RESUMEN
Over the recent years, EU chemicals legislation, guidance and test guidelines have been developed or adapted for nanomaterials to facilitate safe use of nanomaterials. This paper provides an overview of the information requirements across different EU regulatory areas. For each information requirement, a group of 22 experts identified potential needs for further action to accommodate guidance and test guidelines to nanomaterials. Eleven different needs for action were identified, capturing twenty-two information requirements that are specific to nanomaterials and relevant to multiple regulatory areas. These were further reduced to three overarching issues: 1) resolve issues around nanomaterial dispersion stability and dosing in toxicity testing, in particular for human health endpoints, 2) further develop tests or guidance on degradation and transformation of organic nanomaterials or nanomaterials with organic components, and 3) further develop tests and guidance to measure (a)cellular reactivity of nanomaterials. Efforts towards addressing these issues will result in better fit-for-purpose test methods for (EU) regulatory compliance. Moreover, it secures validity of hazard and risk assessments of nanomaterials. The results of the study accentuate the need for a structural process of identification of information needs and knowledge generation, preferably as part of risk governance and closely connected to technological innovation policy.
Asunto(s)
Seguridad Química , Nanoestructuras , Humanos , Nanoestructuras/toxicidad , Políticas , Medición de Riesgo/métodos , Pruebas de Toxicidad/métodosRESUMEN
Unique physicochemical characteristics of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) suggest the need for nanomaterial-specific occupational exposure limits (OELs). Setting these limits remains a challenge. Therefore, the aim of this study was to set out a framework to evaluate the feasibility of deriving advisory health-based occupational limit values for groups of ENMs, based on scientific knowledge. We have used an expert panel approach to address three questions: 1) What ENM-categories should be distinguished to derive advisory health-based occupational limit values (or health-based Nano Reference Values, HNRVs) for groups of ENMs? 2) What evidence would be needed to define values for these categories? And 3) How much effort would it take to achieve this? The panel experts distinguished six possible categories of HNRVs: A) WHO-fiber-like high aspect ratio ENMs (HARNs), B) Non-WHO-fiber-like HARNs and other non-spheroidal ENMs, C) readily soluble spheroidal ENMs, D) biopersistent spheroidal ENMs with unknown toxicity, E) biopersistent spheroidal ENMs with substance-specific toxicity and F) biopersistent spheroidal ENMs with relatively low substance-specific toxicity. For category A, the WHO-fiber-like HARNs, agreement was reached on criteria defining this category and the approach of using health-based risk estimates for asbestos to derive the HNRV. For category B, a quite heterogeneous category, more toxicity data are needed to set an HNRV. For category C, readily soluble spheroidal ENMs, using the OEL of their molecular or ionic counterpart would be a good starting point. For the biopersistent ENMs with unknown toxicity, HNRVs cannot be applied as case-by-case testing is required. For the other biopersistent ENMs in category E and F, we make several recommendations that can facilitate the derivation of these HNRVs. The proposed categories and recommendations as outlined by this expert panel can serve as a reference point for derivation of HNRVs when health-based OELs for ENMs are not yet available.
Asunto(s)
Nanoestructuras , Exposición Profesional , Iones , Nanoestructuras/toxicidadRESUMEN
The Netherlands' system for occupational exposure limits (OELs) encompasses two kinds of OELs: public and private. Public OELs are set by the government. Private OELs are derived by industry and cover all substances without a public OEL. In parallel, the regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) has introduced an exposure guidance value similar to the OEL, namely the Derived No-Effect Level (DNEL) for workers' inhalation exposure. This study aimed to investigate issues encountered by occupational health professionals regarding private OELs, and how they perceive the DNELs for workers in relation to private OELs. Towards this aim, we sent out a web-based questionnaire to the members of the Dutch professional organization for occupational hygienists (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Arbeidshygiëne [NVVA], n = 513) and to members of the Dutch professional organization for safety engineers (NVVK, n = 2916). Response rates were 27% (n = 139) and 7% (n = 198), respectively. More occupational hygienists (59%) than safety engineers (17%) reported to derive private OELs themselves. Our respondents reported several challenges with the derivation of private OELs. Fifty-one percent of the occupational hygienists and 20% of the safety engineers stated to see a role of REACH Registrants' worker DNELs as private OELs. However, more than half of our respondents were undecided or unfamiliar with worker DNELs. In addition, stated opinions on where worker DNELs fit in the hierarchy of private OELs varied considerably. To conclude, both these professional groups derive private OELs and stated that they need more guidance for this. Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity whether worker DNELs may qualify as private OELs, and where they would fit in the hierarchy of private OELs.
