Markers of Oxidative Stress in the Exhaled Breath Condensate of Workers Handling Nanocomposites
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Date
2019-08-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Researchers in nanocomposite processing may inhale a variety of chemical agents,
including nanoparticles. This study investigated airway oxidative stress status in the exhaled
breath condensate (EBC). Nineteen employees (42.4 ± 11.4 y/o), working in nanocomposites research
for 18.0 ± 10.3 years were examined pre-shift and post-shift on a random workday, together with
nineteen controls (45.5 ± 11.7 y/o). Panels of oxidative stress biomarkers derived from lipids, nucleic
acids, and proteins were analyzed in the EBC. Aerosol exposures were monitored during three
major nanoparticle generation operations: smelting and welding (workshop 1) and nanocomposite
machining (workshop 2) using a suite of real-time and integrated instruments. Mass concentrations
during these operations were 0.120, 1.840, and 0.804 mg/m3
, respectively. Median particle number
concentrations were 4.8 × 104
, 1.3 × 105
, and 5.4 × 105 particles/cm3
, respectively. Nanoparticles
accounted for 95, 40, and 61%, respectively, with prevailing Fe and Mn. All markers of nucleic
acid and protein oxidation, malondialdehyde, and aldehydes C6–C13 were elevated, already in
the pre-shift samples relative to controls in both workshops. Significant post-shift elevations were
documented in lipid oxidation markers. Significant associations were found between working
in nanocomposite synthesis and EBC biomarkers. More research is needed to understand the
contribution of nanoparticles from nanocomposite processing in inducing oxidative stress, relative
to other co-exposures generated during welding, smelting, and secondary oxidation processes,
in these workshops.
Description
Subject(s)
nanoparticles, workers, nanocomposites, inhalation, exhaled breath condensate, oxidative stress, occupational exposure