Kate Jones

Publications (40) View all

• Article: Isocyanate exposure control in motor vehicle paint spraying: evidence from biological monitoring.

  Kate Jones, John Cocker, Mark Piney
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  ABSTRACT: Aims:The purpose of this work was to assess the changes in control of exposure to hexamethylene diisocyanate based paints used in vehicle spraying after a Health & Safety Executive (HSE) national project. METHODS: Paint sprayers and managers from motor vehicle repair (MVR) bodyshops across the UK, were invited to one of 32 Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) to increase their understanding of the hazards, and practical ways of controlling of exposure to isocyanate based paints. Exposure measurement based on biological monitoring was offered, free of charge, to each of the roughly 4000 participants and used to assess the effectiveness of controls and methods of working. Results are compared with pre and post SHAD measurements. RESULTS: Urine samples were received from 995 paint sprayers. Hexamethylene diamine (HDA) levels in urine, indicative of exposure to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), were significantly lower (Mann-Whitney, p<0.0001) than had been seen in a wider population from previous HSE inspections and routine sampling. Where a sprayer's urinary HDA was above the quantification limit they were asked to send another sample after reviewing and improving exposure control measures. The results from these repeat samples were significantly lower than the original results. There was no difference in the exposures of sprayers using air-fed half-mask face-pieces compared with visor type air-fed breathing apparatus, or between spray booths and rooms. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of HDA in urine is a useful technique for assessing exposure to isocyanates in paint sprayers. The simplicity of this approach has allowed wide-scale use of biological monitoring in an industry dominated by small and micro businesses. Biological monitoring of exposure has enabled individual companies, and sprayers, to check that their control measures are working.This study showed overall lower levels of HDA in paint sprayers following SHADs. These lower levels have been maintained across a wider population of UK paint sprayers over the succeeding years. Whilst there may be many reasons for the reduction in exposure, the weight of evidence suggests that the key messages about exposure control measures, delivered through the SHADs and other means, were influential.
  Annals of Occupational Hygiene 09/2012; · 1.95 Impact Factor
• Article: Reference ranges for key biomarkers of chemical exposure within the UK population.

  R Bevan, K Jones, J Cocker, F L Assem, L S Levy
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  ABSTRACT: Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a widely accepted tool to aid assessment of chemical uptake in risk assessment. However, our understanding of the biological relevance of the results of HBM can be restricted, due in some part to the limited information on background environmental exposures and biomarker concentrations in the general population. The study described here specifically addresses the question of what constitutes normal background levels in the UK population of a number of biomarkers (the chemical itself or one of its stable metabolites) for a variety of environmental chemicals that are frequently encountered because of their widespread use. The environmental chemicals selected for this study were benzene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, dithiocarbamates, cadmium, mercury, naphthalene, diethylhexyl phthalate, synthetic pyrethroids and xylene. Volunteers (n=436) were randomly sought by a postal survey based on the UK Electoral Register. Participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and provide a urine sample. The overall response rate was 7.5%, with volunteers being recruited from all areas of the UK including, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Study participants were adults and comprised 45% male and 55% females. We have conducted a simple, postal-based, cost-effective study and generated similar reference values to very large surveys such as NHANES. This demonstrates that large investigations may not be necessary to get a reasonable idea of environmental exposures, especially in initial 'screening-type' investigations to identify particular exposures of concern or to demonstrate that exposures are reassuring low and that no further survey data needs to be gathered.
  International journal of hygiene and environmental health 04/2012; · 2.64 Impact Factor
• Article: Biological monitoring for exposure to deltamethrin: a human oral dosing study and background levels in the UK general population.

  C Sams, K Jones
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  ABSTRACT: An oral dose of the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin was administered to five volunteers at the acceptable daily intake (ADI, 0.01 mg/kg). Total urine was collected from the volunteers at timed intervals for 60h post-exposure. The metabolites 3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethyl-(1-cyclopropane)carboxylic acid (DBVA) and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) were quantified in hydrolysed urine using GC-MS analysis. Both metabolites exhibited rapid elimination half-lives of 3.6 and 7.1h, respectively. Levels of DBVA quantified in urine were approximately 5 times greater than 3-PBA. Mean metabolite levels found in 24h total urine collections, normalised for a 70 kg individual, were 42.8 μmol DBVA/mol creatinine (range 34.6-63.2; CV=28%) and 8.7 μmol 3-PBA/mol creatinine (range 6.6-12.7; CV=31%). We calculate that a 70 kg person receiving a dose of deltamethrin at the ADI would be expected to have a 24-h total urine collection level of 32-53 μmol DBVA/mol creatinine (95% confidence interval). Analysis of 336 samples from adult UK residents with no known exposure to deltamethrin derives an upper reference value (95th percentile) of 0.5 μmol DBVA/mol creatinine (maximum 4.2 μmol DBVA/mol creatinine), demonstrating that general population exposure to deltamethrin in the UK is very low and well within levels expected at the ADI.
  Toxicology Letters 04/2011; 213(1):35-8. · 3.23 Impact Factor
• Article: A survey of occupational exposure to 4,4'-methylene-bis (2-chloroaniline) (MbOCA) in the UK.

