Three-Year Study of Markers of Oxidative Stress in Exhaled Breath Condensate in Workers Producing Nanocomposites, Extended by Plasma and Urine Analysis in Last Two Years

• Main Authors: Daniela Pelclova, Vladimir Zdimal, Martin Komarc, Jaroslav Schwarz, Jakub Ondracek, Lucie Ondrackova, Martin Kostejn, Stepanka Vlckova, Zdenka Fenclova, Stepanka Dvorackova, Lucie Lischkova, Pavlina Klusackova, Viktoriia Kolesnikova, Andrea Rossnerova, Tomas Navratil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Nanomaterials
• Subjects: nanoparticles; oxidative stress; biomarkers; workers; controls; exhaled breath condensate
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/10/12/2440

Human data concerning exposure to nanoparticles are very limited, and biomarkers for monitoring exposure are urgently needed. In a follow-up of a 2016 study in a nanocomposites plant, in which only exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was examined, eight markers of oxidative stress were analyzed in three bodily fluids, i.e., EBC, plasma and urine, in both pre-shift and post-shift samples in 2017 and 2018. Aerosol exposures were monitored. Mass concentration in 2017 was 0.351 mg/m³ during machining, and 0.179 and 0.217 mg/m³ during machining and welding, respectively, in 2018. In number concentrations, nanoparticles formed 96%, 90% and 59%, respectively. In both years, pre-shift elevations of 50.0% in EBC, 37.5% in plasma and 6.25% in urine biomarkers were observed. Post-shift elevation reached 62.5% in EBC, 68.8% in plasma and 18.8% in urine samples. The same trend was observed in all biological fluids. Individual factors were responsible for the elevation of control subjects’ afternoon vs. morning markers in 2018; all were significantly lower compared to those of workers. Malondialdehyde levels were always acutely shifted, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels best showed chronic exposure effect. EBC and plasma analysis appear to be the ideal fluids for bio-monitoring of oxidative stress arising from engineered nanomaterials. Potential late effects need to be targeted and prevented, as there is a similarity of EBC findings in patients with silicosis and asbestosis.