Percorrer por autor "Louro, Henriqueta"
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- Caracterização de biomarcadores de genotoxicidade em trabalhadores expostos a crómio hexavalente: um estudo no âmbito da Iniciativa Europeia em Biomonitorização HumanaPublication . Tavares, Ana; Aimonen, Kukka; Ndaw, Sophie; Fucic, Aleksandra; Catalán, Julia; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Godderis, Lode; Gomes, Bruno C.; Janasik, Beata; Ladeira, Carina; Louro, Henriqueta; Namorado, Sónia; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Norppa, Hannu; Scheepers, Paul T.; Ventura, Célia; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Santonen, Tiina; Silva, Maria JoãoNo âmbito da Iniciativa Europeia em Biomonitorização Humana (HBM4EU) realizou-se um estudo ocupacional, envolvendo trabalhadores com potencial exposição a crómio hexavalente [Cr(VI)], um reconhecido agente carcinogénico. No presente estudo são apresentados os resultados de biomarcadores de genotoxicidade, incluindo a análise de lesão no DNA e de alterações cromossómicas em células sanguíneas. O estudo foi realizado em vários Países Europeus e abrangeu trabalhadores de diversos setores industriais e atividades, bem como um grupo de controlo constituído por trabalhadores administrativos das mesmas empresas (controlo interno) e de outras não relacionadas com produção/aplicação de Cr(VI) (controlo externo). Os resultados mostraram níveis de alterações cromossómicas (ensaio do micronúcleo) e de lesão no DNA (ensaio do cometa) significativamente aumentados nos trabalhadores expostos comparativamente aos controlos externos (p=0,03; p<0,001, respetivamente). Estes resultados sugerem que mesmo um baixo nível de exposição ao Cr(VI) representa um risco acrescido para a saúde dos trabalhadores e, principalmente, para os que realizam cromagem em banho. O grupo controlo interno apresentou níveis médios de lesões no DNA e nos cromossomas comparáveis aos do grupo exposto, salientando a relevância de se considerarem também em risco. O uso de biomarcadores de efeito demonstrou ser crucial para a deteção precoce de efeitos biológicos decorrentes de baixos níveis de exposição ao Cr(VI), contribuindo para a identificação de subgrupos em maior risco. O presente estudo vem apoiar a necessidade de uma reavaliação do limite de exposição ocupacional a Cr(VI), bem como da implementação de medidas de gestão de risco conducentes a uma melhor proteção da saúde dos trabalhadores.
- Developing human biomonitoring as a 21st century toolbox within the European Exposure Science Strategy 2022-2030Publication . Jeddi, Maryam Zare; Hopf, Nancy B.; Louro, Henriqueta; Viegas, Susana; Galea, Karen S.; Pasanen-Kase, Robert; Santonen, Tiina; Mustieles, Vicente; Fernandez, Mariana F.; Verhagen, Hans; Bopp, Stephanie K.; Philippe Antignac, Jean; David, Arthur; Mol, Hans; Barouki, Robert; Audouze, Karine; Duca, Radu-Corneliu; Fantke, Peter; Scheepers, Paul; Ghosh, Manosij; Van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Vicente, Joana Lobo; Trier, Xenia; Rambaud, Loïc; Fillol, Clémence; Denys, Sebastien; Conrad, André; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Paini, Alicia; Arnot, Jon; Schulze, Florian; Jones, Kate; Sepai, Ovnair; Ali, Imran; Brennan, Lorraine; Benfenati, Emilio; Cubadda, Francesco; Mantovani, Alberto; Bartonova, Alena; Connolly, Alison; Slobodnik, Jaroslav; de Bruin, Yuri Bruinen; van Klaveren, Jacob; Palmen, Nicole; Dirven, Hubert; Husøy, Trine; Thomsen, Cathrine; Virgolino, Ana; Röösli, Martin; Gant, Tim; von Goetz, Natalie; Bessems, JosHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is a crucial approach for exposure assessment, as emphasised in the European Commission’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). HBM can help to improve chemical policies in five major key areas: (1) assessing internal and aggregate exposure in different target populations; 2) assessing exposure to chemicals across life stages; (3) assessing combined exposure to multiple chemicals (mixtures); (4) bridging regulatory silos on aggregate exposure; and (5) enhancing the effectiveness of risk management measures. In this strategy paper, we propose a vision and a strategy for the use of HBM in chemical regulations and public health policy in Europe and beyond. We outline six strategic objectives and a roadmap to further strengthen HBM approaches and increase their implementation in the regulatory risk assessment of chemicals to enhance our understanding of exposure and health impacts, enabling timely and targeted policy interventions and risk management. These strategic objectives are: 1) further development of sampling strategies and sample preparation; 2) further development of chemical-analytical HBM methods; 3) improving harmonisation throughout the HBM research life cycle; 4) further development of quality control/quality assurance throughout the HBM research life cycle; 5) obtain sustained funding and reinforcement by legislation; and 6) extend target-specific communication with scientists, policymakers, citizens and other stakeholders. HBM approaches are essential in risk assessment to address scientific, regulatory, and societal challenges. HBM requires full and strong support from the scientific and regulatory domain to reach its full potential in public and occupational health assessment and in regulatory decision-making.
- Exposição a substâncias químicas na indústria da gestão de resíduos elétricos e eletrónicos e seus potenciais efeitos na saúde dos trabalhadoresPublication . Moreira, Rodrigo; Tavares, Ana M.; Louro, Henriqueta; Ventura, Célia; Ladeira, Carina; Viegas, Susana; Silva, Maria JoãoOs resíduos de equipamento elétrico e eletrónico (REEE) são um problema crescente a nível global, sendo considerados um perigo para a saúde humana e ambiental devido à presença de uma variedade de substâncias nocivas, tais como poluentes orgânicos persistentes e metais pesados. Os trabalhadores envolvidos na gestão deste tipo de resíduos estão potencialmente expostos a estas substâncias, particularmente, durante as atividades de reciclagem e processamento. Esta revisão teve por objetivo recolher informação referente à exposição ocupacional a substâncias químicas no sector da gestão de REEE e aos seus potenciais efeitos na saúde dos trabalhadores. A consulta a duas bases de dados (PubMed e Scopus) seguida da aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão resultou na seleção de 14 estudos que foram sujeitos a uma análise mais detalhada. Os referidos estudos de biomonitorização ocupacional reportaram a exposição dos trabalhadores deste setor a vários metais pesados e compostos orgânicos. A análise de biomarcadores de efeito biológico precoce sugeriu, na maioria dos estudos, uma associação entre a exposição a este tipo de resíduos e alterações hormonais ou genotoxicidade em células sanguíneas. Os referidos efeitos, a confirmarem-se em estudos futuros, poderão traduzir-se a longo termo em patologias, tais como desregulação endócrina ou neoplasias. Em conclusão, embora os estudos revistos sugiram que trabalhar no sector de gestão de REEE representa um potencial risco para os trabalhadores, torna-se necessária a realização de mais estudos de biomonitorização humana, especialmente ao nível europeu, para gerar evidência sólida que apoie medidas de mitigação da exposição desses trabalhadores.
