Low levels of potentially toxic elements in workers are associated with self-reported health outcomes

Occupational exposure to toxic elements can adversely affect health. The current study evaluated blood concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn in formal and informal workers. Additionally, the study investigated the associations bet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2024-10, Vol.947, p.174510, Article 174510
Main Authors: Salles, Fernanda Junqueira, Diaz-Quijano, Fredi Alexander, Luz, Maciel Santos, de Almeida, Gilmar Alves, Akiba, Naomi, de Oliveira, Aline Pereira, Elias, Aline de Carvalho, Rogero, Marcelo Macedo, Olympio, Kelly Polido Kaneshiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Informal work
Occupational exposure
Toxic elements
Workers' health
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Summary:Occupational exposure to toxic elements can adversely affect health. The current study evaluated blood concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTE) including As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Zn in formal and informal workers. Additionally, the study investigated the associations between blood PTE concentrations and reported health outcomes in the study population. The exposed group included women engaged in informal jewelry welding within their homes in Limeira, São Paulo state, Brazil (n = 36) and men who worked at a steel company in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil (n = 22). The control group comprised residents of the same neighborhoods as the workers but without occupational exposure to chemicals (n = 28 in Limeira; n = 27 in Volta Redonda). Triple Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (TQ ICP-MS) was used to determine PTE concentrations in blood samples. Glycemia, insulin, and lipid profile tests were performed. All participants completed questionnaires on household risk and reported morbidity. The blood concentrations of Cd, As, and Pb, as well as glycemia, were higher in informal workers than in control subjects. No significant differences were observed between formal workers and control subjects. A robust Poisson regression model, adjusted for variables suggested by a Directed Acyclic Graph, disclosed associations of blood lead and arsenic concentrations with the prevalence of neurological manifestations in Limeira. Blood lead levels > 2.6 μg dL−1 were associated with 2.3 times the prevalence of self-reported neurological manifestations (95 % CI: 1.17–4.58; p = 0.02) than lower blood lead concentrations. Furthermore, a positive association between blood cadmium concentrations and glycemia was observed. Informal occupational exposure to these elements may indicate an increased risk of developing diseases. Monitoring exposure and implementing interventions to reduce PTE exposure in the work environment represent significant steps toward prevention. [Display omitted] •Informal occupational exposure to toxic elements may increase the risk of diseases.•Blood As and Pb were associated with the prevalence of neurological manifestations.•Blood Pb values >2.6 μg dL−1 increased the prevalence of neurological signs.•A positive association between blood Cd concentrations and glycemia was observed.•Informal workers were more exposed to toxic elements than formal workers.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174510