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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Air pollution from a large steel factory: polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from coke-oven batteries.

A systematic investigation of solid and gaseous atmospheric emissions from some coke-oven batteries of one of Europe's largest integrated steel factory (Taranto, Italy) has been carried out. In air monitoring samples, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were consistently detected at concentrations largely exceeding threshold limit values. By means of PAHs speciation profile and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) equivalent dispersion modeling from diffuse sources, the study indicated that serious health risks exist not only in working areas, but also in a densely populated residential district near the factory.

Air Movements↗
PubMed1979

The efficiency of respiratory filters in a coke oven atmosphere.

Several types of commercially available respiratory filter/sorbent combinations were tested in a coke oven environment. The percent penetration of benzene soluble particulate and benzo(a)pyrene through these filters was determined and was generally found to be less than ten percent. Degradation of filtering efficiency was noted with some types of filters. The use of a sorbent cartridge in conjunction with a covering filter did not significantly change penetration of the contaminants which were measured.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Reduction of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene excretion in coke-oven workers exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons due to improved hygienic skin protective measures.

The effect of hygienic skin protective measures on the internal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was studied in 13 coke-oven workers. The study took place over 2 consecutive weeks. In 1 week the subjects worked under the normal circumstances, in the other week extra hygienic skin protective measures were instituted: laundered working clothes and a new pair of gloves before each 8-h work shift, and the washing both of the hands and of the face before each break. Biological monitoring was undertaken to measure the effect of the extra hygienic measures on the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene excretion, which is a measure of the internal PAH exposure. The increase of the urinary 1-hydroxypyrene concentration over the 4-day workweek was on average 37% lower when extra hygienic measures were taken, being 1.3 instead of 2.3 mumole 1-hydroxypyrene per mole creatinine (P = 0.03, N = 13). This study demonstrates that simple hygienic skin protective measures result in a significant reduction of the internal PAH exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine from coke-oven workers with a radioimmunoassay.

Considerable amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are present in the workplace. In order to obtain a better understanding of the occupational hazards connected with PAH exposure various biomonitoring methods need to be applied. The level of PAH in urine collected from coke-oven workers has been measured by a recently developed radioimmunoassay. A significant correlation between estimated exposure levels for PAH and urinary levels of PAH was observed. During the winter period the control group was found to have an average concentration of 0.44 ng PAH/mmol creatinine, whereas the low, medium and high exposure groups contained 0.44, 0.71 and 0.85 ng PAH/mmol creatinine respectively. The urinary PAH level in the samples collected during the summer period was higher, i.e. 0.81, 0.94 and 1.10 ng PAH/mmol creatinine, for the low, medium and high exposure groups. Furthermore, a correlation was also observed between smoking and levels of urinary PAH. We conclude that this radioimmunoassay may be suitable as a simple and sensitive routine assay for monitoring individuals exposed to PAH.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed1998

A study of multiple biomarkers in coke oven workers--a cross-sectional study in China.

We conducted a cross-sectional molecular epidemiological study of coke oven workers exposed to the established carcinogen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to evaluate the relationships between both traditional 'exposure markers' and a series of biomarkers, including urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as a marker of internal dose, leukocyte aromatic DNA adducts as markers of biologically effective dose, serum p53 protein as a response marker and genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P4501A1 and glutathione S-transferase MI as susceptibility markers. Twenty-five male subjects each were randomly selected from the top, middle and bottom work areas of the oven, and the control plant. They were matched for age and smoking status. The mean levels of PAH exposure, monitored by stationary and personal samplers, and of worker urinary 1-hydroxypyrene differed significantly between the top, middle and bottom of the oven and control work areas. The highest stationary and personal PAH concentrations and 1-hydroxypyrene levels were demonstrated at the top work area. Good correlations were found between the stationary PAH levels, personal PAH levels and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels. No positive correlations were demonstrated between aromatic DNA adduct levels and current or cumulative PAH exposure dose. In the presence of genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P4501A1, a positive correlation was demonstrated between aromatic DNA adducts and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene levels. There was also a significant correlation between serum p53 protein levels and the cumulated benzo[a]pyrene exposure dose. Although these biomarkers have certain limitations, they are applicable to cancer epidemiology, and may contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Urine mutagenicity of steel workers exposed to coke oven emissions.

