Nieuws

08:30

Welcome

09:00

0

Introduction

EN

EN

Dr. Johan Sterckx

BSOH, Board Director

UZ Brussel, Arbeidsarts/preventieadviseur industriële hygiëne 

09:10

1

Biométrologie des substances chimiques sur le lieu du travail

EN

FR

Dr. Johan Sterckx

UZ Brussel, Arbeidsarts/preventieadviseur industriële hygiëne 

La surveillance biologique dans le cadre professionnel est importante car elle reflète l'exposition globale des salariés aux agents chimiques via toutes les voies de pénétration. 

09:55

2

Health-based recommended occupational exposure limits for nitrous oxide, isoflurane and sevoflurane using experimental animal data based on a systematic review and dose-response analysis

EN

EN

Prof. Paul Scheepers, Dr, Ir, MSc, PhD

Radboud University, Associate professor 

Epidemiological studies have raised concerns about health risks from occupational exposure to inhalation anesthetics. This study aimed to systematically search, select and appraise the evidence from animal studies to derive occupational exposure levels (OELs) for nitrous oxide, isoflurane and sevoflurane. Comprehensive searches in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were performed to retrieve all relevant studies addressing neurological, reproductive and developmental outcomes related to inhalation of the inhalation anesthetics of interest in animals. Four studies were included for nitrous oxide, 24 studies for isoflurane and 7 studies for sevoflurane based on availability of quantitative exposure-response data. Studies were ranked by adverse outcomes using derived benchmark dose lower bounds (BDMLs). For nitrous oxide the critical effect was a reduced number of live fetuses/mother male. For isoflurane and sevoflurane fertility was considered as the most critical effect. Assessment factors were applied to cover uncertainties regarding interspecies and intraspecies differences. Using the BMDL as point of departure we derived 8-h time-weighted average (TWA) OELs of 20 mg/m3 for nitrous oxide, 0.9 mg/m3 for isoflurane and 0.8 mg/m3 for sevoflurane. For peak exposures, 15-min TWA OELs of 30 mg/m3 for isoflurane and 25 mg/m3 for sevoflurane were derived. This value could not be derived for nitrous oxide. These new OELs are expected to protect workers from health effects caused by these anesthetic gases.

10:40

Short networking break

10:55

3

Casestudy Biomonitoring voor lood

NL

NL

Christel Swinnen, MSc

CLB, AfdelingshoofdArbeidshygiëne en Toxicologie 

In een bedrijf met een belangrijke blootstelling aan lood worden jaarlijks zowel luchtstaalnames als biomonitoring uitgevoerd, en dit reeds vele jaren. De resultaten zijn niet goed. Door een gerichte aanpak betreffende het informeren van de medewerkers over deze resultaten wordt getracht deze resultaten te verbeteren, met succes.

11:40

4

Biomonitoring of firefighters during simulated and real fire interventions a step-by-step approach

EN

EN

Rani Claus, PhD / Apotheker

KU Leuven, unit Environment & Health, Post doctoral researcher 

Firefighters operate in an exceptionally complex and hazardous occupational environment, characterised by exposure to smoke, toxic chemicals, and extreme physical and thermal stress. Among the numerous chemicals encountered during fire interventions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are frequently reported at elevated levels. PAHs are released during the incomplete combustion of carbon- containing materials such as wood, coal, oil, or gas. Their adverse health effects are largely driven by metabolic activation in the human body, producing reactive metabolites that can bind to DNA, induce mutations, and contribute to cancer development and adverse reproductive outcomes. During fire interventions, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may also be released, for example, through the combustion of plastics, textiles, and furniture. Several VOCs, such as benzene, are categorised as carcinogenic based on substantial evidence. VOC exposure can induce oxidative stress, leading to the dysregulation of the inflammatory pathway and potentially causing DNA mutations. Urine biomonitoring, particularly the measurement of hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs) and benzene metabolites, helps assess internal doses and potential health risks. However, characterising real- life occupational exposure through biomonitoring remains challenging and complex. This presentation will discuss the process of developing a standardized operational biomonitoring protocol, including the challenges encountered and lessons learned.

12:25

Lunch break

13:25

5

Biologische monitoring in een staalbedrijf

EN

NL

Dr. Tom Van Weyenbergh

ArcelorMittal, Occupational Physician 

De productie van staal vanaf grondstoffen verloopt in verschillende stappen. Bij meerdere stappen komen stoffen vrij waar biologische monitoring op kan gebeuren. De voornaamste worden toegelicht met concrete voorbeelden uit de rapportage van deze gegevens.

14:10

6

Contribution of dermal ethanol absorption during laboratory-controlled high-frequency use of alcohol-based hand rubs followed by glove use 

EN

EN

Prof. Paul Scheepers, Dr, Ir, MSc, PhD

Radboud University, Associate professor 

The safety of using ethanol-based products for hygienic hand disinfection in healthcare workers is controlled by restricting air levels. This raises the question of whether these workers are sufficiently protected. The study aim was to determine the contribution of the dermal route to the total uptake of ethanol. A laboratory-controlled study of 25 sequential alcohol-based-hand-rubs (ABHRs) with subsequent intermediate glove use was conducted in seven healthcare workers. Two exposure conditions were compared: hands and forearms placed inside a laboratory fume hood preventing inhalation (skin-only condition) and the same procedure but outside the fume hood to allow inhalation (reference condition). The hand hygiene product contained 84% ethanol and 1% ethanol-d6 added to verify exogenous origin. Inhalation exposure was measured by personal air sampling. Blood was collected at baseline, during an exposure and a post-exposure wash-out period and analysed for ethanol and ethanol-d6 by HS-GC-MS. The contribution of dermal uptake was assessed by comparing the area-under-curve (AUC) of blood ethanol concentrations in the skin-only-condition with that in the reference-condition within each study participant. Inhalation exposure in the breathing zone was (mean ± sd): 5.3±3.6 mg/m3 in the skin-only condition and 120±7 mg/m3 in the reference condition. The contribution from dermal absorption was observed to be 43±28% (N = 7) of the total uptake (inhalation and dermal). For ethanol-d6 this contribution was 40±16% (N = 3). In conclusion, high-frequency ABHRs lead to significant dermal absorption of ethanol.

14:55

Short networking break

15:10

7

Human biomonitoring during maintenance work in a chemical plant

EN

EN

Dr. Luk De Meulenaere

BASF Antwerpen NV, Occupational Health Physician 

Maintenance work in a chemical production installation entails an increased risk of exposure to hazardous chemical agents. Workplace air monitoring often reveals concentrations of chemical substances that are (far) above occupational exposure limits. Workers are therefore required to use specific personal protective equipment (PPE). Human biomonitoring can be a valuable tool for assessing exposure to chemical substances and for monitoring the effectiveness of both collective protective measures and personal protective equipment.

15:55

Closing remarks

EN

EN
FR
NL

Fabian Lejeune, MSc

BSOH, Chairman

16:05

End of program