Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium, Nickel and PAHs: A Mixtures Risk Assessment Approach Based on Literature Exposure Data from European Countries

Tavares AM, Viegas S, Louro H, Göen T, Santonen T, Luijten M, Kortenkamp A, Silva MJ (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Toxics MDPI

Book Volume: 10

Journal Issue: 8

DOI: 10.3390/toxics10080431

Abstract

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), nickel (Ni) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are genotoxic co-occurring lung carcinogens whose occupational health risk is still understudied. This study, conducted within the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU), aimed at performing a mixtures risk assessment (MRA) based on published human biomonitoring (HBM) data from Cr(VI), Ni and/or PAHs occupational co-exposure in Europe. After data extraction, Risk Quotient (RQ) and Sum of Risk Quotients (SRQ) were calculated for binary and ternary mixtures to characterise the risk. Most selected articles measured urinary levels of Cr and Ni and a SRQ > 1 was obtained for co-exposure levels in welding activities, showing that there is concern regarding co-exposure to these substances. Similarly, co-exposure to mixtures of Cr(VI), Ni and PAHs in waste incineration settings resulted in SRQ > 1. In some studies, a low risk was estimated based on the single substances' exposure level (RQ < 1), but the mixture was considered of concern (SRQ > 1), highlighting the relevance of considering exposure to the mixture rather than to its single components. Overall, this study points out the need of using a MRA based on HBM data as a more realistic approach to assess and manage the risk at the workplace, in order to protect workers' health.

Authors with CRIS profile

Thomas Göen Medizinische Fakultät

Involved external institutions

The National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (INSA) PT Portugal (PT) New University of Lisbon / Universidade Nova de Lisboa PT Portugal (PT) Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) / Työterveyslaitos (TTL) FI Finland (FI) Netherlands National Institute for Public Health and the Environment / Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) NL Netherlands (NL) Brunel University London GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Tavares, A.M., Viegas, S., Louro, H., Göen, T., Santonen, T., Luijten, M.,... Silva, M.J. (2022). Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium, Nickel and PAHs: A Mixtures Risk Assessment Approach Based on Literature Exposure Data from European Countries. Toxics, 10(8). https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/toxics10080431

MLA:

Tavares, Ana Maria, et al. "Occupational Exposure to Hexavalent Chromium, Nickel and PAHs: A Mixtures Risk Assessment Approach Based on Literature Exposure Data from European Countries." Toxics 10.8 (2022).

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