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Biomedical subjects

M Kiilunen

Publications and source records attributed to M Kiilunen.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Results of biomonitoring analyses in Biomonitoring Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland in 1997.

In 1997 a total of 4848 results of 47 different analytes from blood or urine specimens, were performed in the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Biomonitoring Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland. The results of these service analyses were registered in a database with additional information concerning the worker and the work place. The biomonitoring register, containing one or more results of about 30,000 workers, enables the follow-up of chemical exposure on individual or working group levels. In general, the levels of chemicals or their metabolites in biological specimens have been slowly but continuously declined in Finland during the last decade. In 1997 the decrease in the levels of heavy metals was particularly important. The most problematic organic solvent in Finland is styrene. Styrene exposures have remained in unacceptable levels in work places and still in 1997 more than a third of the workers analysed had very high concentrations of styrene metabolites in their urine. In most major analyte groups studied, there were workers whose exposure level exceeded the Finnish biomonitoring action level (BAL), and in about half of the specimens the level exceeded the upper reference limits (URL), of the non-exposed persons.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1999

Biomonitoring action levels in Finland.

In Finland, biomonitoring action levels (BAL) have been set since the 1970s. There are different ways of setting these BALs. The value for blood lead is based on legislation. Exposure limits have been set on the basis of the indicative values for carbon disulfide, ethylene benzene, toluene, and phenol. The number of BALs set by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) has increased year by year, and we now have BAL values for more than 36 different chemicals or chemical groups. The Institute annually publishes a booklet with the latest information about the biomonitoring tests, sample collection, and limit values. The booklet is also available in English as a web version (http:/(/)www.occuphealth.fi/tt/bio/guide346. htm).

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed1997

Occupational exposure to chromium and nickel in the 1980s in Finland.

Two large data bases accumulated from the 1980s at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, one with results on urinary chromium and nickel analyses and the other with results on total and hexavalent chromium and nickel, were compiled and analysed in order to clarify the occupational exposure during the 1980s, and to reveal possible trends in the exposure of workers in different jobs. The data were processed in three batches: years 1980-1982, 1983-1985 and 1986-1989. The median values of urinary chromium exceeded the biomonitoring action level, BAL, in metal workers, and the mean values exceeded the BAL in both metal workers and plasma cutters. Among all worker groups the median values of urinary chromium remained quite stable during the study period. The median values of urinary nickel concentration did not exceed the BAL in any worker group studied, but an increasing trend was observed among moulders. In the breathing zone of grinders, the median value of total or trivalent chromium exceeded the occupational exposure limit, OEL. The medial of hexavalent chromium concentration in the breathing zone of metal sprayers and spray painters was higher than the OEL. No decreasing trend in exposure could be observed during the 10-year period in breathing zone air.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1997

Urinary cobalt as a measure of exposure in the wet sharpening of hard metal and stellite blades.

The measurement of urinary cobalt as an estimator of exposure to airborne cobalt was evaluated during the wet sharpening of hard metal and stellite blades. The following possible confounding factors were also studied: smoking habits, personal hygiene, cobalt absorption through the skin, beer drinking, and vitamin B12 consumption. The study was conducted in 16 different workplaces manufacturing or maintaining blades and in laboratory experiments. Cobalt contamination and its removal from workers' hands were studied with different hand-washing methods, and cobalt from used gloves was also analyzed. The Finnish biomonitoring action level of 600 nmol/l (35.4 micrograms/l) was exceeded in 4 of the 16 workplaces, and the mean concentration of urinary cobalt was 241 (8-2705) nmol/l [14.2 (0.5-160) micrograms/l]. The coefficient of correlation between the cobalt concentrations in the air and in the workers' urine was 0.753. The urinary cobalt concentration corresponding to the Finnish occupational exposure limit for airborne cobalt (0.05 mg/m3) was 686 nmol/l (40.5 micrograms/l). The level of personal hygiene affected the urinary cobalt concentrations, and cobalt was absorbed through the skin. Beer and vitamin B12 consumption did not have any effect on the urinary levels of cobalt. The workers who smoked had higher urinary concentrations of cobalt than the nonsmoking workers. High concentrations of cobalt in coolants contaminated the workers' skin, and hand-washing did not remove cobalt very effectively. The results indicate that urinary cobalt can be used reliably to assess workers' exposure to airborne cobalt when wet-tip grinding processes are used. The results also show that workers' exposure to cobalt can be reduced by improving skin protection and personal hygiene in workplaces.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1997

Exposure to soluble nickel in electrolytic nickel refining.

