Formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde Exposure in "Non-Traditional" Occupational Sectors: Bakeries and Pastry Producers

INTRODUCTION

Formaldehyde, a colorless and highly irritating substance, causes cancer of the nasopharynx and leukemia. Furthermore, it is one of the environmental mutagens to which humans are most abundantly exposed. Acetaldehyde was recently classified as carcinogen class 1B and mutagen class 2 in Annex VI EC regulation. Occupational exposure to the two aldehydes occurs in a wide variety of occupations and industries. The aim of this study is to deepen exposure to the two aldehydes in the non-traditional productive sectors of bakeries and pastry producers.

METHODS

The evaluation of exposure to formaldehyde and acetaldehyde was conducted in Italy in 2019, in specific tasks and positions of 11 bakeries and pastry producers (115 measures, of which 57.4% were in fixed positions and the rest were personal air sampling). The measurements were performed using Radiello© radial diffusion samplers. A logarithmic transformation of the data was performed, and the correlation between the two substances was calculated. Moreover, linear models considering the log-formaldehyde as the outcome and adjusting for log-acetaldehyde values were used.

RESULTS

The study identified high levels of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde exposure in the monitored workplaces. Higher mean values were observed in the leavening phase (8.39 µg/m³ and 3.39 µg/m³ for log-transformed data acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, respectively). The adjusted univariate analyses show statistically significant factors for formaldehyde as the presence of yeast, the presence of type 1 flour, the use of barley, the use of fats, the type of production, the use of spelt, and the presence of type 0 flour.

CONCLUSIONS

The measurements confirmed the release of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in bakeries and pastry industries, especially in some phases of the work process, such as leavening.

Risk of nasopharyngeal cancer in productive sectors and formaldehyde exposure in bakeries industry

Background

The International Agency for Research on Cancer evaluated formaldehyde (F) as carcinogenic for human in association with Nasopharyngeal Cancer (NPC). Occupational exposure to F occurs in many industrial sectors also in those non-traditional. For example in Tuscany F was detected in a bakery where a NPC case had ever worked.

Methods

In this study a) A case control approach (OCCAM) was used for monitoring occupational risks based on current information sources. Three Italian Regional Operating Centres, collected NPC cases from cancer registries and/or hospital discharge records. Controls were randomly sampled from the regional health service population data. Occupational histories were available through record linkage with the social security pension database (INPS). Study results were reported by industrial sectors, area and gender. b) A specific study on F exposure was conducted in bakeries and pastry industry carrying out measurements to determine the concentration of F in specific tasks and positions.

Results

717 cases linked with INPS database. Increased ORs for several industrial sectors such as iron and steel, wood and plastic were observed. In two regions also health and veterinary services and hairdressers were at increased risk, but based on few cases of exposed workers. In the non traditional sector of bakeries and pastry industries, where workplaces were monitored, high levels of F in personal air samplings were found, in particular in processes that involve a strong leavening.

Conclusions

Many productive sectors, in which F exposure could occurred, were observed to be at higher risk. The measurements performed in the non traditional sector monitored, confirmed the F exposure in some phases of the work process. With this study we contributed to increased knowledge on the risk of NPC within the monitoring system of occupational risks, and to deepen exposure to F in a non traditional productive sector such as bakeries and pastry industries.

Key messages

The epidemiological method used (OCCAM) in this study provides further information on the role of occupational exposure in the development of nasopharyngeal cancer. The measurements performed in the bakeries and pastry industries provide new additional information on the exposure to formaldehyde in some work process phases of a non-traditional productive sector.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Exposure Assessment in a Refractory Brick Production

In a refractory brick manufacturing company a qualitative and quantitative determination of the sources of occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was obtained in order to validate targeted hygiene measurements. The study included the assessment of PAHs contamination of work surfaces by wipe-sampling, cutaneous exposure by hand washing, contamination of personal protective equipments (gloves) by extraction in solvent, and airborne PAHs concentration in atmospheric samples. Biomonitoring was also carried out by measurement of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHPU) in three groups of workers (packaging, production, and controls). The surface contamination sampling was performed in production, packaging, and in other departments (external area) in theory less contaminated by PAHs. Two different areas were identified within the production, one included surfaces that were regularly cleaned (A area) and one included data from non-cleaned surfaces (B area). To confirm the source of exposure, a clear correspondence was observed between the percentage of the single compounds in the binder and those measured in wipes and air samples. As far as the wipes are concerned, the concentrations of phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), and the total PAHs mixture were higher in the B area than the A area of production. The same happened between the A area and the other two departments. According to results of the statistical analysis, these differences were significant. These results were confirmed by the hand washing data and the analysis of PPE. On the other hand, a marked difference does not exist between the packaging department and the external area. In air samples, the differences were much less evident with only higher concentrations of anthracene and total PAHs between production as a whole and the other two departments. Biological monitoring showed 1-OHPU values significantly higher in production workers than in packaging workers. In conclusion, the analysis of the wipes demonstrated that the production B area has a higher surface contamination compared to the production A area and the packaging department. In the absence of a significant difference in air concentrations of PAHs between A and B areas, this is attributable to surfaces not subject to cleaning. Results confirm that the measurement of surface contamination represents a valid tool for the assessment of sources of exposure to PAHs in the workplace.

Determining exhaust fumes exposure in chainsaw operations

The objective of this study was to investigate the inhalation exposure of forest operators to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and total xylenes) contained in the exhaust fumes released from chainsaws and to suggest possible countermeasures. The study was carried out in four silvicultural treatments (coppice clearcut, conifer thinning, conifer pruning, and sanitary cut), using three types of chainsaw fuel (normal two-stroke petrol mix and two alkylate fuels). Eighty personal air samples were collected; IOM samplers combined with Amberlite XAD-2 sorbent tubes were used for collecting PAHs and Radiello^® samplers were used for BTEX. Results indicate that none of the four silvicultural treatments significantly affected the PAHs and BTEX inhalation exposure of forest workers. On the other hand, statistically significant differences were recorded in the inhalation exposure to PAHs and BTEX when using different fuel types. In particular, the inhalation exposure to PAHs and BTEX was generally one order of magnitude lower when using modern alkylate fuels as compared to the traditional oil and lead-free petrol mixture. The small, non-statistically significant differences in inhalation exposure recorded between the two alkylate fuels suggests that the two fuels might be equivalent in terms of quality. Our study indicates that while forest workers are exposed to PAHs and BTEX, the maximum values are generally well below accepted occupational exposure limits.

Efficacy of a topical cosmetic slimming treatment for postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial

AIM

The aim of this paper was to evaluate by clinical and non-invasive instrumental evaluations, the efficacy and the tolerance of a cosmetic slimming treatment for menopausal women used topically (for at least 3 years) under dermatological control.

METHODS

A controlled double blind, randomised study was performed to compare the slimming efficacy of the cosmetic slimming treatment versus placebo after 4 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Cosmetic slimming treatment twice a day for 4 weeks reduced abdomen and hips fat, with no significant variation in body weight in comparison with the placebo.

CONCLUSION

The present study evidenced the clinical effectiveness and women satisfaction of a slimming treatment specifically studies for postmenopausal adipose tissue with potential interesting consequences on measures of quality of life and on health-care programs.

Validity of empirical models of exposure in asphalt paving

AIMS

To investigate the validity of empirical models of exposure to bitumen fume and benzo(a)pyrene, developed for a historical cohort study of asphalt paving in Western Europe.

METHODS

Validity was evaluated using data from the USA, Italy, and Germany not used to develop the original models. Correlation between observed and predicted exposures was examined. Bias and precision were estimated.

