Browsing by Author "Pereira, Maria do Carmo"
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- Background concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites in Portuguese firemenPublication . Oliveira, Mónica; Slezakova, Klara; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimonePolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants produced by the incomplete combustion of organic materials. PAHs may pose risks to human health as many of the individual compounds are cytotoxic and mutagenic to both lower and higher organisms, being some of them regarded as carcinogenic. Pyrene is by far the most characterized PAH in all sample matrices, and is classified as PAH marker of exposure while benzo(a)pyrene is considered the biomarker of carcinogenic exposure to PAHs. Among the 16 PAHs established by US EPA as priority pollutants, naphthalene, acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene are also found in almost all the matrices. Workers from industrial settings where airborne PAH levels are high such as coke works and the primary aluminium industry, show excess rates of cancers. Firemen are also exposed to high concentrations of PAHs during firefighting; however their biomonitoring is difficult and epidemiological studies are scarce. During the last decade, the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene has been used as a biomarker of environmental and occupational exposure to PAHs. Still no standard reference or occupational guidelines are available for any urinary PAH metabolite. Within the present work, sixty healthy and no smoking Portuguese firemen from ten Portuguese corporations from the district of Bragança (North of Portugal) were evaluated regarding their levels of the most important urinary hydroxyl- PAHs:
- Biomonitoring of firefighters occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the 2014 hot seasonPublication . Oliveira, Mónica; Slezakova, Klara; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimoneHuman biomonitoring is an important tool in environmental medicine that is used to assess the level of internal exposure to environmental pollutants. Firefighters are one of the most exposed and least studied occupations. During fire suppression, firefighters are heavily exposed to a wide range of chemicals. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are considered as the largest known group of carcinogens due to their cytotoxic and mutagenic properties. Smoke and ashes released during a fire are important sources of PAH. Firefighters can be also exposed to PAH through smoking, via polluted ambient air, water, soil, and through consumption of food. Metabolites of PAH (OH-PAHs), such as 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1OHNapt), 1-hydroxyacenaphthene(1OHAce), 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy) and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OHB[a]P) have been used as biological markers for measurements of human internal exposure to PAH. The present work aims to quantify the urinary metabolites of PAH, namely 1OHNapt, 1OHAce, 1OHPy and 3OHB[a]P in study population of firefighters. Firemen exposed to fires that occurred during 2014 season were asked to fill a post-fire questionnaire and to collect urinary samples. A control study population group was selected to collect samples of urines during the pre-fires season (winter). Among all participating firemen only healthy no-smoking subjects were considered. OH-PAHs were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Overall, 1OHNapt and 1OHAce were the most abundant OH-PAHs in firemen urine samples, accounting for approximately 90% of the total OH-PAHs. The urinary OH-PAHs in exposed firefighters were higher than those of control group. Data collected with the individual questionnaire were further used to analyse the concentrations of OH-PAH between (and within) control and exposed groups of firemen. Additionally, 1OHPy concentrations in the exposed firefighters will be compared with the available proposed guidelines.
- Biomonitoring of firefighters occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during the 2014 hot seasonPublication . Oliveira, Mónica; Slezakova, Klara; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, SimoneHuman biomonitoring is an important tool in environmental medicine that is used to assess the level of internal exposure to environmental pollutants. Firefighters are one of the most exposed and least studied occupations. During fire suppression, firefighters are heavily exposed to a wide range of chemicals. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are considered as the largest known group of carcinogens due to their cytotoxic and mutagenic properties (IARC 2010, WHO 2013). Smoke and ashes released during a fire are important sources of PAHs. Firefighters can be also exposed to PAHs through smoking, via polluted ambient air, water, soil, and through consumption of food. Metabolites of PAHs (OH-PAHs), such as 1-hydroxynaphthalene (1OHNapt), 1-hydroxyacenaphthene(1OHAce), 1-hydroxypyrene (1OHPy) and 3-hydroxybenzo[a]pyrene (3OHB[a]P) have been used as biological markers for measurements of human internal exposure to PAHs. The present work aims to quantify the urinary metabolites of PAHs, namely 1OHNapt, 1OHAce, 1OHPy and 3OHB[a]P in study population of firefighters. Firemen exposed to fires that occurred during 2014 season were asked to fill a post-fire questionnaire and to collect urinary samples. A control study population group was selected to collect samples of urines during the pre-fires season (winter). Among all participating firemen only healthy no-smoking subjects were considered. OH-PAHs were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection
- 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.
- 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.
- Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure in Preparation for Wildfire Season: Addressing Biological ImpactPublication . Esteves, Filipa; Slezakova, Klara; Madureira, Joana; Vaz, Josiana A.; Fernandes, Adília; Morais, Simone; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Teixeira, João Paulo Fernandes; Costa, SolangeThe characterization of wildland firefighters' occupational exposure must consider different exposures, including those at the fire station. The present study aimed to characterize the occupational exposure of 172 Northern Portuguese wildland firefighters in fire stations during the pre-wildfire season of 2021. The biological impact of estimated inhaled doses of PM10 and PM2.5 (indoor/outdoor) was accessed through a buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay in exfoliated buccal cells of a subgroup of 80 firefighters. No significant association was found between estimated inhaled doses of PM10 and PM2.5 (mean 1.73 +/- 0.43 mu g kg-1 and 0.53 +/- 0.21 mu g kg-1, respectively) and biological endpoints. However, increased frequencies of cell death parameters were found among subjects of the Permanent Intervention Teams (full-time firefighters). The intake of nutritional supplements was associated with a significant decrease in micronucleus frequencies (i.e., DNA damage or chromosome breakage). In addition, our findings showed a significantly increased frequency of cell death endpoints (i.e., nuclear fragmentation) with coffee consumption, while daily consumption of vegetables significantly decreased it (i.e., nuclear shrinkage). Our results provide data on the occupational exposure of wildland firefighters while working in fire stations during the pre-wildfire season, providing the essential baseline for further studies throughout the wildfire season.
- Firefighters's occupational exposure to PM2.5 and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbonsPublication . Oliveira, Beatriz; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Fernandes, Adília; Vaz, Josiana A.; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Morais, SimoneThis study collected the personal PM2.5 air fraction in fifteen healthy and no-smoking firefighters during their normal shift inside four Portuguese fire stations. Indoor PM2.5 levels varied between 0.05 to 1.04 µg/m3. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are known for their ubiquity and toxicity, being some of them classified as carcinogenic and possible carcinogens to humans. Firefighters’ personal PM2.5-bound total PAH concentrations ranged between 35.8 to 294 ng/m3 with total carcinogenic PAHs accounting with 12% to the total PAHs. Benzo[a]pyrene, the PAH biomarker of carcinogenicity, was detected in levels ranging from 6.74 × 10-2 to 1.00 ng/m3
- 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.
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