Exposure assessment of toxic metals and organochlorine pesticides among employees of a natural history museum

Abstract

Chemical compounds such as arsenic, mercury and organochlorine pesticides have been extensively used as preventive and curative conservation treatments for cultural and biological collections to protect them from pest and mold infestations. Most of the aforementioned compounds have been classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic and represent a health risk for members of staff exposed to contaminated objects. The present study addresses the internal exposure of 28 museum employees in Museum für Naturkunde Berlin by measuring arsenic species and mercury in urine as well as hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4,4'-DDT) and its main metabolite, dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE), and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in blood serum. This study was carried out in order to assess the internal exposure of Natural History Museum staff members to toxic metals and organochlorine pesticides. During a working week, two blood samples and five urine samples were taken from each participant, involving 8 women and 20 men. Information about work activity and exposure related factors such as dust development through work, use of personal protective equipment, as well as a nutrition diary were obtained through a questionnaire. Information on fish and seafood intakes as well as amalgam fillings was also available. The results of the study showed that the museum staff members had quantified concentrations of arsenic (median of 6.4 µg/l; maximum of 339 µg/l), mercury (median of 0.20 µg/l; max of 2.6 µg/l), β-HCH (median of 0.12 µg/l; max of 0.39 µg/l) and 4,4´-DDT (median of 0.050 µg/l; max of 0.82 µg/l). Despite that all the concentrations were below the established reference values, multivariate regression models were able to show that museum staff members are currently exposed to the aforementioned compounds while handling museum objects. To validate our findings, further studies are required.

Validation of exposure indexes to pesticides through the analysis of exposure and effect biomarkers in ground pesticide applicators from Argentina

“…The median concentration of HCB measured in this study for OE and NOE subjects was comparable with studies carried out in the general populations of Germany, Bolivia, Greece, India, and Italy (Arrebola et al, 2012;Bhatnagar et al, 2004;Deering et al, 2020;Koureas et al, 2016;Turci et al, 2010). The median plasma concentration of β-HCH obtained in the current study was similar to other studies carried out in Spain, Germany, and Italy (Deering et al, 2020;L opez et al, 2007;Turci et al, 2010), at least one order of magnitude lower than studies carried out in Mexico, India, and China (Bhatnagar et al, 2004;Li et al, 2018;Ruiz--Su arez et al, 2014), and one order of magnitude higher than a study carried on Swiss population (Bjermo et al, 2013). The median concentration of pp'DDE in this study was comparable with studies carried out in general population from Brazil, Germany, and Italy (Delgado et al, 2002;Schettgen et al, 2015;Turci et al, 2010), but much lower than studies carried on occupationally exposed population from Mexico and India (Bedi et al, 2015;Ruiz-Su arez et al, 2014).…”

“…Thus, we only compare our results with reports evaluating adults male subjects, or studies showing no gender differences in the pesticide concentration (Saoudi et al, 2014;Schettgen et al, 2015). The median concentration of HCB measured in this study for OE and NOE subjects was comparable with studies carried out in the general populations of Germany, Bolivia, Greece, India, and Italy (Arrebola et al, 2012;Bhatnagar et al, 2004;Deering et al, 2020;Koureas et al, 2016;Turci et al, 2010). The median plasma concentration of β-HCH obtained in the current study was similar to other studies carried out in Spain, Germany, and Italy (Deering et al, 2020;L opez et al, 2007;Turci et al, 2010), at least one order of magnitude lower than studies carried out in Mexico, India, and China (Bhatnagar et al, 2004;Li et al, 2018;Ruiz--Su arez et al, 2014), and one order of magnitude higher than a study carried on Swiss population (Bjermo et al, 2013).…”

Mold Odor from Wood Treated with Chlorophenols despite Mold Growth That Can Only Be Seen Using a Microscope

“…The search on CPs/CAs and mold/mildew in the Web of Science (WoS) (see File S1 ) resulted in 34 hits [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 37 , 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 ], in sharp contrast with the 22,215 hits on CPs or CAs (not restricted to mold/mildew). Most of the 34 papers address tainted wine and/or cork and technical aspects such as analytical methods.…”

Toxic Heritage

“…These tangible collections serve to tell compelling stories of people and places through time. However, their long-term storage and special environmental needs present a variety of ongoing challenges for those charged with their care and preservation (Deering et al 2020;Landrey 2009;Simmons and Kiser 2020;Szcepanowska 2013).…”