Percorrer por autor "Eriksen, Elke"
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- Comprehensive assessment of occupational exposure to microbial contamination in waste sorting facilities from NorwayPublication . Viegas, Carla; Eriksen, Elke; Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Aranha Caetano, Liliana; Viegas, Susana; Graff, Pål; Afanou, Anani Komlavi; Straumfors, AnneIntroduction: It is of utmost importance to contribute to filling the knowledge gap concerning the characterization of occupational exposure to microbial agents in the waste sorting setting (automated and manual sorting). Methods: This study intends to apply a comprehensive field sampling and laboratory protocol (culture-based methods and molecular tools), assess fungal azole resistance, as well as to elucidate potential exposure-related health effects (cytotoxicity analyses). Skin-biota samples (swabs) were performed on workers and controls to identify other exposure routes. Results: In personal filter samples the guidelines in one automated industry surpassed the guidelines for fungi. Seasonal influence on viable microbial contamination including fungi with reduced susceptibility to the tested azoles was observed, besides the observed reduced susceptibility of pathogens of critical priority (Mucorales and Fusarium sp.). Aspergillus sections with potential toxigenic effects and clinical relevance were also detected in all the sampling methods. Discussion: The results regarding skin biota in both controls´ and workers´ hands claim attention for the possible exposure due to hand-to-face/mouth contact. This study allowed the conclusion that working in automated and manual waste sorting plants implies high exposure to microbial agents.
- Hand eczema, risk factors and microbial skin contamination in the Norwegian waste sorting industry: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Alfonso, Jose Hernán; Graff, Pål; Viegas, Carla; Lossius, Astrid Haaskjold; Eriksen, ElkeIntroduction: Hand eczema, skin barrier function, and skin microbial contamination among waste workers are underexplored. This study aims to assess: (1) the prevalence and risk factors of hand eczema, (2) the levels of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and (3) skin microbial contamination in waste sorting workers. Methods: Using the Nordic Occupational Skin Questionnaire-2002, data were collected from 69 waste sorting workers and 25 office personnel. TEWL was measured with a Tewameter (TM 300, Courage+ Khazaka Electronic, Köln). Microbial skin samples were collected from the left dorsal hand with sterile swabs (Copan, Italy) and cultured. Analyses included descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The hand eczema prevalence was 25% among waste workers and 40% in office personnel. The prevalence of hand eczema was significantly lower among exposed workers compared to controls (p = 0.012). TEWL and fungal concentrations were comparable across groups. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and nicotine use were significant predictors of HE. The prevalence of hand eczema experienced during the past week was significantly associated with elevated bacterial concentrations (p value = 0.05) in both groups. Conclusions: Waste sorting workers had up to 2.4 times higher prevalence of hand eczema compared with the general population, but a lower prevalence than office workers in the same industry. These findings may reflect a potential healthy worker effect. The potential role of bacterial concentrations in the occurrence of hand eczema warrants further investigation.
- Unraveling the occupational exposure to mycotoxins in a waste management setting: results from a case study in NorwayPublication . Martins, Carla; Viegas, Carla; Eriksen, Elke; Graff, Pål; Afanou, Anani Komlavi; Straumfors, Anne; Twarużek, Magdalena; Grajewski, Jan; Kosicki, Robert; Viegas, SusanaIntroduction: Waste management represents an occupational setting where fungi are significant contaminants. This study aimed to assess the exposure of waste workers to mycotoxins through a human biomonitoring study. Methods: Thirty-three workers and 19 controls provided spot urine samples to determine 10 mycotoxins’ urinary biomarkers using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Risk characterization was performed using hazard quotient and margin of exposure assessments. Results: The results indicated that workers were exposed to six out of the 10 mycotoxins tested, with the following detection rates: deoxynivalenol (91%, 30/33), ochratoxin A (33%, 11/33), zearalenone (17%, 5/33), α-zearalenol (12%, 4/33), β-zearalenol (12%, 4/33), and HT-2 toxin (3%, 1/33). Within controls and outwith controls, were exposed to 5/10 and 2/10 mycotoxins, respectively. All participants exhibited hazard quotients for deoxynivalenol and zearalenone below one, indicating that the exposure is unlikely to pose a health risk. However, when considering the margin of exposure determined for ochratoxin A, 18% of the total participants presented results below 200 for non-neoplastic effects, and 100% of the total participants presented values below 10,000 for neoplastic effects, suggesting potential health concerns that require further assessment. Discussion: This study highlights the need for future research on occupational exposure to mycotoxins in waste management settings.