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Percorrer por autor "Ramos, Cristiana Maria Moreira Sousa"

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  • Potential health risks of worker exposure to synthetic and natural dyes in the textile industry
    Publication . Ramos, Cristiana Maria Moreira Sousa; Freitas, Marisa Alexandra Marques; Martins, Maria do Rosário Fidalgo; Rufo, João Pedro Cavaleiro
    The Textile Industry (TI) is associated with a high environmental impact, with the dyeing stage considered a critical point due to environmental concerns related to pollution and the potential adverse health effects of synthetic dyes on workers. The reintroduction of natural dyes may represent an alternative in light of increasingly stringent restrictions on the use of synthetic dyes. However, knowledge of their potential health effects on workers remains limited, due to the scarcity of research on the subject. In this context, the present study aims to expand understanding of the potential risks associated with worker exposure to synthetic and natural dyes in the TI. The study was conducted in three companies (A, B and C), representative of the dyeing industry in Portugal. To characterize the potential health effects reported by workers, a questionnaire was administered to a sample of 33 professionals in the sector. Although this study does not include an assessment of the workers’ occupational exposure, environmental monitoring of physicochemical parameters was carried out in dye weighing areas, with particular focus on the quantification of PM10 and PM2.5. In parallel, in vitro evaluation of the viability of cell lines representative of the skin (HaCaT, 3T3-L1 and B16F10) was performed, following exposure to classes of synthetic and natural dyes most relevant to the industries under study. The results of the characterization of potential health effects reported by workers showed that the most frequently declared respiratory symptom was morning cough (30.3%), with 20% of workers reporting worsening at the workplace. At the dermal level, eczema was the most reported symptom (42.4%), with 57.1% of workers indicating worsening in the workplace. In companies B and C, high concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 were observed, with peaks during dye weighing. The cell viability assays revealed that most synthetic dyes induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT and B16F10 cell lines (at concentrations of 500 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL), whereas in the 3T3-L1 line, synthetic dyes showed viability around 70% at all concentrations after 48 hours of exposure. Natural dyes exhibited higher cell viability rates (between 80%–100%) after 24 hours of exposure in HaCaT and 3T3-L1 cell lines. In the case of the B16F10 line, the cytotoxicity of both synthetic and natural dyes may represent a positive effect, due to the potential reduction in the proliferation of cancerous cells. In summary, this preliminary study suggests that workers experience respiratory and skin-related outcomes, as well as worsening of these conditions during dye handling, with no clear distinction observed between the effects associated with synthetic and natural dyes. Environmental monitoring demonstrated that dye handling constitutes a significant source of particle emissions, representing an aggravating factor in view of the potential inhalation and dermal toxicity of these dyes. Mitigating these potential risks should involve an integrated to ensure their safety and health, regardless of the origin of the dye used.
    2025-11-06Dissertação de mestrado Acesso aberto Ver mais