Asunto(s)
Industrias , Exposición Profesional/normas , Salud Laboral/normas , Medición de Riesgo/normas , Valores Limites del Umbral , Humanos , Países Bajos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Identifying and characterising nanomaterials require additional information on physico-chemical properties and test methods, compared to chemicals in general. Furthermore, regulatory decisions for chemicals are usually based upon certain toxicological properties, and these effects may not be equivalent to those for nanomaterials. However, regulatory agencies lack an authoritative decision framework for nanomaterials that links the relevance of certain physico-chemical endpoints to toxicological effects. This paper investigates various physico-chemical endpoints and available test methods that could be used to produce such a decision framework for nanomaterials. It presents an overview of regulatory relevance and methods used for testing fifteen proposed physico-chemical properties of eleven nanomaterials in the OECD Working Party on Manufactured Nanomaterials' Testing Programme, complemented with methods from literature, and assesses the methods' adequacy and applications limits. Most endpoints are of regulatory relevance, though the specific parameters depend on the nanomaterial and type of assessment. Size (distribution) is the common characteristic of all nanomaterials and is decisive information for classifying a material as a nanomaterial. Shape is an important particle descriptor. The octanol-water partitioning coefficient is undefined for particulate nanomaterials. Methods, including sample preparation, need to be further standardised, and some new methods are needed. The current work of OECD's Test Guidelines Programme regarding physico-chemical properties is highlighted.
Asunto(s)
Nanoestructuras/química , Humanos , Organización para la Cooperación y el Desarrollo Económico , Tamaño de la Partícula , Agua/químicaRESUMEN
Silver is increasingly being used in garments to exploit its antibacterial properties. Information on the presence of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in garments and their in vivo penetration across healthy and impaired skin from use is limited. We investigated the presence of AgNPs in a silver containing garment and in the stratum corneum (SC) of healthy subjects (CTRLs) and individuals with atopic dermatitis (AD). Seven CTRLs and seven AD patients wore a silver sleeve (13% Ag w/w) 8 h/day for five days on a forearm and a placebo sleeve on the other forearm. After five days, the layers of the SC were collected by adhesive tapes. The silver particles in the garment and SC were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM and SEM revealed the presence of sub-micrometre particles having a broad range of sizes (30-500 nm) on the surface of the garment that were identified as silver. On the SC tapes collected from different depths, aggregates with a wide range of sizes (150 nm-2 µm) and morphologies were found. Most aggregates contained primarily silver, although some also contained chlorine and sulfur. There was no clear difference in the number or size of the aggregates observed in SC between healthy and AD subjects. After use, AgNPs and their aggregates were present in the SC at different depths of both healthy subjects and AD patients. Their micrometre size suggests that aggregation likely occurred in the SC.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/química , Vestuario , Dermatitis Atópica/metabolismo , Epidermis/efectos de los fármacos , Nanopartículas del Metal/química , Plata/química , Antibacterianos/metabolismo , Antibacterianos/toxicidad , Epidermis/metabolismo , Voluntarios Sanos , Humanos , Nanopartículas del Metal/toxicidad , Nanopartículas del Metal/ultraestructura , Microscopía de Fuerza Atómica , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Tamaño de la Partícula , Plata/metabolismo , Plata/toxicidad , Espectrometría por Rayos X , Propiedades de SuperficieRESUMEN
Human data on dermal absorption of silver under "in use" scenario are scarce which hampers health risk assessment. The main objective of the present study was to determine percutaneous penetration of silver after dermal exposure to silver containing garment in healthy individuals and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. Next to assess pro-inflammatory effect of silver in the skin. Healthy subjects (n=15) and patients with AD (n=15) wore a sleeve containing 3.6% (w/w) silver on their lower arms for 8h during 5 consecutive days. The percutaneous penetration parameters were deduced from the silver concentration-depth profiles in the stratum corneum (SC) collected by adhesive tapes. Furthermore, silver was measured in urine samples collected before and after exposure. Inflammatory response was assessed by measuring IL-1α and IL-1RA in the exposed and non-exposed skin sites. Dermal flux of silver in healthy subjects and AD patients was respectively 0.23 and 0.20 ng/cm(2)/h. The urine silver concentrations showed no increase after exposure. Furthermore, exposure to silver did not lead to the changes in the profiles of IL-1α and IL-1RA. Dermal absorption of silver under "real life scenario" was lower than the current reference dose. Furthermore, dermal exposure did not lead to altered expression of inflammatory IL-1 cytokines in the skin.
