Association between exposure to metalworking fluid aerosols, occupational noise and chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study in China.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) carries a high public health burden yet little is known about the relationship between metalworking fluid (MWF) aerosols, occupational noise and CKD. We aimed to explore the relationship between occupational MWF aerosols, occupational noise and CKD. METHODS: A total of 2,738 machinists were sampled from three machining companies in Wuxi, China, in 2022. We used the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 5524 to collect individual samples for MWF aerosols exposure, and the Chinese national standard (GBZ/T 189.8-2007) method to test individual occupational noise exposure. The diagnostic criteria for CKD were urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) of ≥ 30 mg/g and reduced renal function (eGFR < 60 mL.min- 1. 1.73 m- 2) lasting longer than 3 months. Smooth curve fitting was conducted to analyze the associations of MWF aerosols and occupational noise with CKD. A segmented regression model was used to analyze the threshold effects. RESULTS: Workers exposed to MWF aerosols (odds ratio [OR] = 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-3.41) and occupational noise (OR = 1.77, 95%CI: 1.06-2.96) had higher prevalence of CKD than nonexposed workers. A nonlinear and positive association was found between increasing MWF aerosols and occupational noise dose and the risk of CKD. When daily cumulative exposure dose of MWF aerosols exceeded 8.03 mg/m3, the OR was 1.24 (95%CI: 1.03-1.58), and when occupational noise exceeded 87.22 dB(A), the OR was 1.16 (95%CI: 1.04-1.20). In the interactive analysis between MWF aerosols and occupational noise, the workers exposed to both MWF aerosols (cumulative exposure ≥ 8.03 mg/m3-day) and occupational noise (LEX,8 h ≥ 87.22 dB(A)) had an increased prevalence of CKD (OR = 2.71, 95%CI: 1.48-4.96). MWF aerosols and occupational noise had a positive interaction in prevalence of CKD. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational MWF aerosols and noise were positively and nonlinearly associated with CKD, and cumulative MWF aerosols and noise exposure showed a positive interaction with CKD. These findings emphasize the importance of assessing kidney function of workers exposed to MWF aerosols and occupational noise. Prospective and longitudinal cohort studies are necessary to elucidate the causality of these associations.

Low-Level Respirable Crystalline Silica and Silicosis: Long-Term Follow-Up of Vermont Granite Workers.

The lifetime risk of silicosis associated with low-level occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica remains unclear because most previous radiographic studies included workers with varying exposure concentrations and durations. This study assessed the prevalence of silicosis after lengthy exposure to respirable crystalline silica at levels ≤ 0.10 mg/m3. Vermont granite workers employed any time during 1979-1987 were traced and chest radiographs were obtained for 356 who were alive in 2017 and residing in Vermont. Work history, smoking habits and respiratory symptoms were obtained by interview, and exposure was estimated using a previously developed job-exposure matrix. Associations between radiographic findings, exposure, and respiratory symptoms were assessed by ANOVA, chi-square tests and binary regression. Fourteen workers (3.9%) had radiographic evidence of silicosis, and all had been employed ≥30 years. They were more likely to have been stone cutters or carvers and their average exposure concentrations and cumulative exposures to respirable crystalline silica were significantly higher than workers with similar durations of employment and no classifiable parenchymal abnormalities. This provides direct evidence that workers with long-term exposure to low-level respirable crystalline silica (≤0.10 mg/m3) are at risk of developing silicosis.

A study of inflammatory biomarkers in crystalline silica exposed rock drillers.

BACKGROUND: Crystalline silica (CS) exposure can cause serious lung disease in humans, but mechanisms of pulmonary toxicity have not been completely elucidated. AIMS: To assess pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory biomarkers and biomarkers related to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and fibrosis in serum of rock drillers exposed to CS. METHODS: Rock drillers (N = 123) exposed to CS and non-specified particulate matter (PM) were compared to 48 referents without current or past exposure to PM in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: The rock drillers had been exposed to CS for 10.7 years on average. Geometric mean (GM) current exposure was estimated to 36 µg/m3. Their GM concentration of matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12) was significantly higher (16 vs. 13 ng/L; p = 0.04), while interleukin (IL) 6 and IL-8 were significantly lower compared to the referents. Also pentraxin 3 was significantly lower (3558 vs. 4592 ng/L; p = 0.01) in the rock drillers. A dose-response relationship was observed between cumulative exposure to CS and MMP-12, the highest exposed subgroup having significantly higher MMP-12 concentrations than the referents. CONCLUSION: Exposure to CS may increase circulating MMP-12 concentrations in a dose-response related fashion. The results may also suggest a down-regulation of pro-inflammatory pathways.

