Abstract
It is now recognized that additional exposure to mycotoxins may occur through inhalation of contaminated dust at a workplace. The aim of this study was to characterize the multi-mycotoxin exposure of French grain elevator workers using biomonitoring and airborne measurements. Eighteen workers participated in the study. Personal airborne dust samples were analyzed for their mycotoxin concentrations. Workers provided multiple urine samples including pre-shift, post-shift and first morning urine samples or 24 h urine samples. Mycotoxin urinary biomarkers (aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin M1, ochratoxin A, ochratoxin α, deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol, fumonisin B1, HT-2 toxin and T-2 toxin) were measured using a liquid chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry method. Grain elevator workers were highly exposed to organic airborne dust (median 4.92 mg.m−3). DON, ZEN and FB1 were frequent contaminants in 54, 76 and 72% of air samples, respectively. The mycotoxin biomarkers quantified were DON (98%), ZEN (99%), α-ZEL (52%), β-ZEL (33%), OTA (76%), T-2 (4%) and HT-2 (4%). DON elimination profiles showed highest concentrations in samples collected after the end of the work shift and the urinary DON concentrations were significantly higher in post-shift than in pre-shift-samples (9.9 and 22.1 µg/L, respectively). ZEN and its metabolites concentrations did not vary according to the sampling time. However, the levels of α-/β-ZEL were consistent with an additional occupational exposure. These data provide valuable information on grain worker exposure to mycotoxins. They also highlight the usefulness of multi-mycotoxin methods in assessing external and internal exposures, which shed light on the extent and pathways of exposure occurring in occupational settings.
Highlights
The results revealed exposure to mycotoxin mixture and showed that additional occupational exposure to mycotoxins is likely to occur in grain elevators
Grain elevator workers may be exposed to large amount of grain dust during tasks including reception of grain, inspection of elevator or dryer, grain loading/unloading, grain rotation, shipment and cleaning [1]
Studies have shown that the amount of mycotoxins found in dust can be more than 10 times greater than that found in raw materials
Summary
Grain elevator workers may be exposed to large amount of grain dust during tasks including reception of grain, inspection of elevator or dryer, grain loading/unloading, grain rotation, shipment and cleaning [1]. An additional potential risk for these workers is posed by the mycotoxins occurring in grain. Ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs results in a dietary exposure of the general population, while high exposure to organic dust can be a source of exposure for workers via inhalation or through dermal contact. Studies have shown that the amount of mycotoxins found in dust can be more than 10 times greater than that found in raw materials. Mycotoxins are largely present on the surface of raw materials and tend to be adsorbed into the dust during handling [4,5]
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