Assessment of health effects related to fiber glass exposure in fiber glass workers: exhaled biomarkers eCO, FENO and their usefulness in the occupational environment testing
Abstract
Introduction. Numerous epidemiological animal model studies have been
conducted in order to assess the health effects of man-made vitreous fibers. They have
been shown to be responsible for producing lung fibrosis and lung and peritoneal
cancer in animal models. A few large cohort studies were conducted in Europe and the
US to assess the health effects of fiber glass in production workers and a higher cancer
incidence was evidenced.
Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the usefulness of exhaled biomarkers
measurements: exhaled nitric oxide and exhaled carbon monoxide in fiber glass workers
as indicators of an inflammatory airway response .
Material and method. A total of 42 fiber glass workers were included in this
study with a minimum of 5 year exposure period in which FENO and eCO values were
measured. Also spirometry chest X ray, C reactive protein , fibrinogen, total IgE serum
and IL8 serum levels were determined.
Results. Increased values of exhaled nitric oxide (over 25 ppb) were found in
43% of the fiber glass workers and increased values of exhaled carbon monoxide (over
6 ppm) were determined in 26% of the fiber glass workers. A positive correlation was
found between the exposure period and FENO values and total IgE values (p<0.05). A
negative correlation coefficient was found between FEF 25-75 predictive values and
FENO and total IgE values.
Conclusion. These results suggest that exhaled biomarkers can be useful to
assess an inflammatory airway response in the occupational environment.
conducted in order to assess the health effects of man-made vitreous fibers. They have
been shown to be responsible for producing lung fibrosis and lung and peritoneal
cancer in animal models. A few large cohort studies were conducted in Europe and the
US to assess the health effects of fiber glass in production workers and a higher cancer
incidence was evidenced.
Aim. The aim of the study is to assess the usefulness of exhaled biomarkers
measurements: exhaled nitric oxide and exhaled carbon monoxide in fiber glass workers
as indicators of an inflammatory airway response .
Material and method. A total of 42 fiber glass workers were included in this
study with a minimum of 5 year exposure period in which FENO and eCO values were
measured. Also spirometry chest X ray, C reactive protein , fibrinogen, total IgE serum
and IL8 serum levels were determined.
Results. Increased values of exhaled nitric oxide (over 25 ppb) were found in
43% of the fiber glass workers and increased values of exhaled carbon monoxide (over
6 ppm) were determined in 26% of the fiber glass workers. A positive correlation was
found between the exposure period and FENO values and total IgE values (p<0.05). A
negative correlation coefficient was found between FEF 25-75 predictive values and
FENO and total IgE values.
Conclusion. These results suggest that exhaled biomarkers can be useful to
assess an inflammatory airway response in the occupational environment.
Keywords
fiber glass, exhaled biomarkers