Urine mutagenicity of 19 individuals was investigated at a steel mill. All the subjects worked on the coal processing unit. Urine samples were collected at the end of a working day. Urine samples of two exposed workers were collected at the end of two periods of rest and two periods of working. Mutagens were extracted on XAD-2 resin and tested by the Salmonella microsomal assay and the SOS spot test. Mutagenic potencies of exposed smokers and exposed non-smokers were 8.62 +/- 6.56 and 1.1 +/- 0.48 revertants/mg creatinine respectively with Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 + S9. Both values were significantly higher than those of unexposed smokers and non-smokers (5.07 +/- 3.33 and 0.47 +/- 0.72 revertants/mg creatinine respectively). The urinary mutagenic potency of the two exposed individuals increased at the end of periods of working (15.97 +/- 2.57 revertants/mg creatinine) and decreased at the end of periods of rest (12.31 +/- 2.45 revertants/mg creatinine). Urinary mutagens were detected with S. typhimurium strain TA100 + S9 to a lesser extent. No direct-acting mutagens were detected by the SOS spot test. Atmospheric benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) were also measured by h.p.l.c. on the coke battery. BaP concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 0.6 microgram/m3 air at the different working sites. Biological monitoring with short-term tests is discussed.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Functional and compositional comparison of two activated sludge communities remediating coking effluent.

The success of engineered microbiological systems is evident in the global application of activated sludge communities to remediate coking effluent. However, there is a lack of understanding of the microbiology underlying treatment efficiency and stability. In this study, two functionally distinct activated sludge pools, treating the same effluent and operating under the same conditions, were examined to establish a relationship between overall diversity and/or functional diversity with respect to process stability. Molecular profiling, sequencing and RNA-based stable isotope probing were used to examine the bacterial diversity, general composition and functional composition of the most abundant members of the two communities. The inferior process stability in one of the pools could not be explained by reduced total bacterial diversity or evenness. RNA-based stable isotope probing revealed that both pools harboured an abundant phenol-degrading Acidovorax species, and that the pool of inferior stability accommodated an additional closely related phenol-degrading Acidovorax species at high abundance. These results are discussed in the context of deterministic and stochastic models of microbial community assembly.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1977

A mortality study of coke oven workers in two South Wales integrated steelworks.

Six hundred and ten coke oven personnel were studied retrospectively over a period of 11 years (1954-65). During this time 82 died, 88 retired and 80 left, but all were treated. The Standardised Mortality Ratios (SMRs) have been calculated for four principal causes which have then been further analysed into 30 subgroups. The work was limited because the population was small and the records not detailed enough to analyse the mortality rates according to environmental exposures. Differences between SMRs obtained at the two works were quite marked (73 and 98) and the overall SMR of 85% was better than expected. The observed number of deaths from respiratory disease, malignant neoplasms and all other causes excluding cardiovascular, was very near that expected, but the numbers of deaths from cardiovascular disease and in particular arteriosclerotic disease, showed a significant deficit.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Biological monitoring of workers exposed to benzene in the coke oven industry.

Workers in the coke oven industry are potentially exposed to low concentrations of benzene. There is a need to establish a well validated biological monitoring procedure for low level benzene exposure. The use of breath and blood benzene and urinary phenol has been explored in conjunction with personal monitoring data. At exposures of about 1 ppm benzene, urinary phenol is of no value as an indicator of uptake/exposure. Benzene in blood was measured by head space gas chromatography but the concentrations were only just above the detection limit. The determination of breath benzene collected before the next shift is non-specific in the case of smokers. The most useful monitor at low concentrations appears to be breath benzene measured at the end-of-shift.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Lung function in retired coke oven plant workers.

Lung function was studied in 354 coke oven plant workers in the Lorraine collieries (Houillères du Bassin de Lorraine, France) who retired between 1963 and 1982 and were still alive on 1 January 1988. A spirometric examination was performed on 68.4% of them in the occupational health service. Occupational exposure to respiratory hazards throughout their career was retraced for each subject. No adverse effect of occupational exposure on ventilatory function was found. Ventilatory function was, however negatively linked with smoking and with the presence of a respiratory symptom or discrete abnormalities visible on pulmonary x ray films. The functional values were mostly slightly lower than predicted values and the most reduced index was the mean expiratory flow, FEF25-75%. The decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was often parallel to that in forced vital capacity (FVC), but it was more pronounced for subjects who had worked underground, for smokers of more than 30 pack-years, and for subjects having a respiratory symptom. Pulmonary function indices were probably overestimated because of the exclusion of deceased subjects and the bias of the participants.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Mortality in retired coke oven plant workers.

