Hsien-Wen Kuo1, Mei-Liang Wu. 1. Institute of Environmental Health, China Medical College, Taichung, Taiwan. wukuo@mail.cmc.edu.tw
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immunological parameters of chromic acid exposure among electroplating workers. METHODS: Forty-six subjects were selected from five electroplating plants in central Taiwan. Each subject was interviewed by questionnaire, and urine chromium (urine-Cr) concentration was assessed. Immunological parameters were evaluated by interleukin (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) and levels of lymphocyte subsets (T-cell, B-cell, T4, T8 and T4/T8). RESULTS: Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 significantly increased in subjects with high urine Cr concentration, but TNF-alpha levels decreased. IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were undetected. Flow cytometry was used to determine levels of lymphocyte subsets: only B-cells percentage had a negative correlation with urine-Cr. Smoking was an important factor that influenced levels of lymphocyte subsets. CONCLUSION: Exposure to Cr has a detrimental effect on the immune system, so it is evident that worker exposure to chromic acid in the electroplating workplace must be reduced to a minimum.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immunological parameters of chromic acid exposure among electroplating workers. METHODS: Forty-six subjects were selected from five electroplating plants in central Taiwan. Each subject was interviewed by questionnaire, and urine chromium (urine-Cr) concentration was assessed. Immunological parameters were evaluated by interleukin (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) and levels of lymphocyte subsets (T-cell, B-cell, T4, T8 and T4/T8). RESULTS: Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 significantly increased in subjects with high urine Cr concentration, but TNF-alpha levels decreased. IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were undetected. Flow cytometry was used to determine levels of lymphocyte subsets: only B-cells percentage had a negative correlation with urine-Cr. Smoking was an important factor that influenced levels of lymphocyte subsets. CONCLUSION: Exposure to Cr has a detrimental effect on the immune system, so it is evident that worker exposure to chromic acid in the electroplating workplace must be reduced to a minimum.
Authors: Rim Khlifi; Pablo Olmedo; Fernando Gil; Molka Feki-Tounsi; Amine Chakroun; Ahmed Rebai; Amel Hamza-Chaffai Journal: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int Date: 2013-04-28 Impact factor: 4.223