Correlative measurement of four biological contaminants on cotton lint, and their implications for occupational health

Endotoxin and [Formula: see text] Contamination in Electronic Cigarette Products Sold in the United States

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoke contains microbes and microbial toxins, such as endotoxin and [Formula: see text], that may have adverse respiratory effects. To our knowledge, the potential for contamination of electronic cigarette (EC) products sold in the United States has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to determine whether popular cartridge and e-liquid EC products were contaminated with endotoxin or glucan and to examine differences according to the type and flavor of products.

METHODS

We selected 37 cartridges and 38 e-liquid products with the highest nicotine content from the ten top-selling U.S. brands. Flavors were classified into four groups: tobacco, menthol, fruit, and other. Endotoxin and glucan were measured using an endotoxin-specific kinetic turbidimetric assay and a Glucatell® Kinetic Assay (Associates of Cape Cod, Inc.), respectively.

RESULTS

Endotoxin concentrations were over the limit of detection (LOD) in 17 of 75 products tested (23%), and glucan concentrations were greater than LOD in 61 of 75 products (81%). After adjusting for brand and flavor, the mean glucan concentration was 3.2 times higher [95% confidence interval (CI): [Formula: see text], 18.4] in cartridge vs. e-liquid samples. After adjusting for brand and type of product, glucan concentrations in tobacco- and menthol-flavored ECs were 10.4 (95% CI: 1.8, 44.9) and 3.5 (95% CI: 0.1, 17.3) times higher than concentrations found in fruit-flavored products.

CONCLUSIONS

EC products may be contaminated with microbial toxins. Further studies with large representative samples of products are needed to confirm our findings, identify sources and routes of contamination, and evaluate health effects associated with the use of contaminated products. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP3469.

Biological risk and occupational health

Many work activities include hazards to workers, and among these biological risk is particularly important, mostly because of different types of exposure, contact with highly dangerous agents, lack of limit values able to compare all exposures, presence of workers with defective immune systems and therefore more susceptible to the risk. Bioaerosols and dust are considered important vehicles of microganisms at workplaces and interaction with other occupational agents is assumed. Moreover, biological risk can be significant in countries with increasing economic development or particular habits and some biological agents are also classified as carcinogenic to human. Specific emerging biological risks have been recently pointed out by Risk Observatory of the European Agency for Safety and Health at work, and we must consider the worker's attitude and behaviour, influenced by his own perception of risk more than his real knowledge, that could over-underestimate the risk itself. Therefore, biological risk at work requires a complex approach in relation to risk assessment and risk management, made more difficult due to the wide variety of biological agents, working environments and working techniques that can determine the exposures.

The influence of β-glucan on the growth and cell wall architecture of Aspergillus spp

β-1,3-glucan is a major component of fungal cell walls with various biological activities, including effects on the production of inflammatory mediators in vivo and in vitro. However, few reports have examined its influence on the fungal cell itself. In this study, the influences of β-1,3-glucan on the growth and cell wall structure of fungi was examined. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured with a synthetic medium, C-limiting medium, in the presence or absence of β-1,3-glucan. Hyphal growth was promoted in liquid and solid-cultures by adding β-1,3-glucan. Glucose and dextran did not induce growth. The influence on cell wall structure of the β-glucan-added cultures was examined by enzymolysis and NMR spectroscopy and the amount of β-1,3-glucan found to be changed. β-1,3-glucan has been widely detected in the environment. In this study, it was demonstrated that β-1,3-glucan causes promotion of the growth, and a change in the cell wall architecture, of Aspergillus. Unregulated distribution of β-1,3-glucan would be strongly related to the incidence of infectious diseases and allergy caused by Aspergillus spp.

The bacterial profile of cotton lint from worldwide origins, and links with occupational lung disease

BACKGROUND

Byssinosis, the cotton worker's lung disease persists today in many countries. Several agents have been investigated with respect to causality; among these are Gram-negative bacteria. These organisms are a source of lipopolysaccharide toxins, which are potentially hazardous to the respiratory tract. Despite byssinosis being most prevalent in countries where adequate preventive procedures are lacking, the majority of past studies have been conducted on cotton from the United States.

METHODS

The current investigation, involved the identification of Gram-negative bacteria from cotton lint samples originating in 12 world regions.

RESULTS

The current investigation, involved the identification of Gram-negative bacteria from cotton lint samples originating in 12 world regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Building a bacterial profile of cotton samples with worldwide origins will be useful in isolating sources of these organisms, assessing the risk posed to industry, workers and ultimately assisting the prevention of byssinosis and related conditions.

The fungal profile of cotton lint from diverse sources and implications for occupational health

There is mounting evidence that inhalation of fungal spores and their fragments and toxins may cause respiratory illness, particularly in indoor environments and industrial settings. However, analysis of these organisms on cotton has not been carried out in detail and, hence, further examination may prove important in identifying sources of these organisms and assessing the risks posed to cotton workers. This study identified fungi from cotton lint samples originating in 12 world regions and revealed six different fungal genera, with the following rank order of sample isolation incidence: Aspergillus > Cladosporium > Fusarium > Rhizopus > Penicillium > Alternaria. Aspergillus was the most common genus and Aspergillus niger in particular was the pecies most frequently identified. Improved understanding of the variety of organisms that contaminate cotton may help to reduce prevalence of organic dust-related lung diseases.