Welding Fume Exposure and Epigenetic Alterations: A Systematic Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Veruscka Leso¹  Caterina Nocera¹  Ilaria Vetrani¹  Ivo Iavicoli¹  Ilaria Della Volpe¹ 

[1] Section of Occupational Medicine, Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy;

关键词: welding fumes;    occupational exposure;    particulate matter;    epigenetic effects;    epigenome;    DNA methylation;    health effects;    biological indicators;    risk assessment;    risk management;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph16101745

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Epigenetics are heritable changes in gene expression not coded in the DNA sequence, which stand at the interface between the genome, environmental exposure and development. From an occupational health perspective, epigenetic variants may link workplace exposures and health effects. Therefore, this review aimed to overview possible epigenetic effects induced by welding fumes on exposed workers and health implications. A systematic search was performed on Pubmed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. DNA methylation changes have been reported in genes responsible for the cardiac autonomic function and coagulation, i.e., LINE-1, GPR133 and F2RL3, in mitochondrial-DNA-sequences involved in the regulation of energy-generation/redox-signaling, as well as in inflammatory activated genes, i.e., iNOS. However, the limited number of retrieved articles, their cross-sectional nature, the lack of a suitable qualitative-quantitative exposure assessment, and the heterogeneity of biological-outcomes investigated, prevent the extrapolation of a definite causal relationship between welding fumes and epigenetic phenomena. Future studies should clarify the function of such epigenetic alterations as possible markers of occupational exposure and early effect, dose-response relationships, and underlying molecular mechanisms. Overall, this may be helpful to guide suitable risk assessment and management strategies to protect the health of workers exposed to welding fumes.

【 授权许可】

Unknown