Dataset Information

Alterations to biomarkers related to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust at concentrations below occupational exposure limits in the European Union and the USA.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We previously found that occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) was associated with alterations to 19 biomarkers that potentially reflect the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Whether DEE is associated with biological alterations at concentrations under existing or recommended occupational exposure limits (OELs) is unclear.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study of 54 factory workers exposed long-term to DEE and 55 unexposed controls, we reanalysed the 19 previously identified biomarkers. Multivariable linear regression was used to compare biomarker levels between DEE-exposed versus unexposed subjects and to assess elemental carbon (EC) exposure-response relationships, adjusted for age and smoking status. We analysed each biomarker at EC concentrations below the US Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) OEL (<106 µg/m³), below the European Union (EU) OEL (<50 µg/m³) and below the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) recommendation (<20 µg/m³).

Results

Below the MSHA OEL, 17 biomarkers were altered between DEE-exposed workers and unexposed controls. Below the EU OEL, DEE-exposed workers had elevated lymphocytes (p=9E-03, false discovery rate (FDR)=0.04), CD4+ count (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), CD8+ count (p=5E-03, FDR=0.03) and miR-92a-3p (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), and nasal turbinate gene expression (first principal component: p=1E-06, FDR=2E-05), as well as decreased C-reactive protein (p=0.02, FDR=0.05), macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (p=0.04, FDR=0.09), miR-423-3p (p=0.04, FDR=0.09) and miR-122-5p (p=2E-03, FDR=0.02). Even at EC concentrations under the ACGIH recommendation, we found some evidence of exposure-response relationships for miR-423-3p (p_trend=0.01, FDR=0.19) and gene expression (p_trend=0.02, FDR=0.19).

Conclusions

DEE exposure under existing or recommended OELs may be associated with biomarkers reflective of cancer-related processes, including inflammatory/immune response.

SUBMITTER: Wong JY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10337808 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Alterations to biomarkers related to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust at concentrations below occupational exposure limits in the European Union and the USA.

Wong Jason Yy JY Blechter Batel B Bassig Bryan A BA Dai Yufei Y Vermeulen Roel R Hu Wei W Rahman Mohammad L ML Duan Huawei H Niu Yong Y Downward George S GS Leng Shuguang S Ji Bu-Tian BT Fu Wei W Xu Jun J Meliefste Kees K Zhou Baosen B Yang Jufang J Ren Dianzhi D Ye Meng M Jia Xiaowei X Meng Tao T Bin Ping P Hosgood H Dean HD Rothman Nathaniel N Silverman Debra T DT Zheng Yuxin Y Lan Qing Q

Occupational and environmental medicine 20230327 5

<h4>Background</h4>We previously found that occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust (DEE) was associated with alterations to 19 biomarkers that potentially reflect the mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Whether DEE is associated with biological alterations at concentrations under existing or recommended occupational exposure limits (OELs) is unclear.<h4>Methods</h4>In a cross-sectional study of 54 factory workers exposed long-term to DEE and 55 unexposed controls, we reanalysed the 19 previous ...[more]

PMID: 36972977

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Dataset Information

Alterations to biomarkers related to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust at concentrations below occupational exposure limits in the European Union and the USA.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Alterations to biomarkers related to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust at concentrations below occupational exposure limits in the European Union and the USA.

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