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Sørli JB, Jensen ACØ, Mortensen A, Szarek J, Chatzigianelli E, Gutierrez CAT, Jacobsen NR, Poulsen SS, Hafez I, Loizides C, Biskos G, Hougaard KS, Vogel U, Hadrup N. Genotoxicity in the absence of inflammation after tungsten inhalation in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 98:104074. [PMID: 36724834 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Tungsten is used in several applications and human exposure may occur. To assess its pulmonary toxicity, we exposed male mice to nose-only inhalation of tungsten particles at 9, 23 or 132 mg/m3 (Low, Mid and High exposure) (45 min/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks). Increased genotoxicity (assessed by comet assay) was seen in bronchoalveolar (BAL) fluid cells at Low and High exposure. We measured acellular ROS production, and cannot exclude that ROS contributed to the observed genotoxicity. We saw no effects on body weight gain, pulmonary inflammation, lactate dehydrogenase or protein in BAL fluid, pathology of liver or kidney, or on sperm counts. In conclusion, tungsten showed non-dose dependent genotoxicity in the absence of inflammation and therefore interpreted to be primary genotoxicity. Based on genotoxicity, a Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Concentration (LOAEC) could be set at 9 mg/m3. It was not possible to establish a No Adverse Effect Concentration (NOAEC).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorid B Sørli
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Alexander C Ø Jensen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Alicja Mortensen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Józef Szarek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Oczapowskiego 13, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Eleni Chatzigianelli
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Claudia A T Gutierrez
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Nicklas R Jacobsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Sarah S Poulsen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark.
| | - Iosif Hafez
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre, The Cyprus Institute, 20 Konstantinou Kavafi Street, 2121, Aglantzia Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - Charis Loizides
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre, The Cyprus Institute, 20 Konstantinou Kavafi Street, 2121, Aglantzia Nicosia, Cyprus.
| | - George Biskos
- Climate and Atmosphere Research Centre, The Cyprus Institute, 20 Konstantinou Kavafi Street, 2121, Aglantzia Nicosia, Cyprus; Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Gebouw 23 Stevinweg 1, 2628 CN Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Karin S Hougaard
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1353 Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Ulla Vogel
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; DTU Food, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Bygning 202, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Niels Hadrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA), 105 Lersø Parkallé, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark; Research group for Risk-benefit, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Bygning 202, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Bocca B, Leso V, Battistini B, Caimi S, Senofonte M, Fedele M, Cavallo DM, Cattaneo A, Lovreglio P, Iavicoli I. Human biomonitoring and personal air monitoring. An integrated approach to assess exposure of stainless-steel welders to metal-oxide nanoparticles. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114736. [PMID: 36343713 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In welding, there is a potential risk due to metal-oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) exposure of workers. To investigate this possibility, the diameter and number particles concentration of MONPs were evaluated in different biological matrices and in personal air samples collected from 18 stainless-steel welders and 15 unexposed administrative employees engaged in two Italian mechanical engineering Companies. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and urine were sampled at pre-shift on 1st day and post-shift on 5th day of the workweek, while plasma and inhalable particulate matter (IPM) at post-shift on 5th day and analysed using the Single Particle Mass Spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) technique to assess possible exposure to Cr2O3, Mn3O4 and NiO nanoparticles (NPs) in welders. The NPs in IPM at both Companies presented a multi-oxide composition consisting of Cr2O3 (median, 871,574 particles/m3; 70 nm), Mn3O4 (median, 713,481 particles/m3; 92 nm) and NiO (median, 369,324 particles/m3; 55 nm). The EBC of welders at both Companies showed Cr2O3 NPs median concentration significantly higher at post-shift (64,645 particles/mL; 55 nm) than at pre-shift (15,836 particles/mL; 58 nm). Significantly lower Cr2O3 NPs median concentration and size (7762 particles/mL; 44 nm) were observed in plasma compared to EBC of welders. At one Company, NiO NPs median concentration in EBC (22,000 particles/mL; 65 nm) and plasma (8248 particles/mL; 37 nm) were detected only at post-shift. No particles of Cr2O3, Mn3O4 and NiO were detected in urine of welders at both Companies. The combined analyses of biological matrices and air samples were a valid approach to investigate both internal and external exposure of welding workers to MONPs. Overall, results may inform suitable risk assessment and management procedures in welding operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Bocca
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
| | - Veruscka Leso
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Battistini
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Caimi
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Senofonte
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Fedele
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Cattaneo
- Department of Science and High Technology, Insubria University, Como, Italy
| | - Piero Lovreglio
