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Hexavalent chromium still a concern in Sweden - Evidence from a cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project

Jiang, Zheshun LU orcid ; Schenk, Linda ; Assarsson, Eva LU ; Albin, Maria LU ; Bertilsson, Helen ; Dock, Eva LU ; Hagberg, Jessika ; Karlsson, Lovisa E ; Kines, Pete and Krais, Annette M LU orcid , et al. (2024) In International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 256.
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk... (More)

OBJECTIVES: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk and evaluate occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance.

RESULTS: The exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, plating, and various chemical processes. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3 (95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.21). Eight of the 113 exposed workers (7%) exceeded the Swedish OEL of 5 μg/m3, and the Bayesian analysis estimated the share of OEL exceedances up to 19.6% for stainless steel welders. Median post-shift urinary (0.60 μg/L, 5th-95th percentile 0.10-3.20) and RBC concentrations (0.73 μg/L, 0.51-2.33) of Cr were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the controls (urinary 0.10 μg/L, 0.06-0.56 and RBC 0.53 μg/L, 0.42-0.72). Inhalable Cr(VI) correlated with urinary Cr (rS = 0.64) and RBC-Cr (rS = 0.53). Workers within steel production showed the highest concentrations of inhalable, urinary and RBC Cr. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urinary and RBC Cr concentrations compared with those with inferred acceptable ventilation. Furthermore, workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of Cr(VI) in air and had higher levels of Cr in urine and RBC than those assessed with incorrect or no use. Based on the Swedish job-exposure-matrix, approximately 17 900 workers were estimated to be occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). Employers and workers seem aware of Cr(VI) exposure, but more efficient exposure control strategies are required. National strategies aligned with the European strategies are needed in order to eliminate this cause of occupational cancer.

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publication status
published
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in
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
volume
256
article number
114298
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:85179081515
  • pmid:38056371
ISSN
1618-131X
DOI
10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114298
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
7d2fb6db-5789-4a3a-986b-e1c65136b0d8
date added to LUP
2023-12-07 14:01:30
date last changed
2024-11-28 01:54:52
@article{7d2fb6db-5789-4a3a-986b-e1c65136b0d8,
  abstract     = {{<p>OBJECTIVES: Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is classified as a human carcinogen. Occupational Cr(VI) exposure can occur during different work processes, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.</p><p>METHODS: This cross-sectional study (SafeChrom) recruited non-smoking men and women from 14 companies with potential Cr(VI) exposure (n = 113) and controls from 6 companies without Cr(VI) exposure (n = 72). Inhalable Cr(VI) was measured by personal air sampling (outside of respiratory protection) in exposed workers. Total Cr was measured in urine (pre- and post-shift, density-adjusted) and red blood cells (RBC) (reflecting Cr(VI)) in exposed workers and controls. The Bayesian tool Expostats was used to assess risk and evaluate occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance.</p><p>RESULTS: The exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, plating, and various chemical processes. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3 (95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.21). Eight of the 113 exposed workers (7%) exceeded the Swedish OEL of 5 μg/m3, and the Bayesian analysis estimated the share of OEL exceedances up to 19.6% for stainless steel welders. Median post-shift urinary (0.60 μg/L, 5th-95th percentile 0.10-3.20) and RBC concentrations (0.73 μg/L, 0.51-2.33) of Cr were significantly higher in the exposed group compared with the controls (urinary 0.10 μg/L, 0.06-0.56 and RBC 0.53 μg/L, 0.42-0.72). Inhalable Cr(VI) correlated with urinary Cr (rS = 0.64) and RBC-Cr (rS = 0.53). Workers within steel production showed the highest concentrations of inhalable, urinary and RBC Cr. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urinary and RBC Cr concentrations compared with those with inferred acceptable ventilation. Furthermore, workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection were exposed to significantly higher concentrations of Cr(VI) in air and had higher levels of Cr in urine and RBC than those assessed with incorrect or no use. Based on the Swedish job-exposure-matrix, approximately 17 900 workers were estimated to be occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.</p><p>CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). Employers and workers seem aware of Cr(VI) exposure, but more efficient exposure control strategies are required. National strategies aligned with the European strategies are needed in order to eliminate this cause of occupational cancer.</p>}},
  author       = {{Jiang, Zheshun and Schenk, Linda and Assarsson, Eva and Albin, Maria and Bertilsson, Helen and Dock, Eva and Hagberg, Jessika and Karlsson, Lovisa E and Kines, Pete and Krais, Annette M and Ljunggren, Stefan and Lundh, Thomas and Modig, Lars and Möller, Rickie and Pineda, Daniela and Ricklund, Niklas and Saber, Anne T and Storsjö, Tobias and Amir, Evana Taher and Tinnerberg, Håkan and Tondel, Martin and Vogel, Ulla and Wiebert, Pernilla and Broberg, Karin and Engfeldt, Malin}},
  issn         = {{1618-131X}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health}},
  title        = {{Hexavalent chromium still a concern in Sweden - Evidence from a cross-sectional study within the SafeChrom project}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114298}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114298}},
  volume       = {{256}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}