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Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology
Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research

Occupational exposure to ultrafine particles in police officers: no evidence for adverse respiratory effects

Authors: G. Jordakieva, I. Grabovac, E. Valic, K. E. Schmidt, A. Graff, A. Schuster, K. Hoffmann-Sommergruber, C. Oberhuber, O. Scheiner, A. Goll, J. Godnic-Cvar

Published in: Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

Inhalation exposure to fine and ultrafine particles (UFPs) has been associated with respiratory diseases. However, little is known on the quality, threshold levels and concentration of these particles causing adverse health effects.

Methods

The impact of occupational exposure to submicrometer and UFPs was assessed in 30 healthy police shooting instructors by clinical investigation, self-assessment questionnaire, sputum and spirometry and compared to a control group. General laboratory chemistry parameters, circulating cytokines (interleukin [IL]-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, interferon-gamma [IFN-γ]), and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in serum were measured. UFP exposure was recorded by Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer.

Results

Concentrations of submicrometer sized airborne particles (< 700 nm) measured between 3.34 × 105/cm3 and 7.58 × 105/cm3 at shooting sites, with highest concentrations found in the UFP range (< 100 nm). The size of the monodispersed particles ranged from 54.74 ± 16.25 nm to 98.19 ± 22.83 nm. Short term exposure (4 h) to high levels of UFPs caused an increase of IFN-γ in exposed subjects (p = 0.022). 24 h after exposure a significant decrease of IgG, albumin fibrinogen and factor VII was found. Neither directly after 4 h of high levels UFPs exposure nor 24 h after exposure subjective complaints or objective measurements indicating adverse respiratory effects in exposed subjects were found.

Conclusions

No consistent indications for adverse respiratory or inflammatory effects directly following exposure and 24 h after exposure to high levels of UFPs in our study group were detected. However we showed the assessment of short-term exposure effects at a genuine occupational setting, which might is relevant when a risk assessment of high level occupational exposures to UFPs is considered.
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Metadata
Title
Occupational exposure to ultrafine particles in police officers: no evidence for adverse respiratory effects
Authors
G. Jordakieva
I. Grabovac
E. Valic
K. E. Schmidt
A. Graff
A. Schuster
K. Hoffmann-Sommergruber
C. Oberhuber
O. Scheiner
A. Goll
J. Godnic-Cvar
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6673
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-018-0187-8

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