Quantification of five antineoplastic agents in swab samples using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS: Method development and validation.

Background: Antineoplastic agents are hazardous drugs used in cancer treatment and consequently can be present at the workplace (e.g. hospital), but also in a home-setting in case of treatment at home.

An Assessment of Surface Contamination and Dermal Exposure to 5-Fluorouracil in Healthcare Settings by UPLC-MS/MS Using a New Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Source.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a well-known cytostatic drug, which is often used in cancer treatments. Yet, it is also a very dangerous compound for people who are occupationally exposed to it for a long time, such as pharmacy employees, nurses and cleaning staff. We aimed to improve and implement a LC-MS/MS method for 5-FU quantification on surface contamination samples collected with swabs in a pharmacy department and outpatient nursing station of a university hospital.

HBM4EU e-waste study: Occupational exposure of electronic waste workers to phthalates and DINCH in Europe.

Workers involved in the processing of electronic waste (e-waste) are potentially exposed to toxic chemicals, including phthalates and alternative plasticizers (APs). Dismantling and shredding of e-waste may lead to the production of dust that contains these plasticizers. The aim of this study, which was part of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), was to assess the exposure to phthalates (e.

The HBM4EU chromates study - Outcomes and impacts on EU policies and occupational health practices.

Within the EU human biomonitoring initiative (HBM4EU), a targeted, multi-national study on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was performed. Cr(VI) is currently regulated in EU under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) and under occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation. It has recently been subject to regulatory actions to improve its risk management in European workplaces.

HBM4EU Diisocyanates Study-Research Protocol for a Collaborative European Human Biological Monitoring Study on Occupational Exposure.

Diisocyanates have long been a leading cause of occupational asthma in Europe, and recently, they have been subjected to a restriction under the REACH regulations. As part of the European Human Biomonitoring project (HBM4EU), we present a study protocol designed to assess occupational exposure to diisocyanates in five European countries. The objectives of the study are to assess exposure in a number of sectors that have not been widely reported on in the past (for example, the manufacturing of large vehicles, such as in aerospace; the construction sector, where there are potentially several sources of exposure (e.

HBM4EU chromates study - Usefulness of measurement of blood chromium levels in the assessment of occupational Cr(VI) exposure.

Occupational exposures to hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) can occur in welding, hot working stainless steel processing, chrome plating, spray painting and coating activities. Recently, within the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU), a study was performed to assess the suitability of different biomarkers to assess the exposure to Cr(VI) in various job tasks. Blood-based biomarkers may prove useful when more specific information on systemic and intracellular bioavailability is necessary.

Quantification of three antineoplastic agents in urine using the UniSpray ionisation source.

Background: Many guidelines and safety measures led to a decrease in exposure to antineoplastic agents. Since healthcare workers are often exposed to lower concentrations than patients, a sensitive method is needed to quantify occupational exposure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and validate a sensitive method for simultaneous detection and quantification of cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and paclitaxel in urine by use of UPLC-MS/MS with a UniSpray ionisation source.

HBM4EU Chromates Study: Urinary Metabolomics Study of Workers Exposed to Hexavalent Chromium.

Exposure to hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) may occur in several occupational activities, placing workers in many industries at risk for potential related health outcomes. Untargeted metabolomics was applied to investigate changes in metabolic pathways in response to Cr(VI) exposure. We obtained our data from a study population of 220 male workers with exposure to Cr(VI) and 102 male controls from Belgium, Finland, Poland, Portugal and the Netherlands within the HBM4EU Chromates Study.

HBM4EU Occupational Biomonitoring Study on e-Waste-Study Protocol.

Workers involved in the processing of electronic waste (e-waste) are potentially exposed to toxic chemicals. If exposure occurs, this may result in uptake and potential adverse health effects. Thus, exposure surveillance is an important requirement for health risk management and prevention of occupational disease.

Systematic review of biomonitoring data on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.

Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) can cause serious adverse health effects such as lung cancer and irritation of the skin and airways. Although assessment of chromium (Cr) in urine is not specific for Cr(VI) exposure, the total amount of Cr in urine is the most used marker of exposure for biomonitoring of Cr(VI). The purpose of this systematic review was fourfold: (1) to assess current and recent biomonitoring levels in subjects occupationally exposed to Cr(VI), with a focus on urinary Cr levels at the end of a working week, (2) to identify variables influencing these biomonitoring levels, (3) to identify how urinary Cr levels correlate with other Cr(VI) exposure markers and (4) to identify gaps in the current research.

An alternative method to assess permeation through disposable gloves.

Previously, we have demonstrated the capability of activated charcoal cloth (ACC) to assess dermal exposure to VOCs. Here we investigated whether ACC patches can be used as an under-glove indicator to evaluate the ingress of toluene through disposable gloves in a controlled environment, and compared these results to the amount of toluene ingress determined from the standardized test methods for determining chemical permeation through PPE. In a test chamber, with plugs for air sampling, five to six ACC patches were placed on a mannequin hand underneath disposable gloves (latex, nitrile, neoprene, polymer laminate).

Assessment of the absorbed dose after exposure to surgical smoke in an operating room.

Surgical smoke produced by electrosurgery contains various chemical substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The aim of this study is to investigate airborne concentrations of VOCs and PAHs during electrosurgery in an operating room, in relation to metabolites in urine in order to assess the absorbed dose. A 5-day exposure study was set up in a general surgery operation room including surgeons, scrub assistants and circulation nurses (n = 15).

Nanoparticles in the lungs of old mice: Pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress without procoagulant effects.

Pulmonary exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) has been shown to induce pulmonary as well as cardiovascular toxicity. These effects might be enhanced in elderly subjects as a result of a compromised immunity and/or declined organ functions. To study the adverse in vivo effects of NPs in a model for the elderly, we exposed 18-month-old C75Bl/6 mice to multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or ZnO NPs by intratracheal instillation once a week during 5 consecutive weeks.

Exploratory analysis of the human breast DNA methylation profile upon soymilk exposure.

Upon soy consumption, isoflavone metabolites attain bioactive concentrations in breast tissue possibly affecting health. Though in vitro epigenetic activity of soy metabolites has been described, the in vivo impact on the epigenome is largely unknown. Therefore, in this case-control study, the breast glandular tissue DNA methylome was explored in women undergoing an aesthetic breast reduction.

Integrated evaluation of solvent exposure in an occupational setting: air, dermal and bio-monitoring.

The assessment of dermal exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is becoming increasingly important in industrial settings. The study aimed to evaluate the overall exposure (inhalation and dermal) of workers to VOCs, and to assess the suitability of activated charcoal cloth (ACC) patches for the evaluation of the contribution of dermal exposure (vs. inhalation exposure) to the whole body burden, as reflected by human biomonitoring.

Differences in MWCNT- and SWCNT-induced DNA methylation alterations in association with the nuclear deposition.

Background: Subtle DNA methylation alterations mediated by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exposure might contribute to pathogenesis and disease susceptibility. It is known that both multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) interact with nucleus. Such, nuclear-CNT interaction may affect the DNA methylation effects.

A Method to Quantitatively Assess Dermal Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds.

Assessing dermal exposure of workers to noxious chemicals becomes increasingly important in industrial settings. Among various chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are widely used in industrialized countries, but still there are no validated methodologies able to accurately quantify skin exposure. In this study, we developed a sensitive methodology based on activated charcoal cloth (ACC) to quantitatively assess skin exposure to 181 VOCs.