Beata Janasik

Publications of Beata Janasik

• [Selenium determination in plasma/serum by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS): comparison with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS)].

  Authors: Beata Janasik, Małgorzata Trzcinka-Ochocka, Renata Brodzka

  Medycyna pracy. 01/2011; 62(5):489-98.

  The present study was aimed at comparing two techniques of selenium (Se) determination in serum/plasma samples: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and graphite furnace atomicThe present study was aimed at comparing two techniques of selenium (Se) determination in serum/plasma samples: inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and graphite furnace atomic absorption (GF-AAS). Blood samples were collected by venipuncture, using Venosafe closed blood sampling system. The samples were centrifuged. The measurements were performed by Elan DRC-e mass spectrometry, Perkin Elmer, SCIEX, USA and Unicam Solar 989 QZ atomic absorption spectrometry. Reference material, Clincheck Serum Control Level 1 (Recipe, Germany), was used to verify the determinations. The Laboratory participates in external quality control (G-EQUAS). Analytical parameters for both techniques are respectively: ICP-MS--precision 5.9%, limit of detection 0.19 microg/l, repeatability 5.5%, trueness 2.4%, bias 97.6%, GF-AAS--precision 8%, limit of detection 3.4 microg/l, repeatability 7.2%, trueness 6.8%, bias 93.2%. The benefits of the ICP-MS technique are high accuracy, low detection limits and the possibility of multi-element analysis.

• [Assessment of occupational exposure of welders based on determination of fumes and their components produced during stainless steel welding].

  Authors: Magdalena Stanisławska, Beata Janasik, Małgorzata Trzcinka-Ochocka

  Medycyna pracy. 01/2011; 62(4):359-68.

  Occupational exposure to welding fumes is a known health hazard. The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of welding fumes components such as: iron, manganese, nickel and chromiumOccupational exposure to welding fumes is a known health hazard. The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of welding fumes components such as: iron, manganese, nickel and chromium (including chromium speciation) to assess exposure of stainless steel welders. The survey covered 14 workers of two metallurgic plants engaged in welding stainless steel (18% Cr and 8% Ni) by different techniques: manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG). Personal air samples were collected in the welders' breathing zone over a period of about 6-7 h (dust was collected on a membrane and glass filter) to determine time weighted average (TWA) concentration of welding fumes and its components. The concentrations of welding fumes (total particulate) were determined with use of the gravimetric method. Concentrations and welding fume components, such as: iron, manganese, nickel and chromium were determined by ICP-MS technique. The total hexavalent chromium was analyzed by applying the spectrophotometry method according to NIOSH. The water-soluble chromium species were analyzed by HPLC-ICP-MS. Time weighted average concentrations of the welding fumes and its components at the worker's breathing zone were (mg/m3): dust, 0.14-10.7; iron, 0.004-2.9; manganese, 0.001-1.12; nickel, < 0.001-0.2; and chromium <0.002-0.85 (mainly Cr(III) and insoluble Cr(VI)). The maximum admissible limits for workplace pollutants (TLV-TWA) were exceeded for manganese and for insoluble chromium Cr (VI). For Cr (III) the limit was exceeded in individual cases. The assessment of the workers' occupational exposure, based on the determined time weighted average (TWA) of fumes and their components, shows that the stainless steel welders worked in conditions harmful to their health owing to the significantly exceeded maximum admissible limits for manganese and the exceeded TLV value for insoluble chromium (VI).

• Unmetabolized VOCs in urine as biomarkers of low level occupational exposure.

  Authors: Beata Janasik, Marek Jakubowski, Wiktor Wesołowski, Małgorzata Kucharska

  International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health. 01/2010; 23(1):21-6.