- HBM4EU chromates study: genotoxicity and oxidative stress biomarkers in workers exposed to hexavalent chromiumPublication . Tavares, Ana; Aimonen, Kukka; Ndaw, Sophie; Fučić, Aleksandra; Catalán, Julia; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Godderis, Lode; Gomes, Bruno C.; Janasik, Beata; Ladeira, Carina; Louro, Henriqueta; Namorado, Sónia; Nieuwenhuyse, An Van; Norppa, Hannu; Scheepers, Paul T. J.; Ventura, Célia; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Santonen, Tiina; Silva, Maria JoãoA study was conducted within the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) to characterize occupational exposure to Cr(VI). Herein we present the results of biomarkers of genotoxicity and oxidative stress, including micronucleus analysis in lymphocytes and reticulocytes, the comet assay in whole blood, and malondialdehyde and 8-oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine in urine. Workers from several Cr(VI)-related industrial activities and controls from industrial (within a company) and non-industrial (outwith company) environments were included. The significantly increased genotoxicity (p = 0.03 for MN in lymphocytes and reticulocytes; p < 0.001 for comet assay data) and oxidative stress levels (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001 for MDA and 8-OHdG levels in pre-shift urine samples, respectively) that were detected in the exposed workers over the outwith company controls suggest that Cr(VI) exposure might still represent a health risk, particularly, for chrome painters and electrolytic bath platers, despite the low Cr exposure. The within-company controls displayed DNA and chromosomal damage levels that were comparable to those of the exposed group, highlighting the relevance of considering all industry workers as potentially exposed. The use of effect biomarkers proved their capacity to detect the early biological effects from low Cr(VI) exposure and to contribute to identifying subgroups that are at higher risk. Overall, this study reinforces the need for further re-evaluation of the occupational exposure limit and better application of protection measures. However, it also raised some additional questions and unexplained inconsistencies that need follow-up studies to be clarified.
- HBM4EU chromates study: overall results and recommendations for the biomonitoring of occupational exposure to hexavalent chromiumPublication . Santonen, Tiina; Porras, Simo P.; Bocca, Beatrice; Bousoumah, Radia; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Galea, Karen S.; Godderis, Lode; Göen, Thomas; Hardy, Emilie; Iavicoli, Ivo; Janasik, Beata; Jones, Kate; Leese, Elizabeth; Leso, Veruscka; Louro, Henriqueta; Majery, Nicole; Ndaw, Sophie; Pinhal, Hermínia; Ruggieri, Flavia; Silva, Maria J.; van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Sepai, Ovnair; Scheepers, Paul T.J.; Aimonen, Kukka; Antoine, Guillaume; Anzion, Rob; Burgart, Manuella; Castaño, Argelia; Cattaneo, Andrea; Cavallo, Domenico Maria; De Palma, Giuseppe; Denis, Flavien; Gambelunghe, Angela; Gomes, Bruno; Hanser, Ogier; Helenius, Riikka; Ladeira, Carina; López, Marta Esteban; Lovreglio, Piero; Marsan, Philippe; Melczer, Mathieu; Nogueira, Ana; Pletea, Elisabeta; Poels, Katrien; Remes, Jouko; Ribeiro, Edna; Santos, Sílvia Reis; Schaefers, Françoise; Spankie, Sally; Spoek, Robert; Rizki, Mohamed; Rousset, Davy; van Dael, Maurice; Veijalainen, HennaExposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] may occur in several occupational activities, e.g., welding, Cr(VI) electroplating, and other surface treatment processes. The aim of this study was to provide EU-relevant data on occupational Cr(VI) exposure to support the regulatory risk assessment and decision-making. In addition, the capability and validity of different biomarkers for the assessment of Cr(VI) exposure were evaluated. The study involved nine European countries and involved 399 workers in different industry sectors with exposures to Cr(VI) such as welding, bath plating, applying or removing paint, and other tasks. We also studied 203 controls to establish a background in workers with no direct exposure to Cr(VI). We applied a cross-sectional study design and used chromium in urine as the primary biomonitoring method for Cr(VI) exposure. Additionally, we studied the use of red blood cells (RBC) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) for biomonitoring of exposure to Cr(VI). Personal measurements were used to study exposure to inhalable and respirable Cr(VI) by personal air sampling. Dermal exposure was studied by taking hand wipe samples. The highest internal exposures were observed in the use of Cr(VI) in electrolytic bath plating. In stainless steel welding, the internal Cr exposure was clearly lower when compared to plating activities. We observed a high correlation between chromium urinary levels and air Cr(VI) or dermal total Cr exposure. Urinary chromium showed its value as a first approach for the assessment of total, internal exposure. Correlations between urinary chromium and Cr(VI) in EBC and Cr in RBC were low, probably due to differences in kinetics and indicating that these biomonitoring approaches may not be interchangeable but rather complementary. This study showed that occupational biomonitoring studies can be conducted successfully by multi-national collaboration and provide relevant information to support policy actions aiming to reduce occupational exposure to chemicals.