Asunto(s)
Vestuario , Dermatitis Atópica/metabolismo , Plata/farmacocinética , Absorción Cutánea , Piel/metabolismo , Textiles , Adulto , Carga Corporal (Radioterapia) , Dermatitis Atópica/diagnóstico , Dermatitis Atópica/inmunología , Dermatitis Atópica/orina , Femenino , Voluntarios Sanos , Humanos , Mediadores de Inflamación/metabolismo , Proteína Antagonista del Receptor de Interleucina 1/metabolismo , Interleucina-1alfa/metabolismo , Masculino , Países Bajos , Medición de Riesgo , Plata/efectos adversos , Plata/orina , Piel/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Silver (Ag) is increasingly used in consumer products like functionalized textiles and medical devices owing to its strong antimicrobial activity which is largely assigned to Ag ions released after oxidation of metallic Ag. To increase generation of Ag ions, in various products Ag is often present as nanoparticles. Ideally, Ag ions would remain on the surface of the skin to combat the bacteria and the uptake of Ag into the body should be limited. However, the Ag ions might penetrate across the skin into the body leading to adverse health effects. Data on in vivo uptake of Ag due to dermal exposure are scarce partly caused by the lack of suitable analytical approaches for the determination of Ag in biological matrices, but strongly needed to enable risk assessment of skin exposure to (nano) Ag containing products. With the developed approach, the presence of Ag in a functionalized textile is confirmed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After in vivo dermal exposure to Ag containing textile material under ׳׳in use׳׳ exposure scenarios, the outermost layers of the skin (Stratum Corneum, SC) were sampled by using adhesive tapes with a size of 3.8cm(2). Different leaching and dissolution procedures of Ag from biological samples prior analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) have been evaluated. The developed method results in a limit of detection (LOD) of 2ng Ag per removed SC layer. The method allows the measurement of the Ag concentrations at different depths of the SC enabling the deduction of the percutaneous penetration kinetics. Due to the possible bio distribution within the whole body, an indirect exposure matrix (urine) was studied too. The detection power of the method permits measuring the ultra-trace concentrations of Ag in urine before and after dermal exposure; LOD is 0.010µg Ag/L urine.
Asunto(s)
Antibacterianos/farmacocinética , Plata/farmacocinética , Piel/metabolismo , Textiles , Administración Cutánea , Antibacterianos/administración & dosificación , Antibacterianos/orina , Vestuario , Humanos , Espectrometría de Masas , Microscopía Electroquímica de Rastreo , Proyectos Piloto , Plata/administración & dosificación , Plata/orinaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) have been associated with reduced skin barrier function, possibly allowing increased penetration of irritants and allergens. OBJECTIVES: To study whether FLG loss-of-function mutation carriers show different rates of sensitization to common type I and IV allergens among patients referred for occupational contact dermatitis of the hands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four hundred and ninety-six Caucasian patients were genotyped for four FLG null mutations and patch tested with the European baseline series. In addition, 431 patients underwent prick testing with common type I allergens. RESULTS: Overall, 67 patients showed a heterozygous mutation in the FLG alleles R501X, R2447X, S3247X, and/or 2282del4. Sensitization rates for type I allergens from a European prick test series did not show significant differences between FLG loss-of-function mutation carriers and wild-type subjects. For type IV allergens, significantly more FLG loss-of-function carriers were found to be sensitized to lanolin and p-tert-butylphenol-formaldehyde resin. CONCLUSIONS: Probably a variety of immunological mechanisms other than that resulting from the filaggrin system have an impact on allergic sensitization to a greater degree. Larger cohorts may be necessary to increase the statistical power of the findings presented regarding type I and IV sensitization.
