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Matsumura N, Tanaka YK, Ogra Y, Koga K, Shiratani M, Nagano K, Tanaka A. Subchronic toxicity study of indium-tin oxide nanoparticles following intratracheal administration into the lungs of rats. J Occup Health 2024; 66:uiae019. [PMID: 38626325 PMCID: PMC11131026 DOI: 10.1093/joccuh/uiae019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We aimed to analyze the subchronic toxicity and tissue distribution of indium after the intratracheal administration of indium-tin oxide nanoparticles (ITO NPs) to the lungs of rats. METHODS Male Wistar rats were administered a single intratracheal dose of 10 or 20 mg In/kg body weight (BW) of ITO NPs. The control rats received only an intratracheal dose of distilled water. A subset of rats was periodically euthanized throughout the study from 1 to 20 weeks after administration. Indium concentrations in the serum, lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, kidneys, liver, and spleen as well as pathological changes in the lungs and kidneys were determined. Additionally, the distribution of ionic indium and indium NPs in the kidneys was analyzed using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. RESULTS Indium concentrations in the lungs of the 2 ITO NP groups gradually decreased over the 20-week observation period. Conversely, the indium concentrations in the mediastinal lymph nodes of the 2 ITO groups increased and were several hundred times higher than those in the kidneys, spleen, and liver. Pulmonary and renal toxicities were observed histopathologically in both the ITO groups. Both indium NPs and ionic indium were detected in the kidneys, and their distributions were similar to the strong indium signals detected at the sites of inflammatory cell infiltration and tubular epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that intratracheal administration of 10 or 20 mg In/kg BW of ITO NPs in male rats produces pulmonary and renal toxicities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagisa Matsumura
- Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yu-ki Tanaka
- Toxicology and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yasumitsu Ogra
- Toxicology and Environmental Health, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazunori Koga
- Department of Electronics, Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masaharu Shiratani
- Department of Electronics, Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kasuke Nagano
- Nagano Toxicologic-Pathology Consulting, Hadano, Japan
| | - Akiyo Tanaka
- Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Yabuuchi Y, Chonan T, Nakaizumi T, Amata A, Hizawa N, Moriyama H, Kikuchi T, Ichimura H, Kawabata Y. Progression of Smoking-Induced Emphysema in a Case with Indium Lung. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2023; 259:247-252. [PMID: 36596501 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.2022.j115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Recently, it has become clear that inhaled indium-tin oxide causes emphysematous as well as interstitial changes in the lung. Here, we present a 59-year-old male ex-smoker, quitting smoking at the age of 55. He had been engaged in indium-tin oxide processing from 27 to 37 years of age, with 22 years having passed since the final exposure to indium. He was found to have a high serum indium concentration and Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6). Furthermore, bilateral centrilobular emphysema was recognized in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). After transferring jobs to a non-indium-tin oxide section, KL-6 returned to a normal level within 4 years, whereas neither serum indium concentration nor emphysema had decreased to normal despite 22 years having passed since the exposure ended. At the age of 59, a thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed to assess the contribution of smoking and that of indium to the lung destruction. The pathological findings demonstrated cholesterol granulomas with the accumulation of macrophages and multinucleated giant cells that had phagocytosed particles. Together with the typical findings of indium lung, fibrotic and emphysematous changes were observed. The elemental analysis of the biopsied specimens revealed excessive deposition of indium throughout the airways, interstitial spaces and alveoli. The pathological findings of this case may be the result of two kinds of pulmonary damage, i.e., smoking and indium. This report indicates that occupationally-inhaled indium could remain in the lung for as long as 22 years and continue to insult the lung tissue with inflammation caused by smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yabuuchi
- Department of Medicine, Nikko Memorial Hospital
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba
| | | | - Taisuke Nakaizumi
- Department of Medicine, Nikko Memorial Hospital
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba
| | | | - Nobuyuki Hizawa
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Science, University of Tsukuba
| | - Hiroshi Moriyama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization Nishiniigata Chuo Hospital
| | - Toshiaki Kikuchi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infections Diseases, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences
| | - Hideo Ichimura
- Division of Respiratory Medicine and Thoracic Surgery, Hitachi General Hospital
| | - Yoshinori Kawabata
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Saitama Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center
