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Lovén K, Isaxon C, Ahlberg E, Bermeo M, Messing ME, Kåredal M, Hedmer M, Rissler J. Size-resolved characterization of particles >10 nm emitted to air during metal recycling. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107874. [PMID: 36934572 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the strive towards a circular economy, metal waste recycling is a growing industry. During the recycling process, particulate matter containing toxic and allergenic metals will be emitted to the air causing unintentional exposure to humans and environment. OBJECTIVE In this study detailed characterization of particle emissions and workplace exposures were performed, covering the full size range from 10 nm to 10 µm, during recycling of three different material flows: Waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), metal scrap, and cables. METHODS Both direct-reading instruments (minute resolution), and time-integrated filter measurements for gravimetric and chemical analysis were used. Additionally, optical sensors were applied and evaluated for long-term online monitoring of air quality in industrial settings. RESULTS The highest concentrations, in all particle sizes, and with respect both to particle mass and number, were measured in the WEEE flow, followed by the metal scrap flow. The number fraction of nanoparticles was high for all material flows (0.66-0.86). The most abundant metals were Fe, Al, Zn, Pb and Cu. Other elements of toxicological interest were Mn, Ba and Co. SIGNIFICANCE The large fraction of nanoparticles, and the fact that their chemical composition deviate from that of the coarse particles, raises questions that needs to be further addressed including toxicological implications, both for humans and for the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Lovén
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; Department of Occupation and Environmental Medicine, Region Skåne, SE-22381 Lund, Sweden.
| | - Christina Isaxon
- Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Ahlberg
- Division of Nuclear Physics, Department of Physics, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Bermeo
- NanoLund, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; Solid State Physics, Department of Physics, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria E Messing
- NanoLund, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; Solid State Physics, Department of Physics, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Monica Kåredal
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; Department of Occupation and Environmental Medicine, Region Skåne, SE-22381 Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Hedmer
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; Department of Occupation and Environmental Medicine, Region Skåne, SE-22381 Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Rissler
- Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; NanoLund, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; Division of Bioeconomy and Health, RISE Research Institute of Sweden, SE-22370 Lund, Sweden.
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Hedbrant A, Eklund D, Andersson L, Bryngelsson IL, Persson A, Westberg H, Särndahl E. Effects on white blood cell counts and the NLRP3 inflammasome due to dust and cobalt exposure in the hard metal industry. Biomarkers 2021; 27:60-70. [PMID: 34872432 DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2021.2013538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In light of potential negative health effects of cobalt exposure, a characterization of inflammatory mechanisms in exposed individuals is warranted. The current study investigated cobalt exposure in the Swedish hard metal industry and its relationship to inflammatory markers, including NLRP3 inflammasome activation and white blood cell (WBC) counts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Inhalable cobalt and dust exposures, and systemic cobalt levels, were determined for 72 workers in the hard metal industry and linear regression models were applied to correlate exposure to markers of inflammasome activation and WBC counts. RESULTS Mean exposures to inhalable dust (0.11 mg/m3) and cobalt (0.0034 mg/m3) were below the Swedish occupational exposure limits, and these low exposures did not correlate with any investigated outcomes. Instead, cobalt blood levels significantly correlated with a ca 10% decrease in IL-18 plasma levels per 10 nM cobalt increase. Furthermore, pre-shift cobalt blood and/or urine levels significantly correlated with some WBC measures, including decreased neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, increased lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio, and lymphocyte counts. CONCLUSION The low inhalable particle exposures had no impact on WBC counts and inflammasome activation. Instead, systemic cobalt levels, which also include skin exposure, demonstrated possible suppressive effects on inflammatory responses in cobalt-exposed individuals in the hard metal industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Hedbrant
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Daniel Eklund
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Lena Andersson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ing-Liss Bryngelsson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Alexander Persson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Håkan Westberg
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Eva Särndahl
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Faculty of Medicine and Health, Inflammatory Response and Infection Susceptibility Centre (iRiSC), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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