Occupational particle exposure and chronic kidney disease: a cohort study in Swedish construction workers.

OBJECTIVES: Increasing epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that particle exposure is an environmental risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, only a few case-control studies have investigated this association in an occupational setting. Hence, our objective was to investigate associations between particle exposure and CKD in a large cohort of Swedish construction workers. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study in the Swedish Construction Workers' Cohort, recruited 1971-1993 (n=286 089). A job-exposure matrix was used to identify workers exposed to nine different particulate exposures, which were combined into three main categories (inorganic dust and fumes, wood dust and fibres). Incident CKD and start of renal replacement therapy (RRT) were obtained from validated national registries until 2021 and analysed using adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Exposure to inorganic dust and fumes was associated with an increased risk of CKD and RRT during working age (adjusted HR for CKD at age <65 years 1.15, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.26). The elevated risk did not persist after retirement age. Exposure to cement dust, concrete dust and diesel exhaust was associated with CKD. Elevated HRs were also found for quartz dust and welding fumes. CONCLUSIONS: Workers exposed to inorganic particles seem to be at elevated risk of CKD and RRT. Our results are in line with previous evidence of renal effects of ambient air pollution and warrant further efforts to reduce occupational and ambient particle exposure.

Welding fume exposure and prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among welders in micro- and small-scale enterprise in Akaki Kality sub-city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a comparative cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to welding fumes can lead to different respiratory health disorders, including lung cancer, due to long-term exposures. In Ethiopia, large numbers of people are engaged in the welding sector. Often, these workers are exposed to welding fumes at their workplaces, however, the level of exposure and its health effects have never been studied. OBJECTIVE: To measure the level of personal welding fume exposure and assess chronic respiratory symptoms and associated factors, among micro and small-scale enterprise metal workshop workers, in Akaki Kality Sub city, Ethiopia. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study involving 226 welders and 217 controls. Chronic respiratory symptoms were assessed using a standardized questionnaire adopted from the American Thoracic Society (ATS). Welding fumes were collected from the welder's breathing zone using 37 mm close-faced plastic cassettes fitted with Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) filters connected to Casella pumps at an airflow rate of 2 L/min. RESULT: The overall prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among welders and controls were 54 (23.9%) and 20 (9.2%) respectively. The geometric mean and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of personal welding fume exposure, among welders was 5.98 mg/m3 (± GSD = 1.54). In this study, 53.3% of the samples exceeded the Occupational Exposure Limit defined by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene. Chronic respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with educational status (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 5.11, 95% CI: 1.35, 19.33), respiratory protective equipment use (AOR: 3.33, 95% CI: 1.52, 7.31), safety training (AOR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.10, 5.28), smoking (AOR:3.57, 95% CI: 1.54, 8.23), welding machine maintenance (AOR: 1.87, 95% CI: 1.01, 3.59) and welding site (i.e. indoors vs. outdoor) (AOR: 6.85. 95% CI: 2.36, 19.89). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms among welding workers was significantly higher than controls. More than half of the samples exceeded the Occupational Exposure Limit. Educational status, implementation of safety training, and welding sites were significantly associated with chronic respiratory symptoms. The results suggested a need to reduce welding fume exposure to improve the respiratory health of the workers.

Occupational Dust Exposure as a Risk Factor for Developing Lung Function Impairment.

OBJECTIVE: Dust exposure is high in several industries. We investigated associations of exposure in paper mills, wood pellet plants, and iron foundries with lung function impairment. METHODS: Respirable silica, inhalable paper dust, or inhalable wood dust were collected as personal samples and spirometry was performed. Multiple linear regression analyzed associations with FEV 1 %pred and FVC%pred. RESULTS: Wood pellet workers with high exposure to inhalable dust had lower FEV 1 %pred (95% CI) (-9.4 [-16 to -2.6]) and FVC%pred (-9.8 [-15 to -4.0]) compared with lowest exposure level. Workers at paper mills and foundries had no dose-dependent association but lower FEV 1 %pred and FVC%pred than in workers at wood pellets plants. CONCLUSIONS: Increased exposure to inhalable wood dust is associated with decreased lung function. Foundry and paper mill workers have generally lower lung function than wood pellet workers. Spirometry should be considered in workers in industries with airborne particulate matter pollution.

Application of Multiple Occupational Health Risk Assessment Models for Metal Fumes in Welding Process.

Welding fumes have an important role to create the adverse health effects. So, the aim of this study was to use of multiple occupational health risk assessment models for metal fumes in welding process. This cross-sectional study was conducted among welding workers. Sampling of heavy metals such as Sn, Zn, Al, Fe, Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, Ni, Cr, and As was provided based on the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) method 7300 and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Risk assessment was managed by four methods including Malaysia's method, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Essentials (COSHH model), Chinese OHRA standard (GBZ/T 298-2017), and EPA method. Also, Monte Carlo simulation was used to examine the uncertainties by using the Crystal Ball tool. To compare the models, the risk levels of each model were converted into the risk ratio and the SPSS 22.0 software was used to the statistical analysis. The consistency of the two occupational health risk assessment models was examined by Cohen's Kappa. Risk ration was the highest level for Cr (VI) fumes in all models. Also, carcinogenic risk was unacceptable for all examined fumes. Moreover, non-carcinogenic risk was the highest (HI > 1) for As fumes. Mont Carlo simulations suggested that exposure time (ET) had a significant effect on the risk. Also, there was a good consistency between Malaysia method/GBZ/T 298-2017 and COSHH model/GBZ/T 298-2017. Therefore, it is recommended that the engineering and administrative controls should be provided to reduce exposure.

Impact of welding occupation on serum aluminium level and its association with physical health, cognitive function, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: There is an occupational health concern about welders' inhalation of toxic aluminium fumes. We investigated whether serum aluminium level (SAL) and demographic variables can significantly predict physical health parameters, cognition, and quality of life (QoL) among welders. METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved 100 age- and location-matched men (50 welders and 50 non-welders). SAL obtained using a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer, and data collected using blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) apparatuses, biodata form, pain rating scale, General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition, WHOQoL-BREF, and Nordic musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) questionnaire were analysed using independent samples t test, chi-square, Pearson's correlation, and hierarchical linear regression. RESULTS: Welders had significantly higher SAL (mean difference [MD] = 1.77 µg/L, p < 0.001), lower QoL (MD = 3.92, p = 0.039), and higher prevalence of MSS on the neck (χ2 = 10.187, p = 0.001), shoulder (χ2 = 9.007, p = 0.003), upper back (χ2 = 6.832, p = 0.009), and knee (χ2 = 12.190, p < 0.001) than non-welders. There was a significant bivariate association between SAL, systolic blood pressure (ß = 0.313, p = 0.002), and BMI (ß = 0.279, p = 0.005), but not pain intensity, cognition, or QoL. SAL remained a significant predictor of systolic blood pressure after adjustment for physical health and QoL parameters (ß = 0.191, p = 0.044). The association between SAL and social QoL became significant after adjustment for physical health and other QoL domains (ß = - 0.210, p = 0.032) and demographic variables (ß = - 0.233, p = 0.046). CONCLUSION: Welders had significantly higher SAL, musculoskeletal symptoms, blood pressure, and lower QoL than non-welders. SAL was associated with adverse physical health parameters and social-related QoL, not cognition. We recommend routine aluminium bioavailability and physical health checks among welders.

Alterations to biomarkers related to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust at concentrations below occupational exposure limits in the European Union and the USA.

