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Stevens ME, Brew DW, Paustenbach DJ. Occupational exposures to asbestos in the steel industry: An analysis of the AISI sampling campaign (1989-1997). J Occup Environ Hyg 2024:1-11. [PMID: 38608274 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2024.2328804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) gathered data between 1989 and 1997 to build an "objective database" to further understand the occupational exposures generated by the few asbestos-containing materials remaining at various steelmaking companies at this time. This paper analyzed the 520 samples from this campaign which occurred at five different steel manufacturers: Georgetown Steel Company, Inland Steel Company, Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) Corporation, United States Steel Corporation, and Weirton Steel Corporation. This database is believed to have never previously been systematically organized. Samples were grouped based on sampling times to determine whether they should most appropriately be compared to the OSHA short-term excursion limit (EL) or the 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA) permissible exposure limit (PEL). Sampling times of 30 min or less were considered short-term samples, and samples of 180 min or greater were considered representative workday samples. Samples that did not fit into either category, with sampling times between 31 and 179 min, were considered task samples. Overall, the data indicated that the airborne concentrations were quite low in 1989 and they continued to be low through the study period which ended in 1997. Only seven out of 286 (approximately 2.5%) short-term or representative workday samples were in exceedance of the current OSHA OELs that were implemented in 1994 (short-term samples being compared to the 1 f/cc EL and representative workday samples being compared to the 0.1 f/cc 8-hr TWA PEL). Consistent with prior data, analysis of this dataset supports the view that materials containing asbestos were not used in many applications in the steel industry, and measured airborne concentrations of asbestos were almost always below the occupational exposure limits (OELs) in the post-OSHA era (1972-2000).
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Zanoletti A, Bontempi E. The impacts of earthquakes on air pollution and strategies for mitigation: a case study of Turkey. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2024; 31:24662-24672. [PMID: 38411917 PMCID: PMC10998790 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32592-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
This study delves into the repercussions of the 2023 earthquake in Turkey, particularity its impact on air pollution. A year post-event, it is evident that scientific literature has paid limited attention to monitoring the situation. However, the release of hazardous substances, such as asbestos, lead, and other toxins, from damaged structures poses a significant threat by contaminating nearby air, soil, and water sources, thereby jeopardizing ecosystems and public well-being. The improper disposal of waste post-earthquake and the presence of mining and oil refinery sites in the region contribute to potential air pollutants. These circumstances create challenging environments conducive to the spread of respiratory diseases, with potential long-term health and social consequences. Unfortunately, existing data gaps hinder a comprehensive understanding of the situation. This paper pioneers the reporting and analysis of data regarding potential sources of air pollution resulting from the earthquake in Turkey. It also pinpoints gaps in knowledge, outlining areas that demand further investigation. To effectively prevent and mitigate air pollution risks and associated health concerns linked to earthquakes, strategic recommendations are proposed. A key suggestion is the establishment of post-disaster air pollution monitoring systems capable of swiftly identifying emerging health issues, facilitating efficient responses, and curtailing potential long-term effects of the disaster. The paper underscores the necessity for continuous health monitoring of the affected population to mitigate possible adverse impacts on human health. These strategies play a pivotal role in reducing the likelihood of air pollution, supporting emergency response and recovery initiatives, and fostering new dedicated scientific studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Zanoletti
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elza Bontempi
- INSTM and Chemistry for Technologies Laboratory, Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze, 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy.
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Sakakibara Y, Sakai K, Hisanaga N, Toyama N, Takase H, Saito I, Kawai T, Suzuki T, Miyake A, Nakano H, Shibata E, Kamijima M. Asbestos in organochlorine insecticide powder sprinkled between pages of antiquarian books in a library in Japan. Ind Health 2024:2023-0185. [PMID: 38522926 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2023-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Librarians at a university had planned to check the collection prior to the library renovations that began in 2015. They had previous knowledge of the presence of a light greyish-white powder with an unpleasant odour (hereinafter referred to as 'powder') sprinkled between the pages of antiquarian books in the library archive. The purpose of this study was to identify this powder with the help of experts from both inside and outside the university. The powder was qualitatively analysed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry after hexane extraction. The powder was examined under a polarised light microscope and a field-emission scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer. Benzene hexachloride (BHC) was detected in the powder. Talc was the most abundant particle in the powder. The powder also contained 0.52 wt% asbestos, which belonged to the tremolite-actinolite series. No other types of asbestos were detected. The powder was presumed to be a bulking agent for BHC, and its major constituent was talc. This is the first report on asbestos-containing insecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kiyoshi Sakai
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | | | | | - Hiroshi Takase
- Core Laboratory, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
| | - Isao Saito
- Food Safety and Quality Research Center, TOKAI CO-OP Federation, Japan
| | - Toshio Kawai
- Osaka Occupational Health Service Center, Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association, Japan
| | | | - Akira Miyake
- Department of Science Education, Aichi University of Education, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Nakano
- Department of Science Education, Aichi University of Education, Japan
| | - Eiji Shibata
- Yokkaichi Nursing and Medical Care University, Japan
| | - Michihiro Kamijima
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Japan
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Stevens ME, Paustenbach DJ, Lockhart NJ, Busboom DE, Deckard BM, Brew DW. The presence of erionite in North American geologies and the estimated mesothelioma potency by region. Inhal Toxicol 2024; 36:158-173. [PMID: 38583132 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2024.2322496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Erionite is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral found in soils in some geographical regions. Known for its potency for causing mesothelioma in the Cappadocia region of Turkey, the erionite fiber has attracted interest in the United States due to its presence in a band of rock that extends from Mexico to Montana. There are few toxicology studies of erionite, but all show it to have unusually high chronic toxicity. Despite its high potency compared to asbestos fibers, erionite has no occupational or environmental exposure limits. This paper takes what has been learned about the chemical and physical characteristics of the various forms of asbestos (chrysotile, amosite, anthophyllite, and crocidolite) and predicts the potency of North American erionite fibers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Based on the fiber potency model in Korchevskiy et al. (2019) and the available published information on erionite, the estimated mesothelioma potency factors (the proportion of mesothelioma mortality per unit cumulative exposure (f/cc-year)) for erionites in the western United States were determined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The model predicted potency factors ranged from 0.19 to 11.25 (average ∼3.5), depending on the region. For reference, crocidolite (the most potent commercial form of asbestos) is assigned a potency factor ∼0.5. CONCLUSION The model predicted mesothelioma potency of Turkish erionite (4.53) falls in this same range of potencies as erionite found in North America. Although it can vary by region, a reasonable ratio of average mesothelioma potency based on this model is 3,000:500:100:1 comparing North American erionite, crocidolite, amosite, and chrysotile (from most potent to least potent).
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Fitzgerald SM. Resolving asbestos and ultrafine particulate definitions with carcinogenicity. Lung Cancer 2024; 189:107478. [PMID: 38301599 DOI: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
As asbestos fibers and other fine particles have been studied extensively to correlate physical and chemical properties with their potential for negative human health impact on inhalation, there remains no concise definitions for the individual particle types nor collective considerations of combined variabilities. Extensive studies relating negative health to asbestos morphology, chemistry, surface effects, and biodurability form general qualitative bins of what is more likely causative or less, but do not provide enough information to quantitatively dismiss particles with parameters outside any given range. Further, natural mineral species and accessory mineralization makes standardization of universally applicable reference materials nearly unobtainable. With modern advent of engineered nanoparticles, we are adding even more unknowns to the universe of the microscopic size fraction and its potential for human disease, and our paradigm is challenged.
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Kim SY, Chang HK, Kwon O, Park J, Myong JP. Asbestos Exposure and Ovarian Cancer: A Meta-analysis. Saf Health Work 2024; 15:1-8. [PMID: 38496274 PMCID: PMC10944147 DOI: 10.1016/j.shaw.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Monograph conducted a systematic review of the relationship between asbestos and ovarian cancer. However, there may have been information bias due to the undue weight given to few articles. To address this limitation, the present study performed a meta-analysis integrating studies published both before and after the 2012 IARC Monograph on Asbestos, with the aim of investigating the association between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer. Methods A comprehensive search of major journal databases was conducted to identify studies examining the relationship between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer, including those featured in the 2012 IARC Monograph on Asbestos. A meta-analysis on asbestos exposure and cancer risk was performed. Results The meta-analysis of studies published after the 2012 IARC Monograph on Asbestos found a summary Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) of 2.04 (95% CI: 1.03-4.05; p = 0.0123; 5 studies), with a significant degree of heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 72.99%). The combined analysis of 15 studies before and after the 2012 IARC Monograph showed an overall summary SMR of 1.72 (95% CI: 1.43-2.06; p = 0.0349; 15 studies), with a moderate degree of heterogeneity (I2 = 42.99%). Conclusion This meta-analysis provides evidence of a significant association between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer mortality. While the possibility of misdiagnosis in earlier studies cannot be completely ruled out, recent findings suggest a robust correlation between asbestos exposure and ovarian cancer. This highlights the importance of sustained efforts to minimize asbestos exposure and protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo Young Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha Kyun Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University School of Medicine, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ohwi Kwon
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - JaeYoung Park
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Pyo Myong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Fantone S, Tossetta G, Cianfruglia L, Frontini A, Armeni T, Procopio AD, Pugnaloni A, Gualtieri AF, Marzioni D. Mechanisms of action of mineral fibres in a placental syncytiotrophoblast model: An in vitro toxicology study. Chem Biol Interact 2024; 390:110895. [PMID: 38301883 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2024.110895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Asbestos has been widely used due to its unique characteristics. It is known that exposure to asbestos causes serious damage to health but one species, chrysolite, is still used because it is considered less toxic and not biopersistent in some countries. The aim of our study was to investigate if cellular process underlying the proliferation, differentiation and cell death of placental tissues could be modify in presence of asbestos fibres (50 μg/ml final concentration), long chrysolite fibres (CHR-L) and short chrysolite fibres (CHR-S), using BeWo cell line, an in vitro model that mimics the syncytiotrophoblast (STB), the outer layer of placental villi. Our data demonstrated that none of the fibres analysed alter syncytiotrophoblast formation but all of them induce ROS formation and reduced cell proliferation. Moreover, we showed that only CHR-L fibre induced was able to induce irreversible DNA alterations that carried cells to apoptosis. In fact, BeWo cells exposed to CHR-L fibre showed a significant increase in cleaved CASP3 protein, a marker of apoptosis. These data suggest that CHR-L may induce death of the placental villi leading to impaired placental development. The impairment of placental development is the basis of many gestational pathologies such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation. Since these pathologies are very dangerous for foetal and maternal life, we suggest to the gynaecologists to carefully evaluate the area of maternal residence, the working environment, the food used, and the materials used daily to avoid contact with these fibres as much as possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Fantone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Laura Cianfruglia
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Frontini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Tatiana Armeni
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonio D Procopio
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Clinical Laboratory and Molecular Diagnostic, IRCCS INRCA, Ancona, Italy
| | - Armanda Pugnaloni
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, DISCLIMO, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro F Gualtieri
- Chemical and Earth Sciences Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Marzioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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Mukhopadhyay D, Cocco P, Orrù S, Cherchi R, De Matteis S. The role of MicroRNAs as early biomarkers of asbestos-related lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pulmonology 2024:S2531-0437(24)00015-1. [PMID: 38402124 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asbestos is still the leading cause of occupational cancer mortality worldwide. Asbestos-related lung cancer (LC) and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) prognosis is still poor especially at advanced stage, so early diagnosis biomarkers are needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as potential early diagnostic biomarkers of asbestos-related LC and MPM. AIM To evaluate the role of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of asbestos-related LC and MPM by performing a literature systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS MEDLINE, EMBASE via Ovid, PUBMED and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched up to April 2023 to identify relevant articles. A grey literature search was also conducted using the Google Scholar platform. MeSH and free text terms for 'asbestos', 'occupational exposure', 'lung cancer', 'mesothelioma' and 'miRNAs' were used to search the literature. Our systematic review protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database. Study quality was assessed via the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS From the search, 331 articles were retrieved, and, after applying our selection criteria, and exclusion of one study for poor quality, 27 studies were included in the review. Most of the studies were hospital-based case-control, conducted in Europe, and evaluated MPM among men only. MiRNAs expression was measured mainly in plasma or serum. MiR-126, miR-132-3p, and miR-103a-3p were the most promising diagnostic biomarkers for MPM, and we estimated a pooled area under the curve (AUC) of 85 %, 73 %, and 50 %, respectively. In relation to MPM prognosis, miR-197‑3p resulted associated with increased survival time. MiR-126, alone and combined with miR-222, was confirmed associated also to LC diagnosis, together with miR-1254 and miR-574-5p; no miRNA was found associated to LC prognosis. CONCLUSION Based on our systematic literature review there is suggestive evidence that the expression of specific miRNAs in the blood serum or plasma are associated with asbestos-related LC and MPM diagnosis and prognosis. Further large longitudinal studies are urgently needed to validate these findings and elucidate the underlying mechanisms given the potential important implications for patients' survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Mukhopadhyay
- Molecular and Translational Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - P Cocco
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Division of Population Health, Health Services Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - S Orrù
- Operative Unit of Medical Genetics, Health Agency of Sardinia, Hospital Binaghi, Cagliari, Italy; Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - R Cherchi
- Operative Unit of Thoracic Surgery, Hospital G. Brotzu, Cagliari, Italy
| | - S De Matteis
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; NHLI, Imperial College London, United Knigdom.