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Harvey RR, Virji MA, Blackley BH, Stanton ML, Trapnell BC, Carey B, Healey T, Cummings KJ. Two-year follow-up of exposure, engineering controls, respiratory protection and respiratory health among workers at an indium-tin oxide (ITO) production and reclamation facility. Occup Environ Med 2022; 79:550-556. [PMID: 35414568 PMCID: PMC10823493 DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2021-107897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine whether engineering controls and respiratory protection had measurable short-term impact on indium exposure and respiratory health among current indium-tin oxide production and reclamation facility workers. METHODS We documented engineering controls implemented following our 2012 evaluation and recorded respirator use in 2012 and 2014. We measured respirable indium (Inresp) and plasma indium (InP) in 2012 and 2014, and calculated change in Inresp (∆Inresp) and InP (∆InP) by the 13 departments. We assessed symptoms, lung function, serum biomarkers of interstitial lung disease (Krebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 and surfactant protein (SP)-D) and chest high-resolution CT at both time points and evaluated workers who participated in both 2012 and 2014 for changes in health outcomes (new, worsened or improved). RESULTS Engineering controls included installation of local exhaust ventilation in both grinding departments (Rotary and Planar) and isolation of the Reclaim department. Respiratory protection increased in most (77%) departments. ∆InP and ∆Inresp often changed in parallel by department. Among 62 workers participating in both 2012 and 2014, 18 (29%) had new or worsening chest symptoms and 2 (3%) had functional decline in lung function or radiographic progression, but average KL-6 and SP-D concentrations decreased, and no cases of clinical indium lung disease were recognised. CONCLUSIONS Increased engineering controls and respiratory protection can lead to decreased Inresp, InP and biomarkers of interstitial lung disease among workers in 2 years. Ongoing medical monitoring of indium-exposed workers to confirm the longer-term effectiveness of preventive measures is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Reid Harvey
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - M Abbas Virji
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Brie H Blackley
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Marcia L Stanton
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Bruce C Trapnell
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brenna Carey
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Terrance Healey
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kristin J Cummings
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
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Qu J, Wang J, Zhang H, Wu J, Ma X, Wang S, Zang Y, Huang Y, Ma Y, Cao Y, Wu D, Zhang T. Toxicokinetics and systematic responses of differently sized indium tin oxide (ITO) particles in mice via oropharyngeal aspiration exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:117993. [PMID: 34428702 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is an important semiconductor material, because of increasing commercial products consumption and potentially exposed workers worldwide. So, urgently we need to assess and manage potential health risks of ITO. Although the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) has been established for ITO exposure, there is still a lack of distinguishing the risks of exposure to particles of different sizes. Therefore, obtaining toxicological data of small-sized particles will help to improve its risk assessment data. Important questions raised in quantitative risk assessments for ITO particles are whether biodistribution of ITO particles is affected by particle size and to what extent systematic adverse responses is subsequently initiated. In order to determine whether this toxicological paradigm for size is relevant in ITO toxic effect, we performed comparative studies on the toxicokinetics and sub-acute toxicity test of ITO in mice. The results indicate both sized-ITO resided in the lung tissue and slowly excreted from the mice, and the smaller size of ITO being cleared more slowly. Only a little ITO was transferred to other organs, especially with higher blood flow. Two type of ITO which deposit in the lung mainly impacts respiratory system and may injure liver or kidney. After sub-acute exposure to ITO, inflammation featured by neutrophils infiltration and fibrosis with both dose and size effects have been observed. Our findings revealed toxicokinetics and dose-dependent pulmonary toxicity in mice via oropharyngeal aspiration exposure, also replenish in vivo risk assessment of ITO. Collectively, these data indicate that under the current OEL, there are potential toxic effects after exposure to the ITO particles. The observed size-dependent biodistribution patterns and toxic effect might be important for approaching the hazard potential of small-sized ITO in an occupational environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Qu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jianli Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Haopeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Jingying Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Xinmo Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Shile Wang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yiteng Zang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuhui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ying Ma