Past and present exposure to nickel was studied in an electrolytic nickel refinery, where an increased incidence of nasal cancer had been reported, using nickel analyses in air, blood and urine. Genotoxic effects were studied using analysis of micronuclei from acridine orange-stained smears from the buccal mucosa of the workers. Workers used respirators or masks in tasks where the exposure was expected to be high. Inside the mask, nickel concentrations were 0.9-2.4 micrograms m-3 in such tasks. In those tasks where masks were not used, nickel concentrations in the breathing zone were 1.3-21 micrograms m-3. Air-borne nickel concentrations (stationary sampling) varied between 230 and 800 micrograms m-3 in 1966-1988 with no systematic change; thereafter lower concentrations (170-460 micrograms m-3) have been observed. After-shift urinary concentrations of nickel were 0.1-2 mumol l-1; they showed no correlation with nickel concentrations in the air. Concentrations of nickel in the urine were still elevated after a 2-4 week vacation. The frequency of micronucleated epithelial cells in the buccal mucosa of nickel refinery workers was not significantly elevated by comparison with referents. No relationship was observed between micronucleus frequencies and levels of nickel in air, urine or blood.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1997

Occupational exposure to nickel salts in electrolytic plating.

An occupational hygiene survey was made in 38 nickel plating shops in Finland and exposure to nickel was studied by means of biological measurements and, in three shops, by using air measurements. The average after-shift urinary nickel concentration of 163 workers was 0.16 mumol l.-1 (range 0.001-4.99 mumol l.-1). After the 1-5 week vacation the urinary nickel concentration was higher than the upper reference limit of non-exposed Finns indicating that a part of water-soluble nickel salts is accumulated in the body. Urinary nickel concentrations in the shops considered clean in the industrial hygiene walk-through were not different from those observed in the shops considered dirty. The correlation between the concentrations of nickel in the air and in the urine was low, and the amount of nickel excreted in the urine exceeded the calculated inhaled amounts, indicating exposure by other routes such as ingestion.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Hand dermatitis and allergic patch test reactions caused by nickel in electroplaters.

A worksite survey was conducted in all 38 Finnish electroplating plants. All workers (n = 163) who worked with nickel plating (bath workers, hangers and solution makers) were interviewed with a questionnaire about symptoms of nickel dermatitis, hand dermatitis, and about protective measures, atopy, etc. Patch testing with nickel sulfate was done with the TRUE TestTM method. All the workers, 94 men and 69 women, answered the questionnaire. The mean age of women was 41.1 years, and of men 43.1 years, respectively. Men had longer occupational exposure to nickel (14 years) than women (10 years). Most workers used protective gloves. 35% of women and 30% of men reported present or past hand dermatosis. 19% reported a history of atopic dermatitis. 15% of women (n = 8) and 4% (n = 2) of men had an allergic patch test reaction to nickel sulfate. 70% of those with an allergic patch test reaction to nickel reported past or present hand eczema. The prevalence of nickel allergy among the electroplaters was similar to that of patients in patch test clinics in Finland. An allergic patch test reaction to nickel sulfate does not necessarily oblige an electroplater to change jobs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Risk of lung cancer among masons in Iceland.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the risk of gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer in a cohort of masons exposed to cement and hexavalent chromium by a follow up in the Icelandic Cancer Registry. METHODS: The cohort, 1172 men, was defined as those who had served their apprenticeship and were fully licensed as masons (cement finishers) in Iceland, were born after 1880 and were alive in 1955. The men were exposed to an aerosol of wet concrete, particularly when spraying. According to the analyses of urinary chromium the masons were exposed to hexavalent chromium. A computer file on masons was record linked to the Cancer Registry by making use of the personal identification numbers. Expected cancer incidence was calculated on the basis of number of person-years for each five-year age category during the individual calendar years of the study period and multiplied by the specific incidence for cause and calendar year for men in Iceland provided by the Cancer Registry. RESULTS: The standardised incidence ratio (SIR) for all cancers was 1.13 in the total cohort and 1.33 when allowance was made for 30 years to elapse before starting to count person years of risk. The risk for gastrointestinal cancers was not increased. The SIR for lung cancer was 1.69 in the total cohort and 1.77 when a lag of 30 years was included. The SIR for lung cancer among those born in 1920 or later was 1.86. Results from a postal questionnaire showed that fewer masons had never smoked and more masons had stopped smoking than the controls from the general population. CONCLUSION: The increased risk of lung cancer among the masons may be related to their work. The exposure information, although limited, supports the suggestion that hexavalent chromium in the cement may be the causal link, as information on the smoking habits indicate that the control for this important possible confounder is adequate.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Occupational exposure to chromium and nickel in Finland--analysis of registries of hygienic measurements and biological monitoring.