RESULTS

Models were imprecise. Furthermore, predicted bitumen fume exposures tended to be lower (-70%) than concentrations found during paving in the USA. This apparent bias might be attributed to differences between Western European and USA paving practices. Evaluation of the validity of the benzo(a)pyrene exposure model revealed a similar to expected effect of re-paving and a larger than expected effect of tar use. Overall, benzo(a)pyrene models underestimated exposures by 51%.

CONCLUSIONS

Possible bias as a result of underestimation of the impact of coal tar on benzo(a)pyrene exposure levels must be explored in sensitivity analysis of the exposure-response relation. Validation of the models, albeit limited, increased our confidence in their applicability to exposure assessment in the historical cohort study of cancer risk among asphalt workers.

Dermal exposure assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: in vitro percutaneous penetration from lubricating oil

OBJECTIVES

Percutaneous penetration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is affected by various factors connected to exposure conditions. The nature of the matrix, such as that of oil, can strongly affect their percutaneous penetration. Risk assessment should consider these effects. We examined the effect of matrix on percutaneous penetration of PAHs, particularly that of lubricating oil.

METHODS

The test apparatus consisted of an in vitro static diffusion cell system using full-thickness monkey (Cercopithecus aetiops) skin as the membrane and saline solution with gentamycin sulfate and 4% bovine serum albumin as receptor fluid. Chemical analysis of PAHs in the samples obtained from cells was carried out by inverse-phase HPCL, and the results were read by spectrofluorimetry.

RESULTS

Comparing the penetration of 13 PAHs from a lubricating oil and from acetone solution with artificial sweat resulted in a significantly slower passage from the oil matrix for acenaphthene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, naphthalene, pyrene, fluorene (Mann-Whitney U test, P < 0.05). No significant differences in the passage were found for chrysene because, in the test with oil, its concentration was very often below the detection limit. For benzo[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene it was possible to demonstrate a passage through the skin only when compounds were applied in acetone solution with artificial sweat.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study suggest the necessity of dermal penetration data relevant for risk assessment, obtained under experimental conditions similar to the real exposure conditions.

[The risk of lead and health conditions of exposed workers in the Siena region]

A number of studies on the health of occupational exposure to lead of workers from various industrial sectors are summarized. These studies document the disappearance of severe cases of saturnism, as seen in the past, and the occurrence nowadays, mainly of sub-clinical manifestations, such as alterations of blood levels of lead and protoporphyrin IX, in the large majority of cases. For the period 1984-95, a statistical analysis of the results obtained for these parameters is reported, together with other clinical data, for seven industrial sectors: crystal, ceramics, chemistry, metallurgy and mechanics, iron and steel, printing and painting. These results show a drop of the mean concentrations of blood lead levels in all sectors but the ceramic industry, especially since 1991, when the law, Decreto Legislativo 277/91--in accomplishment of European directives on protection of workers, including the directive 82/605/EEC--has been put into force.

Prediction of percutaneous absorption from physicochemical data: a model based on data of in vitro experiments

Correlations between in vitro percutaneous absorption data and physicochemical properties of industrial chemicals are evaluated in order to develop predictive mathematical models based on said properties. Percutaneous diffusion of 16 pounds of occupational interest, eight of which were polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (acenaphthene, anthracene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, phenanthrene, fluorene, naphthalene, pyrene), six organophosphorus insecticides (acephate, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, fenitrothion, methamidophos, omethoate) and two phenoxycarboxylic herbicides (2,4-D, MCPA), were tested in vitro using monkey (Cercopithecus aetiops) skin. The test apparatus consisted of nine static diffusion cells with normal saline, gentamycin sulphate and 4% bovine serum albumin as receiving solution. Test compounds were applied at various concentrations in 30 microliters of acetone solution and determined, in the receiving phase, by chemical analysis. Values for ln Kow (octanol/water partition coefficient) were correlated with experimentally determined values of the permeability constant Kp (r = 0.90, P < 0.001) and lag time (r = 0.81, P < 0.01). Analysis of variance in a model of multiple linear regression between Kp, ln Kow and water solubility [water] of the compounds, showed that the data had a highly significant fit (P < 0.0001). A more general model which also included molecular weight (MW) and vapour pressure was evaluated as well, but the two variables made no substantial difference. Multiple regression analysis between lag time, ln Kow and [water] was significant (P < 0.0001), whereas introduction of vapour pressure and MW as independent variables did not significantly improve the predictive effect on lag time. Our experimental system, therefore, enables the values of Kp and lag time to be predicted with reasonable precision on the basis of ln Kow and [water] values, using the algorithm derived from the multiple linear regression equation.

