Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

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Migration of phthalates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from paper and plastic drinking straws immersed in human saliva: a pilot migration study: Kiook Baek; Ann Occup Environ Med 2026;38:e39. Published online August 20, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/aoem.2026.38.e39

Abstract Abstract in Korean PDF: Drinking straws contact the oral cavity directly, and children use them routinely, raising concern about exposure to various chemicals. In this pilot study, six paper and three plastic straws were immersed in human saliva for 10 minutes, and five per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and two phthalates were quantified by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid, and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid were below the limit of detection (LOD) in all samples; perfluorooctanesulfonic acid was above the LOD in the procedural blank and one paper straw, and perfluorodecanoic acid was above the LOD in two straw samples. Di-n-butyl phthalate, which was below the LOD in the blank, was detected up to 30.097 μg/L in paper straws and 45.974 μg/L in plastic straws. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate was elevated in the procedural blank (14.240 μg/L), precluding quantitative comparison between materials; nevertheless, four paper straws and one plastic straw exceeded this background. This pilot study highlights the need for methodological refinement and further investigation.; 종이 및 플라스틱 빨대에서 인간 타액으로의 프탈레이트 및 과불화화합물 용출 확인을 위한 실험실 연구
빨대는 사용 중 구강과 직접 접촉하며 영유아·소아도 일상적으로 사용하므로, 내분비교란물질 노출에 대한 우려가 있다. 본 예비연구에서는 종이 빨대 6종과 플라스틱 빨대 3종을 사람의 타액에 10분간 침지한 시료 9개와 공시료 1개를 대상으로, 과불화화합물 5종(PFHxS, PFOA, PFNA, PFOS, PFDeA)과 프탈레이트 2종(DBP, DEHP)의 용출량을 각각 LC-MS/MS 및 GC-MS법으로 정량하였다. PFHxS, PFOA, PFNA는 모든 시료에서 검출한계(LOD) 미만이었다. PFOS는 공시료(0.040 µg/L)와 종이 빨대 1종(0.034 µg/L)에서, PFDeA는 빨대 시료 2종(0.017 및 0.048 µg/L)에서만 LOD를 근소하게 상회하였다. 따라서 과불화화합물은 본 실험 조건에서 유의미하게 높은 농도로 검출되지 않았으며, 그 결과는 결론을 내리기 어려운 수준으로 해석하였다. 프탈레이트의 경우, 공시료에서 LOD 미만이었던 DBP가 종이 빨대에서 최대 30.097 µg/L(평균 7.481 ± 11.251 µg/L), 플라스틱 빨대에서 최대 45.974 µg/L(평균 17.761 ± 24.588 µg/L)로 검출되어 두 재질 모두 여러 제품에서 실제 용출 가능성이 있음을 시사하였다. DEHP는 모든 시료에서 검출되었으나 공시료에서도 비교적 높은 수준(14.240 µg/L)으로 나타났으며, 네 종의 종이 빨대와 한 종의 플라스틱 빨대에서 이 배경 수준을 초과하였으나(최대 33.280 µg/L) 외부 및 시료 보관 과정에서의 오염을 배제할 수 없어 재질 간 정량적 비교는 어려웠다. 본 예비연구는 빨대로부터 타액으로의 일부 프탈레이트 용출 가능성을 확인하였으나, 소규모 시료라는 한계로 확정적 결론을 제시하지는 못하며, 시료 채취·침출·분석법을 정교화한 추가 연구의 필요성을 제시한다.

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Research Article

The effect of a blue enriched white light on salivary antioxidant capacity and melatonin among night shift workers: a field study: Reza Kazemi, Rasoul Hemmatjo, Mokarami Hamidreza; Ann Occup Environ Med 2018;30:61. Published online October 19, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0275-3

Abstract PDF

Background

Because of their positive impact on individuals’ performance and alertness, blue enriched white light sources are gaining popularity in households and industries. However, these sources of blue light spectrum may cause oxidative stress. On the other hand, there are no empirical studies investigating the negative effect of blue enriched white light on oxidative stress. Thus, the current study aimed at empirical assessment of the effect of such light sources on oxidative stress among night shift workers.

Methods

The study, which adopted a cross-sectional design, focused on 30 control room operators of a petrochemical complex. The subjects followed a shift-work schedule comprising 7 night shifts, 7 day shifts, and 7 days off. The subjects were exposed to 6500 K, 3000 K, and 17,000 K light sources (which have various degrees of blue light) during three consecutive work cycles, with each cycle lasting for 7 nights. In each light condition, three salivary measurements were conducted (at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the shift). The measurements were used to assess catalase (CAT), total thiol molecules (TTG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and melatonin.