BACKGROUND: We previously found that occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) was associated with alterations to 19 biomarkers that potentially reflect the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Whether DEE is associated with biological alterations at concentrations under existing or recommended occupational exposure limits (OELs) is unclear. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 54 factory workers exposed long-term to DEE and 55 unexposed controls, we reanalysed the 19 previously identified biomarkers. Multivariable linear regression was used to compare biomarker levels between DEE-exposed versus unexposed subjects and to assess elemental carbon (EC) exposure-response relationships, adjusted for age and smoking status. We analysed each biomarker at EC concentrations below the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) OEL (<106 µg/m3), below the European Union (EU) OEL (<50 µg/m3) and below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommendation (<20 µg/m3). RESULTS: Below the MSHA OEL, 17 biomarkers were altered between DEE-exposed workers and unexposed controls. Below the EU OEL, DEE-exposed workers had elevated lymphocytes (p=9E-03, false discovery rate (FDR)=0.04), CD4+ count (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), CD8+ count (p=5E-03, FDR=0.03) and miR-92a-3p (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), and nasal turbinate gene expression (first principal component: p=1E-06, FDR=2E-05), as well as decreased C-reactive protein (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß (p=0.04, FDR=0.09), miR-423-3p (p=0.04, FDR=0.09) and miR-122-5p (p=2E-03, FDR=0.02). Even at EC concentrations under the ACGIH recommendation, we found some evidence of exposure-response relationships for miR-423-3p (ptrend=0.01, FDR=0.19) and gene expression (ptrend=0.02, FDR=0.19). CONCLUSIONS: DEE exposure under existing or recommended OELs may be associated with biomarkers reflective of cancer-related processes, including inflammatory/immune response.

[Current status and research progress of occupational health monitoring in welding fume operations].

Welding operations are widely present in the manufacturing production process, involving a large number of occupational groups, and are the key occupations where work injuries and occupational diseases occur in China. For different welding processes and welding materials, the content and focus of occupational health monitoring are different. At present, the item of occupational health examination in welding operation is in poor consistency with the on-site exposure of occupational hazard factors, and it is mainly concentrated in the stage of disease development, which can not reflect the early health damage caused by welding dust exposure in time. The emergence of biomarkers of welding dust can make up for this defect. Therefore, it is of great significance to describe the current situation of occupational health monitoring of welding dust and summarize the research progress of related biomarkers for the early prevention of diseases caused by welding dust and the practice of occupational health monitoring.

Assessing neuropsychological disorders affecting pottery workers occupationally exposed to air pollutants.

OBJECTIVE: Pottery-related activities are characterized by the emission of multiple air pollutants in the form of particulate matter, gases, and organic compounds. These pollutants are associated with adverse neuropsychological effects. This study aimed at investigating the effect of occupational exposure to air pollutants on the neuropsychiatric health. METHODS: A total of 180 male workers (90 exposed workers and 90 administrative employees) were recruited from pottery-making activities in the Fawakher region located in old Cairo (Misr Al-Kadema); the administrative employees were the control group. Personal, medical, and family histories, general and neurological clinical examination, and neuropsychological assessments were recorded. Serum levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal levels (4HNE) were measured by ELISA. Environmental measurement of workplace air pollutants was performed. RESULTS: Environmental monitoring of the workplace revealed that workers are exposed to high levels of SO2 and NO2 as these exceeded the national standard levels. Compared to the control group, the exposed workers' group demonstrated a significant decrease in digit forwards score, digit backward score, and symbol digit score and a significant higher Hamilton Depression Scale score, and Benton Visual Retention score. The level of 4HNE was significantly increased among the exposed workers' group compared to that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Occupational exposure to air pollutants is associated with impairment in neuropsychological functions, with a corresponding increase in the serum level of 4HNE, which is a biomarker for oxidative stress among Egyptian pottery workers.

Associations between welding fume exposure and neurological function in Japanese male welders and non-welders.