Asunto(s)
Alérgenos/genética , Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/genética , Dermatitis Profesional/genética , Proteínas de Filamentos Intermediarios/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Alérgenos/inmunología , Estudios de Cohortes , Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/diagnóstico , Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/inmunología , Dermatitis Profesional/diagnóstico , Dermatitis Profesional/inmunología , Femenino , Proteínas Filagrina , Marcadores Genéticos , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Técnicas de Genotipaje , Mano , Heterocigoto , Humanos , Proteínas de Filamentos Intermediarios/deficiencia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mutación , Pruebas Cutáneas , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND /OBJECTIVES: Environmental exposure and personal susceptibility both contribute to the development of hand eczema. Here, we report an investigation on wet work exposure and its influence on the risk of developing hand eczema in apprentice nurses. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed among 721 Dutch apprentice nurses. Participants recorded wet work exposure and symptoms of hand eczema using specially designed diary cards. RESULTS: For 533 apprentice nurses, a follow-up time of 1-3 years was completed. Diary cards were supplied by 383 students. The 1-year period prevalence of hand eczema was 23% in the first year, 25% in the second year and 31% in the third year of follow-up. Eighty-one new cases of hand eczema developed, most of which occurred during the first year of follow-up. In approximately one-third of the participants, wet work exposure exceeded the national guidelines. Frequent hand washing during traineeships [odds ratio (OR) 1.5; 90% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-2.3], frequent hand washing at home (OR 2.3; 90% CI 1.5-3.7) and having a side job involving wet work (OR 1.6; 90% CI 1.0-2.4) were independent risk factors for hand eczema. CONCLUSION: As a considerable number of apprentice nurses had already developed hand eczema during traineeships, more attention should be paid to skin protection in vocational education.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis Profesional/etiología , Dermatosis de la Mano/etiología , Desinfección de las Manos , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Estudiantes de Enfermería , Adulto , Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/epidemiología , Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/etiología , Dermatitis Atópica/epidemiología , Dermatitis Atópica/etiología , Dermatitis Irritante/epidemiología , Dermatitis Irritante/etiología , Dermatitis Profesional/epidemiología , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Dermatosis de la Mano/epidemiología , Humanos , Masculino , Modelos Estadísticos , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Exposición Profesional/estadística & datos numéricos , Prevalencia , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Environmental exposure and personal susceptibility both contribute to the development of hand eczema. In this study, we investigated the effect of loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG), atopic dermatitis and wet work exposure on the development of hand eczema in apprentice nurses. METHODS: Dutch apprentice nurses were genotyped for the four most common FLG mutations; atopic dermatitis and hand eczema history were assessed by questionnaire. Exposure and hand eczema during traineeships were assessed with diary cards. RESULTS: The prevalence of hand eczema during traineeships was higher among subjects with a history of hand eczema reported at inclusion. Hand washing during traineeships and at home increased the risk of hand eczema. After adjustment for the effects of exposure and FLG mutations, an odds ratio of 2.5 (90% confidence interval 1.7-3.7) was found for a history of atopic dermatitis. In this study, an increased risk of hand eczema conferred by FLG mutations could not be shown, but subjects with concomitant FLG mutations and atopic dermatitis showed the highest risk of hand eczema during traineeships. CONCLUSION: A history of atopic dermatitis, a history of hand eczema and wet work exposure were the most important factors increasing the risk of hand eczema during traineeships.