HBM4EU chromates study – PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders

Göen T, Abballe A, Bousoumah R, Godderis L, Iavicoli I, Ingelido AM, Leso V, Müller J, Ndaw S, Porras SP, Verdonck J, Santonen T, Poels K, Antoine G, Melczer M, Cattaneo A, Cavallo DM, De Palma G, Gambelunghe A, Lovreglio P, Aimonen K, Velin R (2024)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2024

Journal

Chemosphere Elsevier

Book Volume: 346

Article Number: 140613

DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140613

Abstract

The study aims to reveal the exposure to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in workers in different industry sectors with exposures to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The PFAS exposure of in total 172 individuals from 4 countries was assessed by the determination of 8 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and 4 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids in plasma samples. The participants were 52 chrome plating workers, 43 welders, 3 surface treating workers and 74 workers without any occupational Cr exposure as controls. Significant differences between workers with Cr exposure and controls were found for the perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids, particularly for perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). The median and maximum levels were, respectively, 4.83 and 789 μg/l for chrome plating workers, 4.97 and 1513 μg/l for welders, and 3.65 and 13.9 μg/l for controls. The considerably high PFOS exposure in Cr platers and welders can be explained by the former application of PFOS as mist suppressants in electroplating baths, which resulted in an exposure of the directly involved operators, but also of welders performing maintenance and repair service at these workplaces.

Authors with CRIS profile

Thomas Göen Lehrstuhl für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin Johannes Müller Lehrstuhl für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin

Involved external institutions

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) / Työterveyslaitos (TTL) FI Finland (FI) Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) / Catholic University of Leuven BE Belgium (BE) INRS Institut National de Recherche et Sécurité FR France (FR) Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II IT Italy (IT) Università degli Studi di Brescia IT Italy (IT) Italian National Health Institute / Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) IT Italy (IT) University of Insubria / Università degli Studi dell'Insubria IT Italy (IT) Università degli Studi di Perugia IT Italy (IT) University of Bari Aldo Moro / Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro IT Italy (IT)

How to cite

APA:

Göen, T., Abballe, A., Bousoumah, R., Godderis, L., Iavicoli, I., Ingelido, A.M.,... Velin, R. (2024). HBM4EU chromates study – PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders. Chemosphere, 346. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140613

MLA:

Göen, Thomas, et al. "HBM4EU chromates study – PFAS exposure in electroplaters and bystanders." Chemosphere 346 (2024).

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