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Yuna Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Daming Wu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Nakano M, Hirata M, Hamasaki M, Tanaka A, Nagata A, Kumazoe H, Wakamatsu K, Shiraishi T, Omae K. Indium kinetics in an indium exposed worker before and after bilateral lung transplantation. J Occup Health 2021; 62:e12165. [PMID: 32951288 PMCID: PMC7507028 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A male worker with indium‐tin oxide (ITO)‐induced pneumoconiosis underwent bilateral lung transplantation (LT). Methods Post‐LT histopathological investigations of the isolated lungs and hilar lymph nodes were performed and indium concentration in serum (In‐S) and serum Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6) were tracked for 122 weeks. Results He has attained the ultimate treatment goal of > 2‐year survival. The main histopathological characteristics were pan‐lobular emphysematous change, interstitial fibrosis, and lymphocytic infiltration in the peribronchiolar/perivascular portions, and numerous cholesterol clefts and giant cells containing brown particles. These findings support the conclusion that the lung injury was caused by the inhalation of ITO. Metal element mapping and indium in the isolated lungs revealed that inhaled ITO particles in humans migrate to the lymph nodes. In‐S remained at remarkably high levels (≥30 ng/mL) and showed wide fluctuation with bimodality until 46 weeks after LT, but KL‐6 remained in the normal range for almost the entire period. The indium concentration in the donor's resection lung at 10 weeks after LT was 143.5 ng/g wet‐weight, which was only one one‐thousandth of the recipient's lung (161 µg/g wet‐weight). After 48 weeks of LT, the recipient's In‐S had gradually decreased; the biological half‐life was 1.2 years. These results clearly suggest that indium remaining in the recipient's tissues did not adversely influence the transplant donor's lungs. Conclusions The transplanted donor's lungs were not influenced by indium in the recipient's organs. Bilateral LT is thus an effective treatment option in severe indium lung disease cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Nakano
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyuki Hirata
- Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Makoto Hamasaki
- Department of Pathology, Fukuoka University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Akiyo Tanaka
- Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Asahi Nagata
- Department of General Thoracic, Breast and Pediatric Surgery, Fukuoka University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kumazoe
- Department of Radiology, National Hospital Organization Omuta National Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Wakamatsu
- Department of Pulmonology, National Hospital Organization Omuta National Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Shiraishi
- Department of General Thoracic, Breast and Pediatric Surgery, Fukuoka University Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Omae
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Kim BW, Cha W, Choi S, Shin J, Choi BS, Kim M. Assessment of Occupational Exposure to Indium Dust for Indium-Tin-Oxide Manufacturing Workers. Biomolecules 2021; 11:419. [PMID: 33809058 PMCID: PMC7998774 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
According to recent research, indium nanoparticles (NPs) are more toxic than micro-sized particles. While cases of indium lung disease have been reported worldwide, very little research has been conducted on the occupational exposure to indium NPs. Recently, an indium-related lung disease was reported in Korea, a global powerhouse for display manufacturing. In this study, we conducted an assessment ofoccupational exposure at an indium tin oxide (ITO) powder manufacturing plant, where the first case of indium lung disease in Korea occurred. Airborne dustwas obtained from a worker's breathing zone, and area sampling in the workplace environment was conducted using real-time monitoring devices. Personal samples were analyzed for the indium concentrations in total dust, respirable dust fraction, and NPs using personal NPs respiratory deposition samplers. The total indium concentration of the personal samples was lower than the threshold limit value recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH TLV), which was set as occupational exposure limit (OEL). However, the respirable indium concentration exceeded the recently set ACGIH TLV for the respirable fraction of indium dust. The concentration of indium NPs ranged between 0.003 and 0.010 × 10-2 mg/m3, accounting for only 0.4% of the total and 2.7% of the respirable indium particles. This was attributed to the aggregating of NPs at the µm sub-level. Given the extremely low fraction of indium NPs in the total and respirable dust, the current OEL values, set as the total and respirable indium concentrations, do not holistically represent the occupational exposure to indium NPs or prevent health hazards. Therefore, it is necessary to set separate OEL values for indium NPs. This study covers only the process of handling ITO powder. Therefore, follow-up studies need to be conducted on other ITO sputtering target polishing and milling processes, which typically generate more airborne NPs, to further investigate the effects of indium on workers and facilitate the necessary implementation of indium-reducing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boo Wook Kim
- Institute of Occupation and Environment, Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, Incheon 21417, Korea; (W.C.); (S.C.); (J.S.); (B.-S.C.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Miyeon Kim
- Institute of Occupation and Environment, Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, Incheon 21417, Korea; (W.C.); (S.C.); (J.S.); (B.-S.C.)
