Evaluation of Occupational Exposure to Perchlorethylene in a Group of Italian Dry Cleaners Using Noninvasive Exposure Indices

Abstract

Recent data suggest a general trend in decreased occupational exposure to perchlorethylene (PCE) in the dry-cleaning sector. The aims of this study were to confirm this trend to lower exposure levels in a group of Italian dry cleaners and to evaluate the current occupational PCE exposure in these works using noninvasive biological indices. Environmental exposure was assessed by personal sampling in 60 operators working in 21 dry cleaning shops in North Italy. PCE in the exhaled alveolar air (PCEalv), urinary concentration of PCE and of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) (PCEu and TCAu respectively), were measured as biological exposure indices. Median PCE environmental concentration in the whole sample was 10.6 mg/m3 (i.e., less than the 25% of the levels measured in the same area in a previous study). All values were less than 10% of the occupational limits. PCEu measured in samples collected at the end of the work shift resulted the biological markers having the strongest correlation with environmental PCE (r = 0.81). PCEalv also resulted in a high correlation (r = 0.66), while a lower correlation was found for TCAu measured at the end shift (r = 0.32). According to our results, PCEu can be proposed as a valid, noninvasive, and easily reliable exposure index to evaluate PCE exposure at the low levels currently observed in dry cleaners, therefore representing a promising alternative to invasive blood sample collections needed to determine PCE blood concentration.

The perchloroethylene‐induced toxicity in dry cleaning workers lymphocytes through induction of oxidative stress

“…[ 24,25 ] Previous studies have shown that this solvent has the potential to damage vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. [ 2,26 ] Our results showed that the levels of ALT and AST as liver enzymes in dry cleaning workers are higher than in the control group. However, no significant difference was observed in BUN and creatinine levels between the two groups.…”

“…Oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are the mechanisms of TCA toxicity. [14,15,26] Physiologically, oxidative stress is a condition in which the balance between oxidants (ROS) and antioxidants status is disturbed by exposure to various factors. [27,28] To examine the relationship between exposure to various compounds and oxidative stress, parameters such as ROS, LPO, and intracellular antioxidant enzymes (GSH) are evaluated.…”

Occupational Exposures in Commercial Laundry and Dry Cleaning Industries and their Associative Cancers: A Scoping Review

“…Modenese et al conducted personal air sampling as well as biological sampling via exhaled air measurements and urine concentration measurements. The study population included 21 dry cleaning shops and 60 workers ( 69 ). Personal passive samplers were placed on each worker for an entire eight-hour work shift, and alveolar air and urine samples were collected at the end of the work shift ( 69 ).…”

“…The study population included 21 dry cleaning shops and 60 workers ( 69 ). Personal passive samplers were placed on each worker for an entire eight-hour work shift, and alveolar air and urine samples were collected at the end of the work shift ( 69 ). Results of personal air sampling showed a mean concentration of 17.0 mg/m ³ (SD: 18.5 mg/m ³ ) and a range of 0.1–86.0 mg/m ³ within the established OSHA and ACGIH OEL ( 69 ).…”

Health Hazards, Hematological and Biochemical Alterations in Dry-Cleaning Workers using Perchloroethylene.

“…This finding is consistent with the previous study which had suggested a weak but dose-related effect of PERC on the kidney of the dry-cleaning workers and it considered glutamine synthetase in urine as the most reliable biomarkers of renal changes in human exposed to low level of PERC as it could indicate a specific effect of this solvent on the proximal tubules (9) . Recent study emphasized on urine sample as another non-invasive biomarker for detection and evaluation of PERC in urine which might explain the potential deleterious effect of PERC on renal system (23) .…”