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Loomis D, Dzhambov AM, Momen NC, Chartres N, Descatha A, Guha N, Kang SK, Modenese A, Morgan RL, Ahn S, Martínez-Silveira MS, Zhang S, Pega F. The effect of occupational exposure to welding fumes on trachea, bronchus and lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 170:107565. [PMID: 36402034 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are the producers of the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury (WHO/ILO Joint Estimates). Welding fumes have been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in IARC Monograph 118; this assessment found sufficient evidence from studies in humans that welding fumes are a cause of lung cancer. In this article, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of parameters for estimating the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer attributable to occupational exposure to welding fumes, to inform the development of WHO/ILO Joint Estimates on this burden of disease (if considered feasible). OBJECTIVES We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse estimates of the effect of any (or high) occupational exposure to welding fumes, compared with no (or low) occupational exposure to welding fumes, on trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (three outcomes: prevalence, incidence, and mortality). DATA SOURCES We developed and published a protocol, applying the Navigation Guide as an organizing systematic review framework where feasible. We searched electronic databases for potentially relevant records from published and unpublished studies, including Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, CENTRAL and CISDOC. We also searched grey literature databases, Internet search engines, and organizational websites; hand-searched reference lists of previous systematic reviews; and consulted additional experts. STUDY ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA We included working-age (≥15 years) workers in the formal and informal economy in any Member State of WHO and/or ILO but excluded children (<15 years) and unpaid domestic workers. We included randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies, and other non-randomized intervention studies with an estimate of the effect of any (or high) occupational exposure to welding fumes, compared with occupational exposure to no (or low) welding fumes, on trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (prevalence, incidence, and mortality). STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS At least two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria at a first review stage and full texts of potentially eligible records at a second stage, followed by extraction of data from qualifying studies. If studies reported odds ratios, these were converted to risk ratios (RRs). We combined all RRs using random-effects meta-analysis. Two or more review authors assessed the risk of bias, quality of evidence, and strength of evidence, using the Navigation Guide tools and approaches adapted to this project. Subgroup (e.g., by WHO region and sex) and sensitivity analyses (e.g., studies judged to be of "high"/"probably high" risk of bias compared with "low"/"probably low" risk of bias) were conducted. RESULTS Forty-one records from 40 studies (29 case control studies and 11 cohort studies) met the inclusion criteria, comprising over 1,265,512 participants (≥22,761 females) in 21 countries in three WHO regions (Region of the Americas, European Region, and Western Pacific Region). The exposure and outcome were generally assessed by job title or self-report, and medical or administrative records, respectively. Across included studies, risk of bias was overall generally probably low/low, with risk judged high or probably high for several studies in the domains for misclassification bias and confounding. Our search identified no evidence on the outcome of having trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (prevalence). Compared with no (or low) occupational exposure to welding fumes, any (or high) occupational exposure to welding fumes increased the risk of acquiring trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (incidence) by an estimated 48 % (RR 1.48, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.29-1.70, 23 studies, 57,931 participants, I2 24 %; moderate quality of evidence). Compared with no (or low) occupational exposure to welding fumes, any (or high) occupational exposure to welding fumes increased the risk dying from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer (mortality) by an estimated 27 % (RR 1.27, 95 % CI 1.04-1.56, 3 studies, 8,686 participants, I2 0 %; low quality of evidence). Our subgroup analyses found no evidence for difference by WHO region and sex. Sensitivity analyses supported the main analyses. CONCLUSIONS Overall, for incidence and mortality of trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer, we judged the existing body of evidence for human data as "sufficient evidence of harmfulness" and "limited evidence of harmfulness", respectively. Occupational exposure to welding fumes increased the risk of acquiring and dying from trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer. Producing estimates for the burden of trachea, bronchus, and lung cancer attributable to any (or high) occupational exposure to welding fumes appears evidence-based, and the pooled effect estimates presented in this systematic review could be used as input data for the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates. PROTOCOL IDENTIFIER: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106089.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Loomis
- School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, the United States of America; Plumas County Public Health Agency, Plumas County, CA, the United States of America.
| | - Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Institute for Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.
| | - Natalie C Momen
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Nicholas Chartres
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, the United States of America.
| | - Alexis Descatha
- AP-HP (Paris Hospital "Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris"), Occupational Health Unit, University Hospital of West Suburb of Paris, Poincaré Site, Garches, France /Versailles St-Quentin Univ - Paris Saclay Univ (UVSQ), UMS 011, UMR-S 1168, France; Univ Angers, CHU Angers, Univ Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail) - UMR_S1085, SFR ICAT, CAPTV CDC, Angers, France.
| | - Neela Guha
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, the United States of America.
| | - Seong-Kyu Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Alberto Modenese
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
| | - Rebecca L Morgan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| | - Seoyeon Ahn
- National Pension Research Institute, Jeonju-si, Republic of Korea.
