O-112 Characteristics of Printing Shop Particles and Their Health Effects on the Cardiopulmonary System

Introduction Printers can release numerous particles to contaminate indoor environments and pose health risks. Methods To assess the health risks of printer operator, this study investigated the physicochemical properties of printer-emitted particles (PEPs) and their impact on cardiopulmonary system. Results The result showed that the concentration of PEPs in the printing shop was high and closely related to the printing workload. The particle sizes of PEPs were less than 900 nm, and 47.99% of PEPs was less than 200 nm. PEPs contained 68.92% organic carbon, 5.31% elemental carbon, 3.17% metal elements, and 22.60% other inorganic additives. Different printing equipment, printing setting, and environmental conditions can all affect the level of PEPs. Total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons levels were 131.08 ng/mg in PEPs. Following a 21 day whole-body inhalation exposure to PEPs, there was modest lung injury and inflammation in the respiratory tract, and obvious changes in left ventricular pressure and heart rate variability (HRV) in rats. Printing room workers with more than 10 years of working age presented the most significant cardiopulmonary function injury with increased blood pressure indices and decreased lung function indices. Discussion and conclusion A two-stage crossover study showed short-term exposure to printing shop particles can affect HRV parameters in healthy subjects, reflecting changes in cardiac autonomic nervous activity, and the use of an air purifier can reduce the concentration of PSPs and improve the autonomic nervous system activity of the exposed individuals. Our findings suggest PEPs may present significant health risks through adverse cardiopulmonary effects, especially in occupational settings, among susceptible individuals, and with long-term exposure.