  To compare the usefulness of determining unchanged forms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely toluene (TOL), ethylbenzene (EB) and xylene (XYL), in urine with the effectiveness of the alreadyTo compare the usefulness of determining unchanged forms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely toluene (TOL), ethylbenzene (EB) and xylene (XYL), in urine with the effectiveness of the already used biomarkers of occupational exposure. Surveys were conducted in two workplaces (paint factory and footwear factory). In total, 65 subjects participated in the study. Air samples were collected using individual samplers during work shift. Urine and blood samples were collected at the end of work shift. Urine samples were analyzed for unchanged compounds and selected metabolites, while blood samples were tested for unchanged compounds. VOCs in blood and urine were determined by solid phase microextraction gas chromatography (SPME-GC-MS). In the paint factory, the geometric mean (GM) concentrations of VOCs in the air ranged as follows: 0.2-4.7 mg/m(3) for TOL, 0.4-40.9 mg/m(3) for EB and 0.1-122.6 mg/m(3) for XYL. In the footwear factory, the GM concentration of TOL in the air amounted to 105.4 mg/m(3). A significant correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between VOCs in blood, urine and air. The regression analyses performed for paint factory workers showed that TOL-U and TOL-B were better biomarkers of exposure (r = 0.72 and r = 0.81) than benzoic acid (r = 0.12) or o-cresol (r = 0.55). The findings of the study point out that the concentration of unchanged VOCs in urine can be a reliable biological indicator of low level occupational exposure to these compounds.

• [Application of predictive model to estimate concentrations of chemical substances in the work environment].

  Authors: Małgorzata Kupczewska-Dobecka, Sławomir Czerczak, Marek Jakubowski, Piotr Maciaszek, Beata Janasik

  Medycyna pracy. 01/2010; 61(3):307-14.

  Based on the Estimation and Assessment of Substance Exposure (EASE) predictive model implemented into the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES 2.1.), the exposure to threeBased on the Estimation and Assessment of Substance Exposure (EASE) predictive model implemented into the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances (EUSES 2.1.), the exposure to three chosen organic solvents: toluene, ethyl acetate and acetone was estimated and compared with the results of measurements in workplaces. Prior to validation, the EASE model was pretested using three exposure scenarios. The scenarios differed in the decision tree of pattern of use. Five substances were chosen for the test: 1,4-dioxane tert-methyl-butyl ether, diethylamine, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and bisphenol A. After testing the EASE model, the next step was the validation by estimating the exposure level and comparing it with the results of measurements in the workplace. We used the results of measurements of toluene, ethyl acetate and acetone concentrations in the work environment of a paint and lacquer factory, a shoe factory and a refinery. Three types of exposure scenarios, adaptable to the description of working conditions were chosen to estimate inhalation exposure. Comparison of calculated exposure to toluene, ethyl acetate and acetone with measurements in workplaces showed that model predictions are comparable with the measurement results. Only for low concentration ranges, the measured concentrations were higher than those predicted. EASE is a clear, consistent system, which can be successfully used as an additional component of inhalation exposure estimation. If the measurement data are available, they should be preferred to values estimated from models. In addition to inhalation exposure estimation, the EASE model makes it possible not only to assess exposure-related risk but also to predict workers' dermal exposure.

• Excretion of unchanged volatile organic compounds (toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene and mesitylene) in urine as result of experimental human volunteer exposure.

  Authors: Beata Janasik, Marek Jakubowski, Piotr Jałowiecki

  International archives of occupational and environmental health. 03/2008; 81(4):443-9.

  OBJECTIVES: To investigate elimination of unchanged volatile organic compounds (VOC's) through urine and the use of respective data for occupational exposure assessment, six volunteers were exposedOBJECTIVES: To investigate elimination of unchanged volatile organic compounds (VOC's) through urine and the use of respective data for occupational exposure assessment, six volunteers were exposed under controlled conditions to toluene (TOL), ethylbenzene (EB), xylene (XYL) and mesitylene (MES) at concentrations ranging from 20 to 200 mg/m(3). The study was to elicit the toxicokinetic data and compare the precision of VOC's exposure assessment based on determining unchanged compounds in blood, urine and their metabolites in urine. METHODS: During and after exposure blood and urine samples were analysed by gas chromatography using the headspace and SPME headspace technique RESULTS: The kinetics of VOC's elimination in urine complied with an open two-compartment model. The (half-time) T (1/2 )values varied from 0.45 to 0.88 h for phase I and from 6.7 to 19.2 h for phase II. The precision of the method for unchanged VOC's was similar to that based on unchanged compounds in blood and better than their main metabolites in urine. CONCLUSION: The obtained result indicate that determining unchanged VOC's in urine can be used as an exposure test even in the ranges of VOC's in the air that are much lower than the current TWA for occupational exposure.

• Physiologically-based toxicokinetic modeling of durene (1,2,3,5-tetramethylbenzene) and isodurene (1,2,4,5-tetramethylbenzene) in humans.

  Authors: Piotr Jałowiecki, Beata Janasik

  International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health. 02/2007; 20(2):155-65.

