8292152 Early biological effects of urban exposure in outdoor workers: a multidisciplinary study integrating air monitoring and biomarker analysis

<h3>Objective</h3> Outdoor workers (OWs) in urban environments are chronically exposed to air pollutants during working hours, raising concerns about potential early biological changes and long-term health risks. Within the IDEA project—part of the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC)—this study aims to evaluate early inflammatory, metabolic, endocrine, and epigenetic effects of urban exposure in OWs compared with indoor administrative workers (IAWs), who are not occupationally exposed to outdoor pollutants. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> A total of 67 workers from Pavia, Italy, were enrolled: 21 OWs (municipal police officers) and 46 IAWs. Personal exposure to benzene, NO₂, and SO₂ was assessed using passive samplers (Radiello®) worn for five consecutive workdays. Blood samples were collected for routine biochemical analyses (including nutritional status), inflammatory cytokines (CCL2, CXCL8, CXCL10), and thyroid function (TSH, fT3, fT4, autoantibodies). Structured questionnaires gathered data on occupational history, lifestyle, and dietary habits. <h3>Results</h3> OWs showed higher mean benzene exposure (3.5 µg/m³) than IAWs (2.0 µg/m³), exceeding the 2030 EU target (3.4 µg/m³). NO₂ levels were slightly higher in IAWs (23.4 µg/m³) than in OWs (20.1 µg/m³), while SO₂ levels were low and comparable. Despite overall compliance with current regulatory limits, OWs exhibited significantly higher median values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and fT3. Although within normal ranges, these differences may indicate early biological responses to outdoor occupational exposure. Inflammatory cytokine levels did not significantly differ between groups. <h3>Conclusion</h3> These preliminary results highlight the usefulness of an integrated exposomic approach combining personal monitoring and biomarker analysis. Ongoing recruitment and upcoming epigenetic analyses—including the epigenetic clock—will help estimate the impact of urban exposure on biological aging and chronic disease risk. <h3>Funding</h3> Project funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU under Italy’s NRRP, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.4 (Call No. 3138/2021, Decree No. 3175/2021, MUR). Award: CN_00000033, Decree No. 1034/2022, CUP: F13C22000720007, ‘National Biodiversity Future Center – NBFC’.