Effects of chromic acid exposure on immunological parameters among electroplating workers

Objective: To investigate the immunological parameters of chromic acid exposure among electroplating workers. Methods: Forty-six subjects were selected from five electroplating plants in central Taiwan. Each subject was interviewed by questionnaire, and urine chromium (urine-Cr) concentration was assessed. Immunological parameters were evaluated by interleukin (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma) and levels of lymphocyte subsets (T-cell, B-cell, T-4, T-8 and T-4/T-8). Results: Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 significantly increased in subjects with high urine-Cr concentration, but TNF-alpha) levels decreased. IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were undetected. Flow cytometry was used to determine levels of lymphocyte subsets: only B-cells percentage had a negative correlation with urine-Cr. Smoking was an important factor that influenced levels of lymphocyte subsets. Conclusion: Exposure to Cr has a detrimental effect on the immune system, so it is evident that worker exposure to chromic acid in the electroplating workplace must be reduced to a minimum.