Occupational exposure to particles and biomarkers of cardiovascular disease—during work and after vacation

Abstract

Objective Ambient particle matter is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, little is known about associations between particles in occupational settings and risk of CVD. We investigated associations between occupational dust exposure and biomarkers of CVD, and potential recovery effects after vacation. Methods Personal dust exposure measurements (respirable silica, respirable dust < 4 µm, and particles of 0.1–10 µm (PM 0.1–10) were conducted once, and biological sampling were performed twice on non-smoking, male construction workers in Stockholm county, Sweden; during work and immediately after summer vacation. Linear regressions with adjustments for confounders and covariates were performed evaluating associations between occupational dust exposure and biomarkers. Paired t tests were performed evaluating changes before and after vacation. Results Sixty-five workers participated. Homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher with increasing concentrations (mg/m3) of respirable silica, respirable dust, and PM 0.1–10, and pulse rate with higher levels of respirable dust and dust of PM 0.1–10. Homocysteine levels were also positively correlated to number of years of dust exposure, as were low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. A clear recovery effect was present for LDL after vacation, but not for homocysteine. Conclusions Occupational dust exposure was associated with some CVD risk markers, even at mean exposure concentrations below the Swedish occupational exposure limits for respirable silica and respirable dust, respectively. Vacation resulted in recovery for some risk markers. However, the change of the homocysteine and LDL levels suggest a long-term effect. Reduction of occupational exposure to dust may decrease the risk of CVD among exposed workers.

The Association of Air Pollution Exposure With Glucose and Lipid Levels: The Role of an Extreme Air Pollution Event Alongside 2 Decades of Moderate Exposure

“…To our knowledge, our results are the first to investigate and showcase an association between WTC-related exposure and increases in glucose and total cholesterol levels. Previous literature supports an association between non-WTC occupational dust exposure and increased risk of diabetes ( 30 ) and diverse cardiovascular disease risk markers ( 31 ). Several longitudinal studies have shown associations between WTC-related exposures and heart disease ( 32 ), stroke ( 33 ), and overall cardiovascular disease risk ( 34 ).…”

Short and long-term associations between serum proteins linked to cardiovascular disease and particle exposure among constructions workers

“…The study group consisted of construction workers (N=65) with exposure to particulate matter and RCS who were recruited 2018/2019 from 20 companies in the Stockholm County, as previously described ( 9 ). The inclusion criteria were that the participants should be males, non-smokers for the last six months and have worked in the construction industry for at least six months.…”

“…Additionally, the questionnaire covered former and current work including years in profession (years), exposure to noise, exposure to other particles during work (ie, diesel fumes, welding, dust other than RCS) or from hobbies. Biological samples were collected twice for each participant: during work (ie, in the morning before participants started the working day, and the same day as the exposure measurements) and after vacation (but before returning to work) as previously described ( 9 ). During the measurements after vacation, participants completed another short questionnaire about vacation activities involving exposure to RCS, health status, and tobacco use.…”

“…RCS and respirable dust concentrations (filter measurements), were measured during one working day at each participant’s worksite as previously described ( 9 ). The filter for RCS and respirable dust was placed at the participant’s shoulder, close to the breathing zone.…”

“…One μL of serum was used for the analysis. Processing, quality control as well as normalization were performed as previously described ( 9 ). Protein levels were reported as normalized protein expression (NPX) values on a log2-scale.…”