Introduction: Wood industry workers face health risks due to exposure to microorganisms and their metabolites. This study aimed to characterize seasonal microbial contamination, antifungal resistance, mycotoxins, cytotoxicity, and particulate matter in Portuguese carpentries, to reduce exposure and promote safe working conditions. Methods: Conducted in six carpentries in Lisbon, Portugal, the sampling strategy ...
Several studies have reported the incidence of fungi and mycotoxins in coffee beans; however, there are few reports related to occupational exposure to these agents at coffee dry milling industries. This review aimed to identify and analyze studies assessing occupational exposure to fungi and mycotoxins in coffee industries. Therefore, a systematic literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting I...
Biosafety measures are essential for maintaining animal health and workplace safety in poultry production. Poultry farm environments favor fungal growth, yet information on fungal contamination and associated health risks remains scarce. This study aimed to assess fungal and mycotoxin contamination in poultry pavilions (PP) during the poultries' growth cycle. Sampling was conducted during winter in 14 PP, Portu...
The occurrence of mycotoxins in poultry feeds is a primary problem worldwide due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic effects. This secondary metabolite generated by fungi can compromise animals' health and productivity. Monitoring mycotoxin exposure is crucial, as fungi are not reliable indicators of mycotoxin presence. This is partly because mycotoxins can remain in the environment long after the ...
In the scope of the European Union (EU) human biomonitoring initiative, a multicentric study on different occupational settings from several European countries was performed, to provide information on occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)], a known lung carcinogen. Biomonitoring approaches were used to obtain exposure data to support the implementation of new risk management measures and policy a...
Introduction: Waste management represents an occupational setting where fungi are significant contaminants. This study aimed to assess the exposure of waste workers to mycotoxins through a human biomonitoring study. Methods: Thirty-three workers and 19 controls provided spot urine samples to determine 10 mycotoxins’ urinary biomarkers using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Risk characteriza...
Processing of electronic waste (e-waste) causes the release of toxic substances which may lead to occupational exposure. The study aimed to gather information on potential occupational exposure during e-waste recycling, with a focus on biomonitoring of chromium, cadmium, mercury and lead. In eight European countries, 195 workers involved in the recycling of lead batteries, white goods, brown goods and metals an...
E-waste contains hazardous chemicals that may be a direct health risk for workers involved in recycling. We conducted an untargeted metabolomics analysis of urine samples collected from male e-waste processing workers to explore metabolic changes associated with chemical exposures in e-waste recycling in Belgium, Finland, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, and Portugal. Questionnaire data and urine sa...
Human biomonitoring (HBM) provides an integrated chemical exposures assessment considering all routes and sources of exposure. The accurate interpretation and comparability of biomarkers of exposure and effect depend on harmonized, quality-assured sampling, processing, and analysis. Currently, the lack of broadly accepted guidance on minimum information required for collecting and reporting HBM data, hinders co...
In poultry production environments, particulate matter (PM) is considered one of the harmful air pollutants. Considering potential biological pathogens, the genus Aspergillus in particular, Aspergillus fumigatus, is a widely recognized human and animal pathogen. Hot-humid farm environments could contribute to the proliferation of these fungi. Therefore, poultry production workers, besides animals, may be at a h...