Literature review and evaluation of biomarkers, matrices and analytical methods for chemicals selected in the research program Human Biomonitoring for the European Union (HBM4EU).

Humans are potentially exposed to a large amount of chemicals present in the environment and in the workplace. In the European Human Biomonitoring initiative (Human Biomonitoring for the European Union = HBM4EU), acrylamide, mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin B1), diisocyanates (4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate), and pyrethroids were included among the prioritized chemicals of concern for human health. For the present literature review, the analytical methods used in worldwide biomonitoring studies for these compounds were collected and presented in comprehensive tables, including the following parameter: determined biomarker, matrix, sample amount, work-up procedure, available laboratory quality assurance and quality assessment information, analytical techniques, and limit of detection.

The Use of Human Biomonitoring to Assess Occupational Exposure to PAHs in Europe: A Comprehensive Review.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the chemicals with proven impact on workers' health. The use of human biomonitoring (HBM) to assess occupational exposure to PAHs has become more common in recent years, but the data generated need an overall view to make them more usable by regulators and policymakers. This comprehensive review, developed under the Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) Initiative, was based on the literature available from 2008-2022, aiming to present and discuss the information on occupational exposure to PAHs, in order to identify the strengths and limitations of exposure and effect biomarkers and the knowledge needs for regulation in the workplace.

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.

Interlaboratory comparison investigations (ICIs) and external quality assurance schemes (EQUASs) for flame retardant analysis in biological matrices: Results from the HBM4EU project.

The European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) is coordinating and advancing human biomonitoring (HBM). For this purpose, a network of laboratories delivering reliable analytical data on human exposure is fundamental. The analytical comparability and accuracy of laboratories analysing flame retardants (FRs) in serum and urine were investigated by a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) scheme comprising interlaboratory comparison investigations (ICIs) and external quality assurance schemes (EQUASs).

The European human biomonitoring platform - Design and implementation of a laboratory quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programme for selected priority chemicals.

A fundamental objective of the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU) is to progress toward comparable and robust exposure data for a wide variety of prioritized chemicals in human samples. A programme for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) was designed in HBM4EU with the purpose of creating a network of European laboratories providing comparable analytical data of high quality. Two approaches were chosen for two sets of prioritized chemicals with different timelines: (i) Scheme 1, where interested candidate laboratories participated in multiple rounds of proficiency tests (ii) Scheme 2, where selected expert laboratories participated in three rounds of interlaboratory comparison investigations.

Dermal absorption and skin damage following hydrofluoric acid exposure in an ex vivo human skin model.

The wide industrial use of hydrofluoric acid (HF) poses a high risk for accidental dermal exposure. Despite local and systemic hazards associated with HF, information on percutaneous penetration and tissue damage is rare. In the present ex vivo study, the dermal absorption of HF (detected in terms of fluoride ions) was quantified and the skin damaging potential as a function of concentration and exposure duration was assessed.

Monocyclic and bicyclic monoterpenes in air of German daycare centers and human biomonitoring in visiting children, the LUPE 3 study.

To investigate the assumed association between indoor air pollution with monoterpenes (MTps) and the internal MTp exposure of occupants, a comparative study was performed in daycare centers in two federal states of Germany. Three well-known monoterpenoid air pollutants, viz. α-pinene (αPN), Δ(3)-carene (CRN), and R-limonene (LMN), were measured in indoor air in 45 daycare centers.

Urinary metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Saudi Arabian schoolchildren in relation to sources of exposure.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contain a number of known carcinogenic compounds, and urinary biomarkers have been widely used as a measure of exposure but quantitative relationships with exposure variables have proved elusive. This study aimed to quantify the relationship between exposures to phenanthrene and pyrene from atmospheric and dietary sources with the excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene and hydroxyphenanthrenes in urine as biomarkers of exposure. The study population consisted of 204 male schoolchildren attending three schools in different parts of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia who provided urine samples on each of three consecutive days.

Evaluation of the effect of skin cleaning procedures on the dermal absorption of chemicals.

To reduce the internal exposure, skin decontamination is the most important measure after dermal contact to chemicals. However, no harmonized skin cleaning procedure for experimental ex vivo studies is published. In our study, the impact of two skin cleaning techniques on dermal penetration kinetics and intradermal deposition of 1,4-dioxane, 5% hydrofluoric acid (HF, detected in terms of fluoride ions), and anisole was evaluated to develop a reliable ex vivo skin cleaning method using the diffusion cell technique.

Urinary concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Israeli adults: demographic and life-style predictors.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants associated with adverse health outcomes, including cancer, asthma, and reduced fertility. Because data on exposure to these contaminants in Israel and the Middle East are very limited this study was conducted to measure urinary levels of PAHs in the general adult population in Israel and to identify demographic and life-style predictors of exposure. We measured concentrations of five PAH metabolites: 1-hydroxypyrene (1OH_pyrene) and four different hydroxyphenanthrenes (1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene, 4-hydroxyphenanthrene), as well as cotinine in urine samples collected from 243 Israeli adults from the general population.

