Levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, symptoms and immunologic markers in vulcanization workers in the southern Sweden rubber industries

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to determine urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) levels in contemporary Swedish vulcanization workers and in controls. These levels were used as an index substance for vulcanization fumes, as well as a biomarker for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The risk of symptoms and changed levels of immunologic markers were investigated in relation to the 1-HP levels.Methods Included in the study were 163 exposed workers and 106 controls. Medical and occupational histories were obtained by structured interviews. Symptoms were recorded and immunologic markers analysed in blood by routine analysis methods. Levels of 1-HP were determined by liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection.Results The highest levels of 1-HP were found among exposed workers using injection and compression vulcanization, and lower levels were found among exposed workers vulcanizing with salt bath, hot air, microwaves or fluid-bed. Compared to controls, exposed workers had increased risks of eye symptoms, nosebleeds, burning and dry throat, hoarseness, severe dry cough, nausea and headache. Furthermore, exposed workers had elevated levels of neutrophils and total IgG (immunoglobulin subclass G). However, only for severe dry cough an evident exposure-response relationship with urinary 1-HP levels was found.Conclusions This work clearly shows increased levels of urinary 1-HP in Swedish vulcanization workers. Furthermore, it demonstrates an increased risk of several symptoms and elevated levels of some immunologic markers in these workers. However, no obvious exposure-response relationships were found.

Non‐malignant respiratory disease among workers in the rubber manufacturing industry: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Table summarizes 32 articles describing 30 cross‐sectional studies evaluating the presence of respiratory symptoms and NMRD among workers exposed to rubber manufacturing emisssions . Occupational cohorts ( n = 10 896 workers in total) across studies varied from 34 to 1820 workers, and included facilities from the United States ( n = 14), Sweden (6), India (3), Iran (3), Italy (1), Netherlands (1), Poland (1), and Turkey (1).…”

Levels of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator: a follow-up study

“…The current CLP concentrations were similar (2,4-DCP and 2,4,5-TCP) or lower (2,4,5-TCP and PCP) than the baseline CLP levels and the concentrations found in the 2000 and 2005 surveys (Domingo et al 2001;Mari et al 2007). On the other hand, 1-HP is a metabolite of pyrene that has been shown to be a good indicator of occupational exposure to PAHs (Brzesnicki et al 1997;Jönsson et al 2008). An important source of PAHs is the burning or pyrolysis of organic material at the workplace (Jongeneelen 2001).…”

N–nitrosamines are associated with shorter telomere length

“…The measured exposure levels and workers' biomarker levels, across different jobs and factories, have been published before for this study population [N-nitrosamines (29), 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) (30), and 2-thiothiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) (31)]. The exposure estimates were for N-nitrosamines, based on one air measurement per individual (N=60), and for the biomarkers in urine from one urinary sample per individual (N=157).…”