Two large data bases, one with the results of analyses on total dust, nickel, total and hexavalent chromium, and the other, with concentrations of chromium and nickel in workers' urine, have been accumulated in the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. Data were analysed to assess occupational exposure to chromium and nickel during the last decade, using the International Standard Industrial Classifications for grouping industrial activities. Number of analyses was highest in fabricated metal products manufacturing, and welders and sheet metal workers were the largest and most heavily exposed groups. Occupational exposure limits were exceeded in 15.8% of all chromium measurements (500 micrograms m-3 for total chromium and 50 micrograms m-3 for hexavalent chromium). Recommended biological action level (BAL) (1.0 mumol l.-1) was exceeded in 0.8-7.1% of the cases in different years. Altogether, 18.3% (range 7.6-28.3%) of the air nickel measurements were higher than the occupational exposure limit for nickel compounds (100 micrograms m-3), but only 0.2-3.1% of results exceeded the BAL for nickel (1.30 mumol l.-1).

Chromium↗
PubMed1992

Urinary and blood manganese in occupationally nonexposed populations and in manual metal arc welders of mild steel.

To obtain reference values for blood and serum manganese levels, blood specimens were collected from 29 men and 36 women. Mn in blood showed a normal distribution; its upper 97.5% limit in blood was 0.38 mumol/l. Mn in serum showed a skewed distribution, which did not differ from the normal one after logarithmic transformation. The respective reference limit was 19 nmol/l. In both specimens, the levels of Mn were significantly lower in men than in women. To obtain reference values for Mn in urine, midday urine specimens were collected from 58 men and 96 women. Mn in urine also showed a skewed distribution, and the upper 97.5% limit was 38 nmol/l. The levels of Mn in blood and urine were statistically significantly higher in manual metal arc (MMA) welders of mild steel (MS) than in the reference populations. Five MMA/MS welders were subjected to a further study in which the ambient intramask Mn levels and urinary Mn excretion were monitored throughout a full working week. For two welders the correlation of Mn in urine specimens voided in the afternoon was good with the before noon Mn concentrations in the hygienic measurements; for the rest the correlation was minimal. Mn in diurnal urine specimens collected in six portions showed fluctuation if specific gravity or creatinine in urine was used to standardize for the urinary flow, but it was less evident for urinary Mn excretion rate. Our results seem to indicate that the measurement of Mn in urine or blood may be used for monitoring Mn exposure in MMA/MS welders only at the group level.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Determination of cisplatin in blood compartments of cancer patients.

