Rationale, design and baseline results of the Guangxi manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort (GXMEWHC) study

摘要

Objective To determine the relationship between biomarkers of exposure, disease and susceptibility, and early health effects and long-term diseases related to occupational manganese (Mn) exposure. Design Baseline survey of a longitudinal cohort study of workers in a ferromanganese refinery. Participants A total of 1888 individuals (1197 men, 691 women; average seniority 15.34?years) were enrolled in the Guangxi manganese-exposed workers healthy cohort (GXMEWHC) study. Participants were between 18 and 60?years of age (mean 40.31?years), had worked in the ferromanganese refinery for at least 1?year and lived in the local area. Results The GXMEWHC study included a baseline survey. Participants were divided into four groups according to manganese (Mn) cumulative exposure index (Mn-CEI) levels: an internal control group (Mn-CEI 1.0?mg/m3?year), a low exposure group (1.0?mg/m3?year≤Mn-CEI2.0?mg/m3?year), a medium exposure group (2.0?mg/m3?year≤Mn-CEI5.0?mg/m3?year) and a high exposure group (Mn-CEI≥5.0?mg/m3?year). Genome-wide association studies of quantitative trait loci and binary trait loci in 500 Mn-exposed workers were performed using Illumina Infinium HumanExome BeadChip arrays. Stored plasma, DNA, hair and urine are available for further study. Participants will be followed up every 3?years. Conclusions The GXMEWHC study provides abundant data for exploring the systemic health effects of occupational Mn exposure using biomarkers of exposure, disease and susceptibility.