Respiratory, audiologic and cytogenetic alterations in workers of a shipyard in Rio de Janeiro: case study

Abstract Introduction This study evaluated respiratory, audiological and cytogenetic alterations in shipyard workers in Angra dos Reis, state of Rio de Janeiro/Brazil, and their correlation to the occupational exposure of painters to solvents, metals and noise present. Methods We evaluated pulmonary function, hearing loss and speech recognition, as well as cytogenetic alterations. Indicators of exposure to lead and manganese in blood were evaluated by atomic absorption spectrometry. The determination of ALAD and ALA-U was performed by spectrophotometry and liquid chromatography, respectively. Results Six of the 9 workers evaluated for lung function had respiratory functional impairment. Almost 70% of the 18 evaluated workers had reduced hearing, with association between PAIR and values of lead in blood. The average percentage of recovery of ALAD was 32.9%; average was 1.7 mg g-1 creatinine for ALA-U, 4.65 µg dL-1 for Pb-B and 10 µg L-1 for Mn-B. We observed associations between activated ALA-D with Mn-B and the presence of chromosomal aberrations. Furthermore, we identified cytogenetic alterations as aneuploidy, premature centromere separation; as well as ring formation, breakage, and sister chromatid union. Conclusion Shipyard workers presented alterations that can be associated with occupational exposure.

摘要：本研究评估了巴西里约热内卢州安格拉杜斯雷斯市造船厂工人的呼吸系统、听力学及细胞遗传学改变，并分析其与油漆工接触作业环境中溶剂、金属与噪声的职业暴露的相关性。方法：本研究评估了肺功能、听力损失与言语识别能力，同时检测细胞遗传学改变。采用原子吸收光谱法测定血铅与血锰的暴露水平；分别采用分光光度法与液相色谱法测定δ-氨基乙酰丙酸脱水酶（ALAD）与尿δ-氨基乙酰丙酸（ALA-U）。结果：9名接受肺功能评估的工人中，6名存在呼吸系统功能损伤。18名受试工人中近70%出现听力减退，且PAIR与血铅水平存在关联。ALAD活性恢复率均值为32.9%；ALA-U平均水平为1.7 mg·g⁻¹肌酐，血铅（Pb-B）为4.65 µg·dL⁻¹，血锰（Mn-B）为10 µg·L⁻¹。本研究观察到活化的δ-氨基乙酰丙酸脱氢酶（ALA-D）与血锰（Mn-B）水平及染色体畸变存在相关性。此外，我们还检出了非整倍体、着丝粒提前分离、环状染色体形成、染色体断裂及姐妹染色单体互联等细胞遗传学改变。结论：造船厂工人出现的上述机体异常可能与其职业暴露相关。