New Evidences about Adverse Health Effects Based on Chromate Environmental and Biological Exposure Assessment in Chromate Manufacturing Workers

Abstract

Background Chromium (Cr) compounds are produced and applied widely. Aims On the basis of chromate exposure assessment, Cr related trace element homeostasis, DNA damage and global DNA methylation status, renal damage need further investigation. Method We recruited more than one hundred workers from chromate producing facilities as testing subjects and matched local residents without chromium exposure history served as controls. Personal sampling of airborne Cr (A-Cr) was conducted and Cr content was quantified by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. At the end of the sampling shift, blood and urine samples were collected and element concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. Adverse health effects including renal impairment, DNA damage, DNA methylation, and multi-trace element homeostasis were investigated comprehensively. Results 90% of the chromate production workers were exposed to A- Cr lower than 50 mu g m(-3).Chromate caused renal impairment with more severity in the tubule than glomerular. After Cr(VI) exposure, a significant increase in blood Cr, Cd, Fe, Mg, Mo, Se and Zn concentrations was observed, as well as a significant decrease in Ca concentration. Blood Cr (B-Cr) was four times higher than that of the controls, and significantly correlated with A-Cr (r = 0.568, P<0.001). Binucleated cells with micronuclei (BNMN ) frequencies were positively correlated with B-Cr and U- Cr; Ln BNMN was regressed on B-Cr, and U-Cr and A-Cr by linear models.We also found that the decreased serum folate was associated with an increased urinary 8-OhdG, DNA strand breaks and global DNA hypomethylation. Conclusions We provided some new evidences about chromate health adverse effects .Based on the above evidences and others, we therefore proposed a modified health surveillance system for chromate workers.