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- Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effectsPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Costa, Solange; Vaz, Josiana; Fernandes, Adília; Slezakova, Klara; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Teixeira, João Paulo; Carmo Pereira, Maria; Morais, SimoneFirefighters represent one of the riskiest occupations, yet due to the logistic reasons, the respective exposure assessment is one of the most challenging. Thus, this work assessed the impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) and genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers (basal DNA and oxidative DNA damage) of firefighters from eight firehouses. Cardiac frequency, blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation were also monitored. OHPAHs were determined by liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection, while genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers were assessed by the comet assay. Concentrations of total OHPAHs were up to 340% higher (p ≤ 0.05) in (non-smoking and smoking) exposed workers than in control subjects (non-smoking and non-exposed to combat activities); the highest increments were observed for 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (82–88% of ∑OHPAHs), and for 2-hydroxyfluorene (5–15%). Levels of biomarker for oxidative stress were increased in non-smoking exposed workers than in control group (316%; p ≤ 0.001); inconclusive results were found for DNA damage. Positive correlations were found between the cardiac frequency, ∑OHPAHs and the oxidative DNA damage of non-smoking (non-exposed and exposed) firefighters. Evidences were raised regarding the simultaneous use of these biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters’ health and to better estimate the potential short-term health risks.
- Evaluation of the Biological Potential of Himanthalia elongata (L.) S.F.Gray and Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell Subcritical Water ExtractsPublication . Gomes, Inês; Rodrigues, Helena; Rodrigues, Carla; Oliveira, Marta Marques; Paíga, Paula; Paiva, Alexandre; Simões, Pedro; Fernandes, Virgínia Cruz; Vieira, Mónica; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Soares, Cristina; Grosso, ClaraNeuroprotection is a need that remains unmet in treating chronic neurodegenerative disorders, despite decades of extensive research. To find new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of Himanthalia elongata (L.) S.F.Gray and of Eisenia bicyclis (Kjellman) Setchell were obtained through subcritical water extraction applying a four-step temperature gradient. The fractions obtained were screened against brain enzymes involved in neurodegenerative etiology, namely in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, all contributing factors to the progression of neurodegeneration. Results showed no significant enzyme inhibition but strong radical scavenging activities, particularly in the fourth fraction, extracted at the highest temperature (250 °C), highlighting their ability to retard oxidative and nitrosative stresses. At higher temperatures, fractions were composed of phenolic compounds and Maillard reaction products, a combination that contributed to their antioxidant activity and, consequently, their neuroprotective properties. All fractions were evaluated for the presence of iodine, 14 organochlorine and 7 organophosphorus pesticides, and pharmaceuticals used in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (14), psychiatric drugs (8), and metabolites (8). The fractions studied did not present any of the screened contaminants, and only fraction 1 of E. bicyclis should be used with caution due to iodine content.
- Human Biomonitoring of Selected Hazardous Compounds in Portugal: Part I—Lessons Learned on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Metals, Metalloids, and PesticidesPublication . Pena, Angelina; Duarte, Sofia; Pereira, André M. P. T.; Silva, Liliana J. G.; Laranjeiro, Célia S. M.; Oliveira, Marta; Lino, Celeste; Morais, SimoneHuman biomonitoring (HBM) data provide information on total exposure regardless of the route and sources of exposure. HBM studies have been applied to quantify human exposure to contaminants and environmental/occupational pollutants by determining the parent compounds, their metabolites or even their reaction products in biological matrices. HBM studies performed among the Portuguese population are disperse and limited. To overcome this knowledge gap, this review gathers, for the first time, the published Portuguese HBM information concerning polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), metals, metalloids, and pesticides concentrations detected in the urine, serum, milk, hair, and nails of different groups of the Portuguese population. This integrative insight of available HBM data allows the analysis of the main determinants and patterns of exposure of the Portuguese population to these selected hazardous compounds, as well as assessment of the potential health risks. Identification of the main difficulties and challenges of HBM through analysis of the enrolled studies was also an aim. Ultimately, this study aimed to support national and European policies promoting human health and summarizes the most important outcomes and lessons learned through the HBM studies carried out in Portugal
- Unveiling Urinary Mutagenicity by the Ames Test for Occupational Risk Assessment: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Barros, Bela; Oliveira, Marta; Morais, SimoneOccupational exposure may involve a variety of toxic compounds. A mutagenicity analysis using the Ames test can provide valuable information regarding the toxicity of absorbed xenobiotics. Through a search of relevant databases, this systematic review gathers and critically discusses the published papers (excluding other types of publications) from 2001–2021 that have assessed urinary mutagenicity (Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium) in an occupational exposure context. Due to the heterogeneity of the study methods, a meta-analysis could not be conducted. The characterized occupations were firefighters, traffic policemen, bus drivers, mail carriers, coke oven and charcoal workers, chemical laboratory staff, farmers, pharmacy workers, and professionals from several other industrial sectors. The genetically modified bacterial strains (histidine dependent) TA98, TA100, YG1041, YG1021, YG1024 and YG1042 have been used for the health risk assessment of individual (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and mixtures of compounds (e.g., diesel engine exhaust, fire smoke, industrial fumes/dyes) in different contexts. Although comparison of the data between studies is challenging, urinary mutagenicity can be very informative of possible associations between work-related exposure and the respective mutagenic potential. Careful interpretation of results and their direct use for occupational health risk assessment are crucial and yet complex; the use of several strains is highly recommended since individual and/or synergistic effects of complex exposure to xenobiotics can be overlooked. Future studies should improve the methods used to reach a standardized protocol for specific occupational environments to strengthen the applicability of the urinary mutagenicity assay and reduce inter- and intra-individual variability and exposure source confounders
- Biomonitoring of firefighting forces: a review on biomarkers of exposure to health-relevant pollutants released from firesPublication . Barros, Bela; Oliveira, Marta; Morais, SimoneOccupational exposure as a firefighter has recently been classified as a carcinogen to humans by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Biomonitoring has been increasingly used to characterize exposure of firefighting forces to contaminants. However, available data are dispersed and information on the most relevant and promising biomarkers in this context of firefighting is missing. This review presents a comprehensive summary and critical appraisal of existing biomar-kers of exposure including volatile organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, several other persistent other organic pollutants as well as heavy metals and metalloids detected in biological fluids of firefighters attending different fire scenarios. Urine was the most characterized matrix, followed by blood. Firefighters exhaled breath and saliva were poorly evaluated. Overall, biological levels of compounds were predominantly increased in firefighters after participation in firefighting activities. Biomonitoring studies combining different biomarkers of exposure and of effect are currently limited but exploratory findings are of high interest. However, biomonitoring still has some unresolved major limitations since reference or recommended values are not yet established for most biomarkers. In addition, half-lives values for most of the biomarkers have thus far not been defined, which significantly hampers the design of studies. These limitations need to be tackled urgently to improve risk assessment and support implementation of better more effective preventive strategies.
- Human Biomonitoring of Selected Hazardous Compounds in Portugal: Part II—Lessons Learned on MycotoxinsPublication . Pena, Angelina; Duarte, Sofia; Pereira, André M. P. T.; Silva, Liliana J. G.; Laranjeiro, Célia S. M.; Oliveira, Marta; Lino, Celeste; Morais, SimoneHuman biomonitoring (HBM) data provide information on total exposure regardless of the route and sources of exposure. HBM studies have been applied to quantify human exposure to contaminants and environmental/occupational pollutants by means of determining the parent compounds, their metabolites, or even their reaction products in biological matrices. HBM studies performed among the Portuguese population are dispersed and limited. Thus, to overcome this knowledge gap, this work reviews the published Portuguese HBM information concerning mycotoxins detected in the urine, serum, milk, hair, and nails of different groups of the Portuguese population. This integrative approach to the available HBM data allows us to analyze the main determinants and patterns of exposure of the Portuguese population to the selected hazardous compounds, as well as to assess the potential health risks. We also aimed to identify the main difficulties and challenges of HBM through the analysis of the enrolled studies. Ultimately, this study aims to support national and European policies in promoting human health by summarizing the most important outcomes and lessons learned through the HBM studies carried out in Portugal
- Commercial octopus species from different geographical origins: Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and potential health risks for consumersPublication . Oliveira, Marta; Gomes, Filipa; Torrinha, Álvaro; Ramalhosa, Maria João; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Morais, SimonePolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants that have been raising global concern due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. A total of 18 PAHs (16 USEPA priority compounds, benzo(j)fluoranthene and dibenzo(a,l)pyrene) were assessed in the edible tissues of raw octopus (Octopus vulgaris, Octopus maya, and Eledone cirrhosa) from six geographical origins available to Portuguese consumers. Inter- and intra-species comparison was statistically performed. The concentrations of total PAHs (∑PAHs) ranged between 8.59 and 12.8 μg/kg w.w. Octopus vulgaris caught in northwest Atlantic Ocean presented ΣPAHs significantly higher than those captured in Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, as well as than the other characterized species from western central and northeast Atlantic Ocean. PAHs with 2-3 rings were the predominant compounds (86-92% of ∑PAHs) but diagnostic ratios indicated the existence of pyrogenic sources in addition to petrogenic sources. Known and possible/probable carcinogenic compounds represented 11-21% of ΣPAHs. World and Portuguese per capita ingestion of ∑PAHs due to cephalopods consumption varied between 1.62-2.55 × 10-4 and 7.09-11.2 × 10-4 μg/kg body weight per day, respectively. Potential risks estimated for low and high consumers according to USEPA methodology suggested that a regular consumption of raw octopus does not pose public health risks.
