Serum pneumoproteins in tunnel construction workers

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Medicine
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• Tunnel construction involves exposure to airborne pollutants like particulate matter and quartz.
• Inflammatory biomarkers can indicate health effects of occupational exposures.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for worker health surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate changes in serum inflammatory biomarkers in tunnel construction workers (TCW).
• To assess the impact of occupational exposure on specific biomarkers: SP-D, CC-16, and CRP.
• To correlate exposure levels with biomarker concentrations.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 90 TCW and 50 referents were analyzed before and after an 11-day work period.
• Personal air sampling measured exposure to particulate matter, α-quartz, and elemental carbon.
• Concentrations of surfactant protein D (SP-D), Clara cell protein 16 (CC-16), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified.

Main Results:

• TCW experienced significant exposure to particulate matter (604 µg/m³), α-quartz (74 µg/m³), and elemental carbon (51 µg/m³).
• Serum SP-D levels decreased in TCW (7.6 µg/L) and referents (0.6 µg/L) post-exposure (p=0.04).
• Former TCW had lower baseline CC-16 (5.4 µg/L) than never-TCW (6.4 µg/L), with annual decline associated with years worked.
• CRP levels were not significantly affected by exposure; smoking and BMI influenced all biomarkers.

Conclusions:

• TCW exhibit reduced SP-D concentrations during work periods.
• Lower CC-16 levels are associated with current and former TCW status, and cumulative exposure.
• Systemic inflammation marker CRP was not altered by exposure, but smoking and BMI are significant confounders.