Oxidative Stress-Inducing Workplace Agents

Abstract

The work environment usually contains a number of chemicals that inhaled and absorbed by the body pose a potential risk for workers' health. In the recent years, evidence has accumulated that interactions between air pollutants and living tissues may cause disturbance of the pro- and antioxidative balance of the body. Dusts occurring in the mining, steel and foundry industries; mineral fibers and dusts, including wood, cereal, and cotton dusts; as well as heavy metals and gaseous substances with strong oxidative properties are source of the agents contributing to this disturbance.