- Environmental Particulate Matter Levels during 2017 Large Forest Fires and Megafires in the Center Region of Portugal: A Public Health Concern?Publication . Oliveira, Marta; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pereira, Maria Carmo; Morais, SimoneThis work characterizes the dimension and the exceptionality of 2017 large- and mega-fires that occurred in the center region of Portugal through the assessment of their impact on the ambient levels of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), retrieved from local monitoring stations, and the associated public health risks. PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were increased during the occurrence of large fires and megafires, with daily concentrations exceeding the European/national guidelines in 7–14 and 1–12 days of 2017 (up to 704 µg/m3 for PM10 and 46 µg/m3 for PM2.5), respectively. PM10 concentrations were correlated with total burned area (0.500 < r < 0.949; p > 0.05) and with monthly total burned area/distance2 (0.500 < r < 0.667; p > 0.05). The forest fires of 2017 took the life of 112 citizens. A total of 474 cases of hospital admissions due to cardiovascular diseases and 3524 cases of asthma incidence symptoms per 100,000 individuals at risk were assessed due to exposure to 2017 forest fires. Real-time and in situ PM methodologies should be combined with protection action plans to reduce public health risks. Portuguese rural stations should monitor other health-relevant pollutants (e.g., carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds) released from wildfires to allow performing more robust and comprehensive measurements that will allow a better assessment of the potential health risks for the exposed populations.
- Exposure to PAHs during Firefighting Activities: A Review on Skin Levels, In Vitro/In Vivo Bioavailability, and Health RisksPublication . Sousa, Gabriel; Teixeira, Joana; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Sarmento, Bruno; Morais, Simone; Wang, Xianyu; Rodrigues, Francisca; Oliveira, MartaOccupational exposure as a firefighter is a complex activity that continuously exposes subjects to several health hazards including fire emissions during firefighting. Firefighters are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known as toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds, by inhalation, dermal contact, and ingestion. In this work, a literature overview of firefighters’ dermal exposure to PAHs after firefighting and data retrieved from skin in vitro/in vivo studies related to their dermal absorption, bioavailability, and associated toxicological and carcinogenic effects are reviewed. The evidence demonstrates the contamination of firefighters’ skin with PAHs, mainly on the neck (2.23–62.50 ng/cm2), wrists (0.37–8.30 ng/cm2), face (2.50–4.82 ng/cm2), and hands (1.59–4.69 ng/cm2). Concentrations of possible/probable carcinogens (0.82–33.69 ng/cm2), including benzopyrene isomers, were found on firefighters’ skin. PAHs penetrate the skin tissues, even at low concentrations, by absorption and/or diffusion, and are locally metabolized and distributed by the blood route to other tissues/organs. Lighter PAHs presented increased dermal permeabilities and absorption rates than heavier compounds. Topical PAHs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and promote the enzymatic generation of reactive intermediates that may cause protein and/or DNA adducts. Future research should include in vitro/in vivo assays to perform a more realistic health risk assessment and to explore the contribution of dermal exposure to PAHs total internal dose
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in Portuguese educational settings: a comparison between preschools and elementary schoolsPublication . Slezakova, Klara; Oliveira, Marta; Madureira, Joana; Fernandes, Eduardo de Oliveira; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Morais, Simone; Pereira, Maria do CarmoThe aim of this study was to determine levels and risks due to inhalation exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in different educational settings, namely for 3- to 5- year-old and 6- to 10-year-old children. Eighteen PAH (16 priority designated by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and benzo[j]fluoranthene) were simultaneously collected in indoor and outdoor air at two Portuguese preschools (PS1-PS2) and five elementary schools (ES1-ES5) from March to May 2014. Indoor concentrations at PS and ES were significantly different, with total levels (∑PAHs) 0.721-15.9 ng/m3 at PS1-PS2 and 5.03-23.6 ng/m3 at ES1-ES5. The corresponding outdoor concentrations were, respectively, 1.22-32.7 ng/m3 and 2.6-31.5 ng/m3. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with 2-3 aromatic rings were predominantly emitted by indoor sources, while compounds with 4-6 aromatic rings were mainly generated by infiltration of ambient PAH pollution to indoors. Excess lifetime risks of lung cancer exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) designated guideline of 10-5 in both types of schools (15-42-fold at PS; 15-52-fold at ES). However, total (sum of indoor and outdoor exposure) incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCR) were below the USEPA level of 10-6 at all studied institutions and thus considered negligible. Finally, ILCR due to indoor exposure represented 60-75% and 70-85% of the total ILCR at PS and ES, respectively, thus indicating the need for development and implementation of indoor air quality guidelines in educations settings.