[Non-bioavailability of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contained in coal dust]

The aim of the study was to ascertain whether polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) especially 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene, could be eluted from coal dust that comes into contact with biological fluids or crosses the skin barrier. A fine-grained coal dust with known PAH content was placed into contact with homogenized pig lung or human gastric juices, and also applied to monkey skin, using the cutaneous window method. The results demonstrate that, in the in vitro systems used, PAHs contained in coal dust are not eluted by lung homogenate or gastric juices, nor are they capable of crossing the skin barrier. These results justify and support the interpretation given to the results of experimental carcinogenicity studies on coal dust which never succeeded in demonstrating a higher incidence of cancer, particularly lung cancer, in treated animals.

Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as a marker of exposure to pyrene: an epidemiological survey on a general population group

Urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene in a general adult population group are studied. Experimental data are not normally distributed; statistical analysis required a base 10 logarithmic transformation of data. The concentrations of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene measured were expressed as microgram g-1 urinary creatinine and are comparable with those reported by other authors, both for smoker and non-smoker subgroups. Multiple regression analysis shows that, for smokers, the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the body mass index (BMI) significantly influence the levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene expressed as microgram g-1 urinary creatinine, whereas no personal or behavioural variable (age, sex, alcohol consumption, dietary intake of pyrene, BMI) modified the 1-hydroxypyrene levels for non-smokers.

[Percutaneous absorption of phenanthrene: an in vitro study of the monkey skin]

It is well known that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are absorbed through the skin of experimental animals and humans. However dermal uptake of PAHs is difficult to assess due to the lack of specific studies. The aim of this study was to obtain in vitro percutaneous absorption data for phenanthrene. In vitro penetration was measured with excised monkey (Cercopithecus Aethiops) skin in Franz diffusion cells, using a saline solution with 4% bovine serum albumin and gentamicin sulfate as receptor fluid. In two different groups of 7 and 2 cells, 38.1 and 95.3 nmol/cm2 respectively of phenanthrene were applied in an acetone vehicle. The absorption rate in the first group of 7 cells was 0.025 nmol/cm2/h (S.D. = 0.012), the lag time 11.7 (S.D. = 7.0) h and the breakthrough time 70 m (S.D. = 55 m). In the second group of 2 cells, the average absorption rate was 0.066 nmol/cm2/h and the average lag time 11.8 h. The percutaneous absorption at 24, 48 and 72 hours in the 7 cell group was 0.72% (S.D. = 0.52), 2.51% (S.D. = 1.76) and 3.9% (S.D. = 2.0) of the applied dose respectively. In the 2-cell group 1.1%, 2.78% and 4.5% of the applied dose was absorbed at 24, 48 and 72 hours. The results of the present study confirm the extent of percutaneous absorption of phenanthrene. The data can be compared with dermal absorption values of other PAHs obtained under the same experimental conditions.

[Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene in full-term pregnant women and their newborn babies as an index of biological exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons]

"Trans-placental" exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in newborn babies of mothers smoking during pregnancy was investigated and compared with that in newborn babies of non smoking mothers. PAHs intake was evaluated by measuring urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, a pyrene metabolita and a biological index of exposure. 42 mothers-babies couples (31 smoking and 11 non smoking mothers) were examined. Urinary concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene in 42 controls, 18 non smoking and 24 smoking women, were determined at the same time. Mean values of 1-hydroxypyrene in non smoking women in labour and their babies were 0.15 (SD 0.11) and 0.15 (SD 0.10) micrograms/g creatinine respectively. In controls the mean was 0.15 (SD 0.09) micrograms/g creat. Mean values of 0.23 (SD 0.17) and 0.20 (SD 0.15) micrograms/g creatinine were determined in smoking mothers and their newborn babies, whereas in smoking controls 1-hydroxypyrene was 0.42 (SD 0.45) micrograms/g creatinine. The highest levels of 1-hydroxypyrene were detected in smokers (both controls and women in labour). Babies of smoking mothers also showed a higher mean value of 1-hydroxypyrene than babies of non smokers. However the only statistically significant difference found was between smoking and non smoking controls.

Environmental and biological monitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coke plants and other workplaces

The authors report the results obtained from environmental and biological monitoring of PAHs at different workplaces. Pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene were chosen as indicators of PAHs pollution and their concentrations were determined in the working environments. Two urinary metabolites of these hydrocarbons: 1-hydroxypyrene and 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene, were also studied. PAHs exposure was studied at the following workplaces: a coke plant, a pyrite mine, a railway tunnel and several earthenware factories. The results obtained at the coke plant showed pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene levels (area samplings) at the battery top in the range 1.42-26.57 micrograms/m3 and 0.39-12.85 micrograms/m3 respectively. At the other workplaces lower concentrations of these two compounds were recorded. In the exposed workers, the trend of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels was similar to the results of environmental monitoring. The geometric mean of 1-hydroxypyrene concentrations in the urine of coke plant workers was 5.76 micrograms/g creatinine, whereas in the other exposed subjects no geometric mean values higher than 0.60 microgram/g creatinine were obtained. In the case of occupational exposure to low pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene concentrations (pyrite mine, railway tunnel, earthenware factories) the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels were similar to those observed in respectively smoking and non-smoking referents.

Thin-layer chromatography and densitometry in drug assay: comparison of methods for monitoring valproic acid in plasma

A thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method is described for the assay of the anti-epileptic drug, valproic acid, in plasma. The use of high-performance (HPTLC) plates gave sensitive detection limits (4.87 micrograms ml-1) for derivatives of valproic acid and the reproducibility on the same or different plates was good. Comparison with high-performance liquid chromatography showed a similar performance of plate and column.

Interaction between nerve growth factor and GM1 monosialoganglioside in preventing cortical choline acetyltransferase and high affinity choline uptake decrease after lesion of the nucleus basalis

Monosialoganglioside GM1 and nerve growth factor (NGF) were administered alone or concomitantly to adult male rats with a unilateral ibotenic acid lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). High-affinity choline uptake (HACU) rate and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity were measured, 4 and 21 days after surgery, respectively, in the frontal and parietal cortices of both hemispheres. A 33-34% decrease in HACU rate and a 43-39% decrease in ChAT activity was found in the ipsilateral cortices 4 and 21 days, respectively, after the lesion. If the lesioned rats received NGF (10 micrograms i.c.v.) twice a week or daily administrations of GM1 (30 mg/kg, i.p.), beginning immediately after surgery the decrease in HACU rate and ChAT activity was smaller. If NGF and GM1 were given concomitantly no decrease in HACU rate and ChAT activity was detected in the lesioned hemisphere and a slight increase occurred in the contralateral hemisphere. However, after the concurrent administration of NGF (10 micrograms i.c.v.) and the inactive dose of GM1 10 mg/kg i.p. no decrease in HACU and ChAT activity was also found in the lesioned rats. The latter finding indicates a potentiation by GM1 of NGF effects on the cholinergic neurons of the NBM. The two drugs may either antagonize the neurotoxic effects of ibotenic acid or stimulate a compensatory activity in the remaining neurons.