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Levels of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator: a follow-up study

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the blood and urine concentrations of a number of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator (HWI) in Catalonia, Spain, 8 years after regular operations in the facility. To compare these concentrations with the baseline (1999) levels and with those obtained in previous (2000 and 2005) surveys.

Methods

The employees were divided into three groups according to their specific workplaces. Plasma analyses of hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 153 and 180) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), as well as urinary analyses of 2,4- and 2,5-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,5- and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), pentachlorophenol (PCP) and 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) were carried out. Blood concentrations of manganese and mercury, and urinary levels of nickel were also determined.

Results

For organic compounds in plasma, the comparison of the current levels with those of previous surveys did not show any significant increase for any of the compounds analyzed. In contrast, plasma levels of PCBs 28, 52 and 101 were significantly lower than the respective baseline concentrations, while especially notable was the significant reduction in the levels of PCDD/Fs in plasma of plant workers, which decreased from 26.7 pg I-TEQ/g lipid in the baseline survey to the current 2.5 pg I-TEQ/g lipid.

Conclusion

According to the results of the present study, there are no evident signs of occupational exposure to a number of metals and organic substances in the workers of the HWI.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by GRECAT SA, Constantí, Catalonia, Spain.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering, Rovira i Virgili University, Sescelades Campus, 43007, Tarragona, Spain

    Montse Mari & Marta Schuhmacher

  2. Laboratory of Toxicology and Environmental Health, School of Medicine, Rovira i Virgili University, San Lorenzo 21, 43201, Reus, Spain

    Montse Mari, Marta Schuhmacher & José L. Domingo

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  1. Montse Mari
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  2. Marta Schuhmacher
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  3. José L. Domingo
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Correspondence to José L. Domingo.

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Mari, M., Schuhmacher, M. & Domingo, J.L. Levels of metals and organic substances in workers at a hazardous waste incinerator: a follow-up study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 82, 519–528 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0350-0

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