- HBM4EU chromates study: reflection and lessons learnt from designing and undertaking a collaborative European biomonitoring study on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromiumPublication . Galea, Karen S.; Porras, Simo P.; Viegas, Susana; Bocca, Beatrice; Bousoumah, Radia; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Godderis, Lode; Iavicoli, Ivo; Janasik, Beata; Jones, Kate; Knudsen, Lisbeth E.; Leese, Elizabeth; Leso, Veruscka; Louro, Henriqueta; Ndaw, Sophie; Ruggieri, Flavia; Sepai, Ovnair; Scheepers, Paul T. J.; Silva, Maria J.; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Santonen, TiinaThe EU human biomonitoring initiative, HBM4EU, aims to co-ordinate and advance human biomonitoring (HBM) across Europe. As part of HBM4EU, we presented a protocol for a multicentre study to characterize occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) in nine European countries (HBM4EU chromates study). This study intended to collect data on current occupational exposure and to test new indicators for chromium (Cr) biomonitoring (Cr(VI) in exhaled breath condensate and Cr in red blood cells), in addition to traditional urinary total Cr analyses. Also, data from occupational hygiene samples and biomarkers of early biological effects, including genetic and epigenetic effects, was obtained, complementing the biomonitoring information. Data collection and analysis was completed, with the project findings being made separately available. As HBM4EU prepares to embark on further European wide biomonitoring studies, we considered it important to reflect on the experiences gained through our harmonised approach. Several practical aspects are highlighted for improvement in future studies, e.g., more thorough/earlier training on the implementation of standard operating procedures for field researchers, training on the use of the data entry template, as well as improved company communications. The HBM4EU chromates study team considered that the study had successfully demonstrated the feasibility of conducting a harmonised multicentre investigation able to achieve the research aims and objectives. This was largely attributable to the engaged multidisciplinary network, committed to deliver clearly understood goals. Such networks take time and investment to develop, but are priceless in terms of their ability to deliver and facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration.
- HBM4EU chromates study: the Portuguese integrated and harmonized study on exposure to hexavalent chromium and related early effectsPublication . Viegas, Susana; Martins, Carla; Ribeiro, Edna; Ladeira, Carina; Pinhal, Hermínia; Nogueira, Ana; Santos, Sílvia; Tavares, Ana; Gomes, Bruno Costa; Afonso, Catarina Maia; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria JoãoIn the scope of the European Union (EU) human biomonitoring initiative, a multicentric study on different occupational settings from several European countries was performed, to provide information on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a known lung carcinogen. Biomonitoring approaches were used to obtain exposure data to support the implementation of new risk management measures and policy actions at the national and European levels. This work describes the Portuguese contribution to the study, which aimed to assess workers' exposure to Cr, by using exposure biomarkers (urinary chromium [U-Cr]), and industrial hygiene samples (air and hand wipes) and to link exposure to potential long-term health effects by using effect biomarkers. Exposure determinants influencing exposure were explored from the contextual information and human biomonitoring data. The ultimate goal of the study was to appraise the risk management measures contributing to minimizing exposure and protecting workers' health. Several occupational settings and activities were considered, including plating, welding, and painting. A control group from the Portuguese general population was also included. Data on age, sex, and smoking habits from both groups were considered in the statistical analysis. Information on the risk management measures available for workers was collected and used to identify the ones that mainly contributed to reducing exposure. Environmental monitoring and human biomonitoring revealed that painters were the highest exposed group. The use of respiratory protection equipment showed an influence on total U-Cr levels for workers involved in painting activities. Concerning early health effects, the painters presented also a significantly higher level of DNA and chromosomal damage in peripheral blood cells, as compared to the control group, suggesting a plausible association between exposure to Cr(VI) and early genotoxic effects. The results showed that workers are exposed to Cr(VI) in those occupational settings. These findings point to the need to improve the prevention and risk management measures and the implementation and enforcement of new regulatory actions at the national level.