| | | | - Siyu Zhang
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Frank Pega
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Kővágó C, Szekeres B, Szűcs-Somlyó É, Májlinger K, Jerzsele Á, Lehel J. Preliminary study to investigate the distribution and effects of certain metals after inhalation of welding fumes in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:49147-49160. [PMID: 35212899 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19234-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The most important welding processes used are the gas metal arc (GMA) welding, the tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, and the manual metal arc (MMA) welding processes. The goal of our investigation was to monitor the distribution of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in the lung, spleen, liver, and kidney of mice after inhalation exposure of different welding methods using different steel base materials. The treatment groups were the following: MMA-mild steel, MMA-molybdenum-manganese (MoMn) alloy, TIG-mild steel, and TIG-stainless steel. The samples were taken 24 and 96 h after the treatments. Most importantly, it was found that the Mn concentration in the lung' samples of the MMA-mild steel and the MMA-MoMn groups was increased extremely at both sampling times and in the spleen' samples also. In the TIG groups, the rise of the Mn concentration was only considerable in the lungs and spleens at 24 h, and emerged concentration was found in the liver in 96 h samples. Histopathology demonstrated emerged siderin content in the spleens of the treated animals and in siderin filled macrophages in the lungs mostly in all treated groups. Traces of high-level glycogen retention was found in the MMA groups at both sampling times. Similar glycogen retention in TIG-Ms and TIG stainless group's liver samples and emerged number of vacuoles, especially in the hepatocytes of the TIG-stainless steel 96 h group were also found. The mentioned results raise the consequence that there is a considerable difference in the kinetics of the Mn distribution between the MMA- and the TIG-fume-treated groups. Hence, the result suggests that manganese has a particle-size-dependent toxico-kinetics property. The anomaly of the glycogen metabolism indicates the systemic effect of the welding fumes. Also, the numerous vacuoles mentioned above show a possible liver-specific adverse effect of some components of the TIG-stainless steel welding fumes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Csaba Kővágó
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Éva Szűcs-Somlyó
- Department of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kornél Májlinger
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ákos Jerzsele
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Lehel
- Department of Food Hygiene, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
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The High-Throughput In Vitro CometChip Assay for the Analysis of Metal Oxide Nanomaterial Induced DNA Damage. NANOMATERIALS 2022; 12:nano12111844. [PMID: 35683698 PMCID: PMC9181865 DOI: 10.3390/nano12111844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metal oxide nanomaterials (MONMs) are among the most highly utilized classes of nanomaterials worldwide, though their potential to induce DNA damage in living organisms is known. High-throughput in vitro assays have the potential to greatly expedite analysis and understanding of MONM induced toxicity while minimizing the overall use of animals. In this study, the high-throughput CometChip assay was used to assess the in vitro genotoxic potential of pristine copper oxide (CuO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) MONMs and microparticles (MPs), as well as five coated/surface-modified TiO2 NPs and zinc (II) chloride (ZnCl2) and copper (II) chloride (CuCl2) after 2–4 h of exposure. The CuO NPs, ZnO NPs and MPs, and ZnCl2 exposures induced dose- and time-dependent increases in DNA damage at both timepoints. TiO2 NPs surface coated with silica or silica–alumina and one pristine TiO2 NP of rutile crystal structure also induced subtle dose-dependent DNA damage. Concentration modelling at both post-exposure timepoints highlighted the contribution of the dissolved species to the response of ZnO, and the role of the nanoparticle fraction for CuO mediated genotoxicity, showing the differential impact that particle and dissolved fractions can have on genotoxicity induced by MONMs. The results imply that solubility alone may be insufficient to explain the biological behaviour of MONMs.
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McCarrick S, Karlsson HL, Carlander U. Modelled lung deposition and retention of welding fume particles in occupational scenarios: a comparison to doses used in vitro. Arch Toxicol 2022; 96:969-985. [PMID: 35188583 PMCID: PMC8921161 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-022-03247-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Translating particle dose from in vitro systems to relevant human exposure remains a major challenge for the use of in vitro studies in assessing occupational hazard and risk of particle exposure. This study aimed to model the lung deposition and retention of welding fume particles following occupational scenarios and subsequently compare the lung doses to those used in vitro. We reviewed published welding fume concentrations and size distributions to identify input values simulating real-life exposure scenarios in the multiple path particle dosimetry (MPPD) model. The majority of the particles were reported to be below 0.1 μm and mass concentrations ranged between 0.05 and 45 mg/m3. Following 6-h exposure to 5 mg/m3 with a count median diameter of 50 nm, the tracheobronchial lung dose (0.89 µg/cm2) was found to exceed the in vitro cytotoxic cell dose (0.125 µg/cm2) previously assessed by us in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC-3kt). However, the tracheobronchial retention decreased rapidly when no exposure occurred, in contrast to the alveolar retention which builds-up over time and exceeded the in vitro cytotoxic cell dose after 1.5 working week. After 1 year, the tracheobronchial and alveolar retention was estimated to be 1.15 and 2.85 µg/cm2, respectively. Exposure to low-end aerosol concentrations resulted in alveolar retention comparable to cytotoxic in vitro dose in HBEC-3kt after 15-20 years of welding. This study demonstrates the potential of combining real-life exposure data with particle deposition modelling to improve the understanding of in vitro concentrations in the context of human occupational exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah McCarrick
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Hanna L Karlsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Carlander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
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Yin XH, Xu YM, Lau ATY. Nanoparticles: Excellent Materials Yet Dangerous When They Become Airborne. TOXICS 2022; 10:50. [PMID: 35202237 PMCID: PMC8874650 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10020050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Since the rise and rapid development of nanoscale science and technology in the late 1980s, nanomaterials have been widely used in many areas including medicine, electronic products, crafts, textiles, and cosmetics, which have provided a lot of convenience to people's life. However, while nanomaterials have been fully utilized, their negative effects, also known as nano pollution, have become increasingly apparent. The adverse effects of nanomaterials on the environment and organisms are mainly based on the unique size and physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs). NPs, as the basic unit of nanomaterials, generally refer to the ultrafine particles whose spatial scale are defined in the range of 1-100 nm. In this review, we mainly introduce the basic status of the types and applications of NPs, airborne NP pollution, and the relationship between airborne NP pollution and human diseases. There are many sources of airborne NP pollutants, including engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) and non-engineered nanoparticles (NENPs). The NENPs can be further divided into those generated from natural activities and those produced by human activities. A growing number of studies have found that exposure to airborne NP pollutants can cause a variety of illnesses, such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. To deal with the ever increasing numbers and types of NPs being unleashed to the air, we believe that extensive research is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of NP pollution hazards and their impact mechanisms. Only in this way can we find the best solution and truly protect the safety and quality of life of human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Hui Yin
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Yan-Ming Xu
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Andy T. Y. Lau
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
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Hadrup N, Sørli JB, Sharma AK. Pulmonary toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity evaluation of molybdenum, lithium, and tungsten: A review. Toxicology 2022; 467:153098. [PMID: 35026344 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Molybdenum, lithium, and tungsten are constituents of many products, and exposure to these elements potentially occurs at work. Therefore it is important to determine at what levels they are toxic, and thus we set out to review their pulmonary toxicity, genotoxicity, and carcinogenicity. After pulmonary exposure, molybdenum and tungsten are increased in multiple tissues; data on the distribution of lithium are limited. Excretion of all three elements is both via faeces and urine. Molybdenum trioxide exerted pulmonary toxicity in a 2-year inhalation study in rats and mice with a lowest-observed-adverse-effect concentration (LOAEC) of 6.6 mg Mo/m3. Lithium chloride had a LOAEC of 1.9 mg Li/m3 after subacute inhalation in rabbits. Tungsten oxide nanoparticles resulted in a no-observed-adverse-effect concentration (NOAEC) of 5 mg/m3 after inhalation in hamsters. In another study, tungsten blue oxide had a LOAEC of 63 mg W/m3 in rats. Concerning genotoxicity, for molybdenum, the in vivo genotoxicity after inhalation remains unknown; however, there was some evidence of carcinogenicity of molybdenum trioxide. The data on the genotoxicity of lithium are equivocal, and one carcinogenicity study was negative. Tungsten seems to have a genotoxic potential, but the data on carcinogenicity are equivocal. In conclusion, for all three elements, dose descriptors for inhalation toxicity were identified, and the potential for genotoxicity and carcinogenicity was assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Hadrup
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Jorid B Sørli
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Anoop K Sharma
- Division for Risk Assessment and Nutrition, Group for Chemical Risk Assessment and GMO, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet, 201, 031, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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9
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Fleck ADS, Debia M, Ryan PE, Couture C, Traub A, Evans GJ, Suarthana E, Smargiassi A. Assessment of the Oxidative Potential and Oxidative Burden from Occupational Exposures to Particulate Matter. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 66:379-391. [PMID: 34595509 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative potential (OP) is a toxicologically relevant metric that integrates features like mass concentration and chemical composition of particulate matter (PM). Although it has been extensively explored as a metric for the characterization of environmental particles, this is still an underexplored application in the occupational field. This study aimed to estimate the OP of particles in two occupational settings from a construction trades school. This characterization also includes the comparison between activities, sampling strategies, and size fractions. Particulate mass concentrations (PM4-Personal, PM4-Area, and PM2.5-Area) and number concentrations were measured during three weeks of welding and construction/bricklaying activities. The OP was assessed by the ascorbate assay (OPAA) using a synthetic respiratory tract lining fluid (RTLF), while the oxidative burden (OBAA) was determined by multiplying the OPAA values with PM concentrations. Median (25th-75th percentiles) of PM mass and number concentrations were 900 (672-1730) µg m-3 and 128 000 (78 000-169 000) particles cm-3 for welding, and 432 (345-530) µg m-3 and 2800 (1700-4400) particles cm-3 for construction. Welding particles, especially from the first week of activities, were also associated with higher redox activity (OPAA: 3.3 (2.3-4.6) ρmol min-1 µg-1; OBAA: 1750 (893-4560) ρmol min-1 m-3) compared to the construction site (OPAA: 1.4 (1.0-1.8) ρmol min-1 µg-1; OBAA: 486 (341-695) ρmol min-1 m-3). The OPAA was independent of the sampling strategy or size fraction. However, driven by the higher PM concentrations, the OBAA from personal samples was higher compared to area samples in the welding shop, suggesting an influence of the sampling strategy on PM concentrations and OBAA. These results demonstrate that important levels of OPAA can be found in occupational settings, especially during welding activities. Furthermore, the OBAA found in both workplaces largely exceeded the levels found in environmental studies. Therefore, measures of OP and OB could be further explored as metrics for exposure assessment to occupational PM, as well as for associations with cardiorespiratory outcomes in future occupational epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan da Silveira Fleck
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Maximilien Debia
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Patrick Eddy Ryan
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Caroline Couture
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alison Traub
- Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research, University of Toronto Engineering, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Greg J Evans
- Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research, University of Toronto Engineering, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eva Suarthana
- Research Institute of McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Hôpital du Sacré-Cœur de Montréal (CRHSCM), 5400 Boul Gouin O, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Audrey Smargiassi
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique (CReSP), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Institut National de Sante Publique du Québec (INSPQ), 190 Boul Crémazie E, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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10
