Atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during chimney sweeping.

Knecht, U.; Bolm-Audorff, U; Woitowitz, H.‐J.

doi:10.1136/oem.46.7.479

Cited by 10 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…The organic part mainly consists of PAHs (Watson and Valberg 2001). Depending on the type of fuel used, several PAHs have been detected in the breathing zone of chimney sweeps during black-soot-sweeping in systems that use oil and solid fuel (Knecht et al 1989). Other studies have found high levels of inhalable combustion particulates (≥2.5 mg/m 3 ) (Gustavsson et al 2001) and dust (3–19 mg/m 3 ) (Andersson 1987) during chimney sweeping.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chimney sweeps in Sweden: a questionnaire-based assessment of long-term changes in work conditions, and current eye and airway symptoms

Alhamdow

Gustavsson

Rylander

et al. 2016

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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ObjectivesTo explore chimney sweeping work tasks, chimney sweeps’ use of protective equipment, and type of fuel used by clients, over time. Further, to assess work-relatedness of current eye and airway symptoms.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study in 2011, male Swedish chimney sweeps (n = 483; age 21–69 years) answered a questionnaire about their occupational history and eye and airway symptoms.ResultsBetween 1960 and 2010, black-soot-sweeping in private homes was the major task, although it decreased during the time period, for chimney sweeps. Between 1975 and 2010, the use of petroleum oil decreased, whereas the use of pellets and wood increased. Also, the use of gloves and masks increased significantly. Black-soot-sweeping in industry was associated with work-related eye symptoms (prevalence odds ratio POR = 3.76, 95% CI: 1.72–8.24, for every 10% increment of working time, adjusted for age and tobacco smoking). Chimney sweeps also had slightly higher prevalence of cough with increasing black-soot-sweeping (POR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99–1.13 for every 10% increment, further adjusted for the use of mask), and the association was more pronounced, although nonsignificant, for black-soot-sweeping in industry (adjusted POR = 1.26, 95% CI: 0.98–1.61).ConclusionsChimney sweeping tasks and use of protective equipment as well as type of fuel used by the clients changed significantly over the last 35 years, which may have changed chimney sweeps’ exposure to soot. Still, chimney sweeps in Sweden have black-soot-sweeping-related eye and airway symptoms.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00420-016-1186-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chimney sweeps in Sweden: a questionnaire-based assessment of long-term changes in work conditions, and current eye and airway symptoms

Alhamdow

Gustavsson

Rylander

et al. 2016

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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“…Chimney sweeps are primarily exposed to PAH from soot 10 , 12 , 13 , particularly during soot sweeping, the removal of soot from chimneys and boilers in private homes and industrial buildings that predominantly use wood, petroleum oil, and coal as fuel. Chimney sweeps can also be exposed to other hazardous substances from work such as arsenic, lead, nickel, asbestos, carbon particles, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, detergents, and degreasing materials 10 , 14 , 15 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early markers of cardiovascular disease are associated with occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Alhamdow

Lindh

Albin

et al. 2017

Sci Rep

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Occupational exposure to soot, rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, our knowledge about PAH exposure and early markers of CVD remains limited. In this cross-sectional study of 151 chimney sweeps and 152 controls, we investigated occupational exposure to PAH and early markers of CVD. Blood pressure (BP) (chimney sweeps only), urinary PAH metabolites and serum biomarkers were measured (C-reactive protein, homocysteine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides). Chimney sweeps had up to 7 times higher concentrations of PAH metabolites in urine than controls (P < 0.001): median concentrations (adjusted for specific gravity) for 1-hydroxypyrene, 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene were 0.56 µg/L, 0.78 µg/L, 4.75 ng/L, and 6.28 ng/L, respectively. Compared with controls, chimney sweeps had increased homocysteine, cholesterol, and HDL (β = 3.4 µmol/L, 0.43 mmol/L, and 0.13 mmol/L, respectively, P ≤ 0.003, adjusted for age, BMI, and smoking). In chimney sweeps, PAH metabolites correlated positively with the percentage of soot sweeping (P < 0.001). 2-hydroxyphenanthrene, 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]anthracene were positively associated with diastolic BP (P < 0.044, adjusted for age, BMI, and smoking). PAH exposure among chimney sweeps resulted in elevated levels of markers for CVD risk. These findings stress the need to reduce occupational exposure to PAH.

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“…The exposure to 5 PAHs demonstrated to be carcinogenic in animals was about twice as high in soot from solid fuels as in soot from oil-fueled burners. 15 An extensive occupational hygiene survey performed in Sweden in 1985 and 1986 showed high dust levels during all work operations involving contact with soot. 13 Average levels of total dust during sweeping were 3, 9, 11, and 19 milligrams per cubic meter for the 4 most common sweeping operations, exceeding the Swedish threshold limit value of 3 milligrams per cubic meter for most work operations.…”

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confidence: 99%

Cancer Incidence in a Cohort of Swedish Chimney Sweeps, 1958–2006

Hogstedt

Jansson²,

Hugosson³

et al. 2013

Am J Public Health

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Objectives. We examined cancer incidence in an expanded cohort of Swedish chimney sweeps. Methods. We added male chimney sweep trade union members (1981–2006) to an earlier cohort (employed 1918–1980) and linked them to nationwide registers of cancer, causes of deaths, and total population. The total cohort (n = 6320) was followed from 1958 through 2006. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) using the male Swedish population as reference. We estimated exposure as years of employment and analyzed for exposure–response associations by Poisson regression. Results. A total of 813 primary cancers were observed versus 626 expected (SIR = 1.30; 95% confidence interval = 1.21, 1.39). As in a previous follow-up, SIRs were significantly increased for cancer of the esophagus, liver, lung, bladder, and all hematopoietic cancer. New findings included significantly elevated SIRs for cancer of the colon, pleura, adenocarcinoma of the lung, and at unspecified sites. Total cancer and bladder cancer demonstrated positive exposure–response associations. Conclusions. Exposure to soot and asbestos are likely causes of the observed cancer excesses, with contributions from adverse lifestyle factors. Preventive actions to control work exposures and promote healthier lifestyles are an important priority.

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Atmospheric concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during chimney sweeping.

Cited by 10 publications

References 4 publications

Chimney sweeps in Sweden: a questionnaire-based assessment of long-term changes in work conditions, and current eye and airway symptoms

Chimney sweeps in Sweden: a questionnaire-based assessment of long-term changes in work conditions, and current eye and airway symptoms

Early markers of cardiovascular disease are associated with occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Cancer Incidence in a Cohort of Swedish Chimney Sweeps, 1958–2006

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