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PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum

Individual health surveillance of workers exposed to petroleum products

Awarded: NOK 8.9 mill.

Project Number:

220759

Application Type:

Project Period:

2012 - 2018

Partner countries:

Norwegian offshore workers have an increased risk of developing blood cancer (leukemia). The causative agent is most likely the hematotoxic hydrocarbon benzene, a natural component of crude oil and petroleum products. While working gear mounted sensors for detection has limited relevance when modern protection gear is used, validated biomarkers (i.e. the chemical or chemical metabolites measured in the body) fail to capture the individual response to the exposure and its impact on fundamental biological processes. In PETROTEST we aimed to develop a prototype blood test (a biomarker) that can be used in the surveillance of workers occupationally exposed to petroleum related compounds, in particular benzene, through detection of early endogenous cell stress responses in leukocytes before clinical hematotoxic effects arise. The project aimed at including petroleum workers exposed to benzene and an unexposed referent group that are monitored for relevant exposure markers (in air and urine), as well as markers of biological effects in blood. However, the prototype will now also be tested for other chemical exposures and outcomes. The development of the test is based on the cellular signaling (molecular fingerprint) in leucocytes induced by exposure to petroleum-related compounds such as benzene, and the monitoring of modifications of the tumor suppressor protein p53 and the cellular signaling system is central. Personalized exposure monitoring based on blood cell analysis may in the future provide information about individualized susceptibility to petroleum exposure without disclosing controversial genetic information about the user.

Occupational exposure to benzene during contact with petroleum products is associated with an increased risk of blood cancer, even at exposure below occupational exposure limits. Working gear-mounted sensors for detection has limited relevance when modern protection equipment is used, and in this proposal we suggest a biological sensor based on blood cell analysis. Personalized exposure monitoring based on blood cell analysis will allow relevant exposure determination, and may in the future provide inform ation about individualized susceptibility to petroleum exposure without disclosing controversial genetic information about the user. In this project we will develop a functional prototype of a single cell based test that carries the robustness needed for occupational monitoring on-shore as well as off-shore. The prototype blood test for occupational petroleum exposure is based on exact measurement of stress responding proteins within leukocytes, bringing the occupational health surveillance of petroleum workers into a personalized and biological context of relevance for long term health hazards. The prototype will be prepared for future field tests and prepared for surveys of workers exposed in the cleaning operations after oil spills or other accidents with emissions of petroleum-related hydrocarbons.

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Funding scheme:

PETROMAKS2-Stort program petroleum