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Berge LAM, Shala NK, Barone-Adesi F, Hosgood HD, Samuelsen SO, Bråtveit M, Kirkeleit J, Silverman D, Friesen MC, Babigumira R, Grimsrud TK, Veierød MB, Stenehjem JS. Exposure to fibres and risk of pleural mesothelioma in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers cohort. Occup Environ Med 2024:oemed-2024-109424. [PMID: 38955483 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2024-109424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pleural mesothelioma is a rare respiratory cancer, mainly caused by inhalation of asbestos fibres. Other inorganic fibres are also suggested risk factors. We aimed to investigate the association between exposure to asbestos or refractory ceramic fibres (RCFs) and pleural mesothelioma among male Norwegian offshore petroleum workers. METHODS Among 25 347 men in the Norwegian Offshore Petroleum Workers (NOPW) cohort (1965-1998), 43 pleural mesothelioma cases were identified through the Cancer Registry of Norway (1999-2022). A case-cohort study was conducted with 2095 randomly drawn non-cases from the cohort. Asbestos and RCF exposures were assessed with expert-made job-exposure matrices (JEMs). Weighted Cox regression was used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs, adjusted for age at baseline and pre-offshore employment with likely asbestos exposure. RESULTS An increased risk of pleural mesothelioma was indicated for the highest versus lowest tertile of average intensity of asbestos (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.57 to 2.54). Pre-offshore asbestos exposure (vs no such exposure) was associated with increased risk of pleural mesothelioma (HR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.81). For offshore workers with no pre-offshore asbestos exposure, an increased risk of pleural mesothelioma was found for the highest tertile of average intensity of asbestos (HR=4.13, 95% CI: 0.93 to 18), versus the lowest tertile. No associations were found between RCF and pleural mesothelioma. CONCLUSIONS Associations between JEM-based offshore asbestos exposure and pleural mesothelioma were confirmed in the NOPW cohort. Pleural mesothelioma risk was also associated with asbestos exposure before work in the offshore petroleum industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon Alexander Mclaren Berge
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nita Kaupang Shala
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - H Dean Hosgood
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | | | - Magne Bråtveit
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Jorunn Kirkeleit
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Debra Silverman
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Melissa C Friesen
- Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ronnie Babigumira
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom K Grimsrud
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marit B Veierød
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jo S Stenehjem
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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Paris C, Thaon I, Laurent F, Saade A, Andujar P, Brochard P, Benoist J, Clin B, Ferretti G, Gislard A, Gramond C, Wild P, Lacourt A, Delva F, Pairon JC. Pleural Plaques and the Role of Exposure to Mineral Particles in the Asbestos Post-Exposure Survey. Chest 2023:S0012-3692(23)00176-9. [PMID: 36773934 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have inconsistently reported associations between refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) or mineral wool fibers (MWFs) and the presence of pleural plaques (PPs). All these studies were based on chest radiographs, known to be associated with a poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of PP. RESEARCH QUESTION Does the risk of PPs increase with cumulative exposure to RCFs, MWFs, and silica? If the risk does increase, do these dose-response relationships depend on the co-exposure to asbestos or, conversely, are the dose-response relationships for asbestos modified by co-exposure to RCFs, MWFs, and silica? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS Volunteer workers were invited to participate in a CT scan screening program for asbestos-related diseases in France. Asbestos exposure was assessed by industrial hygienists, and exposure to RCFs, MWFs, and silica was determined by using job-exposure matrices. A cumulative exposure index (CEI) was then calculated for each subject and separately for each of the four mineral particle exposures. All available CT scans were submitted to randomized, double reading by a panel of radiologists. RESULTS In this cohort of 5,457 subjects, significant dose-response relationships were determined after adjustment for asbestos exposure between CEI to RCF or MWF and the risk of PPs (ORs of 1.29 [95% CI, 1.00-1.67] and 1.84 [95% CI, 1.49-2.27] for the highest CEI quartile, respectively). Significant interactions were found between asbestos on one hand and MWF or RCF on the other. INTERPRETATION This study suggests the existence of a significant association between exposure to RCFs and MWFs and the presence of PPs in a large population previously exposed to asbestos and screened by using CT scans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Paris
- Centre de Pathologies Professionnelles et environnementales, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France; INSERM, IRSET U1085, Equipe ESTER, Rennes, France.
