Robert F. M. Herber

Sample collection guidelines for trace elements in blood and urine.

This paper presents an organized system for element-specific sample collection and handling of human blood (whole blood, serum or plasma, packed cells or erythrocytes) and urine also indicating a proper definition of the subject and sample. Harmonized procedures for collection, preparation, analysis and quality control are suggested. The aim is to assist scientists worldwide to produce comparable data which will be useful on a regional, national and international scale. The guidelines are directed to the elements aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, lithium, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium and zinc. These include the most important elements measured for their occupational or clinical significance, and serve as examples of principles that will guide development of methods for other elements in the future.

Work hygienic behaviour as modifier of the lead air-lead blood relation.

SummaryKnowledge of hygienic behaviour at the workplace appears to explain the low correlation between external and internal exposure. Differences in hygienic behaviour explain at least the same magnitude of variation in levels of lead in blood as the level of lead in air. Adding hygienic behaviour to the lead air-lead blood model increases the accuracy of prediction of PbB. In this study, the frequency of putting on/off gloves and the frequency of hand-mouth nose/shunt are the strongest modifiers of the PbA-PbB relation. In general, the actual behaviour of workers exposed to chemical agents may explain the often observed poor or moderate relationships between environmental and biological monitoring parameters of chemical exposure in occupational health studies.

Smoking habits and levels of lead and cadmium in blood in urban women.

SummaryIn 222 Dutch urban women lead (PbB)- and cadmium (CdB)-levels in blood were measured and related to smoking habits. PbB ranged from 40 ppb to 240 ppb and CdB rangedfrom 0.2 ppb to 4.4 ppb. Smokers had slightly higher PbB-levels and distinctly higher CdB-levels.

The rapid determination of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in whole blood by atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization. Improvements in precision with a peak-shape monitoring device

Abstract The Varian AA6 atomic absorption instrument with a CRA Model 63 in combination with a peak-shape monitoring system makes it possible to avoid losses of volatile elements during the ashing stage. Lead, cadmium, copper and zinc can be measured with sufficient precision even when only simple sample dilution is applied. Time is saved as laborious extraction procedures and frequent blank firings can be omitted. Zinc is measured above the oven so that 10–20 times lower dilutions with consequent gain in precision are possible.

Occupational exposure to tetrachloroethene and its effects on the kidneys

Occupational exposure to tetrachloroethene (TCE) has been reported to cause early adverse effects on the kidneys. We investigated the effects of TCE exposure on the kidneys in 82 exposed and 19 nonexposed workers from four dry-cleaning shops in The Netherlands. The mean inhaled amount of TCE in the exposed group, which was assessed by determination of its concentration in alveolar air samples, was 8.4 mg/m3 (range, 2.2-44.6 mg/m3). This value corresponds to a mean 8-hour time-weighted average exposure of 7.9 mg/m3 (range, 1-221 mg/m3). A chronic dose index (CDI) was estimated from data on the current TCE dose and the occupational history of the individual subjects. The mean CDI in the exposed group was 400 months X mg/m3 (range, 12-4882 months X mg/m3). Effects on the tubules were assessed with the parameters N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, alanine aminopeptidase, and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in urine. Early effects on the glomeruli were monitored with the parameter albumin in urine. Total protein in urine was determined for the general assessment of effects on the glomeruli and tubules. The tubular parameter RBP was increased in the exposed group, compared with the nonexposed group. None of the other parameters differed between the study groups, and none of the renal-effect parameters correlated with the TCE dose or the CDI. In conclusion, occupational exposure to TCE may cause a minor effect on the tubular RBP at exposure levels below the Dutch occupational exposure limit (240 mg/m3).

Risk assessment for occupational exposure to chemicals. A review of current methodology (IUPAC Technical Report)

This paper reviews the methodology available for risk assessment of exposure to substances in the workplace. Assessment starts with the identification and classification of hazard, which must be related to the doseeffect and doseresponse information available for the hazards identified. Once the potential for exposure has been characterized, it should be quantified and compared with an established safe exposure level. The degree to which it exceeds that level is a measure of the risk. Even if the assessed risk is regarded as acceptable, there is the possibility that the situation will change with time, so it is important to monitor potentially harmful exposures. Factors relevant to effective monitoring are reviewed. Addresses of Internet sites where further information may be obtained are listed along with further reading.

Trace element levels in hair of eight-year-old children*

SummaryA study of trace element levels in hair was performed on 183 eight-year-old schoolchildren living in Bijlmermeer, a suburb of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Microlevel-elements, such as Au, Co, Ag, Se and Cd, and macrolevel-elements, such as Pb, Cu, Fe and Zn, were analyzed using the NAA and AAS methods. The total group of children was divided into subgroups, according to ethnic origins: Caucasian boys and girls, Hindustani children and a Surinamese rest group. The relation between element levels in hair and nutritional status, anthropometric and haematological variables were studied. Most levels corresponded reasonably with literature data. The iron in hair may be positively related to daily dietary intake of iron.

Concentrations of lead and other metals in blood of two and three year-old children living near a secondary smelte

SummaryIn 108 two-and three-year-old children the concentration of lead, cadmium, manganese, and zinc in blood, of free erythrocyte porphyrin in erythrocytes, and of haemoglobin and haematocrit were measured. The relation with distance of residence to a secondary smelter and with socio-economic class was studied. The ranges were for PbB 45–383 ppb, CdB 0.2–3.5 ppb, ZnB 2.0–9.7 ppm, MnB 2.7–14.1 ppb, FEP 10.5–138.9 μg/100 ml rbc. PbB was influenced independently by the distance to the source of emission and by the socioeconomic class. FEP increased with PbB; Hb and Ht were not affected. The results suggest that the Biological Quality Guide for blood lead as adopted in the European Community may have to be lowered for young children.

Hygienic behaviour in chromium plating industries

SummaryThe impact of hygienic behaviour on the uptake of chromium has been studied in two small chromium plating factories. The correlation between the environmental monitoring measure (Cr-A) and the biological monitoring measure (Cr-U) varied between the two factories. In one factory (I) the correlation between Cr U and Cr-A was 0.68 (P < 0.001), while in the other factory (II) it was negative (r = −0.64, P = 0.03). However, in both populations a significant impact of hygienic behaviour on the variance in Cr-U levels could be detected. In factory I, explained variance could be enhanced to R2 = 0.94 (P < 0.001) when considering expressions of hygienic behaviour. In factory II, a strong relation proved to exist between Cr-U and dermal uptake. For the various questions referring to skin problems and possible dermal uptake, the correlation with Cr-U is up to 0.70 (P = 0.03). When comparing the results for the two factories, it is shown that in addition to individual differences in hygienic behaviour, general hygienic conditions also have an impact on uptake of chromium. In factory II, where many efforts were made to prevent exposure to chromium, Cr-U was significantly lower than in factory I (P < 0.001).

Biological Assessment of Exposure in Factories with Second Degree Usage of Cadmium Compounds

SummaryBiological assessment of occupational exposure to cadmium in five different factories with low-level second degree usage of Cd-compounds has been carried out. In 124 exposed and control male workers the following measurements were performed: cadmium in blood (CdB) and urine (CdU), B2-microglobulin (B2M), creatinin in urine (Great), hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht). Analysis of 34 pairs of workers matched according to age, smoking habits, ethnic origin and factory, established a significant difference only in CdU, the geometric means being 0.67 μg/g Creat in the exposed group and 0.48 μg/g Creat in the control group. Significant correlation was found between CdU x age and CdB x smoking habits. Multiple regression analysis showed that for each year increase in age CdU increased 3%, for each percent increase of CdB CdU increased 0.28%; for each cigarette smoked per day CdB increased 1.6%. It is concluded that in this type of work the low external cadmium exposure does not express itself in different CdB-levels, but only in different CdU-levels, indicating an increased body burden due to long term low level occupational cadmium exposure. In biological assessment of exposure to Cd, it is essential to take age and smoking habits fully into account.