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis Atópica/genética , Dermatitis Profesional/genética , Dermatosis de la Mano/genética , Proteínas de Filamentos Intermediarios/genética , Mutación , Dermatitis Irritante/genética , Proteínas Filagrina , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Desinfección de las Manos , Humanos , Enfermeras y Enfermeros , Permeabilidad , Estudios Prospectivos , Factores de Riesgo , Piel/metabolismo , Crema para la Piel/uso terapéuticoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Loss-of-function mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) have been reported to be associated with specific phenotypic characteristics such as hyperlinearity and keratosis pilaris. OBJECTIVES: To study phenotypic features in patients with occupational irritant contact eczema of the hands in relation to FLG loss-of-function mutations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, genotype was determined for 459 study subjects for four FLG null alleles, and investigated for selected history, clinical and laboratory features. RESULTS: Overall, 68 patients showed a mutation in the FLG alleles R501X, R2447X, S3247X, and/or 2282del4. Flexural eczema, xerosis cutis, pityriasis alba, dirty neck, pulpitis sicca, hyperlinear palms, keratosis pilaris and family history of eczema were positively associated with FLG mutations (p < 0.05). Although we observed a statistically significant correlation with higher serum IgE in FLG mutation carriers, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma were not over-represented in this group. CONCLUSION: This study shows further genotype-phenotype correlations in patients with occupational irritant contact eczema and FLG mutation carrier status. These features may help to identify those with FLG mutations on a specific phenotype basis.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis Irritante/genética , Dermatitis Profesional/genética , Proteínas de Filamentos Intermediarios/genética , Anomalías Múltiples/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Estudios de Cohortes , Enfermedad de Darier/genética , Cejas/anomalías , Femenino , Proteínas Filagrina , Estudios de Asociación Genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Humanos , Hiperpigmentación/genética , Hipopigmentación/genética , Inmunoglobulina E/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Mutación , Estudios Prospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Genetic variations in genes coding for cytokines involved in skin inflammation may alter their expression, thus changing the susceptibility to irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of polymorphisms in the cytokine genes TNFA-238 and TNFA-308 in patients with occupational ICD, and to compare it with that in controls. METHODS: In a case-control study, 478 patients with occupational ICD of the hands were genotyped for TNFA-238 and TNFA-308 polymorphisms. The results were compared with those for 393 apprentices from the same high-risk occupations (controls). RESULTS: For a carrier of a variant TNFA-238A allele, the odds ratio (OR) of acquiring ICD was 0.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.34-0.97], suggesting a protective effect of the A allele. The genotype distributions were 94.4% wild type (G/G), 5.6% heterozygous (G/A) and 0% homozygous for variant allele (A/A) in patients, and 90.9%, 8.5%, and 0.6%, respectively in controls. In contrast, carriers of the variant TNFA-308A allele had an increased risk of ICD [OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.05-1.74; G/G 66.4%, G/A 31.2%, and A/A 2.4% (patients) versus 73.5%, 24.6%, 1.9% in controls]. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with a TNFA-238 polymorphism are less prone and those with a TNFA-308 polymorphism are more prone to develop ICD of the hands, suggesting a protective versus a detrimental effect of the A allele respectively.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis Irritante/genética , Dermatitis Profesional/genética , Dermatosis de la Mano/genética , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/genética , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Alelos , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Intervalos de Confianza , Genotipo , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Oportunidad Relativa , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
We compared three common user involvement methods in revealing barriers and facilitators from intended users that might influence their use of a new genetic test. The study was part of the development of a new genetic test on the susceptibility to hand eczema for nurses. Eighty student nurses participated in five focus groups (n = 33), 15 interviews (n = 15) or questionnaires (n = 32). For each method, data were collected until saturation. We compared the mean number of items and relevant remarks that could influence the use of the genetic test obtained per method, divided by the number of participants in that method. Thematic content analysis was performed using MAXQDA software. The focus groups revealed 30 unique items compared to 29 in the interviews and 21 in the questionnaires. The interviews produced more items and relevant remarks per participant (1.9 and 8.4 pp) than focus groups (0.9 and 4.8 pp) or questionnaires (0.7 and 2.3 pp). All three involvement methods revealed relevant barriers and facilitators to use a new genetic test. Focus groups and interviews revealed substantially more items than questionnaires. Furthermore, this study suggests a preference for the use of interviews because the number of items per participant was higher than for focus groups and questionnaires. This conclusion may be valid for other genetic tests as well.
