A Biomonitoring Pilot Study in Workers from a Paints Production Plant Exposed to Pigment-Grade Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)

Among particulate matter composing paints, titanium dioxide (TiO2) forms about 20% of the final suspension. Although TiO2 is broadly used in many applications, TiO2 powders represent an established respiratory hazard for workers with long-term exposure.

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Evaluation of potential engineered nanomaterials impacts on human health: from risk for workers to impact on consumers

Within the project, a collaborative book chapter (review) has been published, acknowledging NANOExplore: Chapter 10 - Evaluation of potential engineered nanomaterials impacts on human health: from risk for workers to impact on consumers. By M.G. Bianchi, O. Bussolati, M. Chiu, G. Taurino, E. Bergamaschi. In: Exposure to Engineered Nanomaterials in the Environment - Micro and Nano Technologies, 2019, Pages 263-287. Available online 31 May 2019.

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In vitro Validation of causal link between nanomaterial and selected biomarkers in human workers

Resulting from task B.2.3 (In vitro Validation of causal link between nanomaterial and selected biomarkers in human workers) of the NanoExplore project several articles have been published

Reference Ranges of 8-Isoprostane Concentrations in Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Reference ranges of oxidative stress biomarkers selected for non-invasive biological surveillance of nanotechnology workers: Study protocol and meta-analysis results for 8-OHdG in exhaled breath condensate
Urinary 8-isoprostane as a biomarker for oxidative stress. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Urinary 8-OHdG as a Biomarker for Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

NANOExplore: State of knowledge on the occupational exposure to carbon nanotubes

Within the consortium, a paper has been published, acknowledging NANOExplore: State of knowledge on the occupational exposure to carbon nanotubes. By I. Guseva Canu, K. Batsungnoen, A. Maynard, N.B. Hopf. In: Elsevier International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, Volume 225, April 2020.

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Occupational Exposure to Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanofibres: More Than a Cobweb

The review´s topic is a risk assessment for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), regarding their biological activity and their hazardous effects in humans. The aim of this review is to challenge the conception of CNTs/CNFs as a single, unified material entity and prompt the establishment of standardized hazard and exposure assessment methodologies able to properly feed risk assessment and management frameworks.

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Oxidative Potential in Exhaled Air (OPEA) as a Tool for Predicting Certain Respiratory Disorders in the General Adult Population: Cross-Sectional Analysis Nested in the Swiss Health Study

Resulting from Task B2.3b, in a pilot clinical study, OPEA allowed for distinguishing participants with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to assess whether abnormal spirometry parameters and immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are associated with increased OPEA and estimating the OPEA reference interval. Abstract: In a pilot clinical study, OPEA allowed for distinguishing participants with and without chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to assess whether abnormal spirometry parameters and immunity against SARS-CoV-2 are associated with increased OPEA and estimating the OPEA reference interval. Swiss adult residents of the Vaud Canton aged 20–69 years randomly selected from the Federal Statistical Office’s registries, speaking French or German, were included and examined between 1 October 2020 and 31 December 2021. General health status and presence of respiratory diseases were assessed by questionnaire and spirometry. Spirometric results were compared with the predicted values and their lower limits of norms of the Global Lung Function Initiative. SARS-CoV-2-seroprevalence was assessed using the Luminex-based test of IgG. Statistical analysis consisted of unilateral t-tests and ANOVA. Lower and upper limit of OPEA reference interval with associated 90%-confidence interval (90%CI) were estimated for the sub-sample of healthy adults by bootstrap, after excluding outliers. The study sample included 247 participants. SARS-CoV-2-seropositive participants and those with an obstructive syndrome had a significantly higher OPEA than seronegative and healthy participants. The estimated reference interval was: −0.0516 (90%CI = −0.0735; −0.0316); −0.0044 (90%CI = −0.0224; 0.0153). OPEA could predict inflammatory-based respiratory disorders, but needs further validation in different settings and for other pathologies. (October 2022)

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