Research Description: Lead and other metals are a prominent component of paint and other building materials in old houses and a potential source of exposure for construction workers. PCBs may also be present in many building materials such as paint and caulk. After completing an interviewer-administered questionnaire addressing demographics, work history, and other possible sources of lead and PCBs exposure, blood was collected from 83 construction workers in eastern Iowa.

Prevalence of elevated heavy metals and 209 PCBs in serum was determined using ICP-MS and GC-ECD. Free radical mediated oxidative DNA damage was assessed by measuring 8-oxodG.  Screening for DNA damage was also performed using the comet assay which measures recent induction of DNA strand breaks. Serum paraoxonase (PON1) was determined spectrophotometrically using two substrates, phenyl acetate (PA, arylesterase activity) and 4- (chloromethyl)phenyl acetate (CMPA, CMPAse activity).

Multiple linear regression analysis (SAS Proc GLM) of associations between PON1 activity and 8-oxo-dG, age, weight, smoking, alcohol consumption and metals revealed that serum lead levels were significantly higher among workers who performed jobs that handle electrical equipment and adhesives or caulks and among people who do not wear mask at work.These data indicate ongoing exposure with measurable biological consequences due to work and behavior. (Funded by P42 ES013661)

Thesis Title: Heavy Metals, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Toxicities in Iowa Construction Workers

Advisor: Laurence Fuortes, M.D.

Year of Graduation: 2016

Program: Ph.D.

Current Position: Assistant Professor

Current Employer/Institution: Thi Qar University

Publications from Human Toxicology Program Research:

Sabah H Enayah, Brigitte C Vanle, Laurence J Fuortes, Jonathan A Doorn, Gabriele Ludewig, PCB95 and PCB153 change dopamine levels and turn-over in PC12 cells, Toxicology, 2018 Feb 1;394:93-101, doi: 10.1016/j.tox.2017.12.003.