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Dueck ME, Rafiee A, Mino J, Nair SG, Kamravaei S, Pei L, Quémerais B. Welding Fume Exposure and Health Risk Assessment in a Cohort of Apprentice Welders. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 65:775-788. [PMID: 33889935 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Welding fumes vary in composition depending on the materials and processes used, and while health outcomes in full-time welders have been widely studied, limited research on apprentices exists. Besides, few data are available for metals such as vanadium and antimony. This study aimed to look at individual metals present in welding fumes in the learning environment of apprentice welders. Forty-three welders and 41 controls were chosen from trade programmes at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Ambient and personal air samples were collected at days 0, 1, 7, and 50 of their training and analysed for mass and metal concentrations using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Results showed increases in particle and metal concentrations as apprentices progressed throughout their education and that concentrations at day 50 were similar to levels found in the literature for professional welders. Variable concentrations indicate that some individuals may not properly use the local exhaust ventilation system. Other possible explanation for variations are the position of the sampler on the shoulder, the time spent welding and in each welding position, and the skills of the welders. Strong relationships were observed between particle and metal concentrations, suggesting that these relationships could be used to estimate metal exposure in welders from particle exposure. Welding processes were the most important determinant of exposure in apprentice welders, with Metal Core Arc Welding producing the largest particle concentrations followed by oxyacetylene cutting, and Gas Metal Arc Welding. Health risk assessment showed that welder apprentices are at risk for overexposure to manganese, which suggests that professional welders should be monitored for manganese as they are exposed more than apprentices. Training in proper positioning of local exhaust ventilation system and proper use of respirators are recommended in training facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan E Dueck
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ata Rafiee
- Department of Medicine, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James Mino
- North West Environmental Group Ltd, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sindhu G Nair
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Lei Pei
- Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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11
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High resolution size characterization of particulate contaminants for radioactive metal waste treatment. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2021.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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12
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Newton A, Adams K, Serdar B, Dickinson LM, Koehler K. Personal and area exposure assessment at a stainless steel fabrication facility: an evaluation of inhalable, time-resolved PM 10, and bioavailable airborne metals. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2021; 18:90-100. [PMID: 33555996 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2020.1854460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study describes a comprehensive exposure assessment in a stainless steel welding facility, measuring personal inhalable PM and metals, time-resolved PM10 area metals, and the bioavailable fraction of area inhalable metals. Eighteen participants wore personal inhalable samplers for two, nonconsecutive shifts. Area inhalable samplers and a time-resolved PM10 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer were used in different work areas each sampling day. Inhalable and bioavailable metals were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Median exposures to chromium, nickel, and manganese across all measured shifts were 66 (range: 13-300) μg/m3, 29 (5.7-132) μg/m3, and 22 (1.5-119) μg/m3, respectively. Most exposure variation was seen between workers ( 0.79 < ICC < 0.55 ) , although cobalt and inhalable PM showed most variation within workers. Manganese was the most bioavailable metal from the inhalable size fraction (16 ± 3%), and chromium and nickel were 1.2 ± 0.08% and 2.6 ± 1.2% bioavailable, respectively. This comprehensive approach to welding-fume exposure assessment can allow for targeted approaches to controlling exposures based not only on individual measurements, but also on metal-specific measures and assessments of bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Newton
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Karin Adams
- Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
- Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho, USA
| | - Berrin Serdar
- Environmental Health Associates LLC, Englewood, Colorado, USA
| | - L Miriam Dickinson
- Family Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Kirsten Koehler
- Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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13
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Phosphate Buffer Solubility and Oxidative Potential of Single Metals or Multielement Particles of Welding Fumes. ATMOSPHERE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos12010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the chemical behavior and the health impact of welding fumes (WF), a complex and heterogeneous mixture of particulate metal oxides, two certified reference materials (CRMs) were tested: mild steel WF (MSWF-1) and stainless steel WF (SSWF-1). We determined their total chemical composition, their solubility, and their oxidative potential in a phosphate buffer (PB) solution under physiological conditions (pH 7.4 and 37 °C). The oxidative potential (OPDTT) of WF CRMs was evaluated using an acellular method by following the dithiothreitol (DTT) consumption rate (µmol DTT L−1 min−1). Pure metal salts present in the PB soluble fraction of the WF CRMs were tested individually at equivalent molarity to estimate their specific contribution to the total OPDTT. The metal composition of MSWF-1 consisted mainly of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu and the SSWF-1 composition consisted mainly of Fe, Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Zn, in diminishing order. The metal PB solubility decreased from Cu (11%) to Fe (approximately 0.2%) for MSWF-1 and from Mn (9%) to Fe (<1%) for SSWF-1. The total OPDTT of SSWF-1 is 2.2 times the OPDTT of MSWF-1 due to the difference in oxidative capacity of soluble transition metals. Cu (II) and Mn (II) are the most sensitive towards DTT while Cr (VI), Fe (III), and Zn (II) are barely reactive, even at higher concentrations. The OPDTT measured for both WF CRMs extracts compare well with simulated extracts containing the main metals at their respective PB-soluble concentrations. The most soluble transition metals in the simulated extract, Mn (II) and Cu (II), were the main contributors to OPDTT in WF CRMs extracts. Mn (II), Cu (II), and Ni (II) might enhance the DTT oxidation by a redox catalytic reaction. However, summing the main individual soluble metal DTT response induces a large overestimation probably linked to modifications in the speciation of various metals when mixed. The complexation of metals with different ligands present in solution and the interaction between metals in the PB-soluble fraction are important phenomena that can influence OPDTT depletion and therefore the potential health effect of inhaled WF.
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14
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Pega F, Chartres N, Guha N, Modenese A, Morgan RL, Martínez-Silveira MS, Loomis D. The effect of occupational exposure to welding fumes on trachea, bronchus and lung cancer: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2020; 145:106089. [PMID: 32950789 PMCID: PMC7569600 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) are developing joint estimates of the work-related burden of disease and injury (WHO/ILO Joint Estimates), with contributions from a large network of experts. Welding fumes have been classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC); this assessment found sufficient evidence from studies in humans that welding fumes are a cause of lung cancer. In this article, we present the protocol for a systematic review of parameters for estimating the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years from trachea, bronchus and lung cancer attributable to occupational exposure to welding fumes, to inform the development of the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates. OBJECTIVES We aim to systematically review and meta-analyse estimates of the effect of occupational exposure to welding fumes on trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, applying the Navigation Guide systematic review methodology as an organizing framework. DATA SOURCES We will search electronic bibliographic databases for potentially relevant records from published and unpublished studies, including Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CISDOC. We will also search electronic grey literature databases, Internet search engines and organizational websites; hand search reference list of previous systematic reviews and included study records; and consult additional experts. STUDY ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA We will include working-age (≥15 years) workers in the formal and informal economy in any Member State of WHO and/or ILO but exclude children (<15 years) and unpaid domestic workers. The eligible risk factor will be occupational exposure to welding fumes, measured directly or indirectly (i.e., through proxy of relevant occupation, work task, job-exposure matrix, expert judgment or self-report). The eligible outcomes will be trachea, bronchus and lung cancer. We will include randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case-control studies and other non-randomized intervention studies with an estimate of the relative effect of any occupational exposure to welding fumes on the prevalence of, incidence of or mortality from trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, compared with the theoretical minimum risk exposure level of no occupational exposure to welding fumes. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS At least two review authors will independently screen titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria at a first stage and full texts of potentially eligible records at a second stage, followed by extraction of data from qualifying studies. Two or more review authors will assess risk of bias and the quality of evidence, using the Navigation Guide tool or approach. If feasible, we will combine relative risks using meta-analysis. We will report results using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines (PRISMA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Pega
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Nicholas Chartres
- Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Neela Guha
- Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, California Environmental Protection Agency, Oakland, CA, United States
| | - Alberto Modenese
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena & Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Rebecca L Morgan
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Dana Loomis
- School of Community Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV, United States
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15
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Manigrasso M, Protano C, Vitali M, Avino P. Where Do Ultrafine Particles and Nano-Sized Particles Come From? J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 68:1371-1390. [PMID: 31006689 DOI: 10.3233/jad-181266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents an overview of the literature studies on the sources of ultrafine particles (UFPs), nanomaterials (NMs), and nanoparticles (NPs) occurring in indoor (occupational and residential) and outdoor environments. Information on the relevant emission factors, particle concentrations, size, and compositions is provided, and health relevance of UFPs and NPs is discussed. Particular attention is focused on the fraction of particles that upon inhalation deposit on the olfactory bulb, because these particles can possibly translocate to brain and their possible role in neurodegenerative diseases is an important issue emerging in the recent literature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmela Protano
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Vitali
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Avino
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
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16
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Aerodynamic diameter distribution of aerosols from plasma arc cutting for steels at different cutting power levels. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-019-06967-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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17
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Lewinski NA, Secondo LE, Ferri JK. On‐site three‐dimensional printer aerosol hazard assessment: Pilot study of a portable in vitro exposure cassette. PROCESS SAFETY PROGRESS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/prs.12030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nastassja A. Lewinski
- Department of Chemical and Life Science EngineeringVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA, 23284
| | - Lynn E. Secondo
- Department of Chemical and Life Science EngineeringVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA, 23284
| | - James K. Ferri
- Department of Chemical and Life Science EngineeringVirginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA, 23284
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18
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Yang SY, Lin JM, Lin WY, Chang CW. Cancer risk assessment for occupational exposure to chromium and nickel in welding fumes from pipeline construction, pressure container manufacturing, and shipyard building in Taiwan. J Occup Health 2018; 60:515-524. [PMID: 30122732 PMCID: PMC6281631 DOI: 10.1539/joh.2018-0075-fs] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed the cancer risks resulting from the exposure to chromium, hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI) ), oxidic nickel (Ni), and soluble Ni in welding fumes during pipeline and shipyard construction and pressure container manufacturing in Taiwan. We also determined the roles of welding performance and demographic characteristics during the exposure to Cr and Ni. METHODS Personal air samples were collected for the analysis of Cr and Ni, and the concentrations of Cr (VI), oxidic Ni, and soluble Ni were quantified. We assessed cancer slope factors for Cr, Cr (VI), oxidic Ni, and soluble Ni, and we used the Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk model proposed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to calculate excess risk. RESULTS The risks of exposure to Cr and Cr (VI) in welding fumes exceeded the acceptable level of occupational exposure (10-3). We ranked the excess cancer risk in three industries in decreasing order as follows: pipeline construction, shipyard construction, and pressure container manufacturing. The most sensitive parameters for the risk assessment were Cr and Ni concentrations. Statistically significant determinants of Cr (VI), oxidic Ni, and soluble Ni concentrations were the following: stainless steel as the base metal and the filler metals of shielded metal arc welding (SMAW) and of gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). CONCLUSION The study revealed that welders belong to a high cancer-risk group. Furthermore, we demonstrated the roles of filler metals and stainless steel in exposure to Cr and Ni.