| | - Isabelle Thaon
- CHRU de Nancy, Université de Lorraine, Centre de Consultation de Pathologies Professionnelles, Nancy, France
| | - François Laurent
- Service d'imagerie médicale diagnostique et thérapeutique, Unité d'imagerie thoracique CHHU de Bordeaux groupe hospitalier Sud Avenue de Magellan, Pessac, France; Centre de recherche cardiothoracique, INSERM U1045, Bordeaux, France
| | - Anastasia Saade
- Centre de Pathologies Professionnelles et environnementales, CHU Pontchaillou, Rennes, France; INSERM, IRSET U1085, Equipe ESTER, Rennes, France
| | - Pascal Andujar
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, Equipe GEIC2O, Creteil, France; Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Service de Pathologies professionnelles et de l'Environnement, Institut Santé-Travail Paris-Est, Creteil, France
| | - Patrick Brochard
- Université Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Epicene Team, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France
| | - Julia Benoist
- Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Service de Pathologies professionnelles et de l'Environnement, Institut Santé-Travail Paris-Est, Creteil, France
| | - Benedicte Clin
- INSERM U1086, ANTICIPE, Caen, France; Université de Caen Normandie, Caen, France; CHU Caen, Service de santé au travail et pathologie professionnelle, Caen, France
| | - Gilbert Ferretti
- Service de radiologie diagnostique et thérapeutique, Hôpital Michallon, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France; Université Grenoble Alpes, La Tronche, France
| | - Antoine Gislard
- Centre de Pathologies Professionnelles et environnementales, CHU Rouen, Rouen, France
| | - Cecile Gramond
- Université Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Epicene Team, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France
| | - Pascal Wild
- INRS, French Institute for Research and Safety, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France
| | - Aude Lacourt
- Université Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Epicene Team, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France
| | - Fleur Delva
- Université Bordeaux, INSERM, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Epicene Team, UMR 1219, Bordeaux, France
| | - Jean-Claude Pairon
- Univ Paris Est Créteil, INSERM, IMRB, Equipe GEIC2O, Creteil, France; Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal, Service de Pathologies professionnelles et de l'Environnement, Institut Santé-Travail Paris-Est, Creteil, France
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3
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Brueckner U, Schulze AS, Walter D, Kampschulte M, Schneider J. Rounded atelectasis after exposure to refractory ceramic fibres (RCF). Part Fibre Toxicol 2021; 18:48. [PMID: 34965858 PMCID: PMC8715575 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-021-00441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Refractory Ceramic fibres (RCF) are man-made mineral fibres used in high performance thermal insulation applications. Analogous to asbestos fibres, RCF are respirable, show a pleural drift and can persist in human lung tissue for more than 20 years after exposure. Pleural changes such as localised or diffuse pleural thickening as well as pleural calcification were reported. Result A 45 years old man worked in high performance thermal insulation applications using refractory ceramic fibres (RCF) for almost 20 years. During a occupational medical prophylaxis to ensure early diagnosis of disorders caused by inhalation of aluminium silicate fibres with X-ray including high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), bilateral pleural thickening was shown and a pleural calcification next to a rounded atelectasis was detected. Asbestos exposure could be excluded. In pulmonary function test a restrictive lung pattern could be revealed. In work samples scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) classified used fibres as aluminium silicate fibres. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed crystalline as well as amorphous fibres. Conclusions A comprehensive lung function analysis and in case of restrictive lung disorders additional CT scans are needed in RCF exposed workers in accordance to the guidelines for medical occupational examinations comparable to asbestos exposed workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Brueckner
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 129, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - Anne S Schulze
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 129, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dirk Walter
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 129, 35392, Giessen, Germany.,Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Justus-Liebig-University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Marian Kampschulte
- Clinic for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital, Justus-Liebig-University, Klinikstrasse 33, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joachim Schneider
- Institute and Outpatient Clinic for Occupational and Social Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 129, 35392, Giessen, Germany
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4