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Exposure profiles of workers from indium tin oxide target manufacturing and recycling factories in Taiwan. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 233:113708. [PMID: 33588194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113708] [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: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide exposure poses a potential health risk, but the exposure assessment in occupational setting remains incomplete and continues to be a significant challenge. To this end, we investigated the association of work type, airborne indium concentration, respirable fraction of total indium, and cumulative indium exposure index (CEI) with the levels of plasma indium (P-In) and urinary indium (U-In) among 302 indium tin oxide target manufacturing and recycling workers in Taiwan. We observed that recycling-crushing produced the highest concentrations of total indium (area: 2084.8 μg/m3; personal: 3494.5 μg/m3) and respirable indium (area: 533.4 μg/m3; personal: 742.0 μg/m3). Powdering produced the highest respirable fraction of total indium (area: 58.6%; personal: 81.5%), where the workers had the highest levels of P-In (geometric mean: 2.0 μg/L) and U-In (1.0 μg/g creatinine). After adjusting for the confounder, the CEIs of powdering (βPR = 0.78; βPR = 0.44), bonding (βPT = 0.61; βPT = 0.37), and processing workers (βPT = 0.43; βPT = 0.28) showed significant associations with P-In and U-In, validating its utility in monitoring the exposure. Also, the respirable fraction of total indium significantly contributed to the increased levels of P-In and U-In among workers. The varying levels of relationship noted between indium exposure and the levels of P-In and U-In among workers with different work types suggested that setting the exposure limits among different work types is warranted.
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Hirata M, Nakano M, Tanaka A, Omae K. Indium concentration in serum is an excellent predictor for assessing accumulated indium concentration in the lungs. J Occup Health 2021; 63:e12207. [PMID: 33626221 PMCID: PMC7904133 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To clarify whether indium in serum (In-S) is an appropriate parameter for assessing accumulated indium concentration in the lungs (In-L). METHODS During our approximately 15-year Japanese cohort follow-up, five male indium-tin oxide (ITO) or/and indium trioxide-exposed workers underwent lung surgical procedures to treat lung diseases or to confirm a diagnosis of lung impairments. We measured In-L of these Cases 1-5 and were able to assess the relationship between In-L and the most recent In-S. Another 1 Japanese case (Case 6) exposed to indium trioxide and indium hydroxide was referred from an article. RESULTS Cases 1 and 3 had lung cancer, Case 2 suffered from recurrent pneumothorax, and Case 4 had interstitial pneumonia with mild emphysema. Case 5 had severe emphysema with pulmonary hypertension and underwent bilateral lung transplantation. In Cases 1-5, In-L and In-S ranged from 3.4 to 161.2 µg/g wet weight and 0.7 to 60.4 ng/mL, respectively, and In-L/In-S ratios ranged from 2484 to 4857. The slope of the single regression equation with zero intercept was 2767 and the correlation coefficient was 0.995. In contrast, Case 6 was extraordinarily outlying, but the reason is unclear. CONCLUSIONS In-S is an excellent predictor for assessing indium load in the lungs in ITO or/and indium trioxide-exposed workers. However, number of cases was only five and not enough to authorize definite conclusion. It is desirable to add more cases to confirm our conclusion.
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Grants
- 15390191 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- 17390179 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- 20249039 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- 23249033 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- 16K09107 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
- 19H03906 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Hirata
- Environmental MedicineGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Makiko Nakano
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Akiyo Tanaka
- Environmental MedicineGraduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityFukuokaJapan
| | - Kazuyuki Omae
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
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Nogami S, J-P NA, Nogami M, Matsui T, Ngatu NR, Tamura T, Kusaka Y, Itoh H, Suganuma N. Radiographic diagnosis of Pneumoconioses by AIR Pneumo-trained physicians: Comparison with low-dose thin-slice computed tomography. J Occup Health 2020; 62:e12141. [PMID: 33176059 PMCID: PMC7384989 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconiosis (AIR Pneumo) is a training program designed to improve diagnostic skills for chest radiographies (CXRs) in accordance with the ILO/ICRP 2000. The purpose was to determine the prevalence of occupational environmental pulmonary disease findings in construction workers on thin-slice computed tomography (thin-slice CT), and to compare the diagnostic performance with CXR evaluated by AIR Pneumo-trained physicians. METHODS Ninety-seven male construction workers underwent low-dose thin-slice CT and CXR on the same day. NIOSH B reader and a board-certified radiologist each interpreted the thin-slice CTs independently. The concordant findings on thin-slice CT were established as the reference standard and were statistically compared with CXRs. Four physicians interpreted CXRs independently according to the ILO/ICRP 2000. RESULTS Of the 97 cases, nine showed irregular or linear opacities, and 44 had pleural plaques on thin-slice CT. Five, four, three, and two of nine cases with irregular opacity were detected by the four readers on CXRs, respectively. Sixteen, 14, 9, and 5 of the 44 cases with pleural plaques were detected by the four readers, respectively. Specificities for irregular opacities ranged from 94% to 100%, and those for pleural plaques were from 86% to 96%. CONCLUSIONS Thin-slice CT-detected irregular opacity was found in 9.3%, whereas pleural plaque was found in 45.4% among the construction workers. Chest radiography showed acceptable performance in classifying pneumoconiotic opacities according to ILO/ICRP 2000 by the AIR Pneumo and/or NIOSH-certified physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoko Nogami
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Naw Awn J-P
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Munenobu Nogami
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomomi Matsui
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Nlandu Roger Ngatu
- Department of Public Health, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Taro Tamura
- Fukui City Public Health Center, Fukui, Japan
| | - Yukinori Kusaka
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Fukui, Japan
| | - Harumi Itoh
- Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Fukui, Japan
| | - Narufumi Suganuma
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Nankoku, Japan
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10
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Case reports of indium lung disease in Taiwan. J Formos Med Assoc 2020; 120:893-898. [PMID: 32828652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of indium-tin oxide has increased in the past decades due to the increased manufacture of liquid crystal displays (LCD). Taiwan is one of the highest indium-consuming countries worldwide. After repeated inhalation, indium oxide (In2O3) particles would accumulate in the lungs, resulting in severe lung effects. We report two workers of an LCD producing facility with elevated serum indium level up to 149 and 73.8 μg/L (normal value <3.5 μg/L), which was much higher than that observed in previous case reports in Taiwan. We collected their detailed working history, symptoms, pulmonary function, radiologic findings, and followed up for more than one year. We also performed workplace evaluation of the facility. We observed that sandblasters who clean components of ITO thin-film production machinery by sandblasting with aluminum oxide tend to have higher indium exposure with worse pulmonary functions and HRCT findings.
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Li H, Chen Z, Li J, Liu R, Zhao F, Liu R. Indium oxide nanoparticles induce lung intercellular toxicity between bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 40:1636-1646. [PMID: 32608070 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Concerns have been raised over the safety and health of industrial workers exposed to indium oxide nanoparticles (IO-NPs) when working. IO-NPs were previously shown in vitro and in vivo to be cytotoxic, but the mechanism of pathogenesis was unclear. In this study, the effects of IO-NPs on lung cells associated with respiratory and immune barriers and the toxic effects of intercellular cascades were studied. Here IO-NPs had acute toxicity to Wistar rats over a time course (5 days post-intratracheal instillation). Following treatment epithelial cells (16HBE) or macrophages (RAW264.7) with IO-NPs or IO fine particles (IO-FPs), the damage of 16HBE cells caused by IO-NPs was serious, mainly in the mitochondrial and rough endoplasmic reticulum. The lactate dehydrogenase level also showed that cytotoxicity in vitro was more serious for IO-NPs compared with IO-FPs. The level of In3+ (examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry) in 16HBE cells was 10 times higher than that in RAW cells. In3+ , releasing from IO-NPs absorbed by 16HBE cells, could not only significantly inhibit the phagocytosis and migration of macrophages (P < .0001), but also stimulate RAW cells to secrete high levels of inflammatory cytokines. IO-NPs can directly damage pulmonary epithelial cells. The In3+ released by epithelial cells affect the phagocytosis and migration of macrophages, which may be a new point for the decrease in the clearance of alveolar surfactants and the development of IO-related pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaofang Chen
- Shool of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinxia Li
- CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ru Liu
- CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Zhao
- CAS Key Lab for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Medicine Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
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12
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Mitsuhashi T. Effects of indium exposure on respiratory symptoms: a retrospective cohort study in Japanese workers using health checkup data. PeerJ 2020; 8:e8413. [PMID: 31988812 PMCID: PMC6969551 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Indium compounds are known health hazards for lung cancer and interstitial pneumonia. Furthermore, they are related to emphysema, alveolar proteinosis, and cholesterol granuloma. In Japan, laws were revised in 2013 to tighten regulations on indium exposure in workplaces. However, its impact on the health of workers who handle indium has not been evaluated. This study aimed to investigate whether subjective respiratory symptoms in these workers have reduced after the 2013 amendment in the regulations. METHODS The subjects were workers from certain areas of Japan who had undergone health checkups between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2015. Indium-handling and non-handling workers were categorized into the exposed and less-exposed groups, respectively. Based on the findings of health checkups during this period, the hazard ratio of subjective respiratory symptoms (cough, sputum production, shortness of breath, and palpitation) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with the less-exposed group as the reference. The Prentice-Williams-Peterson model was used for calculation, and a model that adjusted for coarse analysis and potential confounding factors was adopted. RESULTS Overall, 2,561 workers (from 22 companies) who underwent 6,033 health checkups were included. The total person-years were 2,562.8 years, and 162 outcome events occurred. The hazard ratios of the exposed group were 1.65 (95% CI [1.14-2.39]: p = 0.008) and 1.61 (95% CI [1.04-2.50]: p = 0.032) in the crude and adjusted models, respectively. CONCLUSION Indium-handling workers had a high hazard of the subjective respiratory symptoms than non-indium -handling workers despite stricter regulations on indium exposure in workplaces. This indicates the need for further changes to the legislation to protect the health of workers exposed to harmful substances in workplaces. Further studies including larger diverse cohorts are needed to validate our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiharu Mitsuhashi
- Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan
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13
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Chonan T, Amata A, Kawabata Y, Omae K. Indium Lung: Discovery, Pathophysiology and Prevention. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2020; 248:143-150. [PMID: 31257311 DOI: 10.1620/tjem.248.