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Petersson Sjögren M, Kåredal M, Broberg K, Assarsson E, Thuresson S, Dierschke K, Hedmer M, Rissler J, Wollmer P, Löndahl J. Sensitive methods for assessment of lung health in welders and controls. Respir Med 2023; 212:107244. [PMID: 37062499 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2023.107244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Welders are exposed to gas and particle emissions that can cause severe lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. It is hard to detect COPD early and therefore mitigating measures may be delayed. The aim of this study was to investigate lung health in welders and evaluate new sensitive methods with potential to assess early onset pulmonary changes in occupational settings. METHODS This study assessed the lung health and symptoms in active welders (n = 28) and controls (n = 17). Lung measurements were performed with standard spirometry and new methods: airspace dimension assessment (AiDA), oscillometry, blood serum biomarkers (club cell secretory protein 16, surfactant protein D, matrix metalloproteinases, fibroblast, hepatocyte growth factor, interleukins), and one urine biomarker (desmosine). RESULTS According to spirometry measurements, all participants had normal lung function. However, prevalence of cough was significantly higher among welders compared with controls and lung changes were found in welders with the novel methods. Welders had significantly higher respiratory system resistance assessed with oscillometry, serum levels of metalloproteinases 9 and hepatocyte growth factor, compared with controls. Airspace dimensions were on average higher among welders compared with controls, but the difference was not significant. The number of welding years correlated with decreased respiratory system reactance and increased serum levels of matrix metalloproteinases 9, interleukin 6, and hepatocyte growth factor. Airspace dimension assessment indices significantly correlated with increasing levels of inflammatory markers and matrix metalloproteinases. CONCLUSIONS This study indicated the potential to use new and more sensitive methods for identification of changes in lungs when standard spirometry failed to do so.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine Petersson Sjögren
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Monica Kåredal
- NanoLund, Lund, Sweden; Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Broberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Assarsson
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Thuresson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katrin Dierschke
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Hedmer
- NanoLund, Lund, Sweden; Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Skåne, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Rissler
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund, Sweden; RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Borås, Sweden
| | - Per Wollmer
- Department of Translational Medicine, Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jakob Löndahl
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund, Sweden.
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Turcu V, Wild P, Hemmendinger M, Sauvain JJ, Bergamaschi E, Hopf NB, Canu IG. Towards Reference Values for Malondialdehyde on Exhaled Breath Condensate: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. TOXICS 2022; 10:258. [PMID: 35622671 PMCID: PMC9147097 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10050258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Many pathological conditions and certain airway exposures are associated with oxidative stress (OS). Malondialdehyde (MDA) is an end-product of the oxidation of lipids in our cells and is present in all biological matrices including exhaled breath condensate (EBC). To use MDA as a biomarker of OS in EBC, a reference interval should be defined. Thus, we sought to summarize reference values reported in healthy adult populations by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis using a standardized protocol registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020146623). Articles were retrieved from four major databases and 25 studies with 28 subgroups were included. Defining the distribution of MDA measured in reference populations with a detection combined with a separation technique still represents a challenge due to the low number of studies available, different analytical methods used, and questionable methodological qualities of many studies. The most salient methodological drawbacks have been in data collection and reporting of methods and study results by the researchers. The lack of compliance with the recommendations of the European Respiratory Society and American Thoracic Society was the major limitation in the current research involving EBC. Consequently, we were unable to establish a reference interval for MDA in EBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Turcu
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; (V.T.); (P.W.); (M.H.); (J.-J.S.); (N.B.H.)
| | - Pascal Wild
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; (V.T.); (P.W.); (M.H.); (J.-J.S.); (N.B.H.)
| | - Maud Hemmendinger
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; (V.T.); (P.W.); (M.H.); (J.-J.S.); (N.B.H.)
| | - Jean-Jacques Sauvain
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; (V.T.); (P.W.); (M.H.); (J.-J.S.); (N.B.H.)
| | - Enrico Bergamaschi
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Via Zuretti 29, 10125 Turin, Italy;
| | - Nancy B. Hopf
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; (V.T.); (P.W.); (M.H.); (J.-J.S.); (N.B.H.)
| | - Irina Guseva Canu
- Center for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Route de la Corniche 2, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland; (V.T.); (P.W.); (M.H.); (J.-J.S.); (N.B.H.)
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Human Inhalation Study with Zinc Oxide: Analysis of Zinc Levels and Biomarkers in Exhaled Breath Condensate. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 32860620 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2020_572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Workers in the zinc processing, for example, welding or hot-dip galvanizing, are exposed to aerosols consisting of particles and gases, including zinc oxide (ZnO), which can affect human health. In this study, we addressed the effects of short-term controlled exposure to nano-sized ZnO on the airway inflammatory markers in healthy volunteers. To this end, we determined the influence of ZnO inhalation on the content of zinc and biomarkers (leukotriene B4 (LTB4), peptide leukotrienes (LTC4/D4/E4), 8-iso-PGF2α, pH, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Sixteen non-smoking subjects (8 females, 8 men) were exposed to filtered air (sham) or ZnO nanoparticles (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/m3) for 4 h. EBC samples were collected according to specific study design. We found that the peptide leukotrienes were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) in all the EBC samples. ZnO exposure showed no detectable effect on any other parameters investigated when comparing the two groups. The content of Zn in EBC was unaffected by ZnO inhalation at any concentration used. Therefore, we conclude that the evaluation of Zn and biomarker content in EBC would not be a suitable way to assess the exposure to inhaled ZnO.
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Welding Fumes, a Risk Factor for Lung Diseases. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17072552. [PMID: 32276440 PMCID: PMC7177922 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17072552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Welding fumes (WFs) are composed of fine and ultrafine particles, which may reach the distal airways and represent a risk factor for respiratory diseases. (2) Methods: In vitro and in vivo studies to understand WFs pathogenesis were selected. Epidemiological studies, original articles, review, and meta-analysis to examine solely respiratory disease in welders were included. A systematic literature search, using PubMed, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Technical Information Center (NIOSHTIC), and Web of Science databases, was performed. (3) Results: Dose, time of exposure, and composition of WFs affect lung injury. Inflammation, lung defense suppression, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and genotoxic effects were observed after exposure both to mild and stainless steel WFs. (4) Conclusions: The detection of lung diseases associated with specific occupational exposure is crucial as complete avoidance or reduction of the exposure is difficult to achieve. Further studies in the area of particle research may aid the understanding of mechanisms involved in welding-related lung disease and to expand knowledge in welding-related cardiovascular diseases.
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Riccelli MG, Goldoni M, Andreoli R, Mozzoni P, Pinelli S, Alinovi R, Selis L, Mutti A, Corradi M. Biomarkers of exposure to stainless steel tungsten inert gas welding fumes and the effect of exposure on exhaled breath condensate. Toxicol Lett 2018; 292:108-114. [PMID: 29719222 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The respiratory tract is the main target organ of the inhaled hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI) and nickel (Ni) contained in stainless steel (SS) welding fumes (WFs). The aim of this study was to investigate the Cr and Ni content of the exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of SS tungsten inert gas (TIG) welders, and relate their concentrations with oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. EBC and urine from 100 SS TIG welders were collected pre-(T0) and post-shift (T1) on a Friday, and pre-shift (T2) on the following Monday morning. Both EBC and urinary Cr concentrations were higher at T1 (0.08 μg/L and 0.71 μg/g creatinine) and T0 (0.06 μg/L and 0.74 μg/g creatinine) than at T2 (below the limit of detection [LOD] and 0.59 μg/g creatinine), and EBC Ni concentrations generally remained <LOD. EBC hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration increased from 0.18 μM at T0 to 0.25 μM at T1, but had decreased to 0.16 μM by T2. EBC malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were higher at T0 (2.79 nM) and T1 (2.98 nM) than at T2 (2.43 nM), and EBC 4-hydroxy-nonenal (HNE) concentrations were higher at T0 (0.53 nM) than at T2 (0.51 nM). These findings confirm that, unlike Ni-EBC, Cr-EBC is a reliable biomarker of exposure even at very low environmental concentrations. However, given the weak relationship between the biomarkers and effects of exposure, we speculate that other substances generated during SS TIG welding also play a role in generating lung oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Goldoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - Paola Mozzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Silvana Pinelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | | | - Luisella Selis
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Antonio Mutti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy
| | - Massimo Corradi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Italy.
