Biomonitoring of metals in the blood and urine of waste recyclers from exposure to airborne fine particulate matter (PM_2.5).

ABSTRACT: This is the first systematic investigation of occupational exposure to toxic metals among waste recyclers in municipal waste recycling facilities. Concentrations of heavy metals (HMs) in the blood and urine of exposed recyclers in different jobs were compared to control groups (administrative department), identifying possible work-related and socio-demographic exposure factors. The potential relationship between HMs levels in PM_2.5 and HM concentrations in the blood and urine of recyclers was studied for ten elements. Mean concentrations of HMs of recyclers were significantly higher than for the control group. Over 50% of the waste recyclers had HM levels higher than the recommended limits. The study revealed that most of the waste recyclers engaged in a minimum of three tasks,

SUBMITTER: Ghobakhloo S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11582262 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature