Objective
The aims of this project are:
- to developed and validate a method of measuring the uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) due to skin contamination and
- to study the relative importance of the skin and lungs, respectively, as entry points for occupational exposure to PAHs.
The results will allow the importance of the various exposure routes to be assessed so that preventive measures can be optimized.
The PAH indicator used will be pyrene, which is considered a valid exposure test and a reliable biological parameter. The variables "inhaled pyrene" and "pyrene skin dose" will be used as independent variables, whereas "1-hydroxypyrene in urine" and "1-hydroxypyrene in blood" will be considered dependent variables. Multiple regression analysis and correlation analyses will be used to study the relationship between the external and internal exposure parameters. This will be carried out at individual and workplace levels.
METHODS AND MEANS BY WHICH THE AIMS ARE TO BE ACHIEVED
Skin contamination will be studied using "exposure pads" (self-adhesive polypropylene pads) and the hand methods (standardized and preceding and following the shift). The quantity of substances inhaled will be evaluated by means of an individual sampler (PAS badge), which will also show the gaseous fraction. An analytical method will determine free hydroxypyrene in serum and the free and serum-bound 1-hydroxypyrene. The variables connected with the workplace, such as duration of shift, quantity of materials used, weather conditions as well as personal characteristics which may affect the external/internal exposure relationship such as body height, body weight, age, smoking habits, drug and alcohol consumption, will be established in each case with the aid of standardized observation lists and questionnaires.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
6500 HB NIJMEGEN
Netherlands