Importance of size-selective particle measuring for assessing occupational exposures: a case study “from field to fork”

Sampling the total air concentration of particulate matter (PM) only provides a basic estimate of exposure that normally not allows correlating with the observed health effects. Therefore is of great importance to recognize the particles size distribution and, particularly, the exposure to fine particles (≤ 2.5 μm). This particles dimension corresponds to the respirable fraction, the one that can implicate local and systemic effects due to particle deposition and clearance from the lungs and transport within the organism. This study intended to describe occupational exposure to PM2.5 in three units related with swine production and consumption, namely: feed production, swine production and swine slaughterhouse. A size-selective particle measuring in five to six workplaces of each unit was performed. Measurements of PM were done using a portable direct-reading hand-held equipment (Lighthouse, model 3016 IAQ). Data showed slaughterhouse unit with higher values, with values ranging from 0.030 to 0.142 mg/m3 (0.073 + 0.043), being the cutting room the workplace with higher values. In feed production unit, values were between 0.026 and 0.033 mg/m3 (0.028 + 0.003) with the warehouse of pharmacy products as the workplace with higher values. Finally, in swine unit values ranged from 0.006 to 0.048 mg/m3 (0.023 + 0.017) with the batteries area presenting the higher values. PM can be rich in fungi and bacteria and their metabolites, such as endotoxins and mycotoxins. Previous publications already showed high contamination in these occupational settings and particles can have an important role in exposure since can easily act as carrier of these agents. Data acquired allow not only a better prediction of particle penetration into respiratory regions of the respiratory tract, but also a better estimation of PM health effects. Moreover, data permit to identify the workplaces where investment should be made to prevent and reduce exposure.

BPA occupational exposure assessment in Europe: a scientific gap

Bisphenol A (BPA), 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane one is of the greatest volume industrial chemicals utilized in the world with increased production every year. Environmental exposure to this xenoestrogen is considered a generalized phenomenon with a Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of4 µg/kg body weight/day established by the European Food Safety Authority. Several studies have focused in estimate human daily intake and potential associated health effects of environmental exposures, however despite of the massive BPA production and consumption in European countries, with policarbonate and epoxy resins as the major applications, occupational exposure to BPA have been overlooked and considered safe by the European authorities.

Occupational exposure to particulate matter and respiratory symptoms in Portuguese swine barn workers

Certain environmental conditions in animal and plant production have been associated with increased frequency in respiratory illnesses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis, in farmers occupationally exposed in swine production. The aim of this study was to characterize particulate matter (PM) contamination in seven Portuguese swine farms and determine the existence of clinical symptoms associated with asthma and other allergy diseases, utilizing the European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaire. Environmental assessments were performed with portable direct-reading equipment, and PM contamination including five different sizes (PM0.5, PM1.0, PM2.5, PM5.0, PM10) was determined. The distribution of particle size showed the same trend in all swine farms, with high concentrations of particles with PM5 and PM10. Results from the questionnaire indicated a trend such that subjects with diagnosis of asthma were exposed to higher concentrations of PM with larger size (PM2.5, PM5, and PM10) while subjects with sneezing, runny nose, or stuffy nose without a cold or flu were exposed to higher concentrations of PM with smaller size (PM0.5 and PM1). Data indicate that inhalation of PM in swine farm workers is associated with increased frequency of respiratory illnesses.

Horse stable environment: what to expect regarding fungi and particles occupational exposure?

The simultaneous presence of fungi and particles in horse stable environment can create a singular exposure condition because particles have been reported has a good carrier for microorganisms and their metabolites. This study intends to characterize this setting and to recognize fungi and particles occupational exposure.

Occupational exposure to aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A: co-exposure in swine production

The most common scenario in occupational settings is the co-exposure to several risk factors. This aspect has to be considered in the risk assessment process because can alter the toxicity and the health effects when dealing with a co-exposure to two or more chemical agents. A study was developed aiming to elucidate if there is occupational co-exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin (OTA) in Portuguese swine production. To assess occupational exposure to both mycotoxins, a biomarker of internal dose was used. The same blood samples from workers of seven swine farms and controls were consider to measure AFB1 and OTA. Twenty one workers (75%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to 8.94 ng/ml and with significantly higher concentration when compared with controls. In the case of OTA, there wasn't found a statistical difference between workers and controls and the values for workers group ranged from 0.34 ng/ml to 3.12 ng/ml and 1.76 ng/ml to 3.42 ng/ml for control group. The results suggest that occupational exposure to AFB1 occurs. However, in the case of OTA results, seems that food consumption plays an important role in both groups exposure. The results claim attention for the possible implications on health of this co-exposure.