Results

The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was no significant difference among various light conditions with regard to salivary biomarkers (catalase, total thiol molecules, and total antioxidant capacity). There was however a significant difference between 3000 K and 17,000 K conditions with regard to the concentration of salivary melatonin (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

Given that there was no significant difference among various light conditions in terms of biomarkers, it is concluded that using sources of light with high color temperature can be recommended. Nonetheless, because of the limitations of the present study (e.g. short period of intervention), it is suggested that care should be exercised in using such light sources.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Exploring chronotype, sleep patterns, and health in petrochemical shift workers
Hamidreza Mokarami, Somayeh Bolghanabadi, Reza Kazemi, Andrew Smith
Atención Primaria.2026; 58(7): 103480. CrossRef
Night shift work and breast cancer: from etiopathology to precision risk analysis
Silvia Vivarelli, Tania Formica, Ylenia Puliatti, Giovanna Spatari, Concettina Fenga
npj Breast Cancer.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
A Blue-Enriched Light Intervention Counteracts the Alertness Decrement Among Mine Workers on Extended 12-Hour Night Shift Periods
Marc Hébert, Andrée-Anne Lavigne, Julie Auclair, Jeanne-Sophie Martin, Kimberley Francis, Justine Dumoulin Gagnon, Marc-André Dubois, Luc Laberge
Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.2023; 65(7): 584. CrossRef
Chrono-modulated effects of external stressors on oxidative stress and damage in humans: A scoping review on night shift work
Konstantinos C. Makris, Behzad Heibati, Shan Zienolddiny Narui
Environment International.2023; 178: 108048. CrossRef
Age-dependent effect of continuous ‘artificial light at night’ on circadian rhythm in male rats: neuroprotective role of melatonin
Avnish Kumar Verma, Sandeep Singh, Syed Ibrahim Rizvi
Biogerontology.2021; 22(5): 531. CrossRef
Blue light induces the nuclear translocation of neuropeptide receptor PAC1-R associated with the up-regulation of PAC1-R its own in reactive oxygen species associated way
Rongjie Yu, Zhuochao Lin, Zehua Ouyang, Zhengxin Tao, Guangchun Fan
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects.2021; 1865(6): 129884. CrossRef
Blue-Enriched White Light Improves Performance but Not Subjective Alertness and Circadian Adaptation During Three Consecutive Simulated Night Shifts
Erlend Sunde, Torhild Pedersen, Jelena Mrdalj, Eirunn Thun, Janne Grønli, Anette Harris, Bjørn Bjorvatn, Siri Waage, Debra J. Skene, Ståle Pallesen
Frontiers in Psychology.2020;[Epub] CrossRef
The effect of work-related and socio-demographic factors on Work Ability Index (WAI) among Iranian workers
Hamidreza Mokarami, Haji Omid Kalteh, Hossein Marioryad
Work.2020; 65(1): 137. CrossRef
Correction to: The effect of a blue enriched white light on salivary antioxidant capacity and melatonin among night shift workers: a field study
Reza Kazemi, Rasoul Hemmatjo, Hamidreza Mokarami
Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.2018;[Epub] CrossRef

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Original Article

Effects of Physical Workload on Salivary Cortisol Level: Dong Mug Kang, Byung Min Son, Sang Baek Koh, Junho Jang, Mia Son, Jongwon Kim, Byung Mann Cho, Su Ill Lee; Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2004;16(1):57-69. Published online March 31, 2004; DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2004.16.1.57

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVE: Workload is known to affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Although many studies had revealed that job stress related factors could affect the neuroendocrine system among blue-collar workers, these studies had limitations as they had not evaluated the workload by objective methods which took into consideration individual physiological differences. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of physical workload adjusted job stress on cortisol regulation by using objective tools for workers having various job tasks.
METHODS
Among 110 foundry workers, shipyard workers, and fine machine assemblers for whom saliva samples were obtained, 102 without any past history of conditions that could affect hormonal regulation such as diabetes, and hypertension were included in this study. Among the 102 study participants, 15 workers whose saliva for morning or afternoon or heart rate monitoring data was not attained were excluded from the final analysis. Workload was evaluated by RHR (relative heart rate) using a heart rate monitor, and job stress was evaluated by Karasek's Job Content Questionnaire. Saliva samples were gathered during 8 - 9 am and 5 - 6 pm, and salivary cortisol levels were analysed by radioimmunoassay.
RESULTS
After adjusting several variables which could effect cortisol secretion including job stress, among the higher RHR group morning salivary cortisol level was increased (beta=60.32, S.E.=26.35, p=0.0266), afternoon salivary cortisol level was decreased (beta=-7.43, S.E.=29.73, p=0.8044), and salivary cortisol level difference between morning and afternoon was increased (beta=72.10, SE=35.50, p=0.0509).
CONCLUSIONS
As physical workload increases morning cortisol level, which is caused by the effect of arousal, and decreases afternoon cortisol level, which is caused by exhaustion, physical workload enlarges the width of diurnal cortisol variance. Therefore, physical exhaustion due to excessive workload could have adverse effects on the neuroendocrine system.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

A Review on the Job Stress Measurements in Nuclear Power Plant Workers for Human Error Prevention
Seon Soo Kim, Meiling Luo, Yeon Ju Oh, Yong Hee Lee
Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea.2013; 32(1): 47. CrossRef
Determination of Appropriate Sampling Time for Job Stress Assessment: the Salivary Chromogranin A and Cortisol in Adult Females
Ran-Hi Hong, Yun-Jung Yang, Sang-Yon Kim, Won-Young Lee, Yeon-Pyo Hong
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health.2009; 42(4): 231. CrossRef
Distribution and determinants of maximal physical work capacity of Korean male metal workers
D. Kang, J.-H. Woo, Y.-C. Shin
Ergonomics.2007; 50(12): 2137. CrossRef

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