| Document ID (ISN) | 110966 |
| CIS number |
10-0544 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0340-0131 - International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health |
| Year |
2010 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
De Palma G., Manini P., Sarnico M., Molinari S., Apostoli P. |
| Title |
Biological monitoring of tungsten (and cobalt) in workers of a hard metal alloy industry |
| Bibliographic information |
Feb. 2010, Vol.83, No.2, p.173-181. Illus. 34 ref. |
| Abstract |
To evaluate a combined biomonitoring approach based on both cobalt and tungsten determination in workers of the hard metal alloy sector, 55 workers from a factory producing cutting tools for carpentry were enrolled. Combined workroom air and biological monitoring of both cobalt and tungsten relied on inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry determinations. Metals were determined on plasma, blood and urine samples. Urine samples from 34 unexposed subjects were also analysed. Tungsten was determined in every collected sample. Workers showed significantly higher urinary tungsten levels than controls (pre-shift values of 4.12 vs 0.06 μg/L on average). Both airborne and biological levels of tungsten prevailed among workers involved in wet-grinding activities. The element was excreted at higher urinary levels than cobalt and showed lower circulating (blood, plasma) concentrations. Exposure-dose relationships were apparent for tungsten biomarkers. The results may contribute to the development of biomarkers of exposure to tungsten. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
cobalt; tungsten; exposure tests; metalworking industry |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
determination in air; determination in blood; determination in urine; exposure evaluation |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Subject(s) |
Metal production and metalworking
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Exposure evaluation
Metalworking industry
Inorganic substances
|