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Affiliation(s)
- Show-Yi Yang
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University
- Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor in Taiwan
| | - Jia-Ming Lin
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University
| | - Wan-Yu Lin
- Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University
| | - Ching-Wen Chang
- Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University
- Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University
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19
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Riccelli MG, Goldoni M, Andreoli R, Mozzoni P, Pinelli S, Alinovi R, Selis L, Mutti A, Corradi M. Biomarkers of exposure to stainless steel tungsten inert gas welding fumes and the effect of exposure on exhaled breath condensate. Toxicol Lett 2018; 292:108-114. [PMID: 29719222 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The respiratory tract is the main target organ of the inhaled hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) and nickel (Ni) contained in stainless steel (SS) welding fumes (WFs). The aim of this study was to investigate the Cr and Ni content of the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of SS tungsten inert gas (TIG) welders, and relate their concentrations with oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. EBC and urine from 100 SS TIG welders were collected pre-(T0) and post-shift (T1) on a Friday, and pre-shift (T2) on the following Monday morning. Both EBC and urinary Cr concentrations were higher at T1 (0.08 μg/L and 0.71 μg/g creatinine) and T0 (0.06 μg/L and 0.74 μg/g creatinine) than at T2 (below the limit of detection [LOD] and 0.59 μg/g creatinine), and EBC Ni concentrations generally remained <LOD. EBC hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration increased from 0.18 μM at T0 to 0.25 μM at T1, but had decreased to 0.16 μM by T2. EBC malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were higher at T0 (2.79 nM) and T1 (2.98 nM) than at T2 (2.43 nM), and EBC 4-hydroxy-nonenal (HNE) concentrations were higher at T0 (0.53 nM) than at T2 (0.51 nM). These findings confirm that, unlike Ni-EBC, Cr-EBC is a reliable biomarker of exposure even at very low environmental concentrations. However, given the weak relationship between the biomarkers and effects of exposure, we speculate that other substances generated during SS TIG welding also play a role in generating lung oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Goldoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - Paola Mozzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Silvana Pinelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - Luisella Selis
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Mutti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Massimo Corradi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
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20
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Zhao J, Nelson J, Dada O, Pyrgiotakis G, Kavouras IG, Demokritou P. Assessing electronic cigarette emissions: linking physico-chemical properties to product brand, e-liquid flavoring additives, operational voltage and user puffing patterns. Inhal Toxicol 2018; 30:78-88. [PMID: 29564955 PMCID: PMC6459014 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2018.1450462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Users of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are exposed to particles and other gaseous pollutants. However, major knowledge gaps on the physico-chemical properties of such exposures and contradictory data in published literature prohibit health risk assessment. Here, the effects of product brand, type, e-liquid flavoring additives, operational voltage, and user puffing patterns on emissions were systematically assessed using a recently developed, versatile, e-cig exposure generation platform and state-of-the-art analytical methods. Parameters of interest in this systematic evaluation included two brands (A and B), three flavors (tobacco, menthol, and fruit), three types of e-cigs (disposable, pre-filled, and refillable tanks), two puffing protocols (4 and 2 s/puff), and four operational voltages (2.2-5.7 V). Particles were generated at a high number concentration (106-107 particles/cm3). The particle size distribution was bi-modal (∼200 nm and 1 µm). Furthermore, organic species (humectants propylene glycol and glycerin, nicotine) that were present in e-liquid and trace metals (potassium and sodium) that were present on e-cig heating coil were also released into the emission. In addition, combustion-related byproducts, such as benzene and toluene, were also detected in the range of 100-38,000 ppbv/puff. Parametric analyzes performed in this study show the importance of e-cig brand, type, flavor additives, user puffing pattern (duration and frequency), and voltage on physico-chemical properties of emissions. This observed influence is indicative of the complexity associated with the toxicological screening of emissions from e-cigs and needs to be taken into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayuan Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordan Nelson
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Oluwabunmi Dada
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Georgios Pyrgiotakis
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ilias G. Kavouras
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Department of Environmental Health, Center for Nanotechnology and Nanotoxicology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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21
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Bencsik A, Lestaevel P, Guseva Canu I. Nano- and neurotoxicology: An emerging discipline. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 160:45-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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22
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Chuang HC, Su TY, Chuang KJ, Hsiao TC, Lin HL, Hsu YT, Pan CH, Lee KY, Ho SC, Lai CH. Pulmonary exposure to metal fume particulate matter cause sleep disturbances in shipyard welders. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 232:523-532. [PMID: 28988870 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disorders may pose a risk to workers in the workplace. We aimed to investigate the associations between metal fume fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sleep quality in workers. We assessed the effects of personal exposure to metal fume PM2.5 on lung functions, urinary biomarkers, and sleep quality in shipyard welding workers. In total, 96 welding workers and 54 office workers were recruited in the present study; office workers were exposed to 82.1 ± 94.1 μg/m3 PM2.5 and welding workers were exposed to 2166.5 ± 3149.1 μg/m3. Welding workers had significantly lower levels of FEV25-75 than office workers (p < 0.05). An increase in 1 μg/m3 PM2.5 was associated with a decrease of 0.003 ng/mL in urinary serotonin (95% CI = -0.007-0.000, p < 0.05) in all workers and with a decrease of 0.001 ng/mL in serotonin (95% CI = -0.004-0.002, p < 0.05) in welding workers, but these were not observed in office workers. There was no significant association of PM2.5 with urinary cortisol observed in any workers. Urinary serotonin was associated with urinary Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, and Pb. Urinary cortisol was associated with Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, and Pb. Sixteen subjects were randomly selected from each of the office and welding workers for personal monitoring of sleep quality using a wearable device. We observed that welding workers had greater awake times than did office workers (p < 0.05). Our study observed that exposure to heavy metals in metal fume PM2.5 may disrupt sleep quality in welding workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Chi Chuang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ting-Yao Su