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Indium is mainly used as indium-tin oxide (ITO), which has a unique character of transparency, and is a requisite in making liquid crystal displays. Pulmonary toxicity of indium compounds in humans were not recognized until the last 2 decades. Several initial human cases of indium-related lung disease, named indium lung, were reported in Japan, with their main pathologic findings being interstitial pneumonia, emphysema and cholesterol crystals-containing granulomas. In 2010, three cases with alveolar proteinosis were reported from the United States and China. As of March 2019, more than 10 cases of interstitial pneumonia-dominant indium lung have been reported. Cross-sectional studies in indium workers indicate that the serum indium concentration (sIn) is closely related to the exposure period, the extent of interstitial as well as emphysematous changes of the lung on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and serum biomarkers of interstitial pneumonia, including KL-6 and surfactant protein-D (SP-D). Longitudinal studies have shown it is possible to reduce the sIn as well as the interstitial shadows on HRCT; however, emphysematous lesions increased progressively in heavily exposed workers, even after cessation of exposure. Early detection is required to prevent irreversible changes. The first case of lung cancer associated with indium lung developed in a nonsmoking ex-worker. He had been diagnosed with indium lung and stopped working in indium processing 17 years before. This suggested there is a need for appropriate screening to detect for complications of lung cancer at early stages for those with indium lung.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yoshinori Kawabata
- Division of Diagnostic Pathology, Saitama Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center
| | - Kazuyuki Omae
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine
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14
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Morimoto Y. Progress in educational program for diagnosis of occupational respiratory disease in Japan -Activity of Asian Intensive Reader of Pneumoconioses (AIR Pneumo). J Occup Health 2020; 62:e12156. [PMID: 32713027 PMCID: PMC7382707 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yasuo Morimoto
- Department of Occupational PneumologyUniversity of Occupational and Environmental HealthKitakyushuJapan
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15
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Suganuma N, Natori Y, Kurosawa H, Nakano M, Kasai T, Morimoto Y. Update of occupational lung disease. J Occup Health 2019; 61:10-18. [PMID: 30698346 PMCID: PMC6499361 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Revised: 09/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Occupational Lung Disease is an oldest but still a biggest problem in occupational health. Methods Steering Committee members of the Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group selected and summarized current topics on occupational lung diseases based on expert opinion, as informed by governmental regulation, public health concerns, and frequently discussed in related academic conferences. Results The topics included in this review are professional education in medical screening skills, 2014 update of Helsinki Criteria, respiratory diseases found in the earthquake and tsunami affected regions, newly recognized occupational lung diseases, and potential respiratory health hazards. Discussions Although occupational lung diseases seem to stay as one of the major concerns in occupational health, screening tools and control measures are standardized for the better prevention of the diseases. As this health problem usually occurs in where the most actively economically developing area is, the patients tend to increase in emerging economic powers with huge population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narufumi Suganuma
- Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.,Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi Univeristy, Nankoku, Japan
| | - Yuji Natori
- Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.,Hirano-Kameido Himawari-Clinic, Koto-ku, Japan
| | - Hajime Kurosawa
- Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.,Department of Occupational Health, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Makiko Nakano
- Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.,Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Shinjuku, Japan
| | - Takahiko Kasai
- Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Kinki-Chuo Chest Medical Center, Sakai, Japan
| | - Yasuo Morimoto
- Japan Society for Occupational Health (JSOH) Occupational Lung Disease Study Group, Tokya, Japan.,University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan
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16
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Nakano M, Omae K, Tanaka A, Hirata M. Possibility of lung cancer risk in indium-exposed workers: An 11-year multicenter cohort study. J Occup Health 2019; 61:251-256. [PMID: 30895696 PMCID: PMC6499344 DOI: 10.1002/1348-9585.12050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We established a causal relationship between indium exposure and lung interstitial and emphysematous effects. Lung cancer has been clearly demonstrated in rats and mice exposed to indium phosphide and in rats exposed to indium tin oxide. However, no information is available on human indium‐related lung cancer. Methods The baseline studies were conducted on 381 indium‐exposed and 150 referent workers in 11 factories from 2003 to 2006. Items examined included indium concentration in serum (In‐S), occupational history, Krebs von den Lungen‐6 (KL‐6), chest high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT), medical history, smoking habits, and subjective symptoms. Subjects received follow‐up health checkups, and a total of 220 indium‐exposed and 26 nonexposed workers were examined at least once with chest HRCT from 2013 to 2018. Results Four lung cancer cases were identified only in indium‐exposed workers. Two were prevalent cases and two were incident cases. The averages (range) of age (years), exposure duration (years), In‐S (μg/L), and KL‐6 (U/mL) at the baseline survey were 58 (50‐74), 1.7 (0.3‐4.8), 3.1 (0.3‐9.7), and 663 (414‐942). The mean (range) latency from initial indium exposure was 5.3 (0.4‐11) years. The HRCT findings in two incident cases were mild interstitial/emphysematous change and mild interstitial change. The standardized incidence ratio (SIR) of the incident cases was 1.89 (95%CI 0.52‐6.88). Conclusions Although the SIR was not statistically significant, there was an undeniable possibility of indium‐related lung cancer due to the short follow‐up duration being insufficient to disclose lung cancer and the small number of lung cancer cases. Further follow‐up is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Nakano
