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Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤ 2.5 µm (PM 2.5) has been linked to adverse health outcomes in welding workers. The objective of this study was to investigate associations of chronic exposure to metal fume PM 2.5 in shipyard workers with health outcomes. A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the effects of metal fume PM 2.5 on FeNO, urinary metals, urinary oxidative stress, inflammation, and stress hormones in workers. There were 20 office workers and 49 welding workers enrolled in this study who were followed-up for a second year. We observed that Fe, Zn, and Mn were abundant in PM 2.5 to which welding workers were personally exposed, whereas PM 2.5 to which office workers were personally exposed was dominated by Pb, Cu, and Zn. We observed in the first and/or second visits that urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F2-α (PGF2α) and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) were significantly increased by exposure. An increase in urinary interleukin (IL)-6 and decreases in urinary serotonin and cortisol were observed in the first and/or second visits after exposure. PM 2.5 was associated with decreases in urinary 8-OHdG and cortisol among workers. Next, we observed that urinary Ni, Co, and Fe had significantly increased among workers after a year of exposure. Urinary metals were associated with decreases in urinary 8-iso-PGF2α and cortisol among workers. Urinary Ni, Cu, and Fe levels were associated with an increase in urinary IL-6 and a decrease in urinary cortisol among workers. In conclusion, chronic exposure to metal fume PM 2.5 was associated with inflammation and a cortisol deficiency in shipyard workers, which could associate with adrenal glands dysfunction. [Display omitted] • Chronic effects of metal fume PM 2.5 in shipyard workers were studied. • Oxidative stress and inflammation was occurred by metal fume PM 2.5. • Urinary Ni, Cu and Fe was associated with a decrease in cortisol. • Adrenal glands dysfunction could be occurred in welders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was to assess the association between different NPs exposure and PON1 genotype on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) parameters among workers. This study included 235 non-CVD subjects handled to nanomaterials (NM) and 185 non-exposed controls without CVD from 14 NM plants. All participants completed short-term HRV measurements, and were collected blood specimens to measure PON1 activities and the genotype of the PON1 Q192R polymorphism. In a multivariate regression model, this study observed a positive relationship between nano-Ag exposure and HRV time-domain (RMSSD) and frequency-domain (HF). After adjusting for confounders, the results showed positive associations between RR homozygosity, PON1 paraoxonase/arylesterase activities with HRV, and was particularly noteworthy in RMSSD and HF. This study shows a significant increment of RMSSD and HF among workers who handled Nano-Ag materials. These results imply that Nano-Ag and PON1 Q192R genotype can trigger ANS reflexes and alter cardiac frequency and function. • Limited data regarding the both effect of different NPs exposure and PON1 gene for cardiac ANS. • A significant increment of RMSSD and HF among workers who handled Nano-Ag materials. • Workers with RR homozygotes or high PON1 activities have increased cardiac autonomic modulation. • These results imply that Nano-Ag and PON1 Q192R genotype can trigger ANS reflexes and alter cardiac frequency and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]