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Reducing melamine exposure and oxidative stress markers in melamine-exposed workers: A pragmatic intervention study

Contact: Wu, Chia-Fang / cfwu27@gate.sinica.edu.tw / (06) 216-7901

Key words: Melamine, local exhaust system, airflow containment curtains, air pollution control, human biomonitoring, oxidative stress, occupational health, precision occupational medicine

A simple and low-cost engineering control can simultaneously improve workplace air quality, reduce human exposure and early biological health effects, providing a practical and scalable “source-to-health” prevention model for small-and medium sized manufacturing industries.

 
Abstract
Our previous studies revealed that workers chronically exposed to high levels of airborne melamine in tableware factories showed elevated urinary oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and early renal injury indicators. To mitigate exposure, we implemented a source-based engineering control in a Taiwanese melamine factory, combining local exhaust systems with airflow containment curtains (LES-ACCs) and open-type fans to enhance air circulation. A total of 1,834 environmental and urine samples from 22 workers were collected before and after intervention and analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Post-intervention, airborne melamine concentrations dropped by 97.2%, formaldehyde by 24.6%, while urinary melamine and MDA significantly declined. This low-cost, high-efficiency engineering intervention demonstrated that improving workplace air quality can simultaneously reduce internal exposure and early biological effects, supporting the development of resilient and healthy occupational environments.
 
Main Findings
  1. Improved workplace air quality
  • Airborne pollutants reduced: personal melamine decreased from 159.1 to 4.5 µg/m³ (−97.2%, p < 0.0001); formaldehyde from 215.99 to 162.16 µg/m³ (−24.6%, p = 0.002).
  • Mechanism: Source capture combined with airflow containment minimized turbulence and effectively reduced pollutant dispersion.
  1. Reduced human internal exposure
  • Urinary melamine decreased (β = −7.02, p = 0.043), aligning with the reduction in airborne levels.
  • Exposure variability declined, indicating stable, sustained environmental control.
  1. Improved early biological effects
  • MDA decreased (β = −0.47, p < 0.001), showing reduced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress.
  • 8-OHdG trended downward (β = −0.34, p = 0.074), suggesting potential DNA oxidative repair with extended follow-up.


 
 

Key points

  • 1. Pragmatic engineering control evidence: implemented at under USD 7,000, the LES-ACC system achieved > 90% reduction in airborne melamine and concurrent biological improvement, proving cost-effective for small industries.
  • 2. Dual environmental and health benefits: the intervention improved air quality and reduced workers’ oxidative stress biomarkers, linking environmental management directly to health protection.
  • 3. Early health risk mitigation: oxidative biomarkers (MDA, 8-OHdG) serve as early indicators to evaluate intervention efficacy, contributing to precision occupational health and risk prevention.

More information

  • Wu CF (co-first), Pan CH (co-first), Hsu YM, Peng CY, Cheng CM, Li SS, Wu MT. Reduced melamine exposure and oxidative stress markers in melamine workers: A pragmatic intervention. J Hazard Mater 497: 139514, 2025. (ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES, 19/374=5.08%; IF: 11.3)
  • Wu CF, Peng CY, Liu CC, Lin WY, Pan CH, Cheng CM, Hsieh HM, Hsieh TJ, Chen BH, Wu MT: Ambient melamine exposure and urinary biomarkers of early renal injury. J Am Soc Nephrol 26: 2821-2829, 2015 (UROLOGY & NEPHROLOGY, 3/78=3.8%; IF: 9.343)
  • Video 1, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEbwfrkdq5w

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