Abstract

Inhalation of xenobiotics during manufacture process in chrome plating bath produce hazards to workers’ health. Chromium (Cr) is a metal widely used by industry, and its hexavalent (VI) form has been classified as mutagenic and carcinogenic. This study aimed to evaluate the occupational risk of exposure to metals in chrome plating workers. Biological monitoring was performed through quantification of Cr, Pb, As, Ni, and V in blood by ICP-MS in 50 male chrome-plating workers from the exposed group and 50 male non-exposed workers. The inflammatory parameters assessed were β-2 integrin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and L-selectin expression in lymphocytes. The genotoxicity was evaluated with comet and micronucleus (MN) assays and as a biomarker of oxidative damage the lipid peroxidation (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PCO). The results demonstrated that Cr levels in blood and urine were increased in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group. Although the biomarkers of exposure proved to be within the levels considered safe in exposed individuals, chrome plating workers presented significantly increase in the percentage of lymphocytes expressing β-2 integrin, ICAM-1, and L-selectin as well as DNA damage (comet assay) and plasmatic MDA and PCO levels. Therefore, it is possible also assign the injuries caused to lipids, proteins, and DNA assessed due to the increased presence of other metals such as Pb, As, Ni, and V in exposed subjects. These results suggest that exposure to xenobiotics present in the occupational environment in chrome plating industry could play a crucial role toward the inflammation, genetic, and oxidative damage.

摘要

镀铬槽制造过程中吸入异生物质会对工人的健康造成危害。铬 (Cr) 是一种工业上广泛使用的金属，其六价 (VI) 形态已被归类为致突变和致癌物质。本研究旨在评估镀铬工人接触金属的职业风险。通过 ICP-MS 对暴露组的 50 名男性镀铬工人和 50 名男性非暴露工人的血液中 Cr、Pb、As、Ni 和 V 进行定量生物监测。评估的炎症参数是 β-2 整合素、细胞间粘附分子-1 (ICAM-1) 和淋巴细胞中的 L-选择素表达。用彗星和微核 (MN) 测定法评估遗传毒性，并将脂质过氧化 (MDA) 和蛋白质羰基 (PCO) 作为氧化损伤的生物标志物。结果表明，与未暴露组相比，暴露组血液和尿液中的 Cr 水平升高。尽管暴露的生物标志物被证明在暴露个体中被认为是安全的水平内，但镀铬工人的淋巴细胞表达 β-2 整合素、ICAM-1 和 L-选择素的百分比以及 DNA 损伤（彗星试验）显着增加) 和血浆 MDA 和 PCO 水平。因此，由于暴露对象中其他金属（如 Pb、As、Ni 和 V）的存在增加，也可能将评估的脂质、蛋白质和 DNA 造成的损伤归类。这些结果表明，接触镀铬行业职业环境中存在的异生物质可能对炎症、遗传和氧化损伤起关键作用。