Human biological monitoring--a versatile tool in the aftermath of a CBRN incident.

Human biological monitoring (HBM) is a well established tool in occupational and environmental medicine. It allows to determine the internal dose of a chemical absorbed by an individual after acute or chronic exposure. Biological reference and threshold values may be used to evaluate the internal dose and estimate its health impact(s).

Determination of cadmium in biological samples.

Analyses of cadmium concentrations in biological material are performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), but also electrochemical methods, neutron activation analysis (NAA), and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). The predominant sample matrices include blood, plasma, serum, and urine, as well as hair, saliva, and tissue of kidney cortex, lung, and liver. While cadmium in blood reveals rather the recent exposure situation, cadmium in urine reflects the body burden and is an indicator for the cumulative long term exposure.

Dermal uptake and excretion of 4,4'-methylenedianiline during rotor blade production in helicopter industry--an intervention study.

Objectives: Workers using composite materials by fibre reinforced laminate technology are exposed to 4,4'-methylenedianiline (MDA), a liver toxicant and suspected human carcinogen, during the production of rotor blades in helicopter industry. The aim of the study presented here was to assess the internal dose of MDA and the suitability of various personal protection measures at the workplace.

Methods: Ambient monitoring and biological monitoring was carried out by analysing MDA in air and urine samples in seven workers of a highly specialized workplace (rotor blade production).

Does smoking have a significant impact on early irritant hand dermatitis in metal workers?

Background: Although they know the long-term complications of smoking, many smokers require additional motivation for entering a smoking cessation programme. At the same time, smoking is considered a possible promoting factor for various skin diseases.

Objective: The present study assesses the impact of smoking on occupational hand dermatitis in a high-risk population.

Non-invasive bioengineering methods in an intervention study in 1020 male metal workers: results and implications for occupational dermatology.

Background: Measurements of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) as an indicator of skin barrier function and colorimetry for quantifying erythema have been recommended for monitoring persons at risk of occupational hand dermatitis.

Objective: This study examines the practicability and usefulness of biophysical measurements at the workplace. PATIENTS/MATERIAL/METHODS: A sample of 1020 male metal workers was enrolled; 800 participants were followed up for 1 year.

Effectiveness of skin protection measures in prevention of occupational hand eczema: results of a prospective randomized controlled trial over a follow-up period of 1 year.

Background: We recently found a very low adherence to a generally recommended skin protection regimen in a sample of 1355 metalworkers.

Objectives: The present study assessed the effectiveness of skin protection as presently recommended, especially the differential contribution of skin care and skin protection, to the prevention of occupational hand eczema. Methods Of 1355 metalworkers screened, 1020 male volunteers, all fit for work, were recruited for a prospective intervention study with four arms (skin care, skin protection, both combined, and control group, i.

Current acceptance and implementation of preventive strategies for occupational hand eczema in 1355 metalworkers in Germany.

Background: The effectiveness of a skin care programme is based mainly on the effectiveness of the products used and the frequency and diligence of the application of skin care products.

Objectives: The present cross-sectional study was aimed at evaluating the implementation and acceptance of generally recommended skin protective means at the workplace.

Methods: We included in our study 1355 metalworkers, employed in 19 factories, mainly of small or medium-size.

Acrylamide as environmental noxious agent: a health risk assessment for the general population based on the internal acrylamide burden.

The present population-based cross-sectional study in 1008 volunteers was aimed at quantifying the internal burden of acrylamide (AM) in the general population using hemoglobin adduct levels as biomarker of exposure. Based on these adduct levels the risk of (AM) related hazardous health effects in the general population is assessed. Hemoglobin adducts of acrylamide were detected in 999 out of 1008 analyzed blood samples (99.

Monoarylamines in the general population--a cross-sectional population-based study including 1004 Bavarian subjects.

Aim: The population-based cross-sectional study including 1004 Bavarian volunteers aged 3 up to 84 years (median: 42 years) was aimed to quantify the internal burden of monocyclic arylamines in the general population and to yield reference values.

Material And Methods: Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire, to give a venous blood sample and a urinary sample. The selected monoarylamines (aniline, o-anisidine, all isomers of toluidine, single and double chlorinated anilines) represent main sources of potential environmental exposure.

The association between self-reported acrylamide intake and hemoglobin adducts as biomarkers of exposure.

Background: The validity of epidemiological studies assessing a lifetime cancer risk due to environmental factors, such as nutrition or smoking behavior strongly depends on the validity of the patient's history.

Objectives: This study assesses whether a standardized questionnaire is a valid tool to identify exposure with acrylamide by relating the self-reported food and smoking history with a biomarker, namely hemoglobin-adduct levels of acrylamide.

Methods: Objective parameters of previous exposure, such as hemoglobin-adduct levels of acrylamide and of the smoking-specific acrylonitrile, respectively, were related to self-reported data in 1,008 volunteers of the general population in bivariate analyses and a multiple linear regression analysis using the log-transformed biomarker levels as outcome.