2015/11/13 by Susana Viegas, Luísa Veiga, Ana Almeida +3 · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Carcinogens and Genotoxicity Assessment #Indoor Air Quality and Microbial Exposure #Mycotoxins in Agriculture and Food
paper · doi:10.1093/annhyg/mev077
crossref issued 2015/11/13 · crossref published 2015/11/13 · crossref published-online 2015/11/13 · openalex publication_date 2015/11/13 · crossref created 2015/11/14 · crossref published-print 2016/03/01 · crossref deposited 2017/08/24 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30 · crossref indexed 2026/07/31
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a secondary metabolite produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and is the most potent hepatocarcinogen known in mammals and has been classified by the International Agency of Research on Cancer as Group 1 carcinogen. Although dietary exposure to AFB1 has been extensively documented, there are still few studies dedicated to the problem of occupational exposure. Considering recent findings regarding AFB1 occupational exposure in poultry production, it was considered relevant to clarify if there is also exposure in poultry slaughterhouses. Occupational exposure assessment to AFB1 was done with a biomarker of internal dose that measures AFB1 in the serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thirty workers from a slaughterhouse were enrolled in this study. A control group (n = 30) was also considered in order to know AFB1 background levels for Portuguese population. Fourteen workers (47.0%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values from 1.06 to 4.03ng ml(-1), with a mean value of 1.73ng ml(-1). No AFB1 was detected in serum of individuals used as controls. Despite uncertainties regarding the exposure route that is contributing more to exposure (inhalation or dermal) is possible to state that exposure to AFB1 is occurring in the slaughterhouse studied. It seems that reducing AFB1 contamination in poultry production can have a positive result in this occupational setting.