The lung effect and oxidative damage of free silica exposure among foundry workers
Date Issued
2010
Date
2010
Author(s)
Lin, Ming-Hsiu
Abstract
Laborer workers are exposed to free silica long-term and lead to an increased risk of silicosis and lung cancer. Epidemiological and animal studies support that, then less research resulting from an engineering intervention to assess the health effect. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate changes in lung function and oxidative damage markers following the introduction of an engineering control intervention , whilst urinary 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was used as a measure of oxidative DNA damage.
My study population was 74 male from 3 foundries in Taiwan. All subjects were carried on such inspections as chest X-rays, lung function, blood routine, oxidative damage,etc, in order to discuss the effects of dust exposure and BMI on foundry workers’ lung function and to determine whether the intake of dietary vitamins has any significant impact in improving lung function and anti-oxidant plasma activity. Our findings revealed that the lung function, FEV1, FEV1%pred and FEV1/FVC% of foundry workers is negatively affected by having a higher BMI and by exposure to dust. In addition, I studied one of 3 foundries before, and three months after, improvements to air exhaust control. Initial baseline biomarker measurements were taken of lung function and urinary 8-OHdG in all of the workers, with follow up measurements taken three months after the engineering control was put in place. Compared to initial baseline, significant improvements were found in lung function (FVC, FEV1, FVC%pred and FEV1%pred) amongst the workers after the engineering intervention to reduce the silica level. I estimated DNA damage by comet assay for another planet, after confounders were adjusted, A significant increase in L/H, TL, ETM, OTM of DNA damage with cumulative silica exposure. From the result of cytokines showed that the significant higher concentration of IL-2 and IL-10 in silicosis subjects (equal and more than ILO 1/0) than health workers.
These findings indicate that significant improvements in lung function among a small group of foundry workers following the implementation of an engineering intervention that effectively reduced the levels of respirable silica dust. These results suggest that engineering controls aimed at reducing occupational exposure to silica represent an effective approach that may have immediate benefits to workers.
Subjects
free silica
foundry worker
8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine
DNA damage
cytokines
SDGs
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