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Chuang HC, Su TY, Chuang KJ, Hsiao TC, Lin HL, Hsu YT, Pan CH, Lee KY, Ho SC, Lai CH. Pulmonary exposure to metal fume particulate matter cause sleep disturbances in shipyard welders. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2018; 232:523-532. [PMID: 28988870 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.09.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disorders may pose a risk to workers in the workplace. We aimed to investigate the associations between metal fume fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sleep quality in workers. We assessed the effects of personal exposure to metal fume PM2.5 on lung functions, urinary biomarkers, and sleep quality in shipyard welding workers. In total, 96 welding workers and 54 office workers were recruited in the present study; office workers were exposed to 82.1 ± 94.1 μg/m3 PM2.5 and welding workers were exposed to 2166.5 ± 3149.1 μg/m3. Welding workers had significantly lower levels of FEV25-75 than office workers (p < 0.05). An increase in 1 μg/m3 PM2.5 was associated with a decrease of 0.003 ng/mL in urinary serotonin (95% CI = -0.007-0.000, p < 0.05) in all workers and with a decrease of 0.001 ng/mL in serotonin (95% CI = -0.004-0.002, p < 0.05) in welding workers, but these were not observed in office workers. There was no significant association of PM2.5 with urinary cortisol observed in any workers. Urinary serotonin was associated with urinary Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, and Pb. Urinary cortisol was associated with Cu, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, and Pb. Sixteen subjects were randomly selected from each of the office and welding workers for personal monitoring of sleep quality using a wearable device. We observed that welding workers had greater awake times than did office workers (p < 0.05). Our study observed that exposure to heavy metals in metal fume PM2.5 may disrupt sleep quality in welding workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Chi Chuang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ting-Yao Su
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kai-Jen Chuang
- School of Public Health, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ta-Chih Hsiao
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Ling Lin
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Ting Hsu
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Hong Pan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Institute of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health, Ministry of Labor, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chuan Ho
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Huang Lai
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
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IL-6, a central acute-phase mediator, as an early biomarker for exposure to zinc-based metal fumes. Toxicology 2016; 373:63-73. [PMID: 27816692 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Systemic C-reactive protein (CRP) increases 1day after short-term inhalation of welding fumes containing zinc and/or copper. The aim of the current study was to find further, possibly earlier systemic biomarkers after inhalation of different welding fumes containing zinc and traces of aluminum, with or without copper, as these metal combinations become more common in modern joining technology. METHODS The study group consisted of 15 non-smoking male volunteers with healthy lung function data and without any occupational metal fume exposure. On 4 different exposure days, the members of the study group were exposed under controlled conditions to ambient air or 3 different welding fumes for 6h. Spirometric and impulse oscillometric measurements and differential blood counts were performed and serum samples were collected before exposure and 6, 10 and 29h after start of exposure. The biomarker concentrations in serum were measured by electrochemiluminescent assays. RESULTS Systemic increases of IL-6 peaked significantly at 10h compared to baseline ("ZincZinc": P=0.0005 (median increase (m. incr.)=1.36pg/mL); "ZincAlu": P=0.0012 (m. incr.=1.48pg/mL); "AluBronze": P=0.0005 (m. incr.=2.66pg/mL)). At 29h, CRP and serum amyloid A (SAA) increased distinctively ("ZincZinc": P=0.032 (m. incr.=0.65μg/mL) [CRP], 0.077 (m. incr.=0.61μg/mL) [SAA]; "ZincAlu": P=0.001 (m. incr.=1.15μg/mL) [CRP], 0.0024 (m. incr.=0.94μg/mL) [SAA]; "AluBronze": P=0.002 (m. incr.=2.5μg/mL) [CRP], 0.002 (m. incr.