RESUMEN
Occupational contact dermatitis (OCD) is an important work-related disease. A major cause of OCD is 'wet work': frequent contact of the skin with water, soap, detergents, or occlusive gloves. The German guidance TRGS 401 recommends that the duration of wet work (including use of occlusive gloves) should not exceed 2 h day(-1) and also the frequency of hand washing or hand disinfection should be taken into account. This highlights the need for a reliable method to assess duration and frequency of wet work. Recently, a wet-work sampler has been developed by the University of Aberdeen. The sampler uses the temperature difference (ΔT) generated by evaporative cooling between two sensors: one sensor on the skin and a second one placed 2 mm above the skin. We have evaluated the use of this sampler in a healthcare setting, using direct observation as reference. Twenty-six nurses wore the sampler on the volar side of the middle finger for â¼2 h during their regular daily tasks, while being observed by a researcher. Sampler results were evaluated using various threshold values for ΔT to identify wet events of the hands. The optimal ΔT to discern wet and dry skin differed considerably between individual nurses. Individual results yielded a median sensitivity of 78 and 62% and a median specificity of 79 and 68% for indicating wet skin and glove use, respectively. Overall, the sampler was moderately accurate for identifying wetness of the skin and less accurate for discerning glove use. In conclusion, agreement between observed wet work and device-reported wet events in healthcare settings was not high and further adaptations and developments may be required.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis por Contacto/prevención & control , Dermatitis Profesional/prevención & control , Dermatosis de la Mano/prevención & control , Dermatitis por Contacto/complicaciones , Dermatitis por Contacto/epidemiología , Dermatitis por Contacto/etiología , Dermatitis Profesional/complicaciones , Dermatitis Profesional/epidemiología , Dermatitis Profesional/etiología , Detergentes/efectos adversos , Desinfectantes/efectos adversos , Guantes Protectores , Dermatosis de la Mano/complicaciones , Dermatosis de la Mano/epidemiología , Dermatosis de la Mano/etiología , Desinfección de las Manos , Humanos , Países Bajos/epidemiología , Enfermeras y Enfermeros , Exposición Profesional , Agua , TrabajoRESUMEN
Occupational Contact Dermatitis (OCD) is one of the most common work-related diseases. High risk occupations are in health care, hairdressing, food sector and metal industry. OCD tends to become chronic; persistent OCD often results in impaired quality of life and loss of work ability. The purpose of this article is to review the present knowledge on the factors which determine individual susceptibility to acquire OCD. Recent discoveries regarding genes involved in the skin barrier, inflammatory response and biotransformation of xenobiotics provide more insight in the individual susceptibility for OCD. Knowledge of the factors which predispose to OCD is useful in occupational health practice for the application of preventive measures and for career guidance for apprentices and workers in high risk occupations.
Asunto(s)
Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/genética , Dermatitis Irritante/genética , Dermatitis Profesional/genética , Polimorfismo Genético , Citocinas/genética , Citocinas/metabolismo , Dermatitis Alérgica por Contacto/prevención & control , Dermatitis Irritante/prevención & control , Dermatitis Profesional/prevención & control , Proteínas Filagrina , Marcadores Genéticos , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Humanos , Proteínas de Filamentos Intermediarios/genética , Fenotipo , Absorción Cutánea/genéticaRESUMEN
Exposure to endotoxin in home environments has become a key issue in asthma and allergy research. Most studies have analyzed floor or mattress dust endotoxin, but its validity as a proxy for airborne exposure is unknown, while active airborne dust sampling is not feasible in large-scale population studies because of logistic and financial limitations. We therefore developed and evaluated a simple passive airborne dust collection method for airborne endotoxin exposure assessment. We explored an electrostatic dust fall collector (EDC), consisting of a 42- by 29.6-cm-sized folder with four electrostatic cloths exposed to the air. The EDC was tested during two 14-day periods in seven nonfarm and nine farm homes and in farm stables. In parallel, active airborne dust sampling was performed with Harvard impactors and floor dust collected by vacuuming, using nylon sampling socks. The endotoxin levels could be measured in all EDC cloth extracts. The levels (in EU/m(2)) between EDCs used simultaneously or in different sampling periods in the same home correlated strongly (r > 0.8). EDC endotoxin also correlated moderately to strongly (r = 0.6 to 0.8) with the endotoxin measured by active airborne dust sampling and living room floor dust sampling and-in farm homes-with the endotoxin captured by the EDC in stables. In contrast, endotoxin levels measured by floor dust sampling showed only a poor correlation with the levels measured by active airborne dust sampling. We therefore conclude that measuring endotoxin levels with the EDC is a valid measure of average airborne endotoxin exposure, while reproducibility over time is at least equivalent to that of reservoir dust analyses.