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Jen Chuang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chih Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ling Lin
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ting Hsu
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hong Pan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chuan Ho
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Huang Lai
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
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23
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Miettinen M, Torvela T, Leskinen JTT. Physicochemical Characterization of Aerosol Generated in the Gas Tungsten Arc Welding of Stainless Steel. ANNALS OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE 2016; 60:960-8. [PMID: 27390355 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mew039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Exposure to stainless steel (SS) welding aerosol that contain toxic heavy metals, chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni), has been associated with numerous adverse health effects. The gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is commonly applied to SS and produces high number concentration of substantially smaller particles compared with the other welding techniques, although the mass emission rate is low. Here, a field study in a workshop with the GTAW as principal welding technique was conducted to determine the physicochemical properties of the airborne particles and to improve the understanding of the hazard the SS welding aerosols pose to welders. METHODS Particle number concentration and number size distribution were measured near the breathing zone (50cm from the arc) and in the middle of the workshop with condensation particle counters and electrical mobility particle sizers, respectively. Particle morphology and chemical composition were studied using scanning and transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. RESULTS In the middle of the workshop, the number size distribution was unimodal with the geometric mean diameter (GMD) of 46nm. Near the breathing zone the number size distribution was multimodal, and the GMDs of the modes were in the range of 10-30nm. Two different agglomerate types existed near the breathing zone. The first type consisted of iron oxide primary particles with size up to 40nm and variable amounts of Cr, Mn, and Ni replacing iron in the structure. The second type consisted of very small primary particles and contained increased proportion of Ni compared to the proportion of (Cr + Mn) than the first agglomerate type. CONCLUSIONS The alterations in the distribution of Ni between different welding aerosol particles have not been reported previously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Miettinen
- 1.Fine Particle and Aerosol Technology Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland;
| | - Tiina Torvela
- 1.Fine Particle and Aerosol Technology Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari T T Leskinen
- 2.SIB Labs, University of Eastern Finland, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
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Graczyk H, Lewinski N, Zhao J, Sauvain JJ, Suarez G, Wild P, Danuser B, Riediker M. Increase in oxidative stress levels following welding fume inhalation: a controlled human exposure study. Part Fibre Toxicol 2016; 13:31. [PMID: 27286820 PMCID: PMC4901438 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-016-0143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding represents one of the most widely used metal joining processes in industry. It has been shown to generate a large majority of particles at the nanoscale and to have low mass emission rates when compared to other types of welding. Despite evidence that TIG fume particles may produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), limited data is available for the time course changes of particle-associated oxidative stress in exposed TIG welders. METHODS Twenty non-smoking male welding apprentices were exposed to TIG welding fumes for 60 min under controlled, well-ventilated settings. Exhaled breathe condensate (EBC), blood and urine were collected before exposure, immediately after exposure, 1 h and 3 h post exposure. Volunteers participated in a control day to account for oxidative stress fluctuations due to circadian rhythm. Biological liquids were assessed for total reducing capacity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations at each time point. A linear mixed model was used to assess within day and between day differences. RESULTS Significant increases in the measured biomarkers were found at 3 h post exposure. At 3 h post exposure, we found a 24 % increase in plasma-H2O2 concentrations ([95%CI: 4 % to 46 %], p = 0.01); a 91 % increase in urinary-H2O2 ([2 % to 258 %], p = 0.04); a 14 % increase in plasma-8-OHdG ([0 % to 31 %], p = 0.049); and a 45 % increase in urinary-8-OHdG ([3 % to 105 %], p = 0.03). Doubling particle number concentration (PNC) exposure was associated with a 22 % increase of plasma-8-OHdG at 3 h post exposure (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION A 60-min exposure to TIG welding fume in a controlled, well-ventilated setting induced acute oxidative stress at 3 h post exposure in healthy, non-smoking apprentice welders not chronically exposed to welding fumes. As mass concentration of TIG welding fume particles is very low when compared to other types of welding, it is recommended that additional exposure metrics such as PNC are considered for occupational risk assessments. Our findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness of TIG welding fume toxicity, especially given the realities of welding workplaces that may lack ventilation; and beliefs among interviewed welders that TIG represents a cleaner and safer welding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halshka Graczyk
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Nastassja Lewinski
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland.,Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Jiayuan Zhao
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jean-Jacques Sauvain
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Suarez
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Wild
- Department of Scientific Management, National Institute for Research and Security, INRS, Vandoeuvre, 54500, France
| | - Brigitta Danuser
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Michael Riediker
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland. .,SAFENANO, IOM Singapore, Singapore, 048622, Singapore.
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