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P-205 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY SHOWS THAT HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IS STILL A CONCERN IN SWEDEN

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, Anette M , et al. (2024) In Occupational Medicine 74(Suppl 1). p.291-292
Abstract
Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr... (More)
Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr were significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urine- and RBC-Cr than those with acceptable ventilation. Workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection had higher inhalable Cr(VI), and, paradoxically, higher urine- and RBC-Cr concentrations than workers with incorrect use. We estimate that ~17 900 Swedish workers are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.Our study showed that although most air measurements were relatively low, 7\ and particularly stainless steel workers are at risk for exceeding the OEL. The existing protective measures implemented at workplaces are still inadequate and insufficient.Some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). National strategies aligned with European strategies are needed to eliminate occupational cancer. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Occupational Medicine
volume
74
issue
Suppl 1
article number
ID: 23772
pages
291 - 292
publisher
Oxford University Press
ISSN
0962-7480
DOI
10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0747
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
b1429ec6-46b2-4023-a42b-d022696194ca
date added to LUP
2024-07-08 14:42:24
date last changed
2024-07-10 07:58:59
@misc{b1429ec6-46b2-4023-a42b-d022696194ca,
  abstract     = {{Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a human carcinogen, but the current exposure to Cr(VI) at Swedish workplaces is unknown.Recruitment of 113 workers with potential Cr(VI) exposure and 72 controls was combined with measurements of inhalable Cr(VI) (only exposed workers) and total Cr in urine and red blood cells (RBC), Bayesian analysis of occupational exposure limit (OEL) compliance was used, as well as the Swedish job-exposure-matrix.Exposed workers performed processing of metal products, steel production, welding, and plating. The geometric mean concentration of inhalable Cr(VI) in exposed workers was 0.15 μg/m3. Eight workers (7\ exceeded the Swedish OEL (5 μg/m3), and the share of OEL exceedances was estimated to be up to 19.6\ and RBC-Cr were significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. Workers with inferred non-acceptable local exhaustion ventilation showed significantly higher inhalable Cr(VI), urine- and RBC-Cr than those with acceptable ventilation. Workers with inferred correct use of respiratory protection had higher inhalable Cr(VI), and, paradoxically, higher urine- and RBC-Cr concentrations than workers with incorrect use. We estimate that ~17 900 Swedish workers are occupationally exposed to Cr(VI) today.Our study showed that although most air measurements were relatively low, 7\ and particularly stainless steel workers are at risk for exceeding the OEL. The existing protective measures implemented at workplaces are still inadequate and insufficient.Some workers in Sweden are exposed to high levels of the non-threshold carcinogen Cr(VI). National strategies aligned with European strategies are needed to eliminate occupational cancer.}},
  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, Anette 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 Engfeldt, Malin and Broberg, Karin}},
  issn         = {{0962-7480}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{07}},
  note         = {{Conference Abstract}},
  number       = {{Suppl 1}},
  pages        = {{291--292}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Occupational Medicine}},
  title        = {{P-205 THE SAFECHROM PROJECT - EVIDENCE FROM A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY SHOWS THAT HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IS STILL A CONCERN IN SWEDEN}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0747}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/occmed/kqae023.0747}},
  volume       = {{74}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}