- HBM4EU chromates study: usefulness of measurement of blood chromium levels in the assessment of occupational Cr(VI) exposurePublication . Ndaw, Sophie; Leso, Veruscka; Bousoumah, Radia; Rémy, Aurélie; Bocca, Beatrice; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Godderis, Lode; Hardy, Emilie; Janasik, Beata; van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Pinhal, Hermínia; Poels, Katrien; Porras, Simo P.; Ruggieri, Flavia; Santonen, Tiina; Santos, Sílvia Reis; Scheepers, Paul.T.J.; Silva, Maria João; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Iavicoli, Ivo; Aimonen, Kukka; Antoine, Guillaume; Anzion, Rob; Burgart, Manuella; Cattaneo, Andrea; Cavallo, Domenico M.; Costa, Alcina; De Palma, Giuseppe; Denis, Flavien; Forte, Giovanni; Gambelunghe, Angela; Hanser, Ogier; Ladeira, Carina; Leese, Elisabeth; Lehtinen, Risto; Louro, Henriqueta; Lovreglio, Piero; Majery, Nicole; Marsan, Philippe; Melczer, Mathieu; Miranda, Armandida; Ribeiro, Edna; Schaefers, Françoise; Senofonte, Marta; Seuanes, Filomena; van Dael, Maurice; Velin, RiittaOccupational exposures to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) can occur in welding, hot working stainless steel processing, chrome plating, spray painting, and coating activities. Recently, within the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU), a study was performed to assess the suitability of different biomarkers to assess the exposure to Cr(VI) in various job tasks. Blood-based biomarkers may prove useful when more specific information on systemic and intracellular bioavailability is necessary. To this aim, concentrations of Cr in red blood cells (RBC-Cr) and in plasma (P–Cr) were analyzed in 345 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 175 controls to understand how these biomarkers may be affected by variable levels of exposure and job procedures. Compared to controls, significantly higher RBC-Cr levels were observed in both plating and paint application workers, but not in welders, while all the 3 groups had significantly greater P–Cr concentrations. RBC-Cr and P–Cr in chrome platers showed a high correlation with Cr(VI) in inhalable dust, outside respiratory protective equipment (RPE), while such correlation could not be determined in welders. In platers, the use of RPE had a significant impact on the relationship between blood biomarkers and Cr(VI) in inhalable and respirable dust. Low correlations between P–Cr and RBC-Cr may reflect a difference in kinetics. This study showed that Cr-blood-based biomarkers can provide information on how workplace exposure translates into systemic availability of Cr(III) (extracellular, P–Cr) and Cr(VI) (intracellular, RBC-Cr). Further studies are needed to fully appreciate their use in an occupational health and safety context.
- A human biomonitoring (HBM) Global Registry Framework: further advancement of HBM research following the FAIR principlesPublication . Zare Jeddi, Maryam; Virgolino, Ana; Fantke, Peter; Hopf, Nancy B.; Galea, Karen S.; Remy, Sylvie; Viegas, Susana; Mustieles, Vicente; Fernandez, Mariana F.; von Goetz, Natalie; Vicente, Joana Lobo; Slobodnik, Jaroslav; Rambaud, Loïc; Denys, Sébastien; St-Amand, Annie; Nakayama, Shoji F.; Santonen, Tiina; Barouki, Robert; Pasanen-Kase, Robert; Mol, Hans G.J.; Vermeire, Theo; Jones, Kate; Silva, Maria João; Louro, Henriqueta; van der Voet, Hilko; Duca, Radu-Corneliu; Verhagen, Hans; Canova, Cristina; van Klaveren, Jacob; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Bessems, JosData generated by the rapidly evolving human biomonitoring (HBM) programs are providing invaluable opportunities to support and advance regulatory risk assessment and management of chemicals in occupational and environmental health domains. However, heterogeneity across studies, in terms of design, terminology, biomarker nomenclature, and data formats, limits our capacity to compare and integrate data sets retrospectively (reuse). Registration of HBM studies is common for clinical trials; however, the study designs and resulting data collections cannot be traced easily. We argue that an HBM Global Registry Framework (HBM GRF) could be the solution to several challenges hampering the (re)use of HBM (meta)data. The aim is to develop a global, host-independent HBM registry framework based on the use of harmonized open-access protocol templates from designing, undertaking an HBM study to the use and possible reuse of the resulting HBM (meta)data. This framework should apply FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles as a core data management strategy to enable the (re)use of HBM (meta)data to its full potential through the data value chain. Moreover, we believe that the implementation of FAIR principles is a fundamental enabler for digital transformation within environmental health. The HBM GRF would encompass internationally harmonized and agreed open access templates for HBM study protocols, structured web-based functionalities to deposit, find, and access harmonized protocols of HBM studies. Registration of HBM studies using the HBM GRF is anticipated to increase the FAIRness of the resulting (meta)data. It is also considered that the harmonization of existing data sets could be performed retrospectively. As a consequence, data wrangling activities to make data ready for analysis will be minimized. In addition, this framework would enable the HBM (inter)national community to trace new HBM studies already in the planning phase and their results once finalized. The HBM GRF could also serve as a platform enhancing communication between scientists, risk assessors, and risk managers/policymakers. The planned European Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC) works along these lines, based on the experience obtained in previous joint European initiatives. Therefore, PARC could very well bring the first demonstration of the first essential functionalities within the development of the HBM GRF.
- Human biomonitoring in health risk assessment in Europe: current practices and recommendations for the futurePublication . Louro, Henriqueta; Heinälä, Milla; Bessems, Jos; Buekers, Jurgen; Vermeire, Theo; Woutersen, Marjolijn; van Engelen, Jacqueline; Borges, Teresa; Rousselle, Christophe; Ougier, Eva; Alvito, Paula; Martins, Carla; Assunção, Ricardo; Silva, Maria João; Pronk, Anjoeka; Schaddelee-Scholten, Bernice; Del Carmen Gonzalez, Maria; de Alba, Mercedes; Castaño, Argelia; Viegas, Susana; Humar-Juric, Tatjana; Kononenko, Lijana; Lampen, Alfonso; Vinggaard, Anne Marie; Schoeters, Greet; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Santonen, TiinaHuman biomonitoring (HBM) is an important tool to survey the internal exposure of humans which represents the real-life chemical body burden to chemicals and/or their metabolites. It results from total exposure to chemical substances from different sources and via different routes. These substances may be regulated under different legislative frameworks on chemicals (e.g., environmental, occupational, food safety, etc). In occupational health, HBM has long traditions to control the exposures at workplaces. By providing accurate data on internal exposure, HBM data can improve human health risk assessment (RA) for both the general population and workers. Although the past few years have shown good examples of the use of HBM in the RA of chemicals, there is still quite some work to be done to improve its use in a regulatory RA. Under the scope of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (project HBM4EU, 2017-2021), the current study reviews the state-of-the-art of HBM use in chemicals RA with a special focus in Europe and attempts to identify hurdles and challenges faced by regulators. To gather information on the use of HBM, including the availability of guidance on how to use it in RA, the RA schemes applied by different European or international organizations were analyzed. Examples of such use were identified for a few selected groups of chemicals of concern for human health. In addition, we present the results of a survey, aimed at collecting information from national regulatory risk assessors on their day-to-day RA practices, the use of HBM data, and the obstacles and challenges related to their use. The results evidenced and explained some of the current obstacles of using HBM data in RA. These included the lack of HBM guidance values or biomonitoring equivalents (BEs), limited toxicokinetic information to support the interpretation of HBM data and, in the occupational health and safety (OSH) field, the lack of legal enforcement. Therefore, to support the integration of HBM in regulatory RA, we recommend, on one hand, the elaboration of an EU level guidance on the use of HBM in RA and, on the other hand, the continuation of research efforts to integrate HBM with new RA approaches using in vitro/in silico data and Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs).