Abstract

Aim - The purpose of the study was to evaluate the biological monitoring of occupational exposure to aluminium (AL) dust in foundry workers in south of Tehran. Material and Methods - This cross-sectional study was carried out on 63 workers in A and B foundries and 50 unexposed individuals as the control group. AL dust were sampled using Higgins-Dewell cyclone (HD) and cellulose ester membrane filter (MEC) with a flow of 2.2 l/min in the breathing zone of workers for 4 hours. Urinary samples were taken at the end of work shifts per week and were analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.21 and statistical methods including t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. Results - Airborne concentration of AL aerosols differed statistically significant in occupational groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between urinary AL concentrations in different occupational groups (P > 0.05). However, there was a significant difference between urinary concentrations of the exposed group and the control group (P < 0.05) and there was no significant correlation between the AL concentration in workplace air and urinary concentration of AL in the exposed group (P > 0.05). Conclusion - Determination of AL concentration in urine is not enough to serve as a biomarker. Estimation of AL nanoparticles in the air and biomarkers that determine the actual absorption rate seems to be an adequate method for occupational exposure monitoring of AL.