Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure

Objectives The study investigated the concentrations of metals (chromium [Cr], manganese [Mn], cobalt [Co], nickel [Ni]) in the blood plasma and urine of Polish welders exposed to these elements contained in welding dust/fumes based on the results of biological monitoring, analyze the interrelations...

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Main Authors: Wojciech Wąsowicz, Beata Janasik, Edyta Reszka, Edyta Kasperczyk, Jędrzej Chrzanowski, Wojciech Fendler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine 2025-02-01
Series:International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ijomeh.eu/Metals-Cr-Mn-Co-Ni-concentration-in-the-blood-plasma-and-urine-od-Polish-welders,200203,0,2.html
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author Wojciech Wąsowicz
Beata Janasik
Edyta Reszka
Edyta Kasperczyk
Jędrzej Chrzanowski
Wojciech Fendler
author_facet Wojciech Wąsowicz
Beata Janasik
Edyta Reszka
Edyta Kasperczyk
Jędrzej Chrzanowski
Wojciech Fendler
author_sort Wojciech Wąsowicz
collection DOAJ
description Objectives The study investigated the concentrations of metals (chromium [Cr], manganese [Mn], cobalt [Co], nickel [Ni]) in the blood plasma and urine of Polish welders exposed to these elements contained in welding dust/fumes based on the results of biological monitoring, analyze the interrelationships between these elements, and attempt to correlate these data with telomere length. It is believed that telomere length can be considered a marker of exposure, including occupational. Analysis of questionnaire surveys was also taken into consideration. Material and Methods The study included 118 male welders and 51 age-matched male controls. Metals analysis in plasma and urine were determined by ICP-MS technique. Telomere length was measured in blood genomic DNA using the qRT-PCR method. Results Welders had significantly higher plasma levels of Cr, Ni, and Mn (p < 0.0001, respectively). Total concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Mn in the urine of pre-shift subjects were significantly higher compared to controls. Cobalt concentration in urine of exposed welders was significantly higher (p < 0.02) than in control group. Telomere length was exactly the same in the welder group compared to the control (mean ± standard deviation 0.99±0.41 vs. 0.99±0.52, respectively). Plasma and urine metal concentrations and telomere length were also studied in groups of welders in relation to personal protection equipment. Differences were found in plasma and urine metal concentrations according to the aspirators used. Statistically significant linear correlations were found between plasma and urine concentrations of the determined elements both before and after the work shift. Conclusions The findings suggest a positive relationship between Ni and Mn (end-shift) concentrations and telomere length, the effect which remained statistically significant even after adjusting for age and metabolic status. This indicates a complex interplay between metal exposure and biological aging markers. However, the relationship between exposure to welding fumes and changes in telomere length in welders requires further in-depth research. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(1):70–90
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publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
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series International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
spelling doaj-art-7193478d5fd04466bc06caa20fb31b5d2025-08-20T02:04:54ZengNofer Institute of Occupational MedicineInternational Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health1232-10871896-494X2025-02-01381709010.13075/ijomeh.1896.02493200203Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposureWojciech Wąsowicz0Beata Janasik1Edyta Reszka2Edyta Kasperczyk3Jędrzej Chrzanowski4Wojciech Fendler5Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Biological and Environmental Monitoring)Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Biological and Environmental Monitoring)Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Translational Research)Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Łódź, Poland (Department of Translational Research)Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine)Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland (Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine)Objectives The study investigated the concentrations of metals (chromium [Cr], manganese [Mn], cobalt [Co], nickel [Ni]) in the blood plasma and urine of Polish welders exposed to these elements contained in welding dust/fumes based on the results of biological monitoring, analyze the interrelationships between these elements, and attempt to correlate these data with telomere length. It is believed that telomere length can be considered a marker of exposure, including occupational. Analysis of questionnaire surveys was also taken into consideration. Material and Methods The study included 118 male welders and 51 age-matched male controls. Metals analysis in plasma and urine were determined by ICP-MS technique. Telomere length was measured in blood genomic DNA using the qRT-PCR method. Results Welders had significantly higher plasma levels of Cr, Ni, and Mn (p < 0.0001, respectively). Total concentrations of Cr, Ni, and Mn in the urine of pre-shift subjects were significantly higher compared to controls. Cobalt concentration in urine of exposed welders was significantly higher (p < 0.02) than in control group. Telomere length was exactly the same in the welder group compared to the control (mean ± standard deviation 0.99±0.41 vs. 0.99±0.52, respectively). Plasma and urine metal concentrations and telomere length were also studied in groups of welders in relation to personal protection equipment. Differences were found in plasma and urine metal concentrations according to the aspirators used. Statistically significant linear correlations were found between plasma and urine concentrations of the determined elements both before and after the work shift. Conclusions The findings suggest a positive relationship between Ni and Mn (end-shift) concentrations and telomere length, the effect which remained statistically significant even after adjusting for age and metabolic status. This indicates a complex interplay between metal exposure and biological aging markers. However, the relationship between exposure to welding fumes and changes in telomere length in welders requires further in-depth research. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2025;38(1):70–90https://ijomeh.eu/Metals-Cr-Mn-Co-Ni-concentration-in-the-blood-plasma-and-urine-od-Polish-welders,200203,0,2.htmlbiological monitoringmetalsweldersurinewelding fumestelomere length
spellingShingle Wojciech Wąsowicz
Beata Janasik
Edyta Reszka
Edyta Kasperczyk
Jędrzej Chrzanowski
Wojciech Fendler
Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
biological monitoring
metals
welders
urine
welding fumes
telomere length
title Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
title_full Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
title_fullStr Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
title_full_unstemmed Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
title_short Metals (Cr, Mn, Co, Ni) concentration in the blood plasma and urine od Polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
title_sort metals cr mn co ni concentration in the blood plasma and urine od polish welders and telomere length as an potential indicator of toxicity of metals welding fumes exposure
topic biological monitoring
metals
welders
urine
welding fumes
telomere length
url https://ijomeh.eu/Metals-Cr-Mn-Co-Ni-concentration-in-the-blood-plasma-and-urine-od-Polish-welders,200203,0,2.html
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