Exhaled Breath Condensate as a Suitable Matrix to Assess Lung Dose and Effects in Workers Exposed to Cobalt and Tungsten

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether exhaled breath condensate (EBC), a fluid formed by cooling exhaled air, can be used as a suitable matrix to assess target tissue dose and effects of inhaled cobalt and tungsten, using EBC malondialdehyde (MDA) as a biomarker of pulmonary oxidative stress. Thirty-three workers exposed to Co and W in workshops producing either diamond tools or hard-metal mechanical parts participated in this study. Two EBC and urinary samples were collected: one before and one at the end of the work shift. Controls were selected among nonexposed workers. Co, W, and MDA in EBC were analyzed with analytical methods based on mass spectrometric reference techniques. In the EBC from controls, Co was detectable at ultratrace levels, whereas W was undetectable. In exposed workers, EBC Co ranged from a few to several hundred nanomoles per liter. Corresponding W levels ranged from undetectable to several tens of nanomoles per liter. A parallel trend was observed for much higher urinary levels. Both Co and W in biological media were higher at the end of the work shift in comparison with preexposure values. In EBC, MDA levels were increased depending on Co concentration and were enhanced by coexposure to W. Such a correlation between EBC MDA and both Co and W levels was not observed with urinary concentration of either element. These results suggest the potential usefulness of EBC to complete and integrate biomonitoring and health surveillance procedures among workers exposed to mixtures of transition elements and hard metals.

Bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum and exhaled clinically relevant inflammatory markers: values in healthy adults

“…At this stage, it is only possible to capitalise on studies dealing with EBC analysis in diseased conditions, although in these studies a limited number of healthy subjects matching the characteristics of the diseased group are usually used as a control group. In this context, a number of such publications have dealt with the same mediator, therefore, more data are available in healthy controls (table 6) [77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93]. The only exception is a recent study dealing not with a mediator or chemical compound but with pH values in healthy subjects [87].…”

“…The field in which EBC analysis may soon have a recognised clinical application is in assessing exposure to chemical compounds potentially harmful to the respiratory system, e.g. in the screening of occupational/environmental risk or toxic effects of a given compound in exposed individuals [91]. This type of ''occupational'' application of EBC analysis to detect a biomarker of exposure/effect is rather analogous to the role of induced sputum in occupational asthma [94], representing an example of how the development of a new biological tool may capitalise on previous experience with other types of sample analysis.…”

Toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of elemental mercury following self-administration

“…4) seem to indicate that the BF is a minor excretion route for Hg. We have recently demonstrated that levels of pneumotoxic metals in exhaled breath condensate, sharing some commonality with BF, are promising markers of effective dose at the target organ in exposed workers (59). Different chelating agents, including penicillamine, dimercaprol, 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulphonate (DMPS), and DMSA, have been administered in cases of i.v.…”

Determination of hexavalent chromium in exhaled breath condensate and environmental air among chrome plating workers

“…There are no published data concerning the Cr(VI)/Cr(III) equilibrium in the airway lining fluid, nor any data is available concerning its reducing power, although different concentrations of individual reducing agents (glutathione, ascorbic acid) may affect the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), and thus the levels of Cr(VI) that reach pulmonary tissue [12]. The measurement of Cr(VI) in EBC, which is also a suitable fluid for assessing the lung doses and effects of cobalt and tungsten in exposed workers [13], may therefore be a useful means of following the reduction pathways of Cr at target organ level and studying the mechanisms of pulmonary Cr(VI) toxicity.…”