Occupational Hazards and Risks Associated with Phthalates among Slovakian Firefighters.

Branislav Kolena,Lenka Bystričanová,Ida Petrovičová,Soňa Wimmerová,Tomáš Trnovec,Miroslava Šidlovská,Henrieta Hlisníková

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072483

Abstract

Despite increasing attention to the occupational risk of firefighters, little is known about phthalate exposure. In our study, we detected mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP), mono-n-buthyl phthalate (MnBP), mono(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (5OH-MEHP), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (5cx-MECPP), and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (5oxo-MEHP) in each urine sample. We detected positive association between MnBP, MiBP, mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), 5OH-MEHP, 5oxo-MEHP, 5cx-MECPP, mono-isononyl phthalate (MiNP), the sum of low (∑LMWP) and high molecular-weight phthalates (∑HMWP). and Tiffeneau–Pinelli index (the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1/ forced vital capacity; FEV1/FVC; p = 0.001−0.04) and the percent predicted value (%PV) of FEV1/FVC (p = 0.005−0.05) and negative association between MiNP and peak expiratory flow (PEF; r = −0.31; p = 0.084). We observed a positive association between phthalate metabolites (MnBP, 5OH-MEHP, 5oxo-MEHP, 5cx-MECPP, 2cx-MMHP, ∑LMWP, and ∑HMWP) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; p = 0.003−0.09) and body shape index (ABSI; p = 0.039−0.09) and a negative association between MnBP, ∑LMWP, and hip circumference (p = 0.005−0.02). We detected association between concentrations of 5OH-MEHP, 5cx-MECPP, 5oxo-MEHP, and MnBP and consumption of food heating in plastic material in microwave (p = 0.02−0.04) and between probands who ate margarines and vegetable fat packed in plastic containers and concentration of MMP (p = 0.03). Results of multivariate regression indicated that exposure to phthalates could be linked with changing body structure, which subsequently affects values of pulmonary functions in firefighters.

Highlights

One of the worst fire seasons in Australia’s history showed the need to increase the number of firefighters to confront danger and to protect communities
This is the first study from Slovakia on firefighters and their occupational environment to identify possible exposure to phthalates with possible health-related effects
Our results indicate that smokers reached slightly higher but not significantly different values of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) metabolites (MEHP, 5OH-mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), 5oxo-MEHP, and 5cx-MECPP) and mono-n-buthyl phthalate (MnBP), which support those studies, but on the other hand a lower concentration of MEP, MBzP, and 2cx-MMHP in comparison to ex-smokers and nonsmokers

Summary

Introduction

One of the worst fire seasons in Australia’s history showed the need to increase the number of firefighters to confront danger and to protect communities. Volunteer firefighting forces overwhelmingly represents an essential part of these efforts. In Slovakia, up until November of 2019, there were approximately 81,333 volunteer firefighters [1] and 3145 career firefighters [2]. There is a strong need to protect and monitor the health of these emergency services. Studies suggest that working conditions and hazards in this occupation vary according to different situations (e.g., wildland firefighter vs municipal firefighters).

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion