Assessment of health effects related to fiber glass exposure in fiber glass workers: exhaled biomarkers eCO, FE(NO) and their usefulness in the occupational environment testing

INTRODUCTION: Numerous epidemiological animal model studies have been conducted in order to assess the health effects of man-made vitreous fibers. They have been shown to be responsible for producing lung fibrosis and lung and peritoneal cancer in animal models. A few large cohort studies were conducted in Europe and the US to assess the health effects of fiber glass in production workers and a higher cancer incidence was evidenced. AIM: The aim of the study is to assess the usefulness of exhaled biomarkers measurements: exhaled nitric oxide and exhaled carbon monoxide in fiber glass workers as indicators of an inflammatory airway response. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 42 fiber glass workers were included in this study with a minimum of 5 year exposure period in which FE(NO) and eCO values were measured. Also spirometry chest X ray, C reactive protein, fibrinogen, total IgE serum and IL8 serum levels were determined. RESULTS: Increased values of exhaled nitric oxide (over 25 ppb) were found in 43% of the fiber glass workers and increased values of exhaled carbon monoxide (over 6 ppm) were determined in 26% of the fiber glass workers. A positive correlation was found between the exposure period and FE(NO) values and total IgE values (p<0.05). A negative correlation coefficient was found between FEF 25–75 predictive values and FE(NO) and total IgE values. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that exhaled biomarkers can be useful to assess an inflammatory airway response in the occupational environment.