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Cui Y, Huang L, Huo T, Dong F, Wang G, Zhang Q. Man-made mineral fiber effects on the expression of anti-oncogenes P53 and P16 and oncogenes C-JUN and C-FOS in the lung tissue of Wistar rats. Toxicol Ind Health 2019; 35:431-444. [PMID: 31131716 DOI: 10.1177/0748233719851699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Man-made mineral fibers (MMMFs) are substitutes for asbestos. MMMFs are widely used as insulation, but their molecular mechanisms underlying the tumorigenic effects in vivo have been poorly studied. For this reason, this work aimed to explore the properties and carcinogenic molecular mechanisms of MMMFs. The three MMMFs, rock wool (RW), glass fibers (GFs), and ceramic fibers (CFs), were prepared into respirable dust. Particle size, morphology, and chemical composition were analyzed by laser particle analyzer, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, respectively. The Wistar rats were administered multiple intratracheal instillations of three MMMFs once a month. Then, several parameters (e.g. body mass, lung mass, and lung histology) were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months. After that, levels of P53, P16, C-JUN, and C-FOS mRNA and protein were measured by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. This work found that exposure to MMMFs could influence the growth of body mass and increase lung mass. General conditions showed white nodules and irregular atrophy. In addition, MMMFs could lead to inactivation of anti-oncogene P16 and activation of proto-oncogenes (C-JUN and C-FOS) in the mRNA and protein levels, in which GF and CF were more obvious compared with RW. The effect of MMMFs was different, which may be related to the physical and chemical characteristics of different MMMFs. In conclusion, MMMFs (GF and CF) could induce an unbalanced expression of cancer-related genes in the lung tissues of rats. The understanding of the determinants of toxicity and carcinogenicity provides a scientific basis for developing and introducing new safer MMMF products, and the present study provides some useful insights into the carcinogenic mechanism of MMMFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cui
- 1 School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Liuwen Huang
- 2 School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Tingting Huo
- 3 Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and the Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Faqin Dong
- 3 Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and the Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, China
| | - Guojun Wang
- 4 Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Qingbi Zhang
- 1 School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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5
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Measuring EMPs in the lung what can be measured in the lung: Asbestiform minerals and cleavage fragments. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2018; 361:14-17. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.06.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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6
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Maxim LD, Utell MJ. Review of refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) toxicity, epidemiology and occupational exposure. Inhal Toxicol 2018; 30:49-71. [PMID: 29564943 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2018.1448019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This literature review on refractory ceramic fibers (RCF) summarizes relevant information on manufacturing, processing, applications, occupational exposure, toxicology and epidemiology studies. Rodent toxicology studies conducted in the 1980s showed that RCF caused fibrosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Interpretation of these studies was difficult for various reasons (e.g. overload in chronic inhalation bioassays), but spurred the development of a comprehensive product stewardship program under EPA and later OSHA oversight. Epidemiology studies (both morbidity and mortality) were undertaken to learn more about possible health effects resulting from occupational exposure. No chronic animal bioassay studies on RCF have been conducted since the 1980s. The results of the ongoing epidemiology studies confirm that occupational exposure to RCF is associated with the development of pleural plaques and minor decrements in lung function, but no interstitial fibrosis or incremental lung cancer. Evidence supporting a finding that urinary tumors are associated with RCF exposure remains, but is weaker. One reported, but unconfirmed, mesothelioma was found in an individual with prior occupational asbestos exposure. An elevated SMR for leukemia was found, but was absent in the highly exposed group and has not been observed in studies of other mineral fibers. The industry will continue the product stewardship program including the mortality study.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Daniel Maxim
- a Everest Consulting Associates , West Windsor , NJ , USA
| | - Mark J Utell
- b University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry , Rochester , NY , USA
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7
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Zhu X, Gu Y, Ma W, Gao P, Liu M, Xiao P, Wang H, Chen J, Li T. Biomarkers for Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis and Lung Ventilation Function in Chinese Occupational Refractory Ceramic Fibers-Exposed Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2017; 15:ijerph15010042. [PMID: 29280967 PMCID: PMC5800141 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 12/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Refractory ceramic fibers (RCFs) can cause adverse health effects on workers’ respiratory system, yet no proper biomarkers have been used to detect early pulmonary injury of RCFs-exposed workers. This study assessed the levels of two biomarkers that are related to respiratory injury in RCFs-exposed workers, and explored their relations with lung function. The exposure levels of total dust and respirable fibers were measured simultaneously in RCFs factories. The levels of TGF-β1 and ceruloplasmin (CP) increased with the RCFs exposure level (p < 0.05), and significantly increased in workers with high exposure level (1.21 ± 0.49 ng/mL, 115.25 ± 32.44 U/L) when compared with the control group (0.99 ± 0.29 ng/mL, 97.90 ± 35.01 U/L) (p < 0.05). The levels of FVC and FEV1 were significantly decreased in RCFs exposure group (p < 0.05). Negative relations were found between the concentrations of CP and FVC (B = −0.423, p = 0.025), or FEV1 (B = −0.494, p = 0.014). The concentration of TGF-β1 (B = 0.103, p = 0.001) and CP (B = 8.027, p = 0.007) were associated with respirable fiber exposure level. Occupational exposure to RCFs can impair lung ventilation function and may have the potential to cause pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. TGF-β1 and CP might be used as sensitive and noninvasive biomarkers to detect lung injury in occupational RCFs-exposed workers. Respirable fiber concentration can better reflect occupational RCFs exposure and related respiratory injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Zhu
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 29 Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Yishuo Gu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Wenjun Ma
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Panjun Gao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Mengxuan Liu
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 29 Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Pei Xiao
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 29 Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Hongfei Wang
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 29 Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Tao Li
- National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, No. 29 Nanwei Road, Xicheng District, Beijing 100050, China.
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8
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LeMasters G, Lockey JE, Hilbert TJ, Levin LS, Burkle JW, Shipley R, Perme C, Meyer CA, Rice CH. A 30-year mortality and respiratory morbidity study of refractory ceramic fiber workers. Inhal Toxicol 2017; 29:462-470. [DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2017.1394931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Grace LeMasters
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - James E. Lockey
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine (Pulmonary Division), University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Timothy J. Hilbert
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Linda S. Levin
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jeff W. Burkle
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ralph Shipley
- Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Charles Perme
- Department of Radiology, King’s Daughters Medical Center, Ashland, KY, USA
| | - Cristopher A. Meyer
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Carol H. Rice
- Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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Lippmann M. Toxicological and epidemiological studies on effects of airborne fibers: coherence and public [corrected] health implications. Crit Rev Toxicol 2015; 44:643-95. [PMID: 25168068 DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2014.928266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Airborne fibers, when sufficiently biopersistent, can cause chronic pleural diseases, as well as excess pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancers. Mesothelioma and pleural plaques are caused by biopersistent fibers thinner than ∼0.1 μm and longer than ∼5 μm. Excess lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis are caused by biopersistent fibers that are longer than ∼20 μm. While biopersistence varies with fiber type, all amphibole and erionite fibers are sufficiently biopersistent to cause pathogenic effects, while the greater in vivo solubility of chrysotile fibers makes them somewhat less causal for the lung diseases, and much less causal for the pleural diseases. Most synthetic vitreous fibers are more soluble in vivo than chrysotile, and pose little, if any, health pulmonary or pleural health risk, but some specialty SVFs were sufficiently biopersistent to cause pathogenic effects in animal studies. My conclusions are based on the following: 1) epidemiologic studies that specified the origin of the fibers by type, and especially those that identified their fiber length and diameter distributions; 2) laboratory-based toxicologic studies involving fiber size characterization and/or dissolution rates and long-term observation of biological responses; and 3) the largely coherent findings of the epidemiology and the toxicology. The strong dependence of effects on fiber diameter, length, and biopersistence makes reliable routine quantitative exposure and risk assessment impractical in some cases, since it would require transmission electronic microscopic examination, of representative membrane filter samples, for determining statistically sufficient numbers of fibers longer than 5 and 20 μm, and those thinner than 0.1 μm, based on the fiber types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morton Lippmann
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine , Tuxedo, NY , USA
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10
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Shouha P, Swain M, Ellakwa A. The effect of fiber aspect ratio and volume loading on the flexural properties of flowable dental composite. Dent Mater 2014; 30:1234-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dental.2014.08.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2013] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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11
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Greim H, Utell MJ, Maxim LD, Niebo R. Perspectives on refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) carcinogenicity: comparisons with other fibers. Inhal Toxicol 2014; 26:789-810. [PMID: 25264933 PMCID: PMC4245174 DOI: 10.3109/08958378.2014.953276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
In 2011, SCOEL classified RCF as a secondary genotoxic carcinogen and supported a practical threshold. Inflammation was considered the predominant manifestation of RCF toxicity. Intrapleural and intraperitoneal implantation induced mesotheliomas and sarcomas in laboratory animals. Chronic nose-only inhalation bioassays indicated that RCF exposure in rats increased the incidence of lung cancer and similar exposures resulted in mesothelioma in hamsters, but these studies may have been compromised by overload. Epidemiological studies in the US and Europe showed an association between exposure and prevalence of respiratory symptoms and pleural plaques, but no interstitial fibrosis, mesotheliomas, or increased numbers of lung tumors were observed. As the latency of asbestos induced mesotheliomas can be up to 50 years, the relationship between RCF exposure and respiratory malignances has not been fully determined. Nonetheless, it is possible to offer useful perspectives. RCF and rock wool have similar airborne fiber dimensions and biopersistence. Therefore, it is likely that these fibers have similar toxicology. Traditional rock wool has been the subject of numerous cohort and case control studies. For rock wool, IARC (2002) concluded that the epidemiological studies did not provide evidence of carcinogenicity. Based on analogies with rock wool (read across), it is reasonable to believe that increases in lung cancer or any mesotheliomas are unlikely to be found in the RCF-exposed cohort. RCF producers have developed a product stewardship program to measure and control fiber concentrations and to further understand the health status of their workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helmut Greim
- Institute of Molecular Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technical University , Munich , Germany
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13
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Graham MA, Roggli VL. Medicolegal Aspects of Asbestos I — Malignant Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer. Acad Forensic Pathol 2013. [DOI: 10.23907/2013.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause a variety of conditions, benign and malignant, of the lungs and pleura. Illnesses and deaths in which asbestos may have had a causal or contributory role are often the subject of litigation. Forensic pathologists (FP) can become involved in some of these cases in their capacity of a medical examiner or coroner, autopsy pathologist or as an expert retained by one or more parties involved in litigation. FP input may be sought to address issues such as diagnosis, assessment of exposure, and attribution. This review will discuss medicolegal issues that surround lung and mesothelial tumors that can be caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Victor L. Roggli
- St. Louis University and Chief Medical Examiner for the City of St. Louis, MO
- Duke University - Pathology, Durham, NC (VR)
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14
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Walker AM, Maxim LD, Utell MJ. Are airborne refractory ceramic fibers similar to asbestos in their carcinogenicity? Inhal Toxicol 2012; 24:416-24. [DOI: 10.3109/08958378.2012.683892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark J. Utell
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry,
Rochester, NY, USA
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