--especially of cobalt--in the lung are concerned, the present results are less clear-cut, and further research is required.

Use of exhaled breath condensate to investigate occupational lung diseases

“…In another recently published article, Broding et al [8] examined workers at a hard metal processing plant and confirmed that cobalt and tungsten are detectable in EBC but, unlike Goldoni et al [5], found no correlation between EBC and urinary concentrations. The results showed that urinary (but not EBC) cobalt and tungsten levels significantly correlated with the presence and intensity of occupational exposure; furthermore, EBC cobalt levels did not significantly correlate with demographic data, respiratory diseases, lung functional tests or smoking status.…”

Biological effect markers in exhaled breath condensate and biomonitoring in welders: impact of smoking and protection equipment

“…Various studies indicate that the analysis of markers of inXammation, nitrosative and oxidative stress in exhaled breath condensate samples (EBC) (Balint et al 2001; Barregard et al 2008;Boyce et al 2006;Broding et al 2009;Caglieri et al 2006;Horváth et al 2005;Kharitonov and Barnes 2001;Romieu et al 2008) may be a promising tool for the non-invasive assessment of inXammatory reactions in the lungs due to exposure to environmental and occupational pollutants. In this study, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was used to investigate the eVect of welding on biological eVect markers.…”

Origin of Exhaled Breath Particles from Healthy and Human Rhinovirus-Infected Subjects

“…(6) Recently, another study found that exhaled particle concentrations increased 4-to 18-fold when inhaling deeply and rapidly after a deep exhalation, hypothesizing that the opening of airways and alveoli blocked by fluid during inhalation is a significant source of particles. (13) Identifying the origin of these particles is important when interpreting studies of exhaled breath biomarkers, including cytokines, (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) metals, (20)(21)(22) and pathogens such as viruses (9,23) and bacteria. (24) This report describes a study of exhaled particles in the setting of human rhinovirus (HRV) experimental infection, and includes adjacent experiments on the effect of breathing maneuvers on exhaled particle number and size distribution in healthy subjects.…”