OBJECTIVES: There are some studies reporting the association between (manganese [Mn]) exposure to welding fume and neurological dysfunction. This study examined the relationship between Mn exposure and neurological behavior in Japanese male welders and non-welders using biological samples, which to date has not been assessed in Japan. METHODS: A total of 94 male welders and 95 male non-welders who worked in the same factories were recruited. The blood and urine samples were obtained from all the participants to measure Mn exposure levels. Neurological function tests were also conducted with all participants. The sampling of the breathing air zone using a personal sampler was measured for welders only. RESULTS: The odds ratios (ORs) for the Working Memory Index (WMI) scores were significantly higher among all participants in the low blood Mn concentration group than those in the high blood Mn concentration group (OR, 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24, 6.19; P = .013). The association of WMI scores and blood Mn levels in welders had the highest OR (OR, 3.73; 95% CI, 1.04, 13.38; P = .043). Although not statistically significant, a mild relationship between WMI scores and blood Mn levels was observed in non-welders (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 0.63, 6.94; P = .227). CONCLUSIONS: The results revealed a significant positive relationship between blood Mn and neurological dysfunction in welders. Furthermore, non-welders at the same factories may be secondarily exposed to welding fumes. Further research is needed to clarify this possibility.

Occupational Exposure to Metal Fumes Among Iranian Welders: Systematic Review and Simulation-Based Health Risk Assessment.

There have been numerous reports of welder's worker exposure to metal fumes. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic (neurological, dermal, and etc.) effects are the adverse outcomes of exposure to welding fumes. In this review study, data were collected from previous studies conducted in Iran from 1900 to 2020. The risk of carcinogenicity and non-carcinogenicity due to exposure to welding metal fumes was assessed using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method based on the Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Results showed mean of metal fume concentration in gas welding was in the range of 1.8248 to 1060.6 (µg/m3) and in arc welding was 54.935 to 4882.72 (µg/m3). The mean concentration of fumes in gas welding is below the recommended American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) standard exposure limit except for manganese, and in the arc welding, all metal fume concentrations are below the standard exposure limit except for manganese and aluminum. The results showed that the risk of carcinogenicity due to exposure to nickel, manganese in both gas and arc welding, and cadmium in gas welding was higher than standard level (hazard quotient (HQ) more than 1). Cancer risk due to exposure to nickel in both gas and arc welding was probable (1 × 10-6 < cancer risk (CR) < 1 × 10-4). Health risk assessment showed that welders are exposed to health risks. Preventive measures should be applied in welding workplaces to reduce the concentrations of metal fumes.

Carcinogenic risk assessment and changes in Spirometric indices in casting and welding workers exposed to Metal fumes.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate exposure to dust, and metal fumes, changes in pulmonary function indices among industrial workers to estimate the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk of exposure to occupational metal fume.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 98 workers exposed to metal fumes. Air sampling was performed according to the NIOSH 0500 method and was analyzed by gravimetry and metal levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Spirometric results for 2010-2016 were collected. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk assessments were performed according to the US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software. RESULTS: The mean occupational exposure of the subjects to workplace dust and iron fumes was 15.95 ± 6.65 mg/m3 and 13.18 ± 3.06 mg/m3 respectively. During these 6 years, the FVC (P=0.04), PEFR (P=0.04), and FEV1 (P=0.03) indices decreased significantly among welders, but there was no significant difference between FEV1/ FVC indexes. Also, the mean of FEV1 and PEFR decreased significantly amongst casting workers, but FVC and FEV1/ FVC had no significant difference. Multivariate regression showed that in both jobs, BMI and work history were related to pulmonary function indices. The mean total excess ifetime carcinogenic risk (ELCR) of hexavalent chromium in the study population was 0.708 per 1000 people and the mean non-carcinogenic risk of hexavalent chromium was HQ = 19.62. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that exposure to metal fumes in casting and welding jobs reduces pulmonary function indices. Although the average occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium is lower than the recommended limit and the risk of carcinogenesis is within an acceptable range, the risk of non-carcinogenic effects among workers is significant Therefore, it is important to prevent this problem, by adequate ventilation and using respiratory masks.

Lifetime Exposure to Welding Fumes and Risk of Some Rare Cancers.