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Bonifazi G, Capobianco G, Serranti S, Trotta O, Bellagamba S, Malinconico S, Paglietti F. Asbestos detection in construction and demolition waste by different classification methods applied to short-wave infrared hyperspectral images. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc 2024; 307:123672. [PMID: 37995651 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.123672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
In this study, different multivariate classification methods were applied to hyperspectral images acquired, in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000-2500 nm), to define and evaluate quality control actions applied to construction and demolition waste (C&DW) flow streams, with particular reference to the detection of hazardous material as asbestos. Three asbestos fibers classes (i.e., amosite, chrysotile and crocidolite) inside asbestos-containing materials (ACM) were investigated. Samples were divided into two groups: calibration and validation datasets. The acquired hyperspectral images were first explored by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The following multivariate classification methods were selected in order to verify and compare their efficiency and robustness: Hierarchical Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis (Hi-PLSDA), Principal Component Analysis k-Nearest Neighbors (PCA-kNN) and Error Correcting Output Coding with Support Vector Machines (ECOC-SVM). The classification results obtained for the three models were evaluated by prediction maps and the values of performance parameters (Sensitivity and Specificity). Micro-X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF) maps confirmed the correctness of classification results. The results demonstrate how SWIR-HSI technology, coupled with multivariate analysis modelling, is a promising approach to develop both "off-line" and "online" fast, reliable and robust quality control strategies, finalized to perform a quick assessment of ACM presence.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bonifazi
- Department of Chemical Engineering Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - G Capobianco
- Department of Chemical Engineering Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - S Serranti
- Department of Chemical Engineering Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - O Trotta
- Department of Chemical Engineering Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - S Bellagamba
- Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements, Rome, Italy
| | - S Malinconico
- Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements, Rome, Italy
| | - F Paglietti
- Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL), Department of Technological Innovations and Safety of Plants, Products and Anthropic Settlements, Rome, Italy
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Yang HY, Furuya S, Toyama N. Environmental asbestos exposure from nephrite jade mining and lung cancer. J Formos Med Assoc 2024:S0929-6646(24)00082-2. [PMID: 38326151 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2024.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nephrite is an asbestos mineral composed of tremolite and actinolite. Fengtian is a community where nephrite was mined between 1970 and 1980 and asbestos was mined between 1960 and 1985. The lung cancer risk to the surrounding community is unknown. AIMS To analyse the trend of lung cancer caused by environmental contamination from nephrite mining. METHODS We conducted a field survey of nephrite mines and tracked new cases of lung cancer from 1980 to 2019. We calculated the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and applied join-point regression to examine the lung cancer trend. We assessed the age effect, period effect, and birth cohort effect on lung cancer risk. RESULTS The nephrite mines were contaminated with chrysotile and tremolite/actinolite asbestos. A total of 278 new cases of lung cancer were reported during the study period. There was an apparent age effect and a slight period effect for lung cancer. After adjustment for the age and period effects, the birth cohort born between 1970 and 1980 during the period of nephrite mass production had the highest relative risk compared with other birth cohorts. The ASIR of lung cancer increased significantly from 1980 to 2010 (the annual percentage change = 6.8 %, 95 % CI: 4.0-9.7 %, P < 0.01) and then decreased 30 years after the cessation of nephrite jade mining. CONCLUSIONS Nephrite mining increases the risk of lung cancer in nearby communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Yu Yang
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, 10055, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, National Taiwan University College of Public Health, 10055, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, 100225, Taipei, Taiwan; Population Health Research Center, National Taiwan University, Taiwan.
| | - Sugio Furuya
- Japan Occupational Safety and Health Resource Center, 136-0071, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Toyama
- Tokyo Occupational Safety and Health Center, 136-0071, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Rolfe M, Hayes S, Smith M, Owen M, Spruth M, McCarthy C, Forkan A, Banerjee A, Hocking RK. An AI based smart-phone system for asbestos identification. J Hazard Mater 2024; 463:132853. [PMID: 37918071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos identification is a complex environmental and economic challenge. Typical commercial identification of asbestos involves sending samples to a laboratory where someone learned in the field uses light microscopy and specialized mounting to identify the morphologically distinct signatures of Asbestos. In this work we investigate the use of a portable (30x) microscope which works with a smart phone camera to develop an image recognition system. 7328 images from over 1000 distinct samples of cement sheet from Melbourne, Australia were used to train a phone-based image recognition system for Asbestos identification. Three common CNN's were tested ResNet101, InceptionV3 and VGG_16 with ResNet101 achieving the best result. The distinctiveness of Asbestos was found to be identified correctly 90% of the time using a phone-based system and no specialized mounting. The image recognition system was trained with ResNet101 a convolutional neural network deep learning model which weights layers with a residual function. Resulting in an accuracy of 98.46% and loss of 3.8% ResNet101 was found to produce a more accurate model for this use-case than other deep learning neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Rolfe
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and Department of Computing Technologies, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Samantha Hayes
- Agon Environmental Pty, Ltd 63-85 Turner Street, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
| | - Meaghan Smith
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and Department of Computing Technologies, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Matthew Owen
- Identifibre Pty Ltd., 67 Atherton Road, Oakleigh, VIC 3166, Australia
| | - Michael Spruth
- Agon Environmental Pty, Ltd 63-85 Turner Street, Port Melbourne, VIC 3207, Australia
| | - Chris McCarthy
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and Department of Computing Technologies, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Abdur Forkan
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and Department of Computing Technologies, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Abhik Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and Department of Computing Technologies, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia
| | - Rosalie K Hocking
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology and Department of Computing Technologies, School of Science, Computing and Engineering Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia.
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12
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McLaughlin ME, Henderson T, Leadon L. Process for maintaining appropriate air quality in a hospital setting during and following a nearby building implosion. J Occup Environ Hyg 2024; 21:119-125. [PMID: 37967319 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2284184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Air quality in a cancer facility is integral to the success of patient treatment. The organization must be committed to providing a patient care environment free of physical and biological hazards that result from construction and demolition activities. This project intended to safely demolish a derelict building in Texas while minimizing air quality risks and impacts to nearby hospitals and a proximal cancer hospital. Two of the neighboring facilities were less than 18 feet (5.5 m) away from the demolition location. Adjacent facilities included inpatient and outpatient cancer treatment clinics, a large data center, a pediatric hospital complex, and a heart institute. Plans to minimize infection risks and dust for respective facilities were designed before implosion and remained in place until total debris removal. Risk assessments of nearby buildings were completed to determine the appropriate precautions and physical barriers needed. Culturable and non-culturable fungal air samples were collected during implosion to verify the management of outside contaminants. Additionally, continuous particulate and routine sampling for culturable and non-culturable fungi were performed for approximately 7 months after the project demolition. Air sampling results from 32 internal areas indicated that most areas remained at pre-implosion background levels. Areas that experienced elevated particle counts were cleaned and resampled, and baseline values returned to pre-implosion levels within 12 hr. Fungal air sampling results were acceptable based on predetermined infection control guidelines. The building was successfully demolished via implosion with no injuries and minimal damage to nearby facilities. The team learned that an integrated approach to project management that includes all stakeholders is essential to success. Contingency planning should account for all variables; no assumptions should be made. Staffing plans should be reviewed to ensure the sampling strategy developed can be implemented appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Elena McLaughlin
- Environmental Health & Safety, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Tina Henderson
- Environmental Health & Safety, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Linette Leadon
- Environmental Health & Safety, The University of Texas at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Gottesfeld P. Exposure hazards from continuing use and removal of asbestos cement products. Ann Work Expo Health 2024; 68:8-18. [PMID: 37950621 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxad066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Asbestos cement (AC) is used in water pipes, roofing, exterior siding, water tanks, cooling towers, and other applications. Although the global market for asbestos is slowly shrinking, AC products continue to dominate the remaining uses in many countries. This review focuses on asbestos exposures during the installation, maintenance, and ultimate removal of these materials. This assessment summarizes the available published and unpublished reports of airborne asbestos exposures during the cutting and removal of AC pipes, roofing, sheets, and cooling tower components and the range of exposures associated with the most common work practices. Task-based exposures from cutting AC pipe ranged from 11.3 to 129.0 f/cm3 with a mean exposure of 53.8 f/cm3. Cutting flat boards and corrugated roofing AC sheets resulted in exposures ranging from 1.3 to 130.0 f/cm3 with a mean of 24.0 f/cm3. Exposures for power saw cutting of AC sheets and pipes fit lognormal distributions and suggest that more than 86% of these tasks with AC sheet and 100% of the tasks with AC pipe exceed the US short-term Excursion Limit. Intermittent high exposures from the ongoing use of AC products in countries around the world are associated with an increased lifetime risk of asbestos-related disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Perry Gottesfeld
- Occupational Knowledge International, 4444 Geary Boulevard, Suite 208, San Francisco, CA 94118, United States
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14
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Visonà SD, Capella S, Borrelli P, Villani S, Favaron C, Kurzhunbaeva Z, Colosio C, Belluso E. Asbestos burden in lungs of non-occupationally exposed women from Broni (Pavia, Italy): a postmortem SEM-EDS study. J Thorac Dis 2023; 15:6555-6569. [PMID: 38249898 PMCID: PMC10797346 DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-1061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Background In Italy the incidence of malignant mesothelioma (MM) among women is remarkably high, due to the several contexts in which women had been exposed to asbestos. However, very few studies in literature focus on the inorganic lung content in women. The aim of this retrospective, observational study is to investigate the asbestos lung burden, in terms of concentration, dimensions and type of asbestos, in 42 women who died from MM and had been non-occupationally exposed to asbestos during the activity of the asbestos-cement plant located in Broni (Pavia, Northern Italy) where mainly chrysotile, crocidolite and amosite were used. Methods Lung samples taken during forensic autopsies have been digested using sodium hypochlorite and filtered through a cellulose-ester membrane. The filter was examined using a scanning electron microscope and the chemical composition of the fibers was analyzed using an electron dispersive spectroscopy. The number of detected inorganic fibers, asbestos fibers and asbestos bodies (ABs) were normalized to 1 gram of dry tissue. Results In six samples no asbestos has been detected. Overall, the most represented kind of asbestos was amosite, followed by crocidolite, tremolite/actinolite asbestos and chrysotile. The concentration of all inorganic fibers was significantly higher in women with environmental and household exposures compared with those with only environmental exposure (P=0.025), as well as the concentration of asbestos fibers (P=0.019) and ABs (P=0.049). We found a significant correlation between the concentration of asbestos fibers and the duration of exposure (rho =0.413, P=0.008), as well as with the latency of MM (rho =0.427, P=0.005). The distance of the residential address from the factory and the time spent daily in contact with asbestos did not influence the lung asbestos burden. Conclusions These results suggest the relevance of the lung clearance of asbestos, regarding mainly chrysotile. As a consequence, although scanning electron microscopy -energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) is considered the most reliable tool for assessing previous exposure to asbestos, its results should be interpreted with caution, especially in a legal context. In addition, our data confirm the relevance of environmental and household exposure in determining asbestos concentration in lungs and highlight the importance of household exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Damiana Visonà
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvana Capella
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates “G. Scansetti”, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Paola Borrelli
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Laboratory of Biostatistics, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Simona Villani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy
| | - Cristina Favaron
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Zhyldyz Kurzhunbaeva
- Department of Health Sciences, Course of Research Doctorate in Public Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Colosio
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Occupational Health Unit, Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Belluso
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates “G. Scansetti”, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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Yu M, Yang D, Chen C, Xia H. Effects of SETD2 on telomere length and malignant transformation property of Met-5A after one-month crocidolite exposure. J Environ Sci Health C Toxicol Carcinog 2023; 41:121-134. [PMID: 37899647 DOI: 10.1080/26896583.2023.2271822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Crocidolite is a carcinogen contributing to the pathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma. This study aimed to characterize the possible telomere-related events mediating the malignant transformation of mesothelial cells with and without SETD2 under crocidolite exposure. The crocidolite concentration resulting in 90% viable SETD2 knockout Met-5A (Met-5ASETD2-KO) and Met-5A were estimated to be 0.71 μg/cm2 and 1.8 μg/cm2, respectively, during 72 h of exposure, which was further employed in chronical crocidolite exposure during a 72 h exposure interval per time up to 1 month. Chronical crocidolite-exposed Met-5ASETD2-KO (chronical Cro-Met-5ASETD2-KO) had higher colony formation and increased telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein levels than chronical crocidolite-exposed Met-5A (chronical Cro-Met-5A) and Met-5ASETD2-KO. Chronical Cro-Met-5ASETD2-KO had longer telomere length (TL) than chronical Cro-Met-5A, although there were no changes in TL for either chronical Cro-Met-5A or chronical Cro-Met-5ASETD2-KO compared with their corresponding cells without crocidolite exposure. BIBR 1532, an inhibitor targeting TERT, partially reduced colony formation and TL for chronical Cro-Met-5ASETD2-KO, while BIBR 1532 reduced TL but had no effect on colony formation for chronical Cro-Met-5A. Therefore, SETD2 deficient mesothelial cells are susceptible to malignant transformation during chronical crocidolite exposure, and TERT-dependent TL modification likely partially drives SETD2 loss-mediated early onset of mesothelial malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yu
- Department of Occupational Health & Radiation Hygiene, Hangzhou Hospital for the Prevention and Treatment of Occupational Disease, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
- School of Public Heath, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Yang
- School of Public Heath, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chiyun Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Cixi People Hospital Medical Health Group (Cixi People Hospital), Cixi, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hailing Xia
- School of Public Heath, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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16
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Visonà SD, Bertoglio B, Favaron C, Capella S, Belluso E, Colosio C, Villani S, Ivic-Pavlicic T, Taioli E. A postmortem case control study of asbestos burden in lungs of malignant mesothelioma cases. J Transl Med 2023; 21:875. [PMID: 38041166 PMCID: PMC10693031 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04761-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asbestos lung content is regarded as the most reliable tool for causal attribution of malignant mesothelioma (MM) to previous asbestos exposures. However, there is a lack of studies on asbestos burden in lungs of MM patients in comparison with healthy individuals. This study aims to provide such a comparison, investigating, as well, differences in asbestos lung burden with sex and time trends. METHODS Asbestos lung content has been assessed on formalin-fixed lung fragments using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) on individuals deceased from MM (cases) and healthy subjects without any lung disease who died from violent causes (controls) between 2005 and 2023. RESULTS Asbestos and asbestos bodies (ABs) were found, respectively, in 73.7% and 43.2% of cases and in 28 and 22% of controls; in MM cases the most represented asbestos types were crocidolite and amosite, whereas in controls it was tremolite-actinolite asbestos. The concentration of both asbestos fibers and ABs was statistically significantly higher in MM cases compared to controls. The mean asbestos fibers width was also significantly higher in cases than controls. Males and females with MM showed similar asbestos and ABs concentrations, but females had higher concentrations of chrysotile, and significantly lower fibers width compared to males. Time trends show that MM lung asbestos concentrations decreased starting in 2011. DISCUSSION The results suggest a correlation between asbestos burden in lungs and MM risk. The different concentration of chrysotile, as well as the different width of asbestos fibers in MM males and females might reflect a sex difference in response of the lung microenvironment to inhaled asbestos. Finally, this study provides the first pathological evidence of the effect of the ban of asbestos use, demonstrating a significant decrease of asbestos lung content after 2011.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Visonà
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
| | - B Bertoglio
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - C Favaron
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - S Capella
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates "G. Scansetti", University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - E Belluso
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates "G. Scansetti", University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - C Colosio
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Occupational Health Unit, Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - S Villani
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy
| | - T Ivic-Pavlicic
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology and Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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17
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Bonfiglio R, Scimeca M, Mauriello A. The impact of environmental pollution on cancer: Risk mitigation strategies to consider. Sci Total Environ 2023; 902:166219. [PMID: 37567301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rita Bonfiglio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuel Scimeca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Mauriello
- Department of Experimental Medicine, TOR, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
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18
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Lee FSW, Chen YH, Tran ND, Lin CK, Pham LA. Association between Asbestos Exposure and the Incidence of Kidney Cancer: a Weight-of-Evidence Evaluation and Meta-analysis. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:394-409. [PMID: 37889448 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00415-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Occupational asbestos exposure has been extensively linked to various cancers, with ongoing debates regarding its association with kidney cancer. This study aims to investigate the correlation between occupational asbestos exposure and kidney cancer incidence. Additionally, potential influencing factors are analyzed to enhance the comprehension of the relationship between asbestos exposure and kidney cancer. RECENT FINDING While asbestos has established strong associations with malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, its connection to other malignancies such as gastric, colorectal, and kidney cancers remains under scrutiny. The current study presents mixed opinions on the relationship between asbestos exposure and kidney cancer. Our analysis revealed a potential association between asbestos exposure and the incidence of kidney cancer. Notably, among different types of asbestos, exposure to amphibole appeared to be particularly linked to a higher incident risk of kidney cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Shiuan Whitney Lee
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yu-Han Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, NJ, USA
| | - Ngoc Dang Tran
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Grant and Innovation Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Cheng-Kuan Lin
- School of Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, USA.
- University Medical Shing Mark Hospital, Bien Hoa, Dong Nai, Vietnam.
| | - Le An Pham
- Grant and Innovation Center, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Department of Family Medicine, Hospital of University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
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19
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Gualtieri AF, Malferrari D, Di Giuseppe D, Scognamiglio V, Sala O, Gualtieri ML, Bersani D, Fornasini L, Mugnaioli E. There is plenty of asbestos at the bottom. The case of magnesite raw material contaminated with asbestos fibres. Sci Total Environ 2023; 898:166275. [PMID: 37582451 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Although all six asbestos minerals (the layer silicate chrysotile and five chain silicate species actinolite asbestos, amosite, anthophyllite asbestos, crocidolite and tremolite asbestos) are classified as carcinogenic, chrysotile is still mined and used in many countries worldwide. Other countries, like Italy, impose zero tolerance for all asbestos species, but conflicting views repress the development of globally uniform treaties controlling international trade of asbestos-containing materials. Hence, countries with more severe legislations against the use of these hazardous materials lack of an international safety net against importation of non-compliant products. This research reports the first discovery of commercial magnesite raw materials contaminated with white asbestos (chrysotile). X-ray powder diffraction and thermogravimetric/thermodifferential measurements showed the presence of serpentine group minerals in both the semi-processed (powder) and quarried material. The univocal identification of chrysotile in the powders was confirmed by its peculiar Raman bands of the OH stretching vibrations between 3500 and 3800 cm-1, with an intense peak at ∼3695 cm-1 and a weak contribution at ∼3647 cm-1. Transmission electron microscope showed that chrysotile forms fibres up to a few microns long and up to 80 nm thick with a nanotube structure characterized by inner channels as large as 30-40 nm. Fibres size analysis obtained by scanning electron microscopy indicates mean length and diameter of 5.95 and 0.109 μm with medians of 2.62 and 0.096 μm, respectively; some among the fibres analysed exhibit the so-called "Stanton size" (i.e., asbestos fibres longer than 8 μm and thinner than 0.25 μm that are strongly carcinogenic). Quantitative analysis showed a chrysotile content around 0.01 wt% not allowed by current regulations in Italy and many other countries. More generally, our findings demonstrate that without shared policies aimed at regulating asbestos circulation on the global market, "asbestos-free" national policies will inevitably fail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro F Gualtieri
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; Inter-Departmental Research and Innovation Centre on Construction and Environmental Services of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Daniele Malferrari
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy; Inter-Departmental Research and Innovation Centre on Construction and Environmental Services of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Dario Di Giuseppe
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Scognamiglio
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Orietta Sala
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via G. Campi 103, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | | | - Danilo Bersani
- Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 7/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Laura Fornasini
- Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 7/A, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Enrico Mugnaioli
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Via Santa Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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20
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Sahin ER, Koksal D. Asbestos: Mineralogical features and fiber analysis in biological materials. Arch Environ Occup Health 2023; 78:369-378. [PMID: 37800384 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2264764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos is a mineral with unique physical and chemical properties that make it highly resistant to heat, fire, and corrosion. Nevertheless, exposure to asbestos fibers has been linked to serious health problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Despite the ban on asbestos usage, asbestos-related diseases are still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Analyzing the mineralogical features and fiber analysis of asbestos in biological materials is critical for scenarios where an asbestos exposure history cannot be obtained, a clinical diagnosis cannot be made, or legal aspects necessitate further investigation. This review outlines the mineralogical features and fiber analysis techniques of asbestos in biological materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Reyhan Sahin
- Department of Public Health, Department of Occupational Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Sihhiye/Altindag, Turkey
| | - Deniz Koksal
- Department of Chest Diseases, Director of Mesothelioma and Medical Geology Research Center, Hacettepe University Medical Faculty, Sihhiye/Altindag, Turkey
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21
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Beckett EM, Abelmann A, Roberts B, Lewis RC, Cheatham D, Miller EW, Hall E, Pierce JS. An updated evaluation of reported no-observed adverse effect levels for chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite asbestos for lung cancer and mesothelioma. Crit Rev Toxicol 2023; 53:611-657. [PMID: 38126124 DOI: 10.1080/10408444.2023.2283169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
This analysis updates two previous analyses that evaluated the exposure-response relationships for lung cancer and mesothelioma in chrysotile-exposed cohorts. We reviewed recently published studies, as well as updated information from previous studies. Based on the 16 studies considered for chrysotile (<10% amphibole), we identified the "no-observed adverse effect level" (NOAEL) for lung cancer and/or mesothelioma; it should be noted that smoking or previous or concurrent occupational exposure to amphiboles (if it existed) was not controlled for. NOAEL values ranged from 2.3-<11.5 f/cc-years to 1600-3200 f/cc-years for lung cancer and from 100-<400 f/cc-years to 800-1599 f/cc-years for mesothelioma. The range of best-estimate NOAELs was estimated to be 97-175 f/cc-years for lung cancer and 250-379 f/cc-years for mesothelioma. None of the six cohorts of cement or friction product manufacturing workers exhibited an increased risk at any exposure level, while all but one of the six studies of textile workers reported an increased risk at one or more exposure levels. This is likely because friction and cement workers were exposed to much shorter chrysotile fibers. Only eight cases of peritoneal mesothelioma were reported in all studies on predominantly chrysotile-exposed cohorts combined. This analysis also proposed best-estimate amosite and crocidolite NOAELs for mesothelioma derived by the application of relative potency estimates to the best-estimate chrysotile NOAELs for mesothelioma and validated by epidemiology studies with exposure-response information. The best-estimate amosite and crocidolite NOAELs for mesothelioma were 2-5 f/cc-years and 0.6-1 f/cc-years, respectively. The rate of peritoneal mesothelioma in amosite- and crocidolite-exposed cohorts was between approximately 70- to 100-fold and several-hundred-fold higher than in chrysotile-exposed cohorts, respectively. These findings will help characterize potential worker and consumer health risks associated with historical and current chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ethan Hall
- Benchmark Risk Group, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
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22
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Marinaccio A, Di Marzio D, Mensi C, Consonni D, Gioscia C, Migliore E, Genova C, Rossetto Giaccherino R, Eccher S, Murano S, Comiati V, Casotto V, Negro C, Mangone L, Miligi L, Piro S, Angelini A, Grappasonni I, Madeo G, Cozzi I, Ancona L, Staniscia T, Carrozza F, Cavone D, Vimercati L, Labianca M, Tallarigo F, Cascone G, Melis M, Bonafede M, Scarselli A, Binazzi A. Incidence of mesothelioma in young people and causal exposure to asbestos in the Italian national mesothelioma registry (ReNaM). Occup Environ Med 2023; 80:603-609. [PMID: 37813485 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2023-108983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The epidemiological surveillance of mesothelioma incidence is a crucial key for investigating the occupational and environmental sources of asbestos exposure. The median age at diagnosis is generally high, according to the long latency of the disease. The purposes of this study are to analyse the incidence of mesothelioma in young people and to evaluate the modalities of asbestos exposure. METHODS Incident malignant mesothelioma (MM) cases in the period 1993-2018 were retrieved from Italian national mesothelioma registry and analysed for gender, incidence period, morphology and exposure. Age-standardised rates have been calculated and the multiple correspondence analysis has been performed. The association between age and asbestos exposure has been tested by χ2 test. RESULTS From 1993 to 2018, 30 828 incident MM cases have been collected and 1278 (4.1%) presented diagnosis at early age (≤50 years). There is a substantial association between age at diagnosis and the type of asbestos exposure and a significantly lower frequency of cases with occupational exposure to asbestos (497 cases vs 701 expected) in young people has been documented. Paraoccupational and environmental exposure to asbestos have been found more frequent in young MM cases (85 and 93 observed cases vs 52 and 44 expected cases, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Mesothelioma incidence surveillance at population level and the anamnestic individual research of asbestos exposure is a fundamental tool for monitoring asbestos exposure health effects, supporting the exposure risks prevention policies. Clusters of mesothelioma incident cases in young people are a significant signal of a potential non-occupational exposure to asbestos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Marinaccio
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Di Marzio
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Carolina Mensi
- Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Consonni
- Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Carmela Gioscia
- Valle d'Aosta Health Local Unit, Valle d'Aosta Region, Aosta, Italy
| | - Enrica Migliore
- COR Piemonte, Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Turin and CPO-Piemonte, Torino, Italy
| | - Carlo Genova
- Internal Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | | | - Silvia Eccher
- Provincial Unit of Health Hygiene and Occupational Medicine, COR Province of Trento- APSS, Trento, Italy
| | - Stefano Murano
- Occupational Medicine Unit, COR PA Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Vera Comiati
- COR Veneto, Azienda Zero, Veneto Region, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Corrado Negro
- COR Friuli Venezia Giulia, Unit of Occupational Medicine, University of Trieste, Trieste Hospital, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ilaria Cozzi
- COR Lazio, Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma1, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Ancona
- COR Lazio, Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, ASL Roma1, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Domenica Cavone
- Section Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, COR Puglia, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Luigi Vimercati
- Section Occupational Medicine, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, COR Puglia, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Michele Labianca
- COR Basilicata, Epidemiologic Regional Center, Basilicata Region, Potenza, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Cascone
- Public Health Agency Ragusa (ASP), COR Mesoteliomi della Sicilia, Ragusa, Italy
| | | | - Michela Bonafede
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Scarselli
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Binazzi
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers' Compensation Authority (INAIL), Rome, Italy
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Tabata M, Haraguchi R, Yada M, Umehara T, Furukawa M. Clear and simple detection of asbestos stained with two dyes for building materials collected from disaster and demolition sites using a stereomicroscope. Waste Manag 2023; 171:653-661. [PMID: 37865063 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Whenever houses are demolished or disasters occur, large quantities of building materials are discharged, which may contain asbestos. To prevent the damage caused by asbestos exposure, a rapid asbestos presence confirmation method is required at demolition sites or temporary disaster storage sites. It is difficult to confirm the presence of asbestos in waste building materials by simple observation. However, it can be confirmed by staining the materials with two dyes: methylene blue (MB) with positive charge, and erythrosine (RED-3) with negative charge, and using a stereomicroscope. The method was applied to samples collected from disaster and demolition sites. Asbestos was stained violet or reddish-purple, and the base material of the building materials remained blue. Using this method, even amateur workers can detect asbestos by means of an image in a different color than the building substrate. Furthermore, the present method detected asbestos more explicitly than the official method (JIS A 1482, 1483; detection limit is < 0.1%) recommended by the Japanese government. This cost-effective method is suitable for detecting asbestos at disaster and demolition sites. The mixture of MB and RED-3 formed nanoparticles of size 151 nm and surface charge of -34 mV that selectively stained asbestos. The staining mechanism was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaaki Tabata
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo-machi, Saga 840-8501, Japan.
| | - Ryota Haraguchi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo-machi, Saga 840-8501, Japan
| | - Mitsunori Yada
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo-machi, Saga 840-8501, Japan
| | - Tomoya Umehara
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo-machi, Saga 840-8501, Japan
| | - Mizuha Furukawa
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saga University, 1 Honjo-machi, Saga 840-8501, Japan
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Ramos-Bonilla JP, Giraldo M, Marsili D, Pasetto R, Terracini B, Mazzeo A, Magnani C, Comba P, Lysaniuk B, Cely-García MF, Ascoli V. An Approach to Overcome the Limitations of Surveillance of Asbestos Related Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: What We Learned from the Sibaté Study in Colombia. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:64. [PMID: 37810608 PMCID: PMC10558025 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The asbestos industry began its operations in Colombia in 1942 with the establishment of an asbestos-cement facility in Sibaté, located in the Department of Cundinamarca. Despite extensive asbestos use and production in Colombia, the country lacks a reliable epidemiological surveillance system to monitor the health effects of asbestos exposure. The Colombian health information system, known as SISPRO, did not report mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the municipality, posing a significant challenge in understanding the health impacts of asbestos exposure on the population of Sibaté. Methods To address this issue, an active surveillance strategy was implemented in Sibaté. This strategy involved conducting door-to-door health and socioeconomic structured interviews to identify Asbestos-Related Diseases (ARDs). Validation strategies included a thorough review of medical records by a panel of physicians, and the findings were communicated to local, regional, and national authorities, as well as the general population. Results The active surveillance strategy successfully identified a mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté, revealing the inadequacy of the existing health information system in monitoring asbestos-related diseases. The discovery of this cluster underscores the critical importance of implementing active surveillance strategies in Colombia, where governmental institutions and resources are often limited. Conclusion The findings of this study emphasize the urgent need for Colombia to establish a reliable epidemiological surveillance system for asbestos-related diseases (ARDs). Active surveillance strategies can play a crucial role in identifying mesothelioma clusters and enhancing our understanding of the health effects of asbestos exposure in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Margarita Giraldo
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil y Ambiental, Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniela Marsili
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS, Rome, IT
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, IT
| | - Roberto Pasetto
- Department of Environment and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS, Rome, IT
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health in Contaminated Sites, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, IT
| | - Benedetto Terracini
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bologna, IT
- Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, University of Torino and CPO-Piemonte, Torino, IT
| | - Agata Mazzeo
- Department of History and Cultures, University of Bologna, Bologna, IT
| | - Corrado Magnani
- Collegium Ramazzini, Bologna, IT
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, IT
| | | | | | | | - Valeria Ascoli
- Department of Radiological, Oncological and Anatomo-Pathological Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, IT
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25
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Somigliana AB, Barbieri PG, Cavallo A, Colombo R, Consonni D, Mirabelli D. Lung asbestos fiber burden analysis: effects of the counting rules for legal medicine evaluations. Inhal Toxicol 2023; 35:300-307. [PMID: 37995092 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2023.2285789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The work shows the effect of counting rules, such as analysis magnification and asbestos fiber dimension to be count (with length ≥5 µm or also asbestos fibers with length <5 µm) in the lung asbestos fiber burden analysis for legal medicine evaluations. METHODS On the same lung tissue samples, two different analyses were carried out to count any asbestos fibers with length ≥1 µm and with length ≥5 µm. Results of the amphibole burden of the two analyses were compared by linear regression analysis on log10-transformed values. RESULTS The analysis should be carried out at an appropriate magnification and on samples prepared in such a way as they allow the counting of very fine fibers. If the analysis is limited to the asbestos fibers with length ≥5 µm, there is a high risk of not detecting possible residual chrysotile fiber burden and thinner crocidolite asbestos fibers. CONCLUSIONS On average we estimated that 1 amphibole fiber with length ≥5 µm corresponds to ∼8 amphibole fibers with length ≥1 µm in the lung. The values of the Helsinki criteria should be updated taking this into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Benedetta Somigliana
- Regional Electron Microscopy Centre-Environmental Protection Agency of Lombardy Region, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Gino Barbieri
- Formerly Occupational Health Unit, Local Health Authority and Mesothelioma Registry of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cavallo
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences-DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Colombo
- Biology and Biotechnology Department "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Dario Consonni
- Epidemiology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Mirabelli
- Formerly Unit of Cancer Epidemiology, Department of Medical Sciences, CPO Piemonte and University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Curiel-García T, Rey-Brandariz J, Varela-Lema L, Ruano-Ravina A, Candal-Pedreira C, Mourino N, Moure-Rodríguez L, Figueiras A, Pérez-Ríos M. Asbestos exposure and small cell lung cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis. J Occup Environ Hyg 2023; 20:427-438. [PMID: 37405865 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2023.2232421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos is a mineral that is carcinogenic to humans. Its use has been banned in many occidental countries yet it is still produced in the United States, and materials that contain asbestos remain in many occupational settings and indoor environments. Even though asbestos carcinogenicity is well known, there is scant literature on its specific effects regarding small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine SCLC risk among workers exposed to asbestos. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify studies which reported occupational exposure to asbestos and SCLC-related deaths and/or incidence. We identified seven case-control studies that included 3,231 SCLC cases; four studies reported smoking-adjusted risks. A significantly increased risk of SCLC (pooled OR 1.89; 95% CI, 1.25-2.86) was observed on pooling studies on men (six studies) that displayed moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 46.0%). Overall, our synthesis suggests that occupational exposure to asbestos significantly increases the risk of SCLC on men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Curiel-García
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Medical Oncology, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Julia Rey-Brandariz
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Leonor Varela-Lema
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Cristina Candal-Pedreira
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nerea Mourino
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Lucía Moure-Rodríguez
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Adolfo Figueiras
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Spain
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela - IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), Spain
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27
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Hakkarainen AJ, Randen-Brady R, Wolff H, Mäyränpää MI, Sajantila A. Deep Learning Neural Network-Guided Detection of Asbestos Bodies in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Samples. Acta Cytol 2023; 67:650-658. [PMID: 37725908 DOI: 10.1159/000534149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Asbestos is a global occupational health hazard, and exposure to it by inhalation predisposes to interstitial as well as malignant pulmonary morbidity. Over time, asbestos fibers embedded in lung tissue can become coated with iron-rich proteins and mucopolysaccharides, after which they are called asbestos bodies (ABs) and can be detected in light microscopy (LM). Bronchoalveolar lavage, a cytological sample from the lower airways, is one of the methods for diagnosing lung asbestosis and related morbidity. Search for ABs in these samples is generally laborious and time-consuming. We describe a novel diagnostic method, which implements deep learning neural network technology for the detection of ABs in bronchoalveolar lavage samples (BALs). METHODS BALs with suspicion of asbestos exposure were scanned as whole slide images (WSIs) and uploaded to a cloud-based virtual microscopy platform with a neural network training interface. The images were used for training and testing a neural network model capable of recognizing ABs. To prioritize the model's sensitivity, we allowed it to also make false-positive suggestions. To test the model, we compared its performance to standard LM diagnostic data as well as the ground truth (GT) number of ABs, which we established by a thorough manual search of the WSIs. RESULTS We were able to reach overall sensitivity of 93.4% (95% CI: 90.3-95.7%) in the detection of ABs in comparison to their GT number. Compared to standard LM diagnostic data, our model showed equal to or higher sensitivity in most cases. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that deep learning neural network technology offers promising diagnostic tools for routine assessment of BALs. However, at this stage, a human expert is required to confirm the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti J Hakkarainen
- Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Reija Randen-Brady
- Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Henrik Wolff
- Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko I Mäyränpää
- Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Antti Sajantila
- Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
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28
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Esteban Porcar A, García Gómez M, Santana Yllobre L, Gómez Pajares F, Esteban Buedo V, Usó Talamantes R. [Reconocimiento del mesotelioma de pleura como enfermedad profesional en la Comunidad Valenciana de 2012 a 2018.]. Rev Esp Salud Publica 2023; 97:e202309074. [PMID: 37921373 PMCID: PMC10541252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pleural mesothelioma is a neoplasm almost exclusively attributed to occupational exposure to asbestos and is legally considered an occupational disease. Nevertheless, only a few cases achieve that official recognition. The objective of this work was to describe and analyse this issue, and to identify the major obstacles to its recognition. METHODS A descriptive and retrospective epidemiological study of data was carried out, including figures and some characteristics, of all patients with pleural mesothelioma registered in the official health and labor registries of the Valencian Community from 2012 to 2018, using frequencies, proportions, and incidence rates. RESULTS There were large differences between the two sets of data collected in the different registries, especially regarding the number of cases. During the seven years of data examined, 590 pleural mesotheliomas were diagnosed in the Valencian public health system. Of these, the number of cases that were related to occupational exposure was at least 437. Despite the legal duty of doctors to report such cases, only 31 were reported as suspected occupational disease (7.09%), of which only 13 were ultimately officially recognized as such. It was estimated that the annual economic overcost to the public system of unrecognised patients with this occupational disease by was 2,2270,520 euros. CONCLUSIONS Only a small proportion of occupational mesotheliomas are officially recognized as such. This has important health care and economic repercussions for the individuals involved as well as for the public health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreu Esteban Porcar
- Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública; Comunidad Valenciana Comunidad ValencianaValenciaSpain
| | | | - Lin Santana Yllobre
- Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública; Comunidad Valenciana Comunidad ValencianaValenciaSpain
| | - Fernando Gómez Pajares
- Facultad de Medicina y Odontología; Universidad Católica de ValenciaUniversidad Católica de ValenciaValenciaSpain
| | - Valentín Esteban Buedo
- Conselleria de Sanidad Universal y Salud Pública; Comunidad Valenciana Comunidad ValencianaValenciaSpain
| | - Ruth Usó Talamantes
- Facultad de Medicina y Odontología; Universidad Católica de ValenciaUniversidad Católica de ValenciaValenciaSpain
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Toyokuni S, Kong Y, Katabuchi M, Maeda Y, Motooka Y, Ito F, Yanatori I. Iron links endogenous and exogenous nanoparticles. Arch Biochem Biophys 2023; 745:109718. [PMID: 37579931 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2023.109718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Current progress in biology and medical science is based on the observation at the level of nanometers via electron microscopy and computation. Of note, the size of most cells in higher species exists in a limited range from 5 to 50 μm. Recently, it was demonstrated that endogenous extracellular nanoparticles play a role in communication among various cellular types in a variety of contexts. Among them, exosomes in serum have been established as biomarkers for human diseases by analyzing the cargo molecules. No life on the earth can survive without iron. However, excess iron can be a risk for carcinogenesis in rodents and humans. Nano-sized molecules may cause unexpected bioeffects, including carcinogenesis, which is a process to establish cellular iron addiction with ferroptosis-resistance. Asbestos and carbon nanotubes are the typical examples, leading to carcinogenesis by the alteration of iron metabolism. Recently, we found that CD63, one of the representative markers of exosomes, is under the regulation of iron-responsive element/iron-regulatory protein system. This is a safe strategy to share excess iron in the form of holo-ferritin between iron-sufficient and -deficient cells. On the other hand, damaged cells may secrete holo-ferritin-loaded exosomes as in the case of macrophages in ferroptosis after asbestos exposure. These holo-ferritin-loaded exosomes can cause mutagenic DNA damage in the recipient mesothelial cells. Thus, there is an iron link between exogenous and endogenous nanoparticles, which requires further investigation for better understanding and the future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Toyokuni
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan; Center for Low-temperature Plasma Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
| | - Yingyi Kong
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Misako Katabuchi
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yuki Maeda
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yashiro Motooka
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Fumiya Ito
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Izumi Yanatori
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan; Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
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30
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Grasso C, Giacchero F, Crivellari S, Bertolotti M, Maconi A. A Review on The Role of Environmental Exposures in IgG4-Related Diseases. Curr Environ Health Rep 2023; 10:303-311. [PMID: 37314670 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-023-00401-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Immunoglobulin G4-related diseases (IgG4-RDs) are immune-mediated fibroinflammatory multisystemic conditions identified by the presence of tumefactive lesions with a rich infiltrate of IgG4-positive plasma cells, and often by a high IgG4 serum concentration. IgG-RDs have a prevalence of at least 1 case every 100,000 persons, and they are mostly diagnosed after age 50, with a male to female ratio of about 3:1. IgG4-RD pathophysiology is still uncertain: it has been proposed that both genetic predisposition and chronic environmental exposures may play a role by triggering abnormal immune activation that perpetuates the disease. The purpose of this review is to summarize the evidences supporting the hypothesis that certain environmental/occupational exposures can trigger IgG4-RDs, focusing on the possible role of asbestos in an emerging IgG4-RD called idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF). RECENT FINDINGS Although some studies suggested a relationship between tobacco smoking and IgG4-RD risk, occupational exposures seem to have the most interesting effects. Positive history of blue-collar work increases the risk of developing an IgG4-RD, and mineral dusts and asbestos were the most strongly associated industrial compounds. Asbestos has been found to be a risk factor for IRF years before its classification as IgG4-RD, and later in two large case-control studies. In the most recent one, conducted on 90 patients and 270 controls, asbestos exposure conferred an increased IRF risk, quantified by odds ratios from 2.46 to 7.07. Further structured studies including serum IgG4 evaluation should be conducted to clarify the effect of asbestos on patients with confirmed diagnosis of IgG4-related IRF. Environmental exposures, especially of occupational origin, appear to play a role in the development of different types of IgG-RDs. In particular, although first suggested very recently, the relationship between asbestos and IRF deserves to be explored in more structured studies, especially because of the biological plausibility of the role of asbestos in IRF pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Grasso
- SC Infrastruttura Ricerca Formazione Innovazione, Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliera "SS. Antonio E Biagio E Cesare Arrigo", Alessandria, Italy
| | - Fabio Giacchero
- SC Infrastruttura Ricerca Formazione Innovazione, Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Alessandria, Alessandria, Italy
| | - Stefania Crivellari
- SC Infrastruttura Ricerca Formazione Innovazione, Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliera "SS. Antonio E Biagio E Cesare Arrigo", Alessandria, Italy
| | - Marinella Bertolotti
- SC Infrastruttura Ricerca Formazione Innovazione, Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliera "SS. Antonio E Biagio E Cesare Arrigo", Alessandria, Italy.
| | - Antonio Maconi
- SC Infrastruttura Ricerca Formazione Innovazione, Dipartimento Attività Integrate Ricerca Innovazione, Azienda Ospedaliera "SS. Antonio E Biagio E Cesare Arrigo", Alessandria, Italy
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Welch H, Harris J, Pufulete M, Dimagli A, Benedetto U, Maskell N. Does previous asbestos exposure increase the risk of a post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) pleural effusion - a routine data study? BMC Pulm Med 2023; 23:307. [PMID: 37605147 PMCID: PMC10441712 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-023-02555-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Development of pleural effusion (PE) following CABG is common. Post-CABG PE are divided into early- (within 30 days of surgery) and delayed-onset (30 days-1 year) which are likely due to distinct pathological processes. Some experts suggest asbestos exposure may confer an independent risk for late-onset post-CABG PE, however no large studies have explored this potential association. RESEARCH QUESTION To explore possible association between asbestos exposure and post-CABG PE using routine data. METHODS All patients who underwent CABG 01/04/2013-31/03/2018 were identified from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) Database. This England-wide population was evaluated for evidence of asbestos exposure, pleural plaques or asbestosis and a diagnosis of PE or PE-related procedure from 30 days to 1 year post-CABG. Patients with evidence of PE three months prior to CABG were excluded, as were patients with a new mesothelioma diagnosis. RESULTS 68,150 patients were identified, of whom 1,003 (1%) were asbestos exposed and 2,377 (3%) developed late-onset PE. After adjusting for demographic data, Index of Multiple Deprivation and Charlson Co-morbidity Index, asbestos exposed patients had increased odds of PE diagnosis or related procedure such as thoracentesis or drainage (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.03-1.76, p = 0.04). In those with evidence of PE requiring procedure alone, the adjusted OR was 1.66 (95% CI 1.14-2.40, p = 0.01). Additional subgroup analysis of the 518 patients coded for pleural plaques and asbestosis alone revealed an adjusted OR of post-CABG PE requiring a procedure of 2.16 (95% CI 1.38-3.37, p = 0.002). INTERPRETATION This large-scale study demonstrates prior asbestos exposure is associated with modestly increased risk of post-CABG PE development. The risk association appears higher in patients with assigned clinical codes indicative of radiological evidence of asbestos exposure (pleural plaques or asbestosis). This association may fit with a possible inflammatory co-pathogenesis, with asbestos exposure 'priming' the pleura resulting in greater propensity for PE evolution following the physiological insult of CABG surgery. Further work, including prospective studies and clinicopathological correlation are suggested to explore this further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Welch
- University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.
- Academic Respiratory Unit, North Bristol NHS Trust 2nd Floor Office, Learning and Research Building Southmead Hospital Southmead Way, Bristol, BS10 5NB, UK.
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Bandli BR, McNamee BD. Mineralogical and dimensional characterization of EMPs destined for biological experimentation. Environ Res 2023; 230:114528. [PMID: 36965794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Mineral specimens and mineral reference materials should be understood to be mixtures of various mineral species and the properties of each individual species will likely represent a range of quantifiable values and qualitative characteristics. The use of incompletely characterized mineral specimens may introduce significant uncontrolled variables in any experiment. Any mineral characterization should include an understanding of the bulk properties of the specimen as well as microanalytical and crystallographic characterization of individual mineral phases. This characterization should comprise a range of length scales to accommodate naked-eye level observations up to electron microscopic observations and analyses. Large spatial scale observations are useful to describe the physical properties of the material and understand the scale of inhomogeneities that may be present in a mineral sample. Microanalysis provides critical compositional and crystallographic information for mineral identification. It is critical to recognize where gaps might exist in the data produced during the characterization of a material and if those gaps are critical to evaluating the effect those minerals might have on the result of a given experiment. Likewise, it is critical to understand the interplay of various minerals that might be present in a sample other than the specific mineral of interest. The accessory minerals that are present, even if only trace amounts, could have a major impact and need to be isolated, or their impact accounted for in the interpretation of results. Dimensional characterization of particulate produced from a mineral specimen is important, but not as simple a task as it might appear. Dimensional data can be produced through any of several microscopic techniques, each with specific limitations and potential to be biased due to sample preparation technique. This understanding of the full composition of a mineral specimen cannot be obtained through rudimentary examination and it cannot be taken for granted that it has been performed by the supplier of the specimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan R Bandli
- RJ Lee Group Inc., 800 Presque Isle Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15239, USA.
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Chatfield EJ. Asbestiform fibers and cleavage Fragments: Conceptual approaches for differentiation in laboratory practice and data analysis. Environ Res 2023; 230:114529. [PMID: 36965795 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The respirable fractions from 46 different crushed amphibole samples were separated by water elutriation. The dimensions of approximately 200 elongate mineral particles (EMPs) longer than 5 μm in each of these fractions were measured by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The data were used to address three questions: 1. Can amphiboles be classified on a scale that represents the level of inhalation hazard they present? 2. Can prismatic amphibole be discriminated from amphibole asbestos on the basis of EMP size distributions and concentration measurements? 3. How do different exposure indices (Phase Contrast Microscopy Equivalent (PCME), Berman & Crump protocol fibers, Chatfield extra-criteria EMPs) compare when applied to these amphibole samples? For each sample, the number of respirable EMPs longer than 5 μm per gram of respirable dust and the number of extra-criteria EMPs per gram of respirable dust were calculated. The number of respirable EMPs longer than 5 μm per gram of respirable dust and the proportion of those with dimensions associated with mesothelioma in animal studies were considered to be contributors to the inhalation hazard presented by amphibole dust. In addition to these concentration measurements, the median EMP width, median aspect ratio and the aspect ratio geometric standard deviation (GSD) were considered to be relevant parameters in discriminating prismatic amphibole from asbestiform amphibole. A plot of the aspect ratio GSD against either the concentration of respirable EMPs per gram of respirable dust, the median aspect ratio or the median width allowed discrimination. The data showed a close correspondence between exposures in terms of Chatfield extra-criteria EMPs and Berman and Crump protocol structures for all of the amphibole samples. However, although for commercial asbestos varieties exposures in terms of PCME fibers were comparable to those of the other two metrics, they greatly exceeded those for non-asbestiform amphiboles.
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Affiliation(s)
- E J Chatfield
- Chatfield Technical Consulting Limited, 2071 Dickson Road, Mississauga, L5B 1Y8, Ontario, Canada.
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König R. The use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersiveX-ray analysis (EDXA) as a measurement tool for EMPs tasks, guidelines. Environ Res 2023; 230:114790. [PMID: 36965806 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
In a variety of European countries SEM/EDXA based methods are widely used for the measurements and judgements relating thereof regarding asbestos analysis. Most of these methods are used also for other fibrous particles, commonly indicated as Elongate Mineral Particles (EMPs). The span of guidelines reflects the broad use of SEM/EDXA as an analytical method. Guidelines regarding air measurements both for ambient and indoor air are well established. These methods are widely used as is shown in a proficiency testing scheme, organized by the British Health and Safety Executive (HSL) with participants from countries all over Europe and some countries from Asia and Africa. For workplaces a similar guideline with a reduced sensitivity is available, allowing measurements in higher dust concentrations. Features of the methods like analytical sensitivity, detection limits and measurement uncertainty are discussed. For material analysis we apply different analytical methods, using SEM/EDXA as a final step. They are different both in sample preparation and sensitivity. Most of the methods are qualitative or "semi-quantitative" and thought for the analysis of commercial asbestos containing products mainly. If quantitative analysis based on EDXA is used for identification other EMPs can be identified as well. An important tool is the morphological impression of the fibers or structures in the SEM in addition. Changes in regulations which may be expected, will modify some of the methods. Especially lowered Threshold Limit Values (TLV's) in occupational air measurements are difficult to achieve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiner König
- APC Analytische Produktions-, Steuerungs- und Controllgeräte GmbH, Kölner Str. 12 &5760 Eschborn, Germany.
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Darnton L. Quantitative assessment of mesothelioma and lung cancer risk based on Phase Contrast Microscopy (PCM) estimates of fibre exposure: an update of 2000 asbestos cohort data. Environ Res 2023; 230:114753. [PMID: 36965802 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
An earlier meta-analysis of mortality studies of asbestos-exposed worker populations, quantified excess mesothelioma and lung cancer risks in relation to cumulative exposure to the three main commercial asbestos types. The aim of this paper was to update these analyses incorporating new data based on increased follow-up of studies previously included, as well as studies of worker populations exposed predominantly to single fibre types published since the original analysis. Mesothelioma as a percentage of expected mortality due to all causes of death, percentage excess lung cancer and mean cumulative exposure were abstracted from available mortality studies of workers exposed predominantly to single asbestos types. Average excess mesothelioma and lung cancer per unit of cumulative exposure were summarised for groupings of studies by fibre type; models for pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma risk and lung cancer risk in terms of cumulative exposure for the different fibre types were fitted using Poisson regression. The average mesothelioma risks (per cent of total expected mortality) per unit cumulative exposure (f/cc.yr), RM, were 0.51 for crocidolite, 0.12 for amosite, and 0.03 for the Libby mixed amphiboles cohort. Significant heterogeneity was present for cohorts classed as chrysotile, with RM values of 0.01 for chrysotile textiles cohorts and 0.0011 for other chrysotile-exposed cohorts. Average percentage excess lung cancer risks per unit cumulative exposure, RL, were 4.3 for crocidolite and amosite combined, 0.82 for Libby. Very significant heterogeneity was present for chrysotile-exposed cohorts with RL values spanning two orders of magnitude from 0.053 for the Balangero mine to 4.8 for the South Carolina textiles cohort. Best fitting models suggest a non-linear exposure-response in which the peritoneal mesothelioma risk is proportional to approximately the square of cumulative exposure. Pleural mesothelioma and lung cancer risk were proportion to powers of cumulative exposure slightly less than one and slightly higher than one respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Darnton
- Health and Safety Executive, Science Division, Epidemiology and Predictive Modelling, 2.1 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS, UK.
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Gao Y, Mazurek JM, Li Y, Blackley D, Weissman DN, Burton SV, Amin W, Landsittel D, Becich MJ, Ye Y. Industry, occupation, and exposure history of mesothelioma patients in the U.S. National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank, 2006-2022. Environ Res 2023; 230:115085. [PMID: 36965810 PMCID: PMC10994633 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malignant mesothelioma is associated with environmental and occupational exposure to certain mineral fibers, especially asbestos. This study aims to examine work histories of mesothelioma patients and their survival time. METHOD Using the NIOSH Industry and Occupation Computerized Coding System, we mapped occupations and industries recorded for 748 of 1444 patients in the U.S. National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) during the period 2006-2022. Descriptive and survival analyses were conducted. RESULTS Among the 1023 industries recorded for those having mesothelioma, the most frequent cases were found for those in manufacturing (n = 225, 22.0%), construction (138, 13.5%), and education services (66, 6.5%); among the 924 occupation records, the most frequent cases were found for those in construction and extraction (174, 18.8%), production (145, 15.7%), and management (84, 9.1%). Males (583) or persons aged >40 years (658) at the time of diagnosis tended to have worked in industries traditionally associated with mesothelioma (e.g., construction), while females (163) or persons aged 20-40 years (27) tended to have worked in industries not traditionally associated with mesothelioma (e.g., health care). Asbestos, unknown substances, and chemical solvents were the most frequently reported exposure, with females most often reporting an unknown substance. A multi-variable Cox Hazard Regression analysis showed that significant prognostic factors associated with decreased survival in mesothelioma cases are sex (male) and work experience in utility-related industry, while factor associated with increased survival are epithelial or epithelioid histological type, prior history of surgery and immunotherapy, and industry experience in accommodation and food services. CONCLUSION The NMVB has the potential of serving as a sentinel surveillance mechanism for identifying industries and occupations not traditionally associated with mesothelioma. Results indicate the importance of considering all potential sources of asbestos exposures including occupational, environmental, and extra-occupational exposures when evaluating mesothelioma patients and advising family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhe Gao
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Jacek M Mazurek
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
| | - Yaming Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - David Blackley
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
| | - David N Weissman
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
| | - Shirley V Burton
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA
| | - Waqas Amin
- Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Indiana University, USA
| | - Douglas Landsittel
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health-Bloomington, Indiana University, USA
| | - Michael J Becich
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Ye Ye
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, USA.
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Bogen KT. Ultrasensitive dose-response for asbestos cancer risk implied by new inflammation-mutation model. Environ Res 2023; 230:115047. [PMID: 36965808 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Alterations in complex cellular phenotype each typically involve multistep activation of an ultrasensitive molecular switch (e.g., to adaptively initiate an apoptosis, inflammasome, Nrf2-ARE anti-oxidant, or heat-shock activation pathway) that triggers expression of a suite of target genes while efficiently limiting false-positive switching from a baseline state. Such switches exhibit nonlinear signal-activation relationships. In contrast, a linear no-threshold (LNT) dose-response relationship is expected for damage that accumulates in proportion to dose, as hypothesized for increased risk of cancer in relation to genotoxic dose according to the multistage somatic mutation/clonal-expansion theory of cancer, e.g., as represented in the Moolgavkar-Venzon-Knudsen (MVK) cancer model by a doubly stochastic nonhomogeneous Poisson process. Mesothelioma and lung cancer induced by exposure to carcinogenic (e.g., certain asbestos) fibers in humans and experimental animals are thought to involve modes of action driven by mutations, cytotoxicity-associated inflammation, or both, rendering ambiguous expectations concerning the nature of model-implied shape of the low-dose response for above-background increase in risk of incurring these endpoints. A recent Inflammation Somatic Mutation (ISM) theory of cancer posits instead that tissue-damage-associated inflammation that epigenetically recruits, activates and orchestrates stem cells to engage in tissue repair does not merely promote cancer, but rather is a requisite co-initiator (acting together with as few as two somatic mutations) of the most efficient pathway to any type of cancer in any reparable tissue (Dose-Response 2019; 17(2):1-12). This theory is reviewed, implications of this theory are discussed in relation to mesothelioma and lung cancer associated with chronic asbestos inhalation, one of the two types of ISM-required mutations is here hypothesized to block or impede inflammation resolution (e.g., by doing so for GPCR-mediated signal transduction by one or more endogenous autacoid specialized pro-resolving mediators or SPMs), and supporting evidence for this hypothesis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth T Bogen
- 9832 Darcy Forest Drive, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, United States.
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Van Orden DR. Discriminant analysis of amphiboles: Additional considerations. Environ Res 2023; 230:114579. [PMID: 36965796 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Amphibole minerals are found throughout nature and could pose a respiratory hazard if these exist in the asbestiform growth habit. Though amphibole asbestos has not been used in commercial products as an added material for more than 30 years, these minerals could exist in other materials as trace contaminants as well as occurring in mines and earth-moving environments. It is necessary, then, that the asbestiform amphibole minerals be properly identified in order to appropriately use health-protective measures. Recent analyses of various amphibole data sets have been used to derive a discriminant function that can be used to differentiate asbestiform amphibole from non-asbestiform amphibole minerals. This paper expands on this function and examines the validity of the procedure for different size fractions of minerals. This analysis suggests that the derived function is appropriate for fibers 10 μm and longer. For fibers shorter than 10 μm, the data suggest that a broader acceptance limit may be needed. The data also suggest that current analytical procedures may require some adjustment to provide more accurate details on the widths of fibers. With additional samples, the accuracy of the discriminate function can be improved by calculating functions for each mineral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew R Van Orden
- RJ Lee Group, Inc., 350 Hochberg Road, Monroeville, PA, 15146, USA.
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Goodman JE, Becich MJ, Bernstein DM, Case BW, Mandel JH, Nel AE, Nolan R, Odo NU, Smith SR, Taioli E, Gibbs G. Non-asbestiform elongate mineral particles and mesothelioma risk: Human and experimental evidence. Environ Res 2023; 230:114578. [PMID: 36965797 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The presentations in this session of the Monticello II conference were aimed at summarizing what is known about asbestiform and non-asbestiform elongate mineral particles (EMPs) and mesothelioma risks based on evidence from experimental and epidemiology studies. Dr. Case discussed case reports of mesothelioma over the last several decades. Dr. Taioli indicated that the epidemiology evidence concerning non-asbestiform EMPs is weak or lacking, and that progress would be limited unless mesothelioma registries are established. One exception discussed is that of taconite miners, who are exposed to grunerite. Drs. Mandel and Odo noted that studies of taconite miners in Minnesota have revealed an excess rate of mesothelioma, but the role of non-asbestiform EMPs in this excess incidence of mesothelioma is unclear. Dr. Becich discussed the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB), a virtual mesothelioma patient registry that includes mesothelioma patients' lifetime work histories, exposure histories, biospecimens, proteogenomic information, and imaging data that can be used in epidemiology research on mesothelioma. Dr. Bernstein indicated that there is a strong consensus that long, highly durable respirable asbestiform EMPs have the potential to cause mesothelioma, but there is continued debate concerning the biodurability required, and the dimensions (both length and diameter), the shape, and the dose associated with mesothelioma risk. Finally, Dr. Nel discussed how experimental studies of High Aspect Ratio Engineered Nanomaterials have clarified dimensional and durability features that impact disease risk, the impact of inflammation and oxidative stress on the epigenetic regulation of tumor suppressor genes, and the generation of immune suppressive effects in the mesothelioma tumor microenvironment. The session ended with a discussion of future research needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael J Becich
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, United States
| | | | - Bruce W Case
- Departments of Pathology and Epidemiology, McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jeffrey H Mandel
- University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Science, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Andre E Nel
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine and the California Nano Systems Institute, UCLA, United States
| | - Robert Nolan
- International Environmental Research Foundation, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nnaemeka U Odo
- Exponent, Inc., Center for Health Sciences, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Steven R Smith
- Consultant in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Carmel, IN, USA
| | | | - Graham Gibbs
- Consultant in Epidemiology, Niagara on the Lake, Canada
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Schlünssen V, Mandrioli D, Pega F, Momen NC, Ádám B, Chen W, Cohen RA, Godderis L, Göen T, Hadkhale K, Kunpuek W, Lou J, Mandic-Rajcevic S, Masci F, Nemery B, Popa M, Rajatanavin N, Sgargi D, Siriruttanapruk S, Sun X, Suphanchaimat R, Thammawijaya P, Ujita Y, van der Mierden S, Vangelova K, Ye M, Zungu M, Scheepers PTJ. The prevalences and levels of occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres (silica, asbestos and coal): A systematic review and meta-analysis from the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates of the Work-related Burden of Disease and Injury. Environ Int 2023; 178:107980. [PMID: 37487377 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
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 number of individual experts. Evidence from human, animal and mechanistic data suggests that occupational exposure to dusts and/or fibres (silica, asbestos and coal dust) causes pneumoconiosis. In this paper, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalences and levels of occupational exposure to silica, asbestos and coal dust. These estimates of prevalences and levels will serve as input data for estimating (if feasible) the number of deaths and disability-adjusted life years that are attributable to occupational exposure to silica, asbestos and coal dust, for the development of the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates. OBJECTIVES We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse estimates of the prevalences and levels of occupational exposure to silica, asbestos and coal dust among working-age (≥ 15 years) workers. DATA SOURCES We searched electronic academic databases for potentially relevant records from published and unpublished studies, including Ovid Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, and CISDOC. We also searched electronic grey literature databases, Internet search engines and organizational websites; hand-searched reference lists of previous systematic reviews and included study records; and consulted additional experts. STUDY ELIGIBILITY AND CRITERIA We included working-age (≥ 15 years) workers in the formal and informal economy in any WHO and/or ILO Member State but excluded children (< 15 years) and unpaid domestic workers. We included all study types with objective dust or fibre measurements, published between 1960 and 2018, that directly or indirectly reported an estimate of the prevalence and/or level of occupational exposure to silica, asbestos and/or coal dust. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS At least two review authors independently screened titles and abstracts against the eligibility criteria at a first stage and full texts of potentially eligible records at a second stage, then data were extracted from qualifying studies. We combined prevalence estimates by industrial sector (ISIC-4 2-digit level with additional merging within Mining, Manufacturing and Construction) using random-effects meta-analysis. Two or more review authors assessed the risk of bias and all available authors assessed the quality of evidence, using the ROB-SPEO tool and QoE-SPEO approach developed specifically for the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates. RESULTS Eighty-eight studies (82 cross-sectional studies and 6 longitudinal studies) met the inclusion criteria, comprising > 2.4 million measurements covering 23 countries from all WHO regions (Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia, Europe, and Western Pacific). The target population in all 88 included studies was from major ISCO groups 3 (Technicians and Associate Professionals), 6 (Skilled Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Workers), 7 (Craft and Related Trades Workers), 8 (Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers), and 9 (Elementary Occupations), hereafter called manual workers. Most studies were performed in Construction, Manufacturing and Mining. For occupational exposure to silica, 65 studies (61 cross-sectional studies and 4 longitudinal studies) were included with > 2.3 million measurements collected in 22 countries in all six WHO regions. For occupational exposure to asbestos, 18 studies (17 cross-sectional studies and 1 longitudinal) were included with > 20,000 measurements collected in eight countries in five WHO regions (no data for Africa). For occupational exposure to coal dust, eight studies (all cross-sectional) were included comprising > 100,000 samples in six countries in five WHO regions (no data for Eastern Mediterranean). Occupational exposure to silica, asbestos and coal dust was assessed with personal or stationary active filter sampling; for silica and asbestos, gravimetric assessment was followed by technical analysis. Risk of bias profiles varied between the bodies of evidence looking at asbestos, silica and coal dust, as well as between industrial sectors. However, risk of bias was generally highest for the domain of selection of participants into the studies. The largest bodies of evidence for silica related to the industrial sectors of Construction (ISIC 41-43), Manufacturing (ISIC 20, 23-25, 27, 31-32) and Mining (ISIC 05, 07, 08). For Construction, the pooled prevalence estimate was 0.89 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.93, 17 studies, I2 91%, moderate quality of evidence) and the level estimate was rated as of very low quality of evidence. For Manufacturing, the pooled prevalence estimate was 0.85 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.91, 24 studies, I2 100%, moderate quality of evidence) and the pooled level estimate was rated as of very low quality of evidence. The pooled prevalence estimate for Mining was 0.75 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.82, 20 studies, I2 100%, moderate quality of evidence) and the pooled level estimate was 0.04 mg/m3 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.05, 17 studies, I2 100%, low quality of evidence). Smaller bodies of evidence were identified for Crop and animal production (ISIC 01; very low quality of evidence for both prevalence and level); Professional, scientific and technical activities (ISIC 71, 74; very low quality of evidence for both prevalence and level); and Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (ISIC 35; very low quality of evidence for both prevalence and level). For asbestos, the pooled prevalence estimate for Construction (ISIC 41, 43, 45,) was 0.77 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.87, six studies, I2 99%, low quality of evidence) and the level estimate was rated as of very low quality of evidence. For Manufacturing (ISIC 13, 23-24, 29-30), the pooled prevalence and level estimates were rated as being of very low quality of evidence. Smaller bodies of evidence were identified for Other mining and quarrying (ISIC 08; very low quality of evidence for both prevalence and level); Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (ISIC 35; very low quality of evidence for both prevalence and level); and Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation (ISIC 37; very low quality of evidence for levels). For coal dust, the pooled prevalence estimate for Mining of coal and lignite (ISIC 05), was 1.00 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.00, six studies, I2 16%, moderate quality of evidence) and the pooled level estimate was 0.77 mg/m3 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.86, three studies, I2 100%, low quality of evidence). A small body of evidence was identified for Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (ISIC 35); with very low quality of evidence for prevalence, and the pooled level estimate being 0.60 mg/m3 (95% CI -6.95 to 8.14, one study, low quality of evidence). CONCLUSIONS Overall, we judged the bodies of evidence for occupational exposure to silica to vary by industrial sector between very low and moderate quality of evidence for prevalence, and very low and low for level. For occupational exposure to asbestos, the bodies of evidence varied by industrial sector between very low and low quality of evidence for prevalence and were of very low quality of evidence for level. For occupational exposure to coal dust, the bodies of evidence were of very low or moderate quality of evidence for prevalence, and low for level. None of the included studies were population-based studies (i.e., covered the entire workers' population in the industrial sector), which we judged to present serious concern for indirectness, except for occupational exposure to coal dust within the industrial sector of mining of coal and lignite. Selected estimates of the prevalences and levels of occupational exposure to silica by industrial sector are considered suitable as input data for the WHO/ILO Joint Estimates, and selected estimates of the prevalences and levels of occupational exposure to asbestos and coal dust may perhaps also be suitable for estimation purposes. Protocol identifier: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2018.06.005. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018084131.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; National Research Center for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Daniele Mandrioli
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, Ramazzini Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Frank Pega
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Natalie C Momen
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Balázs Ádám
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
| | - Weihong Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Robert A Cohen
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lode Godderis
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Göen
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Watinee Kunpuek
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Jianlin Lou
- Institute of Occupational Diseases, Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Stefan Mandic-Rajcevic
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano, Milan, Italy; International Centre for Rural Health, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Masci
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milano, Milan, Italy; International Centre for Rural Health, San Paolo Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Ben Nemery
- Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Madalina Popa
- Center for Diabetes Research, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - Daria Sgargi
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, Ramazzini Institute, Bologna, Italy
| | - Somkiat Siriruttanapruk
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Xin Sun
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Repeepong Suphanchaimat
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand; Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Panithee Thammawijaya
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Yuka Ujita
- Labour Administration, Labour Inspection and Occupational Safety and Health Branch, International Labour Organization, Geneva, Switzerland; Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific, International Labour Organization, Thailand
| | - Stevie van der Mierden
- Cesare Maltoni Cancer Research Center, Ramazzini Institute, Bologna, Italy; Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katya Vangelova
- National Center of Public Health and Analyses, Ministry of Health, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Meng Ye
- National Institute for Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Muzimkhulu Zungu
- National Institute for Occupational Health, South Africa, Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, South Africa
| | - Paul T J Scheepers
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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41
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Tagliaferri AR, Melki G, Rezkalla A, Baddoura W. Diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma presenting as small bowel obstruction. Radiol Case Rep 2023; 18:2681-2684. [PMID: 37293522 PMCID: PMC10245102 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mesotheliomas are aggressive malignant tumors which can occur most commonly in the pleural space, however can occur in the peritoneum in those with an extensive history of asbestos exposure. Primary peritoneal mesothelioma is relatively rare and is a fatal diagnosis. The prognosis of primary peritoneal mesothelioma is very poor and individuals are at high risk of developing mesothelioma in another cavity within the first year after initial diagnosis. Herein, we present a case of primary peritoneal mesothelioma, presenting as small bowel obstruction.
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42
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Paustenbach DJ, Stevens ME, Tuttle BP, Shore RA, Ligas S, Brew DW. Occupational exposure to asbestos in the steel industry (1972-2006). J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2023:10.1038/s41370-023-00576-4. [PMID: 37495866 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-023-00576-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Historically, the use of asbestos in steelmaking has been limited to a few applications. Due to its physical and chemical properties, asbestos was not necessary or suitable for most purposes in a steel mill. The few applications where asbestos were used (i.e., certain gaskets, brakes, protective cloth, refractory materials, insulation materials, and hot top products) were replaced by alternative materials as they became available. OBJECTIVE We discuss historical uses of asbestos in steel manufacturing and the associated airborne asbestos concentrations collected at sixteen U. S. Steel facilities between 1972 and 2006. METHODS A total of 495 personal airborne asbestos samples from the U. S. Steel industrial hygiene records were analyzed across four time periods corresponding to changes in the OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for asbestos. 68% of the samples (n = 337) were considered representative of an employee's workday. The remaining samples (n = 158) represented task samples. Samples were grouped by facility, department, and job category within the four time periods. RESULTS The average fiber concentrations measured for each facility and department over time were below the contemporaneous OSHA PEL. The mean representative workday asbestos air concentration from 1972 and 1975 was 1.09 f/cc. The mean representative workday concentration decreased to 0.13 f/cc between 1976 and 1985, then decreased again to 0.02 f/cc between 1986 and 1993 and 0.03 f/cc between 1994 and 2006. For task samples, the mean air concentration from 1972 to 1975 was 3.29 f/cc. The mean task sample concentration decreased to 0.48 f/cc between 1976 and 1985, then decreased again to 0.01 f/cc between 1986 and 1993 and 0.03 f/cc between 1994 and 2006. Only eleven out of the 495 samples (2.2%), for both task and representative workday samples, were in exceedance of the contemporaneous PEL(as an 8-hour TWA), ten of which occurred prior to 1978. Eight of these eleven PEL exceeding samples were task samples. Of the remaining three representative workday samples, two had unknown sampling times. IMPACT This paper presents an analysis of all the available personal sampling data for airborne asbestos across 16 facilities of the U. S. Steel Corporation between 1972 and 2006. This dataset has previously never been publicly shared or analyzed. It represents one of the more complete industrial hygiene datasets from a corporation to be presented in a scientific journal and, due to the similarities in the processes at each mill, it should reflect analogous exposures throughout the steelmaking industry in the United States. One of the benefits of presenting these data is that it also provides insight into where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) were used in the steel making process. This is just one example of a large firm that released information that had previously remained in file cabinets for decades. We believe that another benefit of publishing this paper is that it may encourage the largest firms in industry to assemble and analyze their industrial hygiene data to benefit the occupational hygiene, medical, and epidemiology communities. This can support future epidemiology studies and improve the design of future industrial hygiene programs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael E Stevens
- Paustenbach and Associates, 970 W Broadway, Suite E, Jackson, WY, 83001, USA
| | - Brett P Tuttle
- Paustenbach and Associates, 970 W Broadway, Suite E, Jackson, WY, 83001, USA
| | - Ross A Shore
- Paustenbach and Associates, 970 W Broadway, Suite E, Jackson, WY, 83001, USA
| | - Sabina Ligas
- Paustenbach and Associates, 970 W Broadway, Suite E, Jackson, WY, 83001, USA
| | - David W Brew
- Paustenbach and Associates, 970 W Broadway, Suite E, Jackson, WY, 83001, USA
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43
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Angelini A, Martini A, Begliomini B, Silvestri S. [Malignant mesothelioma in two married couples exposed to asbestos]. Epidemiol Prev 2023; 47:257-262. [PMID: 37846448 DOI: 10.19191/ep23.4-5.a623.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND the relationship between past asbestos exposure and the onset of malignant mesothelioma (MM) is well established. However, defining the exposure is not always easy, as it occurs decades before the onset of the disease. OBJECTIVES this report describes four cases of MM diagnosed in two different married couples, both exposed to asbestos fibers: husbands at work and wives for cohabiting and washing their work overalls. DESIGN case report. METHODS the information was collected through interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire and analyzed by occupational hygienists during the activity of epidemiological surveillance of this disease. The results of the mineral content of asbestos fibers performed on lung parenchymal from one of the female cases are available. RESULTS these two cases show a longer latency in the lesser exposed confirming what an occupational epidemiological study has recently highlighted. CONCLUSIONS whenever good quality information collected during interviews are available, skilled occupational hygienists are able to reconstruct past exposures in quali-quantitative terms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Angelini
- Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica, Firenze, Italy;
| | - Andrea Martini
- Istituto per lo Studio, la Prevenzione e la Rete Oncologica, Firenze, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Silvestri
- Dipartimento di medicina traslazionale, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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44
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Petriglieri JR, Barale L, Viti C, Ballirano P, Belluso E, Bruno MR, Campopiano A, Cannizzaro A, Fantauzzi M, Gianchiglia F, Montereali MR, Nardi E, Olori A, Piana F, Tomatis M, Rossi A, Skogby H, Pacella A, Turci F. From field analysis to nanostructural investigation: A multidisciplinary approach to describe natural occurrence of asbestos in view of hazard assessment. J Hazard Mater 2023; 457:131754. [PMID: 37276694 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impact of natural occurrences of asbestos (NOA) and asbestos-like minerals is a growing concern for environmental protection agencies. The lack of shared sampling and analytical procedures hinders effectively addressing this issue. To investigate the hazard posed by NOA, a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses geology, mineralogy, chemistry, and toxicology is proposed and demonstrated here, on a natural occurrence of antigorite from a site in Varenna Valley, Italy. Antigorite is, together with chrysotile asbestos, one of the serpentine polymorphs and its toxicological profile is still under debate. We described field and petrographic analyses required to sample a vein and to evaluate the NOA-hazard. A combination of standardized mechanical stress and automated morphometrical analyses on milled samples allowed to quantify the asbestos-like morphology. The low congruent solubility in acidic simulated body fluid, together with the toxicity-relevant surface reactivity due to iron speciation, signalled a bio-activity similar or even greater to that of chrysotile. Structural information on the genetic mechanism of antigorite asbestos-like fibres in nature were provided. Overall, the NOA site was reported to contain veins of asbestos-like antigorite and should be regarded as source of potentially toxic fibres during hazard assessment procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine R Petriglieri
- "G. Scansetti" Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Via Valperga Caluso 35, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Torino, Italy
| | - Luca Barale
- "G. Scansetti" Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Torino, Italy
| | - Cecilia Viti
- University of Siena, Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, Via Laterina 8, I-53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Ballirano
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy; Rectoral Laboratory Fibres and Inorganic Particulate, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Belluso
- "G. Scansetti" Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, Via Valperga Caluso 35, I-10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Maria R Bruno
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Antonella Campopiano
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Annapaola Cannizzaro
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Fantauzzi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, INSTM Research Unit, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Flaminia Gianchiglia
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria R Montereali
- Italian National Agency for New Technologies, ENEA, Casaccia Research Centre, via Anguillarese 301, I-00123 S. Maria di Galeria, Roma, Italy
| | - Elisa Nardi
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA, via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Angelo Olori
- Department of Medicine, Epidemiology, Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Piana
- "G. Scansetti" Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Torino, Italy
| | - Maura Tomatis
- "G. Scansetti" Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, I-10125 Torino, Italy
| | - Antonella Rossi
- Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, INSTM Research Unit, University of Cagliari, I-09042 Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Henrik Skogby
- Swedish Museum of Natural History, Department of Geosciences, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Pacella
- Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Turci
- "G. Scansetti" Interdepartmental Centre for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 9, I-10125 Torino, Italy; Institute of Geosciences and Earth Resources, National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Torino, Italy; Department of Chemistry, University of Torino, Via Pietro Giuria 7, I-10125 Torino, Italy.
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Ito F, Kato K, Yanatori I, Maeda Y, Murohara T, Toyokuni S. Matrigel-based organoid culture of malignant mesothelioma reproduces cisplatin sensitivity through CTR1. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:487. [PMID: 37254056 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-10966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Organoids are a three-dimensional (3D) culture system that simulate actual organs. Therefore, tumor organoids are expected to predict precise response to chemotherapy in patients. However, to date, few studies have studied the drug responses in organoids of malignant mesothelioma (MM). The poor prognosis of MM emphasizes the importance of establishing a protocol for generating MM-organoid for research and clinical use. Here, we established murine MM organoids from p53+/- or wild-type C57BL/6 strain by intraperitoneal injection either with crocidolite or carbon nanotube. Established MM-organoids proliferated in Matrigel as spheroids. Subcutaneous injection assays revealed that the MM-organoids mimicked actual tissue architecture and maintained the original histological features of the primary MM. RNA sequencing and pathway analyses revealed that the significant expressional differences between the 2D- and 3D-culture systems were observed in receptor tyrosine kinases, including IGF1R and EGFR, glycosylation and cholesterol/steroid metabolism. MM-organoids exhibited a more sensitive response to cisplatin through stable plasma membrane localization of a major cisplatin transporter, copper transporter 1/Slc31A1 (Ctr1) in comparison to 2D-cultures, presumably through glycosylation and lipidation. The Matrigel culture system facilitated the localization of CTR1 on the plasma membrane, which simulated the original MMs and the subcutaneous xenografts. These results suggest that the newly developed protocol for MM-organoids is useful to study strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance to cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumiya Ito
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Katsuhiro Kato
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Izumi Yanatori
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-Ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yuki Maeda
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Toyoaki Murohara
- Department of Cardiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Shinya Toyokuni
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
- Center for Low-Temperature Plasma Sciences, Nagoya University, Furo-Cho, Chikusa-Ku, Nagoya, 464-8603, Japan.
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46
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Rabiee A, Della Ventura G, Mirzapour F, Malinconico S, Bellagamba S, Lucci F, Paglietti F. Deep learning for asbestos counting. J Hazard Mater 2023; 455:131590. [PMID: 37178531 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The PCM (phase contrast microscopy) method for asbestos counting needs special sample treatments, hence it is time consuming and rather expensive. As an alternative, we implemented a deep learning procedure on images directly acquired from the untreated airborne samples using standard Mixed Cellulose Ester (MCE) filters. Several samples with a mix of chrysotile and crocidolite with different concentration loads have been prepared. Using a 20x objective lens coupled with a backlight illumination system a number of 140 images were collected from these samples, which along with additional 13 highly fibre loaded artificial images constituted the database. About 7500 fibres were manually recognised and annotated following the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) fibre counting Method 7400 as input for the training and validation of the model. The best trained model provides a total precision of 0.84 with F1-Score of 0.77 at a confidence of 0.64. A further post-detection refinement to ignore detected fibres < 5 µm in length improves the final precision. This method can be considered as a reliable and competent alternative to conventional PCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Rabiee
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Della Ventura
- Dipartimento di Scienze, Università Roma Tre, Rome, Italy; INFN-LNF Frascati, Rome, Italy; INGV, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma, Italy
| | | | - Sergio Malinconico
- INAIL - Dipartimento Innovazioni tecnologiche e sicurezza degli impianti, prodotti e insediamenti antropici, Monteporzio, Roma, Italy
| | - Sergio Bellagamba
- INAIL - Dipartimento Innovazioni tecnologiche e sicurezza degli impianti, prodotti e insediamenti antropici, Monteporzio, Roma, Italy
| | - Federico Lucci
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Italy
| | - Federica Paglietti
- INAIL - Dipartimento Innovazioni tecnologiche e sicurezza degli impianti, prodotti e insediamenti antropici, Monteporzio, Roma, Italy
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47
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Iijima S, Takahashi S, Kohyama N. Observation of the same asbestos body by both phase contrast microscope and analytical transmission electron microscope. Ind Health 2023; 61:134-139. [PMID: 35545556 PMCID: PMC10079502 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2021-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The amount of asbestos body (AB) in the human lungs is used as an index to assess asbestos lung cancer (ALC). This study reports a new method to observe the same AB previously observed by analytical transmission electron microscope (ATEM) by phase contrast microscope (PCM) or the contrary order. Four kinds of specimens were prepared from the lung tissue of an asbestos related worker: ordinary PCM specimen (A); PCM specimen (B) of which the cover glass was stripped off and ashed at a low temperature; transmission electron microscope (TEM) specimen (C); and PCM specimen (D) covered a TEM specimen (C) with immersion liquid and cover glass. These specimens were all observed by PCM, and the specimen (C) by analytical TEM (ATEM). The results showed that the TEM specimen (C) is transparent in visible light and we can also see the particles by PCM. The image by PCM of the TEM specimen (C) showed very similar features to that of PCM specimens (A) and (B). Accordingly, we could observe various same particles by both ATEM and PCM. In conclusion, the method observing the same AB by both PCM and ATEM will contribute to standardize the recognition of AB for PCM analysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachiko Iijima
- Clinical Laboratory Department, Yokohama Rosai Hospital, Japan
| | | | - Norihiko Kohyama
- Fellow Researcher, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety (JOHAS), Japan
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48
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Cox LA, Bogen KT, Conolly R, Graham U, Moolgavkar S, Oberdörster G, Roggli VL, Turci F, Mossman B. Mechanisms and shapes of causal exposure-response functions for asbestos in mesotheliomas and lung cancers. Environ Res 2023; 230:115607. [PMID: 36965793 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This paper summarizes recent insights into causal biological mechanisms underlying the carcinogenicity of asbestos. It addresses their implications for the shapes of exposure-response curves and considers recent epidemiologic trends in malignant mesotheliomas (MMs) and lung fiber burden studies. Since the commercial amphiboles crocidolite and amosite pose the highest risk of MMs and contain high levels of iron, endogenous and exogenous pathways of iron injury and repair are discussed. Some practical implications of recent developments are that: (1) Asbestos-cancer exposure-response relationships should be expected to have non-zero background rates; (2) Evidence from inflammation biology and other sources suggests that there are exposure concentration thresholds below which exposures do not increase inflammasome-mediated inflammation or resulting inflammation-mediated cancer risks above background risk rates; and (3) The size of the suggested exposure concentration threshold depends on both the detailed time patterns of exposure on a time scale of hours to days and also on the composition of asbestos fibers in terms of their physiochemical properties. These conclusions are supported by complementary strands of evidence including biomathematical modeling, cell biology and biochemistry of asbestos-cell interactions in vitro and in vivo, lung fiber burden analyses and epidemiology showing trends in human exposures and MM rates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Turci
- University of Turin, Department of Chemistry and "G. Scansetti" Center, Italy
| | - Brooke Mossman
- University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, USA
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Franco N, Godono A, Clari M, Ciocan C, Zunarelli C, Pira E, Boffetta P. Occupational asbestos exposure and urinary bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Urol 2023; 41:1005-1015. [PMID: 36847813 PMCID: PMC10159975 DOI: 10.1007/s00345-023-04327-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE There is conflicting evidence on the association between asbestos exposure and bladder cancer. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide evidence on occupational asbestos exposure and the risk of mortality and incidence of bladder cancer. METHODS We searched three relevant electronic databases (Pubmed, Scopus, and Embase) from inception to October 2021. The methodological quality of included articles was evaluated using the US National Institutes of Health tool. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for bladder cancer, as well as respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were extracted or calculated for each included cohort. Main and subgroup meta-analyses according to first year of employment, industry, sex, asbestos type, and geographic region were performed. RESULTS Fifty-nine publications comprising 60 cohorts were included. Bladder cancer incidence and mortality were not significantly associated with occupational asbestos exposure (pooled SIR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.95-1.13, P = 0.000; pooled SMR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.96-1.17, P = 0.031). Bladder cancer incidence was higher among workers employed between 1908 and 1940 (SIR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.31). Mortality was elevated in asbestos workers cohorts (SMR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.06-1.30) and in the subgroup analysis for women (SMR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.22-2.75). No association was found between asbestos types and bladder cancer incidence or mortality. We observed no difference in the subgroup analysis for countries and no direct publication bias evidence. CONCLUSION There is evidence that workers with occupational asbestos exposure have a bladder cancer incidence and mortality similar to the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Franco
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Godono
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Clari
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy.
| | - Catalina Ciocan
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Carlotta Zunarelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Enrico Pira
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Paolo Boffetta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Lisco S, Lapietra I, Laviano R, Mastronuzzi G, Fracchiolla T, Moretti M. Sedimentological features of asbestos cement fragments in coastal environments (Taranto, southern Italy). Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 187:114469. [PMID: 36669298 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos cement materials (ACMs) are widespread in coastal environments as result of illegal dumping activities. This study focuses on the Taranto area (Italy) in the Mar Grande basin within the northern sector of the Ionian Sea. The complex history of dumping building materials containing high amounts of ACM into the coastal zone, and the erosion, transport and deposition in Marechiaro Bay is a serious environmental hazard. An interdisciplinary research methodology defines the temporal dumping succession, and the erosional processes and phases, the diffusion of ACM, the mineralogical characteristics, and existing physical status of the ACM. A multiscale investigation was conducted. Results show that from 1992 to 2000 a significant increment of dumping operations have occurred. The current cliff has been subject to erosion and redeposition phases, developing a new beach composed of these polluted man-made sediments. The findings persuade the local authorities to close the beach requiring remediation interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Lisco
- Department of Geoenvironmental and Earth Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy.
| | - I Lapietra
- Department of Geoenvironmental and Earth Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - R Laviano
- Department of Geoenvironmental and Earth Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - G Mastronuzzi
- Department of Geoenvironmental and Earth Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - T Fracchiolla
- Department of Geoenvironmental and Earth Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
| | - M Moretti
- Department of Geoenvironmental and Earth Sciences, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
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