  J Cocker, J R Cain, P Baldwin, K McNally, K Jones
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  ABSTRACT: The main objective of the study was to gather information about the current controls and levels of exposure to 4,4'-methylene-bis (2-chloroaniline) (MbOCA) in a representative cross section of workplaces that use it to manufacture polyurethane elastomers. The study also aimed to investigate whether controls and guidance could be improved and to investigate exposure to isocyanates in these workplaces using biological monitoring. An occupational hygienist and a field scientist visited the two UK suppliers and 20 out of the 25 workplaces known to be using MbOCA in the UK during 2005 and 2006. They collected air samples, surface wipes, gloves, and urine samples and made observations to assess exposure and the adequacy of controls. All samples were analysed for MbOCA and urine samples were additionally analysed for isocyanate metabolites. A statistical analysis was made of the results. Only 2.5% of the 80 personal inhalation exposures to MbOCA exceeded the workplace exposure limit of 5 microg m(-3) 8-h time-weighted average and 84% were below the limit of detection (LOD). Surface samples (n = 334) were collected from MbOCA users and suppliers and 60% had detectable levels of MbOCA ranging from 0.019 to 400 microg cm(-2). The highest levels were around a hopper, ovens, and the weighing and pouring areas. MbOCA was also detected in 8 of the 75 samples collected from areas not likely to be in contact with MbOCA. At the two suppliers, samples (n = 28) were collected from the outside surfaces of recently imported kegs, pallets, and the floor around kegs. Six samples had detectable levels and four of these (0.2, 0.8, 1, and 6 microg cm(-2)) were from the floor and pallets in both suppliers. The other two positive results were found on the outside rim (18 microg cm(-2)) and side (23 microg cm(-2)) of a keg at one supplier indicating contamination by the manufacturer. Urine samples (n = 79) were collected and 49% were below the LOD for MbOCA and only three samples had levels of MbOCA that exceeded the biological monitoring guidance value (BMGV) of 15 micromol mol(-1) creatinine. The highest urinary MbOCA concentrations were in samples from workers casting and moulding. The 90th percentile of the urine MbOCA results was 8.6 micromol MbOCA per mol creatinine. Urine samples were also analysed for the diamine metabolites of toluene diisocyanate and hexamethylene diisocyanate and 33% had detectable levels with 22 and 13% of results, respectively, above the BMGV for isocyanates (1 micromol isocyanate-derived diamine per mol creatinine). The maximum urinary concentration of toluene diamine and hexane diamine were 15.6 and 10.1 micromol mol(-1) creatinine, respectively. The survey found that the measures used to control exposure to MbOCA could be improved. Although air levels of MbOCA were generally low, there was evidence of spread of surface contamination and poor maintenance of controls such as local exhaust ventilation. A BMGV based on the 90th percentile of data from workplaces with good control would be less than the 90% value of 8.6 micromol mol(-1) creatinine found in this study and suggests that the current BMGV of 15 micromol mol(-1) creatinine is no longer acting as a stimulus to reduce exposure. The metabolites of isocyanates found in urine samples in this study could arise from inhalation exposure to isocyanates or from dermal exposure to either isocyanates or their diamine breakdown product and need further investigation.
  Annals of Occupational Hygiene 06/2009; 53(5):499-507. · 1.95 Impact Factor
• Article: Biomonitoring at the UK Health and Safety Laboratory.

  J Cocker, K Jones, J Morton, H J Mason
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  ABSTRACT: The UK Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) provides research and analytical support to the Health and Safety Executive, other Government Departments and employers. In the area of biomonitoring HSL conducts research studies and provides an analytical service for regular surveillance of worker exposure to hazardous substances. This paper gives brief examples of how data from such studies can be used to develop biological monitoring guidance values for isocyanates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and hexavalent chromium. In addition, a study of occupational exposure to copper chrome arsenic wood preservatives is briefly described to show how biological monitoring can be used for post-approval surveillance of a biocide.
  International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health 06/2007; 210(3-4):383-6. · 3.81 Impact Factor