Occupational Exposure to UPVC Powder Containing Calcium Carbonate (CaCO 3 ) Nanoparticles: A Cross‐Sectional Biological Monitoring and Qualitative Risk Assessment

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Nanomaterials are widely produced and used due to their unique physicochemical properties. Adding nano calcium carbonate to Unplasticized PolyVinyl Chloride (UPVC) improves durability and sustainability. Studies have shown that occupational exposure to UPVC powder can affect the health of employees. There are also such studies about occupational exposure to nanomaterials. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate occupational exposure to a combination of these substances. Methods This is a cross‐sectional Descriptive‐analytical study conducted in 2022 at a company utilizing UPVC powder containing calcium carbonate nanoparticles in Tehran province. In this study, biomarkers of oxidative stress (Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC)) were measured in the blood of 100 employees. Also, the activities involved with nanomaterials were assessed for risk using the Nanotool method. Results Seventeen participants were female, and 83 were male. The mean ± standard deviation for age and work experience was 35 ± 9 and 6 ± 5 years, respectively. MDA, SOD, and TAC levels were elevated in the exposed group compared to controls. These differences were significant only in the case of TAC. Among the 12 activities investigated, 6 activities (50%) showed the maximum risk level. The high levels of biomarkers observed in the exposure group compared to the control groups (TAC p ‐value < 0.001, MDA p ‐value = 0.80, SOD p ‐value = 0.4), coupled with the elevated risk levels associated with activities involving nanomaterials. Conclusion Findings suggest that exposure to powders containing nanomaterials may endanger the health of employees and shows the importance of adhering to safety principles when working with powders containing nanomaterials in the investigated company and across the broader nanomaterials industry.