Levels of metals and organic substances in blood and urine of workers at a new hazardous waste incinerator

Abstract

The present results should be useful in future surveys in which internal exposure of the HWI workers will be determined.

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

“…The extraction and the clean up procedures, as well as the analytical determination (HRGC/ HRMS) were carried out as previously reported (Domingo et al 2001;Mari et al 2007). Results were expressed according to the international NATO/CCMS system.…”

“…The aim of the present study was to determine, after approximately 8 years of regular operations in the HWI, the concentrations of metals and organic substances in blood and urine samples of the HWI workers. In order to assess which was the temporal trend of these pollutants in the workers, the results of the present study have been compared with those of the baseline survey (Domingo et al 2001) and also with those of two previous studies (2000 and 2005) (Schuhmacher et al 2002b;Mari et al 2007). …”

“…It is also useful to evaluate the temporal changes in individuals occupationally exposed to a deWned pollutant. Since the baseline data were obtained (Domingo et al 2001), we have annually measured in the workers of the HWI the concentrations of metals and the organic substances also measured in the baseline survey (Schuhmacher et al 2002b;Agramunt et al 2003Agramunt et al , 2004Mari et al 2007). The aim of the present study was to determine, after approximately 8 years of regular operations in the HWI, the concentrations of metals and organic substances in blood and urine samples of the HWI workers.…”

“…Therefore, the surveillance program also included the assessment of internal exposure of the HWI workers to metals, PCDD/Fs and PCBs. During the period of construction of the facility, baseline levels of these pollutants were determined in the future workers of the HWI (Domingo et al 2001). In occupational medicine, biological monitoring is an important tool to assess the levels of exposure to potentially harmful substances taken up from the occupational environment (Angerer et al 1992;Hardt and Angerer 2003;Bolt and Thier 2006).…”

Urinary metal and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon biomarkers in boilermakers exposed to metal fume and residual oil fly ash

“…Previous occupational studies have determined urinary levels of vanadium, chromium, nickel, and other metals in exposed workers [White et al, 1987;Hauser et al, 1998;Lucchini et al, 1999;Domingo et al, 2001]. As with other urinary biomarkers, metal exposure using urine samples includes all possible routes of exposure and provides an assessment of biological absorbed dose.…”