Biological monitoring of welders’ exposure to chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium

Background Welders are exposed to a number of metallic elements during work. Bioaccessability, that is important for element uptake, has been little studied. This study addresses bioaccessability and uptake of chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W) and vanadium (V) among welders. Methods Bioaccessability of Cr, Mo, V and W was studied in airborne particulate matter collected by personal sampling of the workroom air among shipyard welders by using the lung lining fluid simulant Hatch solution. Associations between concentrations of Hatch soluble and non-soluble elements (Hatchsol and Hatchnon-sol) and concentrations of the four elements in whole blood, serum, blood cells and urine were studied. Results Air concentrations of the four elements were low. Only a small fraction of Cr, V and W was Hatchsol, while similar amounts of Mo were Hatchsol and Hatchnon-sol. Welders (N = 70) had statistically significantly higher concentrations of all four elements in urine and serum when compared to referents (N = 74). Highly statistically significant associations were observed between urinary W and Hatchsol W (p < 0.001) and serum V and Hatchsol V (p < 0.001), in particular when air samples collected the day before collection of biological samples were considered. Conclusions Associations between Hatchsol elements...