Glutathione Transferase as a Potential First-Tier Biomarker of Environmental Pollution in Workers and Residents of Umbria Region, Italy

Erythrocyte glutathione transferase (e-GST) and oxidized human serum albumin (HSAox) were used as biomarkers to assess the environmental health of a foundry and a ceramics factory located in the Umbria region (Italy). While HSAox level indicates that no relevant oxidative stress is present in workers of either company, a distinct overexpression of e-GST, also present in non-workers residents, suggests exposure to broad environmental stressors that may be attributed to common sources. A more careful analysis of different job sectors and the effect of filtering facepieces indicates that the workers exposed to solvents show the highest e-GST expression, while different pollutants (possibly dust and/or metal fumes) seem to be present in other areas of the foundry as well as in external areas. In the ceramic company, the high e-GST activity reveals the presence of other contaminants which can be efficiently blocked by filtering facepieces and gloves together. Intriguingly, a cohort of monks (n = 14) residing in a monastery adjacent to the foundry exhibited e-GST activities significantly lower than those observed in non-worker residents, suggesting that specific lifestyle or localized environmental factors may influence exposure levels, a finding that warrants further targeted research.