We investigated the association between exposure to welding fumes and the risk of biliary tract, male breast, bone, and thymus cancer, as well as cancer of the small intestine, eye melanoma, and mycosis fungoides, among men in a European, multicenter case-control study. From 1995-1997, 644 cases and 1,959 control subjects from 7 countries were studied with respect to information on welding and potential confounders. We linked the welding histories of the participants with a measurement-based exposure matrix to calculate lifetime exposure to welding fumes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression models, conditional on country and 5-year age groups, and adjusted for education and relevant confounders. Regular welding was associated with an increased risk of cancer of the small intestine (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.50). Lifetime exposure to welding fumes above the median of exposed controls was associated with an increased risk of cancer of the small intestine (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.72) and male breast (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.77), and some elevation in risk was apparent for bone cancer (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 0.85, 4.34) with increasing lifetime exposure to welding fumes. Welding fumes could contribute to an increased risk of some rare cancers.

Long-term metal fume exposure assessment of workers in a shipbuilding factory.

This study aims to assess the metal fume exposure of welders and to determine exposure rates for similar exposure groups in a shipyard through the use of Near-field/Far-field (NF/FF) mathematical model and Bayesian decision analysis (BDA) technique. Emission rates of various metal fumes (i.e., total chromium (Cr), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni)) were experimentally determined for the gas metal arc welding and flux cored arc welding processes, which are commonly used in shipyards. Then the NF/FF field model which used the emission rates were further validated by welding simulation experiment, and together with long-term operation condition data obtained from the investigated shipyard, the predicted long-term exposure concentrations of workers was established and used as the prior distribution in the BDA. Along with the field monitoring metal fume concentrations which served as the likelihood distribution, the posterior decision distributions in the BDA were determined and used to assess workers' long-term metal exposures. Results show that the predicted exposure concentrations (Cp) and the field worker's exposure concentrations (Cm) were statistically correlated, and the high R2 (= 0.81-0.94) indicates that the proposed surrogate predicting method by the NF and FF model was adequate for predicting metal fume concentrations. The consistency in both prior and likelihood distributions suggests the resultant posterior would be more feasible to assess workers' long-term exposures. Welders' Fe, Mn and Pb exposures were found to exceed their corresponding action levels with a high probability (= 54%), indicating preventive measures should be taken immediately. The proposed approach provides a universal solution for conducting exposure assessment with usual limited number of personal exposure data.

Cadmium and lipid balance in outdoor workers exposed to urban stressor.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between levels of blood and urinary cadmium and lipid balance in a group of outdoor workers. The study was conducted on a group of 146 individuals (average age 45,1 ± 8,5). Blood and urinary samples were collected for the detection of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood cadmium and urinary cadmium. We divided the group of workers into two subgroups according to the task:75 traffic policemen and 71 police drivers. Gender differences were found. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive association between blood and urinary cadmium levels and total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides levels. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly higher in the group of traffic policemen than in police drivers. In conclusion, the results suggest a statistically significant association between blood and urinary cadmium levels and lipid balance contributing to an increase of the cardiovascular risk.

Occupational exposure to silica dust in Slovenia is grossly underestimated.

As a by-product or material used in various industries crystalline silica contaminates the air many occupational settings. If its fine particles are inhaled, they are deposited in the lungs and may cause the development of silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. The goal of this study was to estimate occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in Slovenia and the associated health risks. To do that, we ran two cross-sectional studies, one to determine the number of workers at risk of occupational exposure to RCS in Slovene industries and the other to determine and classify changes in the lung radiographs of glass factory workers exposed to RCS, as a means to infer health risks for other RCS exposed workers in Slovenia. However, the first study shows that official public data on occupational exposure to silica in Slovenia are unreliable and incomplete and that company representatives strongly underestimate occupational exposure to silica. Measurements of total and silica dust are made by 8.3 % and 1.8 % of companies working with silica, respectively. The second study shows that about a third of the exposed workers had lung changes associated with silicosis. We have failed to achieve the goal of our study, as the obtained data are grossly underestimated and unreliable, but it has opened our eyes as to what needs to be improved. All companies need to systematically be informed about occupational health risks, field inspections need to be consistent, regular, and intensified, and health surveillance of all exposed workers implemented regularly.