Chronic exposure to emissions from photocopiers in copy shops causes oxidative stress and systematic inflammation among photocopier operators in India

Abstract

BackgroundWe assessed indoor air quality in photocopier centers and investigated whether occupational exposure to emissions from photocopiers is associated with decline in lung function or changes in haematological parameters, oxidative stress and inflammatory status.MethodsIndoor air quality was monitored in five photocopier centers. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry in 81 photocopier operators (64 male and 17 female) and 43 healthy control (31 male and 12 female) subjects. Hematological status, serum thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total ferric reducing antioxidant capacity (FRAC), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), 8-isoprostane, C reactive protein (CRP), interleukin 8 (IL-8), clara cell protein (CC-16), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) were analyzed. Relationships between cumulative exposure, lung function and inflammatory markers were assessed.ResultsPM10 and PM2.5 were above the permissible levels in all the photocopier centers, whereas the levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ozone, sulphur dioxide, lead, arsenic, nickel, ammonia, benzene and benzo(a)pyrene were within Indian ambient air quality standards. Lung function was similar in the photocopier operators and control subjects. Serum TBARS was significantly higher and FRAC was lower among photocopier operators when compared to healthy controls. Plasma IL-8, LTB4, ICAM-1 and ECP were significantly higher in the photocopier exposed group.ConclusionsPhotocopiers emit high levels of particulate matter. Long term exposure to emissions from photocopiers was not associated with decreased lung function, but resulted in high oxidative stress and systemic inflammation leading to high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Does occupational exposure to anesthetic gases lead to increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines?

“…Similarly, photocopier operators exposed to particles, toxic gases and radiation for 5 years showed a minor (4 %), but significant increase of plasma IL-8 compared to the control group [9]. The authors observed that the exposed group had higher incidences of nasal blockage, breathing troubles and excessive sputum production compared to controls, but concluded that long-term exposure to emissions was not associated with decreased lung function, but rather resulted Table 1 Demographic data of operating room medical personnel exposed to a mixture of anesthetic gases for 3 years (exposed group) and the matched control group Control group (n = 15) Exposed group (n = 15) Years (age) 28.1 ± 1.7 28.2 ± 1.3 BMI (kg/m 2 ) 24.6 ± 3.0 24.3 ± 4.5…”

Occupational exposure to nanoparticles at commercial photocopy centers

“…In these studies, PM 0.1 were comparable in potency to welding fumes and several times more potent than copper oxide nanoparticles [12,14]. Chronic inflammation in humans was recently documented [15]. Thus, evidence to-date suggests PM 0.1 from photocopiers are potentially toxic, and additional research is needed to assess the chemical and toxicological properties of PM 0.1 across a full range of manufacturer toner formulations, equipment and usage, and realistic workplaces and practices.…”

Classifying oxidative stress by F2-isoprostane levels across human diseases: A meta-analysis

“…The number in the affected and control groups represents the number of people tested. Data for this figure was extracted from references [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49], [50], [51], [52], [53], [54], [55], [56], [57], [58], [59], [60], [61], [62], [63], [64], [65], [66], [67], [68], [69], [70], [71], [72], [73], [74], [75], [76], [77], [78], [79], [80], [81], [82], [83], [84], [85], [86], [87], [88], [89], [90], [91], [92], [93], [94], [95], [96], [97], [98], [99], [100], [101], [102], [103], [104], [105], [106], [107], [108], [109], [110], [111], [112], [113], [114], [115], [116], [117], [118], …”