Persistent organic pollutants among seafood processing workers in West Greenland.

Autor: Wielsøe M; Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark. Electronic address: mwielsoe@ph.au.dk., Long M; Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark., Bønløkke JH; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aalborg University Hospital, Havrevangen 1, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark., Bossi R; Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej, 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark., Ebbehøj NE; Department of Occupational and Social Medicine, Holbæk Hospital, Gammel Ringstedvej 4B, 4300, Holbæk, Denmark., Rasmussen K; Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Center, Regional Hospital Goedstrup, Hospitalsparken 16, 7400, Herning, Denmark., Sigsgaard T; Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark., Bonefeld-Jørgensen EC; Centre for Arctic Health & Molecular Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark; Greenland Centre for Health Research, University of Greenland, Manutooq 1, 3905, Nuussuaq, Greenland.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: International journal of hygiene and environmental health [Int J Hyg Environ Health] 2024 Nov 07; Vol. 263, pp. 114484. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Nov 07.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2024.114484
Abstrakt: The Greenlandic population is highly exposed to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through the consumption of traditional marine food, including marine mammals. Central to Greenland's economy and cultural identity, the fishing industry employes about 15% of the working population. This study investigated POP exposure, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), among seafood processing workers at the Greenlandic west coast. We examined determinants for the POPs including age, smoking habits, ethnicity, and working place. Additionally, we explored the association between POPs and the prevalence of asthma, allergy, and lung function. With samples taken during 2016-2018, the study encompassed 382 workers, primarily of Inuit descent (93%), employed across three large factories located in Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat, four smaller factories in settlements (Kangaatsiaq, Ikerasaarsuk, Sarfannguaq, Qeqertarsuaq), and four factory trawlers. Data collected include clinical examinations, questionnaires on ethnicity, occupational exposure status, health indicators, and smoking habits, and serum selenium and POP analyses. We used ANCOVA with adjustment for relevant confounders to assess differences in POPs between groups (e.g. ethnic groups and working place), and multiple linear and logistic regressions were used to assess associations between POPs and lung function, allergy and asthma. Significant differences in POPs were observed among ethnic groups; Faroese workers had the highest concentrations of lipophilic POPs (lipPOPs; PCBs and OCPs), while Inuit workers exhibited highest PFASs. All subsequent analyses were focused on the Inuit workers (n = 337). The PFASs were significantly higher in workers at small factories, followed by large factories and trawlers, whereas no differences were seen for lipPOPs. The differences between the working places were most likely due to differences in lifestyle and diet, but occupational exposures cannot be excluded. LipPOP and PFAS concentrations associated positively with selenium, and PFASs positively associated with lung function. However, upon adjustment of selenium, the associations between PFASs and lung function became non-significant and attenuated towards null. No significant associations were found between POPs and the prevalence of asthma or allergy. Compared to the general population in the same area and period, the seafood processing workers exhibited 2-6 times higher POP levels. The higher exposure level among seafood processing workers, as well as the difference across workplaces, underscore the need for further investigation of environmental and occupational sources of POPs in this population. These findings may contribute to future public health strategies and regulatory measures to reduce POP exposure in Arctic populations.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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