  OBJECTIVES: Physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PB-TK) models are developed to simulate absorption, distribution and excretion of xenobiotics. PB-TK models consist of several groups of compartments,OBJECTIVES: Physiologically-based toxicokinetic (PB-TK) models are developed to simulate absorption, distribution and excretion of xenobiotics. PB-TK models consist of several groups of compartments, where tissues are grouped together according to physiological parameters (tissue blood flows, tissue group volumes) and physicochemical properties (partition coefficients, metabolic constants). Tetramethylbenzene (TETMB), a mixture of its three isomers: prenitene (1,2,3,4-TETMB), isodurene (1,2,3,5-TETMB), and durene (1,2,4,5-TETMB) is an essential component of numerous commercial preparations of organic solvents. The aim of the study was to develop the PB-TK model for two TETMB isomers, durene and isodurene, in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The assumed PB-TK model groups organs and tissues into five physiological compartments: fat tissue, muscles, organs, liver, and brain. The brain has been considered as a separate compartment due to the potential neurotoxicity of TETMB. Water/air, oil/air and blood/air partition coefficients for durene and isodurene were measured in vitro. Tissue/air partition coefficients were calculated from values of olive/air and water/air partition coefficients and the average fat and water content in different tissues. Tissue/blood partition coefficients were calculated as a tissue/air quotient and the blood/air partition coefficient measured in vitro. The Michaelis-Menten constant (KM) values and maximum metabolism rate constant (VMAX) for selected metabolites of durene and isodurene were obtained in vitro using microsomal fraction of the human liver. RESULTS: The developed model was validated against experimental data obtained earlier as a result of an 8-h exposure of volunteers to durene and isodurene vapors of 10 and 25 mg/m3. The prediction of both TETMB isomers concentration in blood as well as of the elimination rates of 2,4,5-TMBA and 2,3,5-TMBA were close to the results of experimental exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Simulations of one working week inhalation exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons indicate that the elaborated PB-TK model may be used to predict the chemical distribution in different body compartments, based on physicochemical properties.

• Interest of genotyping and phenotyping of drug-metabolizing enzymes for the interpretation of biological monitoring of exposure to styrene.

  Authors: Vincent Haufroid, Marek Jakubowski, Beata Janasik, Danuta Ligocka, Jean-Pierre Buchet, Enrico Bergamaschi, Paola Manini, Antonio Mutti, Sergio Ghittori, Michael Arand, Nina Hangen, Franz Oesch, Ari Hirvonen, Dominique Lison

  Pharmacogenetics. 01/2003; 12(9):691-702.

  In the field of occupational and/or environmental toxicology, the measurement of specific metabolites in urine may serve to assess exposure to the parent compounds (biological monitoring ofIn the field of occupational and/or environmental toxicology, the measurement of specific metabolites in urine may serve to assess exposure to the parent compounds (biological monitoring of exposure). Styrene is one of the chemicals for which biological monitoring programs have been validated and implemented in environmental and occupational medicine. However, inter-individual differences in the urinary excretion exist both for the main end-products (mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid) and for its specific mercapturic acids (phenylhydroxyethylmercapturic acids, PHEMA). This limits to a certain extent the use of these metabolites for an accurate assessment of styrene exposure. In a group of 26 volunteers selected with relevant genotypes, and exposed to styrene vapours (50 mg/m3, 8 h) in an inhalation chamber, we evaluated whether genotyping or phenotyping relevant drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP2E1, EPHX1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1) may help to explain the observed inter-individual variability in the urinary metabolite excretion. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were used for genotyping and as reporter cells for the phenotyping of CYP2E1 and EPHX1. The GSTM1 genotype was clearly the most significant parameter explaining the variance in urinary PHEMA excretion (6-fold lower in GSTM1 null subjects; P < 0.0001) so that systematic GSTM1 genotyping should be recommended routinely for a correct interpretation of PHEMA urinary levels. Variant alleles CYP2E1*6 (7632T>A) and His113EPHX1 were associated with a significant reduction of, respectively, the expression (P = 0.047) and activity (P = 0.022) of the enzyme in peripheral blood lymphocytes. In combination with GSTM1 genotyping, the phenotyping approach also contributed to improve the interpretation of urinary results, as illustrated by the combined effect of CYP2E1 expression and GSTM1 allelic status that explained 77% of the variance in PHEMA excretion and allows the recommendation of mercapturates as specific and reliable biomarkers of exposure to styrene.