=0.97μg/mL) [SAA]). The median increases of CRP and IL-6 were most pronounced for the welding fume which contained besides zinc also copper (AluBronze). For differentiating AluBronze from control exposure, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the IL-6 increases (10h versus 0h) was 0.931. The additional inflammatory mediators [vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), cell counts] and the lung function parameters did not show any significant changes after exposure. CONCLUSIONS Consistent with its role of the mediation of the acute-phase response, systemic increases of IL-6 after welding fume exposure peak at 10h before the increases of the acute-phase reactants CRP and SAA at 29h. IL-6 may represent a highly sensitive and early biomarker for the exposure to metal fumes containing zinc and copper. As IL-6, CRP and SAA are independent, strong risk markers for future cardiovascular diseases, these data may particularly be important for long-term welders with respect to their cardiovascular health.
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Graczyk H, Lewinski N, Zhao J, Sauvain JJ, Suarez G, Wild P, Danuser B, Riediker M. Increase in oxidative stress levels following welding fume inhalation: a controlled human exposure study. Part Fibre Toxicol 2016; 13:31. [PMID: 27286820 PMCID: PMC4901438 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-016-0143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding represents one of the most widely used metal joining processes in industry. It has been shown to generate a large majority of particles at the nanoscale and to have low mass emission rates when compared to other types of welding. Despite evidence that TIG fume particles may produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), limited data is available for the time course changes of particle-associated oxidative stress in exposed TIG welders. METHODS Twenty non-smoking male welding apprentices were exposed to TIG welding fumes for 60 min under controlled, well-ventilated settings. Exhaled breathe condensate (EBC), blood and urine were collected before exposure, immediately after exposure, 1 h and 3 h post exposure. Volunteers participated in a control day to account for oxidative stress fluctuations due to circadian rhythm. Biological liquids were assessed for total reducing capacity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) concentrations at each time point. A linear mixed model was used to assess within day and between day differences. RESULTS Significant increases in the measured biomarkers were found at 3 h post exposure. At 3 h post exposure, we found a 24 % increase in plasma-H2O2 concentrations ([95%CI: 4 % to 46 %], p = 0.01); a 91 % increase in urinary-H2O2 ([2 % to 258 %], p = 0.04); a 14 % increase in plasma-8-OHdG ([0 % to 31 %], p = 0.049); and a 45 % increase in urinary-8-OHdG ([3 % to 105 %], p = 0.03). Doubling particle number concentration (PNC) exposure was associated with a 22 % increase of plasma-8-OHdG at 3 h post exposure (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION A 60-min exposure to TIG welding fume in a controlled, well-ventilated setting induced acute oxidative stress at 3 h post exposure in healthy, non-smoking apprentice welders not chronically exposed to welding fumes. As mass concentration of TIG welding fume particles is very low when compared to other types of welding, it is recommended that additional exposure metrics such as PNC are considered for occupational risk assessments. Our findings highlight the importance of increasing awareness of TIG welding fume toxicity, especially given the realities of welding workplaces that may lack ventilation; and beliefs among interviewed welders that TIG represents a cleaner and safer welding process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halshka Graczyk
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Nastassja Lewinski
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland.,Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Jiayuan Zhao
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jean-Jacques Sauvain
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Guillaume Suarez
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Wild
- Department of Scientific Management, National Institute for Research and Security, INRS, Vandoeuvre, 54500, France
| | - Brigitta Danuser
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland
| | - Michael Riediker
- Institute for Work and Health, University of Lausanne and Geneva, Lausanne, CH-1066, Switzerland. .,SAFENANO, IOM Singapore, Singapore, 048622, Singapore.
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Brand P, Bertram J, Chaker A, Jörres RA, Kronseder A, Kraus T, Gube M. Biological effects of inhaled nitrogen dioxide in healthy human subjects. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2016; 89:1017-24. [PMID: 27155612 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-016-1139-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several epidemiological studies indicate that inhaled nitrogen dioxide (NO2) at low concentrations have been statistically associated with adverse health effects. However, these results are not reflected by exposure studies in humans. The aim of the study was to assess the acute functional and cellular responses to different NO2 concentrations in healthy human subjects with various techniques. METHODS Twenty-five subjects were exposed for 3 h to NO2 concentrations 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.5 ppm in a randomized crossover study design during 4 consecutive weeks. In each subject, lung function, diffusion capacity and exhaled nitric oxide were measured and inflammation markers were assessed in blood, nasal secretions, induced sputum and exhaled breath condensate. RESULTS From all lung function indices under consideration, only intrathoracic gas volume was borderline significantly increased after 0.5 ppm (p = 0.048) compared to 0.1 ppm NO2. Regarding the cellular effect parameters, the macrophage concentration in induced sputum decreased with increasing NO2 concentration, although these changes were only borderline significant (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION These results do not suggest a considerable acute adverse response in human subjects after 3 h of exposure to NO2 in the NO2 concentration range investigated in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Brand
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - J Bertram
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - A Chaker
- Department of Otolaryngology, Klinikum rechts der Isar and Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - R A Jörres
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - A Kronseder
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - T Kraus
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - M Gube
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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Stringer KA, McKay RT, Karnovsky A, Quémerais B, Lacy P. Metabolomics and Its Application to Acute Lung Diseases. Front Immunol 2016; 7:44. [PMID: 26973643 PMCID: PMC4770032 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolomics is a rapidly expanding field of systems biology that is gaining significant attention in many areas of biomedical research. Also known as metabonomics, it comprises the analysis of all small molecules or metabolites that are present within an organism or a specific compartment of the body. Metabolite detection and quantification provide a valuable addition to genomics and proteomics and give unique insights into metabolic changes that occur in tangent to alterations in gene and protein activity that are associated with disease. As a novel approach to understanding disease, metabolomics provides a "snapshot" in time of all metabolites present in a biological sample such as whole blood, plasma, serum, urine, and many other specimens that may be obtained from either patients or experimental models. In this article, we review the burgeoning field of metabolomics in its application to acute lung diseases, specifically pneumonia and acute respiratory disease syndrome (ARDS). We also discuss the potential applications of metabolomics for monitoring exposure to aerosolized environmental toxins. Recent reports have suggested that metabolomics analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) approaches may provide clinicians with the opportunity to identify new biomarkers that may predict progression to more severe disease, such as sepsis, which kills many patients each year. In addition, metabolomics may provide more detailed phenotyping of patient heterogeneity, which is needed to achieve the goal of precision medicine. However, although several experimental and clinical metabolomics studies have been conducted assessing the application of the science to acute lung diseases, only incremental progress has been made. Specifically, little is known about the metabolic phenotypes of these illnesses. These data are needed to substantiate metabolomics biomarker credentials so that clinicians can employ them for clinical decision-making and investigators can use them to design clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen A. Stringer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ryan T. McKay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alla Karnovsky
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Paige Lacy
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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Bertram J, Brand P, Hartmann L, Schettgen T, Kossack V, Lenz K, Purrio E, Reisgen U, Kraus T. Human biomonitoring of aluminium after a single, controlled manual metal arc inert gas welding process of an aluminium-containing worksheet in nonwelders. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2015; 88:913-23. [PMID: 25596709 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-015-1020-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Several existing field studies evaluate aluminium welding works but no thoroughly controlled exposure scenario for welding fume has been described yet. This study provides information about the uptake and elimination of aluminium from welding fumes under controlled conditions. METHODS In the Aachen Workplace Simulation Laboratory, we are able to generate welding fumes of a defined particle mass concentration. We exposed 12, until then occupationally unexposed participants with aluminium-containing welding fumes of a metal inert gas (MIG) welding process of a total dust mass concentration of 2.5 mg/m(3) for 6 h. Room air filter samples were collected, and the aluminium concentration in air derived. Urine and plasma samples were collected directly before and after the 6-h lasting exposure, as well as after 1 and 7 days. Human biomonitoring methods were used to determine the aluminium content of the samples with high-resolution continuum source atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS Urinary aluminium concentrations showed significant changes after exposure compared to preexposure levels (mean t(1) (0 h) 13.5 µg/L; mean t(2) (6 h) 23.5 µg/L). Plasma results showed the same pattern but pre-post comparison did not reach significance. CONCLUSIONS We were able to detect a significant increase of the internal aluminium burden of a single MIG aluminium welding process in urine, while plasma failed significance. Biphasic elimination kinetic can be observed. The German BAT of 60 µg/g creatinine was not exceeded, and urinary aluminium returned nearly to baseline concentrations after 7 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Bertram
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Peter Brand
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Laura Hartmann
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schettgen
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Veronika Kossack
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Klaus Lenz
- ISF - Welding and Joining Institute, Aachen University of Technology, Pontstr. 49, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ellwyn Purrio
- ISF - Welding and Joining Institute, Aachen University of Technology, Pontstr. 49, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Uwe Reisgen
- ISF - Welding and Joining Institute, Aachen University of Technology, Pontstr. 49, 52062, Aachen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kraus
- Medical Faculty, Institute for Occupational Medicine and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Hartmann L, Bauer M, Bertram J, Gube M, Lenz K, Reisgen U, Schettgen T, Kraus T, Brand P. Assessment of the biological effects of welding fumes emitted from metal inert gas welding processes of aluminium and zinc-plated materials in humans. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2013; 217:160-8. [PMID: 23790592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 03/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate biological effects and potential health risks due to two different metal-inert-gas (MIG) welding fumes (MIG welding of aluminium and MIG soldering of zinc coated steel) in healthy humans. In a threefold cross-over design study 12 male subjects were exposed to three different exposure scenarios. Exposures were performed under controlled conditions in the Aachener Workplace Simulation Laboratory (AWSL). On three different days the subjects were either exposed to filtered ambient air, to welding fumes from MIG welding of aluminium, or to fumes from MIG soldering of zinc coated materials. Exposure was performed for 6 h and the average fume concentration was 2.5 mg m(-3). Before, directly after, 1 day after, and 7 days after exposure spirometric and impulse oscillometric measurements were performed, exhaled breath condensate (EBC) was collected and blood samples were taken and analyzed for inflammatory markers. During MIG welding of aluminium high ozone concentrations (up to 250 μg m(-3)) were observed, whereas ozone was negligible for MIG soldering. For MIG soldering, concentrations of high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and factor VIII were significantly increased but remained mostly within the normal range. The concentration of neutrophils increased in tendency. For MIG welding of aluminium, the lung function showed significant decreases in Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Mean Expiratory Flow at 75% vital capacity (MEF 75) 7 days after exposure. The concentration of ristocetin cofactor was increased. The observed increase of hsCRP during MIG-soldering can be understood as an indicator for asymptomatic systemic inflammation probably due to zinc (zinc concentration 1.5 mg m(-3)). The change in lung function observed after MIG welding of aluminium may be attributed to ozone inhalation, although the late response (7 days after exposure) is surprising.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Hartmann
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
| | - M Bauer
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - J Bertram
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - M Gube
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - K Lenz
- ISF - Welding and Joining Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Pontstraße 49, D-52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - U Reisgen
- ISF - Welding and Joining Institute, RWTH Aachen University, Pontstraße 49, D-52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - T Schettgen
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - T Kraus
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - P Brand
- Institute for Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstr. 30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany
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