Browsing by Author "Komarovska, Laura"

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    HBM4EU Occupational Biomonitoring Study on e-Waste—Study Protocol
    (2021-12-02) Scheepers, Paul T. J.; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Galea, Karen S.; Godderis, Lode; Hardy, Emilie; Akūlova, Lāsma; Knudsen, Lisbeth E.; Komarovska, Laura; Leese, Elizabeth; Matisāne, Linda; Paegle, Linda; Mārtiņsone, Inese; Seile, Anita; Louro, Henriqueta; Mahiout, Selma; Ndaw, Sophie; Poels, Katrien; Porras, Simo P.; Silva, Maria J.; Tavares, Ana Maria; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Santonen, Tiina; Rīga Stradiņš University
    Workers involved in the processing of electronic waste (e-waste) are potentially exposed to toxic chemicals. If exposure occurs, this may result in uptake and potential adverse health effects. Thus, exposure surveillance is an important requirement for health risk management and prevention of occupational disease. Human biomonitoring by measurement of specific biomarkers in body fluids is considered as an effective method of exposure surveillance. The aim of this study is to investigate the internal exposure of workers processing e-waste using a human biomonitoring approach, which will stimulate improved work practices and contribute to raising awareness of potential hazards. This exploratory study in occupational exposures in e-waste processing is part of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU). Here we present a study protocol using a cross sectional survey design to study worker’s exposures and compare these to the exposure of subjects preferably employed in the same company but with no known exposure to industrial recycling of e-waste. The present study protocol will be applied in six to eight European countries to ensure standardised data collection. The target population size is 300 exposed and 150 controls. Biomarkers of exposure for the following chemicals will be used: chromium, cadmium and lead in blood and urine; brominated flame retardants and polychlorobiphenyls in blood; mercury, organophosphate flame retardants and phthalates in urine, and chromium, cadmium, lead and mercury in hair. In addition, the following effect biomarkers will be studied: micronuclei, epigenetic, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and telomere length in blood and metabolomics in urine. Occupational hygiene sampling methods (airborne and settled dust, silicon wristbands and handwipes) and contextual information will be collected to facilitate the interpretation of the biomarker results and discuss exposure mitigating interventions to further reduce exposures if needed. This study protocol can be adapted to future European-wide occupational studies
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    Identification, Evaluation and Prioritization of Chemicals for National Human Biomonitoring Program : Insights from Latvia
    (2025-02) Matisāne, Linda; Akūlova, Lāsma; Martinsone, Žanna; Pavlovska, Ilona; Komarovska, Laura; Venžega, Kristiāna; Jakimova, Dace; Sproģe, Kristīne; Kadiķis, Normunds; Mārtiņsone, Inese; David, Madlen; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Vanadziņš, Ivars; Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health; Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases
    Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a critical tool for assessing chemical exposure in populations and informing public health policies. This study aimed to prioritize chemical substances for the development of a national HBM program in Latvia, addressing the need for systematic evaluation of chemicals in the local context. Initially, 318 chemical substances were reviewed, of which 130 were shortlisted and assessed using an adapted Hanlon methodology. Substances were assessed based on their health significance, hazardous properties, exposure characteristics, national relevance, and public interest. The results identified 30 high-priority substances across various categories, providing a foundation for the HBM4LV program. This prioritization process highlighted the challenges of data gaps, resource limitations, and the need to balance national priorities with alignment to European frameworks. Despite addressing key methodological challenges, the study highlights the importance for ongoing refinement, robust data collection, and strengthened international collaboration to enhance the program’s scope and long-term sustainability. While the methodology addressed key challenges, further refinement and international collaboration are essential to enhance the program’s scope and sustainability.