TY - JOUR T1 - Current state of knowledge on the health effects of engineered nanomaterials in workers: a systematic review of human studies and epidemiological investigations JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2019/5VL - 45 IS - 3 SP - 217 EP - 238 AU - Schulte, Paul A AU - Leso, Veruscka AU - Niang, Mamadou AU - Iavicoli, Ivo M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3800 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3800 KW - animal investigation KW - biological monitoring KW - carbon nanotube KW - engineered nanomaterial KW - epidemiological investigation KW - epidemiological study KW - exposure KW - health effect KW - human health consequence KW - human study KW - nanomaterial KW - nanoparticle KW - nanoparticle impact KW - occupational exposure KW - occupational risk management workforce KW - review KW - systematic review N2 - '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'The widespread application of nano-enabled products and the increasing likelihood for workplace exposures make understanding engineered nanomaterial (ENM) effects in exposed workers a public and occupational health priority. The aim of this study was to report on the current state of knowledge on possible adverse effects induced by ENM in humans to determine the toxicological profile of each type of ENM and potential biomarkers for early detection of such effects in workers.

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METHODS ': 'A systematic review of human studies and epidemiological investigations of exposed workers relative to the possible adverse effects for the most widely used ENM was performed through searches of major scientific databases including Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed.

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RESULTS ': 'Twenty-seven studies were identified. Most of the epidemiological investigations were cross-sectional. The review found limited evidence of adverse effects in workers exposed to the most commonly used ENM. However, some biological alterations are suggestive for possible adverse impacts. The primary targets of some ENM exposures were the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Changes in biomarker levels compared with controls were also observed; however, limited exposure data and the relatively short period since the first exposure may have influenced the incidence of adverse effects found in epidemiological studies.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'There is a need for longitudinal epidemiologic investigations with clear exposure characterizations for various ENM to discover potential adverse health effects and identify possible indicators of early biological alterations. In this state of uncertainty, precautionary controls for each ENM are warranted while further study of potential health effects continues.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -