Browsing by Author "Oliveira, Marta"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 19
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Baseline data and associations between urinary biomarkers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, blood pressure, hemogram, and lifestyle among wildland firefightersPublication . Barros, Bela; Paiva, Ana Margarida; Oliveira, Marta; Alves, Sara Elisa Brás; Esteves, Filipa; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Slezakova, Klara; Costa, Solange; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Morais, SimoneAvailable literature has found an association between firefighting and pathologic pathways leading to cardiorespiratory diseases, which have been linked with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are highlighted as priority pollutants by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative in occupational and non-occupational contexts. Methods This cross-sectional study is the first to simultaneously characterize six creatinine-adjusted PAHs metabolites (OHPAHs) in urine, blood pressure, cardiac frequency, and hemogram parameters among wildland firefighters without occupational exposure to fire emissions (> 7 days), while exploring several variables retrieved via questionnaires. Results Overall, baseline levels for total OHPAHs levels were 2 to 23-times superior to the general population, whereas individual metabolites remained below the general population median range (except for 1-hydroxynaphthalene+1-hydroxyacenaphtene). Exposure to gaseous pollutants and/or particulate matter during work-shift was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in total OHPAHs levels. Firefighters who smoke presented 3-times higher total concentration of OHPAHs than non-smokers (p < 0.001); non-smoker females presented 2-fold lower total OHPAHs (p = 0.049) than males. 1-hydroxypyrene was below the recommended occupational biological exposure value (2.5 mu g/L), and the metabolite of carcinogenic PAH (benzo(a)pyrene) was not detected. Blood pressure was above 120/80 mmHg in 71% of subjects. Firefighters from the permanent intervention team presented significantly increased systolic pressure than those who performed other functions (p = 0.034). Tobacco consumption was significantly associated with higher basophils (p = 0.01-0.02) and hematocrit (p = 0.03). No association between OHPAHs and blood pressure was found. OHPAHs concentrations were positively correlated with monocyte, basophils, large immune cells, atypical lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume, which were stronger among smokers. Nevertheless, inverse associations were observed between fluorene and pyrene metabolites with neutrophils and eosinophils, respectively, in non-smokers. Hemogram was negatively affected by overworking and lower physical activity. Conclusion This study suggests possible associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and health parameters in firefighters, that should be further assessed in larger groups.
- Biomonitoring of firefighters' exposure to priority pollutant metal(loid)s during wildland fire combat missions: Impact on urinary levels and health risksPublication . Paiva, Ana Margarida; Barros, Bela; Azevedo, Rui; Oliveira, Marta; Alves, Sara Elisa Brás; Esteves, Filipa; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Alves, Maria José; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Costa, Solange; Almeida, Agostinho; Morais, SimoneWildland firefighters are exposed to metal(loid)s released during wildfires through vegetation combustion, which also promotes remobilization of accumulated anthropogenic metal(loid)s. Studies biomonitoring metal(loid)s exposure promoted exclusively by wildfire suppression activities are lacking. This work aimed to characterize, for the first time, the impact of real-life wildland firefighting operations on urinary levels of priority pollutant metal(loid)s [14 included in ATSDR, 11 in USEPA, and 4 in Human Biomonitoring for Europe Initiative priority lists] in firefighters. Spot urines were sampled pre-exposure (105 non-smokers, 76 smokers) and post-exposure to firefighting activities (20 non-smokers, 25 smokers); among those, paired samples were collected from 14 nonsmoking and 24 smoking firefighters. Smokers displayed significantly higher baseline levels of zinc (28 %), lithium (29 %), cadmium (55 %), rubidium (13 %), and copper (20 %) than non-smokers. Following wildfire suppression, the concentration of the WHO potentially toxic metal(loid)s rose from 2 % to 3 % in smokers and 2 % to 5 % in non-smokers (up to 4 % for all firefighters and up to 5 % in paired samples). Levels of nickel (33–53 %), antimony (45–56 %), and cesium (40–47 %) increased significantly post-exposure in non-smokers (in all firefighters and in paired samples), whose urinary concentrations were generally more impacted by wildfire emissions than those of smokers. Arsenic (80 %) displayed the only significant increase post-exposure in smokers, being the best discriminant of exposure to wildfire emissions in these subjects. Significant positive correlations were found for age and/or career length with cadmium, lead, barium, strontium, and mercury, and for body mass index with arsenic. The reference/guidance values were exceeded for arsenic, zinc, cesium, nickel, antimony, cadmium, lead, thallium, mercury, copper, and cobalt in 1–90 % of firefighters suggesting augmented health risks due to wildfire combating and emphasizing the need of mitigation strategies. This study also provides biomonitoring data to help setting reference values for the occupationally exposed part of population.
- Biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and short-time health effects in wildland firefighters during real-life fire eventsPublication . Paiva, Ana Margarida; Barros, Bela; Oliveira, Marta; Alves, Sara Elisa Brás; Esteves, Filipa; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Slezakova, Klara; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Costa, Solange; Morais, SimoneHuman biomonitoring data retrieved from real -life wildland firefighting in Europe and, also, worldwide are scarce. Thus, in this study, 176 Portuguese firefighters were biomonitored pre- and post- unsimulated wildfire combating (average:12-13 h; maximum: 55 h) to evaluate the impact on the levels of urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons hydroxylated metabolites (OHPAH; quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection) and the associated short-term health effects (symptoms, and total and differentiated white blood cells). Correlations between these variables and data retrieved from the self -reported questionnaires were also investigated. Firefighters were organized into four groups according to their exposure to wildfire emissions and their smoking habits: non-smoking non -exposed (NSNExp), non-smoking exposed (NSExp), smoking non -exposed (SNExp), and smoking and exposed (SExp). The most abundant metabolites were 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (1OHNaph + 1OHAce) (98-99 %), followed by 2-hydroxyfluorene (2OHFlu) (0.2-1.1 %), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1OHPhen) (0.2-0.4 %), and 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy) (0.1-0.2 %); urinary 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene was not detected. The exposure to wildfire emissions significantly elevated the median concentrations of each individual and total OHPAH compounds in all groups, but this effect was more pronounced in non-smoking (1.7-4.2 times; p < 0.006) than in smoking firefighters (1.3-1.6 times; p < 0.03). The greatest discriminant of exposure to wildfire emissions was 1OHNaph + 1OHAce (increase of 4.2 times), while for tobacco smoke it was 2OHFlu (increase of 10 times). Post -exposure, white blood cells count significantly increased ranging from 1.4 (smokers, p = 0.025) to 3.7 -fold (non-smokers, p < 0.001), which was accompanied by stronger significant correlations (0.480 < r < 0.882; p < 0.04) between individual and total OHPAH and total white blood cells (and lymphocytes > monocytes > neutrophils in non-smokers), evidencing the impact of PAH released from wildfire on immune cells. This study identifies Portuguese firefighters with high levels of biomarkers of exposure to PAH and points out the importance of adopting biomonitoring schemes, that include multiple biomarkers of exposure and biomarkers of effect, and implementing mitigations strategies.
- Espresso coffee residues: a valuable source of unextracted compoundsPublication . Cruz, Rebeca; Cardoso, Maria M.; Fernandes, Luana; Oliveira, Marta; Mendes, Eulália; Baptista, Paula; Morais, Simone; Casal, SusanaEspresso spent coffee grounds were chemically characterized to predict their potential, as a source of bioactive compounds, by comparison with the ones from the soluble coffee industry. Sampling included a total of 50 samples from 14 trademarks, collected in several coffee shops and prepared with distinct coffee machines. A high compositional variability was verified, particularly with regard to such water-soluble components as caffeine, total chlorogenic acids (CGA), and minerals, supported by strong positive correlations with total soluble solids retained. This is a direct consequence of the reduced extraction efficiency during espresso coffee preparation, leaving a significant pool of bioactivity retained in the extracted grounds. Besides the lipid (12.5%) and nitrogen (2.3%) contents, similar to those of industrial coffee residues, the CGA content (478.9 mg/100 g), for its antioxidant capacity, and its caffeine content (452.6 mg/100 g), due to its extensive use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, justify the selective assembly of this residue for subsequent use.
- Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effectsPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Costa, Solange; Vaz, Josiana A.; Fernandes, Adília; Slezakova, Klara; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimoneFirefighters represent one of the riskiest occupations, yet due to the logistic reasons, the respective exposure assessment is one of the most challenging. Thus, this work assessed the impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) and genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers (basal DNA and oxidative DNA damage) of firefighters from eight firehouses. Cardiac frequency, blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation were also monitored. OHPAHs were determined by liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection, while genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers were assessed by the comet assay. Concentrations of total OHPAHs were up to 340% higher (p≤0.05) in (nonsmoking and smoking) exposed workers than in control subjects (non-smoking and non-exposed to combat activities); the highest increments were observed for 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (82–88% of ΣOHPAHs), and for 2-hydroxyfluorene (5–15%). Levels of biomarker for oxidative stress were increased in non-smoking exposed workers than in control group (316%; p≤0.001); inconclusive results were found for DNA damage. Positive correlations were found between the cardiac frequency, ΣOHPAHs and the oxidative DNA damage of non-smoking (non-exposed and exposed) firefighters. Evidences were raised regarding the simultaneous use of these biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters’ health and to better estimate the potential short-term health risks.
