ESE - Artigos em Revistas Indexados à WoS/Scopus
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- 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.
- Occupational exposure to wildland firefighting and its effects on systemic DNA damagePublication . Esteves, Filipa; Madureira, Joana; Costa, Carla Sofia; Pires, Joana; Barros, Bela; Alves, Sara; Vaz, Josiana A.; Oliveira, Marta; Slezakova, Klara; Fernandes, Adília; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, Simone; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Bonassi, Stefano; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangePortugal is among the European Union countries more devastated by forest fires. Wildland fire- fighters are at the forefront of this battle, facing exposure to a wide range of harmful pollutants. Epidemiological studies have highlighted a potential link between occupational firefighting exposure and several diseases, including cancer. To date, very few studies have explored the biological mechanisms associated with such exposure. The present longitudinal study aims to assess changes in early effect biomarkers following wildland firefighters’ occupational exposure to a real wildfire event. Paired blood samples from 59 healthy Portuguese wildland firefighters were collected at two different time points: before wildfire season and after a fire event during wildfire season. Sociodemographic variables (e. g., age, sex) and work-related factors (e.g., years of service) were assessed via a self-reported questionnaire. Levels of early effect biomarkers, such as primary DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage (oxidised purines) were assessed via comet assay. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were evaluated by phosphorylated H2AX (γH2AX). Moreover, hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (OHPAHs) and metal(loid)s were quantified in urine samples. The influence of urinary OHPAHs, urinary metal(loid)s, and other exposure- related factors (e.g., firefighting duration) on changes (Δ) in early effect biomarkers (post-vs. baseline levels) was investigated. Firefighting activities led to a significant increase in both primary DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage by 22 % (95 % CI: 1.11–1.35; p < 0.05) and 23 % (95 % CI: 1.04–1.45; p < 0.05), respectively. Results from linear regression revealed that per each unit increase of urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFlu) (μmol/mol creatinine), the risk of ⧍ oxidative DNA damage increased by 20 % [FR: 1.20 (1.09–1.32); p < 0.01]. Addi- tionally, each unit increase in urinary cesium (Cs) (μg/L) resulted in a significant 4 % increase in Δ primary DNA damage [FR: 1.04 (1.01–1.06); p < 0.05] and a 3 % increase in Δ oxidative DNA damage [FR: 1.03 (1.01–1.05); p < 0.05]. Post-exposure levels of γH2AX were significantly correlated with urinary 2-OHFlu levels assessed after firefighting (r = 0.30; p < 0.05). Furthermore, exposure duration and reported breathing difficulties during firefighting were significantly associated with increased levels of primary DNA damage. Results obtained provide insights into the potential human health effects of wildland firefighting occupational exposure at the genetic and molecular levels, offering new and important mechanistic data. These findings are crucial for implementing health and safety measures, recommendations, and best practices to mitigate occupational risks and protect the health of wildland firefighters.