A previous study on 536 retired coke oven plant workers in Lorraine Collieries (France) reported an excess of deaths from lung cancer (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) = 251) compared with the French male population. Occupational exposures during working life were retraced for each subject, but the number of deaths during the observation period (1963-82) was small, and smoking habits were known only for dead subjects. In 1988, the cohort was re-examined (182 deaths occurred between 1963 and 1987) and smoking habits were determined for all the subjects. This study confirmed the excess of lung cancer (SMR = 238, p < 0.001). It showed an excess of mortality from all causes (SMR = 141, p < 0.001), overall cancers (SMR = 133, p < 0.05), and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 133, p < 0.05). A significant excess of deaths was found for subjects who worked near the ovens for all causes (145, p < 0.01), lung cancer (SMR = 252, p < 0.01), colon cancer (SMR = 381, p < 0.05), and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 155, p < 0.05). A significant excess mortality was also found from all causes (176, p < 0.05) and stomach cancer (SMR = 538, p < 0.01) in subjects who worked in byproducts, from lung cancer (SMR = 433, p < 0.001) in those in the workshops, and from cirrhosis of the liver and alcoholism (SMR = 360, p < 0.01) in those underground; but, due to small numbers, these figures were not robust. An excess of mortality from all causes (SMR = 163, p<001), lung cancer (SMR = 228, p<0.05) and cardiovascular diseases (SMR = 179, p<0.01) was shown also for non-exposed or slightly exposed subjects. The fact that, on the whole, mortality of various exposed groups was similar to that of non-exposed or slightly exposed workers may be explained in part by the selection at hiring and the healthy worker effect. As an increased risk of lung cancer was noted among subjects who worked in the old generations of plant compared with the other workers (although the relative risk was not significant) it is concluded that the role of occupational hazards could not be excluded.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed2004

occupational exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons at a coke plant: Part II. Exposure assessment of volatile organic compounds.

The objective of the study is to assess the external and internal exposures to aromatic hydrocarbons in the tar and oil naphthalene distillation processes at a coke plant. 69 workers engaged as operators in tar and oil naphthalene distillation processes and 25 non-exposed subjects were examined. Personal analyses of the benzene, toluene, xylene isomers, ethylbenzene, naphthalene, indan, indene and acenaphthene in the breathing zone air allowed us to determine the time weighted average exposure levels to the aromatic hydrocarbons listed above. The internal exposure was investigated by measurement of the urinary excretion of naphthols, 2-methylphenol and dimethylphenol isomers by means of gas chromatography with a flame ionization detection (GC/FID). Urine metabolites were extracted after enzymatic hydrolysis by solid-phase extraction with styrene-divinylbenzene resin. The time-weighted average concentrations of the hydrocarbons detected in the breathing zone air shows that the exposure levels of the workers are relatively low in comparison to the exposure limits. Statistically significant differences between average concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, xylene isomers) determined at the workplaces in the tar distillation department have been found. Concentrations of the naphthalene and acenaphthene detected in workers from the oil distillation department are higher that those from the tar distillation department. Concentrations of naphthols, 2-methoxyphenol and dimethylphenol isomers in the urine of occupationally exposed workers were significantly higher than those of non-exposed subjects. Concentrations of the 2-methoxyphenol and dimethylphenol isomers in urine were significantly higher for the tar distillation workers, whereas concentrations of naphthols were higher for the oil naphthalene distillation workers. Operators at the tar and naphthalene oil distillation processes are simultaneously exposed to a mixture of different hydrocarbons, mainly benzene and naphthalene homologues.

Acenaphthenes↗
PubMed1998

[Detection of sister chromatic exchange in workers exposed to coal tar pitch and to coke oven volatiles].

In order to know the changes of genetic toxicological effects on workers occupationally exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), sister chromatic exchange(SCE) was detected by the methods of peripheral lymphocyte culture in 23 workers exposed to coal tar pitch (CTP) and in 19 workers exposed to coke oven volatiles (COV) and 12 normal controls. The results suggested that the SCE in occupational workers was significantly higher than that in controls (11.31 vs 6.37, P < 0.001). The SCE in workers exposed to CTP and to COV was higher than that of control (10.27 and 12.58 vs 6.37) respectively. In workers exposed to CTP and COV, there were no differences of SCE for smokers and nonsmokers (P > 0.05). It is indicated that CTP and COV caused strong genetic toxicity and injury to chromosome.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[History of the scientific work of Eduardo Cruz-Coke Lassabe].

BACKGROUND: Eduardo Cruz Coke M.D., (1899-1974) was one of the precursors and pioneers of biomedical research in Chile, as professor of Physiological and Pathological Chemistry at the University of Chile, from 1925 to 1962. He was a disciple of Dr. Juan Noe and studied in Europe with the Nobel Prize winners Otto Warburg, Jean Perrin, Louis de Broglie and Frederic G. Hopkins. In Chile, he founded a scientific academy with disciples that later obtained the National Sciences Award, such as Hector Croxatto, Jorge Mardones, Hermann Niemeyer, Luis Vargas and Jorge Allende. He carried out pioneering research in metabolism, nutrition, endocrinology, oncology and nephrogenic hypertension. He published more than 50 scientific papers in French, English and Spanish. He founded scientific societies, edited journals and created the National Commission of Nuclear Energy. His books were "The ionic acidity in the clinic", "Preventive and directed medicine", "The adrenal cortex". He was Ministry of Health between 1937 and 1938 and passed important socio-medical bills. He obtained the distinguished international awards in Europe, the U.S.A. and Latin America. The Biomedical Sciences Institute of the University of Chile carries his name.

Chile↗
PubMed2001

Biological monitoring the exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons of coke oven workers in relation to smoking and genetic polymorphisms for GSTM1 and GSTT1.

UNLABELLED: Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) increases the risk of developing lung cancer. Human exposure is often demonstrated by increased internal levels of PAH metabolites and of markers for early biological effects, like DNA adducts and cytogenetic aberrations. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess whether the current exposure to PAH of coke oven workers in a Dutch plant induced biological effects, and to determine if these effects are influenced by tobacco smoking and by genetic polymorphisms for the glutathione S-transferase genes GSTM1 and GSTT1. METHODS: Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHpyr) levels were used to monitor the internal dose, while the internal effective dose was assessed by monitoring PAH-DNA adducts, DNA strand breaks (Comet assay), sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and cells with a high frequency of SCE (HFC) in lymphocytes together with micronuclei (MN) in exfoliated urothelial cells. RESULTS: Occupational exposure to PAH resulted in statistically significant increased 1-OHpyr levels (P<0.001), but it did not cause a significant induction of SCE, HFC, MN, DNA strand breaks or DNA adducts. Smoking caused a significant increase of 1-OHpyr (P<0.05), SCE (P<0.001), HFC (P<0.001) and DNA adducts (P<0.05), but not of MN or DNA strand breaks. Following correction for the smoking-related effects, no occupational induction of the effect biomarkers could be discerned. Multi-variate analysis did not show a significant influence of GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms on any biomarker. Also no significant interactions were observed between the various biomarkers. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in the examined plant, the occupational exposure to PAH does not result in measurable early biological effects

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Design and performance of experimental constructed wetlands treating coke plant effluents.

Reed beds were chosen to treat effluents from a coke plant in France (Usinor-Sollac, Fos/mer). The pilot is composed by a two-stage gravel bed with subsurface flow and Phragmites australis as plant. This experimental constructed wetland was monitored for one year at steady-state conditions. The composition of influent shows high concentrations of organic compounds. The hydraulic residence time was close to 10-12 days with a plug flow with longitudinal dispersion. Results show that global removal of nitrogen ranged from 54 to 94% of load removal efficiency, but corresponds easily to the regulation recommendations. Because of wintertime, the denitrification process was inhibited by aerobic conditions observed in the gravel bed with oxygen concentrations higher than 2-3 mg/L, and by small amounts of biodegradable carbon. The fate of mineral pollutants are linked to the complex ferric hydroxides balance and a lack of phosphorus was observed for reed plants, as this nutrient is dependent on iron compounds. Some necrosis was observed on plant tissues corresponding with anthocyanic pigments accumulation caused by phosphorus absorption deficiency due to its co-precipitation with iron.

Coke↗
PubMed1992

[Prospective epidemiological studies of chronic bronchitis in workers in a coke-processing plant].

In 1977 an epidemiological survey was carried out on incidence of chronic bronchitis in 652 workers (age 20-64) of a coking plant. The survey was repeated six years later in 300 of the original participants (56%). The aim of the study was to assess the effect of smoking, age and occupation on incidence of chronic bronchitis and dynamic change of FEV1 values during the six years. During the 6 years the incidence of chronic bronchitis rose from 22% to 43%. Mean annual decrease of FEV1 was higher in smokers as compared to nonsmokers (57.4 versus 52.6 ml per year). Higher mean falls of FEV1 values were noted in subjects with occupational risk factors present (68.4 ml) in comparison with those with low occupational exposure (51.2 ml). Susceptible subjects presented a thrice higher annual FEV1 decrease rate (142 ml).

Adult↗
PubMed1992

[Chronic bronchitis and ventilatory capacity of the lungs in relation to the function of small airways in workers in a Coke-Processing Plants in Zabrze].

In 449 male workers of the Zabrze Coking Plant (age 18-62 years) a questionnaire analysis of presence of bronchitic symptoms was carried out. The following ventilatory parameters were also assessed: FVC, FEV1, PEF, MEF75, MEF50, MEF25. Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 30.5% of the analysed subjects. The incidence of chronic bronchitis was four-fold higher in smoking males (33.9%) in comparison with non-smokers (8.3%). The authors did not find any relation between the character of work in subject with occupational exposure to atmospheric pollutants and incidence of chronic bronchitis. Smoking produced a decrease in flow during forced expiration especially in males older than 40 years. Subjects with higher occupational exposure to atmospheric pollutants demonstrated higher incidence of airway obstruction (21.2%) and lower mean FEV1% and flow volumes in comparison to subjects with lower occupational exposure.

Adolescent↗