- Firefighters’ biomonitoring: impact of fire combat on levels of urinary monohydroxyl metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Slezakova, Klara; Fernandes, Adília; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimoneFirefighters, one of the most hazardous occupations, are regularly exposed to complex mixtures of pollutants during fire combat. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are distributed between the gaseous and particulate phases of air: they are one of the most health-relevant pollutants released during fires because of their genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic properties [1]. This work aims to assess the impact of firefighting activities on firefighters’ total exposure to PAHs. Spot urine samples were collected in healthy and non-smoking firefighters before and after fire combat activities. Six urinary PAH metabolites (1-hydroxynaphthalene (1OHNaph), 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (1OHAce), 2-hydroxyfluorene (2OHFlu), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1OHPhen), 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy), and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OHB[a]P)) were quantified by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection [2-3]. Urinary 1OHNaph and 1OHAce were the predominant biomarkers of exposure in both non-exposed and exposed firefighters, accounting with 63-98% of total levels of PAH biomarkers (ΣOH-PAHs). 2OHFlu, 1OHPhe, and 1OHPy contributed with 1-17%, 1-13%, and 0.3-10% of ΣOH-PAHs, respectively. The PAH biomarker of carcinogenicity (3OHB[a]P) was not detected. Overall exposed firefighters presented levels of ΣOH-PAHs that were 2-35% higher than for non-exposed subjects. Urinary 2OHFlu seems to be the compound with the most pronounced increments in exposed firefighters. Urinary 1OHPy levels were always lower than the benchmark of 0.5 μmol/mol creatinine proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. More studies assessing PAH biomarkers of exposure but also biomarkers of effect and susceptibility are needed to evaluate the impact of fire emissions on the health of firefighters.
- Firefighters’ exposure biomonitoring: Impact of firefighting activitieson levels of urinary monohydroxyl metabolitesPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Slezakova, Klara; Alves, Maria José; Fernandes, Adília; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimonetThe concentrations of six urinary monohydroxyl metabolites (OH-PAHs) of polycyclic aro-matic hydrocarbons, namely 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene,1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy), and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene, were assessed inthe post-shift urine of wildland firefighters involved in fire combat activities at six Portuguese firecorporations, and compared with those of non-exposed subjects. Overall, median levels of urinaryindividual and total OH-PAHs ( OH-PAHs) suggest an increased exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydro-carbons during firefighting activities with OH-PAH levels in exposed firefighters 1.7–35 times higherthan in non-exposed ones. Urinary 1-hydroxynaphthalene and/or 1-hydroxyacenapthene were the pre-dominant compounds, representing 63–98% of OH-PAHs, followed by 2-hydroxyfluorene (1–17%),1-hydroxyphenanthrene (1–13%), and 1OHPy (0.3–10%). A similar profile was observed when gen-der discrimination was considered. Participation in fire combat activities promoted an increase of thedistribution percentage of 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, while contributions of1-hydroxyphenanthrene and 1OHPy decreased. The detected urinary 1OHPy concentrations (1.73 × 10−2to 0.152 mol/mol creatinine in exposed subjects versus 1.21 × 10−2to 5.44 × 10−2 mol/mol creatininein non-exposed individuals) were lower than the benchmark level (0.5 mol/mol creatinine) proposedby the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. This compound, considered thebiomarker of exposure to PAHs, was the less abundant one from the six analyzed biomarkers. Thusthe inclusion of other metabolites, in addition to 1OHPy, in future studies is suggested to better estimatefirefighters’ occupational exposure to PAHs. Moreover, strong to moderate Spearman correlations wereobserved between individual compounds and OH-PAHs corroborating the prevalence of an emissionsource.
- Impact of occupational exposure to wildfire events on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese wildland firefightersPublication . Esteves, Filipa; Madureira, Joana; Barros, Bela; Alves, Sara; Pires, Joana; Martins, Sandra; Oliveira, Marta; Vaz, Josiana A.; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Fernandes, Adília; Morais, Simone; Guimarães, João Tiago; Bonassi, Stefano; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangeWhile occupational exposure as a firefighter is considered a dangerous occupation, research on the underlying mechanisms remains limited, particularly in wildland firefighters. Inflammation, a key effect of wildfire expo- sure, plays a significant role in the development of various diseases. The current study aims to investigate the impact of wildland firefighting exposure on the levels of pro-inflammatory systemic biomarkers. A pre-post study design investigated 59 wildland firefighters comparing data collected after participation in a wildfire event (Phase II) with data obtained before wildfire season (Phase I). Data on demographics, lifestyle, health and occupational-related factors were assessed. Exposure factors, such as fire combat (e.g., exposure duration), were also registered. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (1-OHNaph+1-OHAce, 2-OHFlu, 1-OHPhen, 1-OHPyr) were analysed in blood and urine samples, respectively. Serum IL-8 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after wildland fire combat. IL-8 levels were 2.62 times higher (95 % CI: 1.96–3.50; p < 0.01), whereas IL-6 levels were 1.25 times higher (95 % CI: 1.00–1.57; p = 0.04). Furthermore, IL-8 levels were significantly correlated with urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene levels and fire combat duration (>12 h). In addition, the mean hs-CRP level, in both phases, was above 3.0 mg/L, indicating a potential risk for cardiovascular events. Given the long-term health implications of fire- fighting occupational exposure, biomonitoring and early detection of occupational risks are essential for pro- tecting firefighters’ health. Protective measures must be urgently implemented to enhance occupational health and strengthen preventive strategies in this sector.
- Individual and cumulative impacts of fire emissions and tobacco consumption on wildland firefighters’ total exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Slezakova, Klara; Magalhães, Carlos Pires; Fernandes, Adília; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimoneThere is limited information about wildland firefighters’ exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydro-carbons (PAHs), being scarce studies that included the impact of tobacco consumption. Thus, thiswork evaluated the individual and cumulative impacts of firefighting activities and smoking onwildland firefighters’ total exposure to PAHs. Six urinary PAH metabolites (1-hydroxynaphthalene(1OHNaph), 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (1OHAce), 2-hydroxyfluorene (2OHFlu), 1-hydroxyphenanthrene(1OHPhen), 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy), and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OHB[a]P)) were quantified byhigh-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Firefighters from three fire sta-tions were characterized and organized in three groups: non-smoking and non-exposed to fire emissions(NSNExp), smoking non-exposed (SNExp), and smoking exposed (SExp) individuals. 1OHNaph + 1OHAcewere the most predominant OH-PAHs (66–91% OH-PAHs), followed by 2OHFlu (2.8–28%), 1OHPhen(1.3–7%), and 1OHPy (1.4–6%). 3OHB[a]P, the carcinogenicity PAH biomarker, was not detected. Regu-lar consumption of tobacco increased 76–412% OH-PAHs. Fire combat activities promoted significantincrements of 158–551% OH-PAHs. 2OHFlu was the most affected compound by firefighting activi-ties (111–1068%), while 1OHNaph + 1OHAce presented the more pronounced increments due to tobaccoconsumption (22–339%); 1OHPhen (76–176%) and 1OHPy (20–220%) were the least influenced ones.OH-PAH levels of SExp firefighters were significantly higher than in other groups, suggesting that thesesubjects may be more vulnerable to develop and/or aggravate diseases related with PAHs exposure.
- Levels of urinary 1- hydroxypyrene in firemen from the Northeast of PortugalPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Fernandes, Adília; Alves, Maria José; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Morais, SimonePolycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are mostly formed during incomplete combustion of organic materials (e.g. coal, oil, wood, and tobacco). Many PAHs and their epoxides are highly toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic to humans. Thus, the present study assesses the total exposure to PAHs by the determination of 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy) in the urine of (non-smoking and smoking) firemen serving at four Portuguese fire corporations from the Northeast of Portugal. The global median concentrations of 1OHPy ranged between 8.0 × 10 -3 to 6.3 × 10 -2 µmol/ mol creatinine in subjects. Urinary 1OHPy levels were always below the benchmark of 0.5 µmol/mol creatinine proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for occupational exposure to PAHs. Moderate to strong correlations were found between the urinary levels of 1OHPy and the number of cigarettes consumed per individual for some fire stations, seeming to reflect the impact of tobacco consumption in firemen’ total exposure to PAHs. © 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, London.