A new approach has been developed to determine the levels of cisplatin in different blood compartments of treated cancer patients. The cisplatin content of plasma, plasma proteins, red blood cells and white blood cell DNA can be measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The approximate levels of cisplatin were 10, 500 and 100 ng Pt/ml blood in plasma, plasma proteins and haemoglobin, respectively; in white blood cell DNA, the level of cisplatin was about 1 pg/microgram DNA. Preliminary data indicate that cancer patients have measurable amounts of cisplatin in their blood compartments. Furthermore, antibodies have been raised against cisplatin-DNA, with which 50% inhibition occurs at 50-100 fmol cisplatin. The detection limit is about 1-10 fmol cisplatin/microgram DNA. Enzyme immunoassay techniques will be used to detect cisplatin-DNA adducts in white blood cell DNA of cancer patients.

Cisplatin↗
PubMed1987

Analysis, storage stability and reference values for urinary chromium and nickel.

Simple direct dilution methods are described for the analysis of urinary chromium and nickel with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The day-to-day variation of the methods is in the order of 5%, and the detection limits 20 and 0.1 nmol/l (1.2 and 0.0052 micrograms/l) for urinary nickel and chromium, respectively. At levels corresponding to occupational exposures, both metals are stable (within 20%) in urine specimens in the refrigerator for the least ten months. The stability does not require acidification. Geometric mean values for urinary nickel and chromium in the non exposed population in Finland (n = 299 and 155) are 70 and 1.5 nmol/l (4.8 and 0.078 micrograms/l), and the upper 95% confidence limits from a log-normal distribution, are 170 and 11 nmol/l (10 and 0.57 micrograms/l), respectively.

Chromium↗
PubMed1984

Urinary excretion of chromium as an indicator of exposure to trivalent chromium sulphate in leather tanning.

Two workers exposed to trivalent chromium sulphate in a leather tannery had high concentrations of chromium in the urine. The concentration of chromium showed a workshift-related diurnal fluctuation, but it was remarkably high even after a vacation, indicating accumulation of chromium in the body. The concentrations of chromium in the workplace air, as collected on filters using standard techniques, were below 30 micrograms/m3. The chromium in the air was present in the form of large droplets not collected by the standard techniques. In the blood stream, chromium was transported exclusively in the plasma. No absorption of chromium through the skin could be detected. Absorption from the gastrointestinal tract was calculated to explain the findings.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Stainless steel manual metal arc welding fumes in rats.

Forty two male Wistar rats were exposed to manual metal arc (MMA) stainless steel (SS) welding fumes generated by an automatic welding device for "nose-only" exposure. The exposure simulated an actual MMA/SS welding environment as closely as possible. For the retention study, the duration of exposure was one hour per workday for one, two, three, of four weeks and for the clearance study four weeks. The retention and clearance of the chromium, nickel, and iron found in MMA/SS welding fumes in the rats' lungs were studied as was the distribution of the metals to other organs. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used for the multi-element chemical activation analyses. The concentrations of chromium and nickel in the blood and the urine were determined by atomic absorption method (AAS). The retention of exogenous iron was determined by a magnetic measuring method. The results indicated that the lungs were the target organs of soluble hexavalent chromates. The half times of lung clearance for Cr, Ni, and Fe were 40 +/- 4 d, 20 +/- d, and 50 +/- 10 d. When the lung clearance curves are compared, the half times of Cr and Fe lung clearance are similar but nickel disappears faster. The distribution and clearance patterns of chromium to other organs differ from those obtained after single intravenous or intratracheal injections of alkaline chromates.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Exceptional pharmacokinetics of trivalent chromium during occupational exposure to chromium lignosulfonate dust.

The excretion of chromium in the urine of workers exposed to chromium lignosulfonate was studied. The chromium in the dust was in the trivalent (III) oxidation state, and 30% of the particles were less than 5 micron in diameter. Chromium (III) lignosulfonate dust was rapidly absorbed, and a peak of urinary excretion was seen immediately after exposure. No appreciable accumulation of chromium occurred over 3 d, as evaluated by comparison with preshift urinary chromium concentrations. The addition of ethylenediaminetetra-acetate to the urine of exposed persons greatly enhanced the capacity of chromium to traverse a dialysis membrane; the same effect was seen with chromium (III) chloride. It is concluded that chromium (III) lignosulfonate yields chromium (III), which acts pharmacokinetically like water-soluble hexavalent chromium compounds.

Absorption↗