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Omae
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akiyo Tanaka
- Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Miyuki Hirata
- Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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17
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18
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Sorensen GL. Surfactant Protein D in Respiratory and Non-Respiratory Diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2018; 5:18. [PMID: 29473039 PMCID: PMC5809447 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a multimeric collectin that is involved in innate immune defense and expressed in pulmonary, as well as non-pulmonary, epithelia. SP-D exerts antimicrobial effects and dampens inflammation through direct microbial interactions and modulation of host cell responses via a series of cellular receptors. However, low protein concentrations, genetic variation, biochemical modification, and proteolytic breakdown can induce decomposition of multimeric SP-D into low-molecular weight forms, which may induce pro-inflammatory SP-D signaling. Multimeric SP-D can decompose into trimeric SP-D, and this process, and total SP-D levels, are partly determined by variation within the SP-D gene, SFTPD. SP-D has been implicated in the development of respiratory diseases including respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, allergic asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Disease-induced breakdown or modifications of SP-D facilitate its systemic leakage from the lung, and circulatory SP-D is a promising biomarker for lung injury. Moreover, studies in preclinical animal models have demonstrated that local pulmonary treatment with recombinant SP-D is beneficial in these diseases. In recent years, SP-D has been shown to exert antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in various non-pulmonary organs and to have effects on lipid metabolism and pro-inflammatory effects in vessel walls, which enhance the risk of atherosclerosis. A common SFTPD polymorphism is associated with atherosclerosis and diabetes, and SP-D has been associated with metabolic disorders because of its effects in the endothelium and adipocytes and its obesity-dampening properties. This review summarizes and discusses the reported genetic associations of SP-D with disease and the clinical utility of circulating SP-D for respiratory disease prognosis. Moreover, basic research on the mechanistic links between SP-D and respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases is summarized. Perspectives on the development of SP-D therapy are addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grith L Sorensen
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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19
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Afroz T, Hiraku Y, Ma N, Ahmed S, Oikawa S, Kawanishi S, Murata M. Nitrative DNA damage in cultured macrophages exposed to indium oxide. J Occup Health 2017; 60:148-155. [PMID: 29187674 PMCID: PMC5886882 DOI: 10.1539/joh.17-0146-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Indium compounds are used in manufacturing displays of mobile phones and televisions. However, these materials cause interstitial pneumonia in exposed workers. Animal experiments demonstrated that indium compounds caused lung cancer. Chronic inflammation is considered to play a role in lung carcinogenesis and fibrosis induced by particulate matters. 8-Nitroguanine (8-nitroG) is a mutagenic DNA lesion formed during inflammation and may participate in carcinogenesis. To clarify the mechanism of carcinogenesis, we examined 8-nitroG formation in indium-exposed cultured cells. Methods: We treated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages with indium oxide (In2O3) nanoparticles (primary diameter: 30-50 nm), and performed fluorescent immunocytochemistry to detect 8-nitroG. The extent of 8-nitroG formation was evaluated by quantitative image analysis. We measured the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in the culture supernatant of In2O3-treated cells by the Griess method. We also examined the effects of inhibitors of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and endocytosis on In2O3-induced 8-nitroG formation. Results: In2O3 significantly increased the intensity of 8-nitroG formation in RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. In2O3-induced 8-nitroG formation was observed at 2 h and further increased at 4 h, and the amount of NO released from In2O3-exposed cells was significantly increased at 2-4 h compared with the control. 8-NitroG formation was suppressed by 1400W (an iNOS inhibitor), methyl-β-cyclodextrin and monodansylcadaverine (inhibitors of caveolae- and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, respectively). Conclusions: These results suggest that endocytosis and NO generation participate in indium-induced 8-nitroG formation. NO released from indium-exposed inflammatory cells may induce DNA damage in adjacent lung epithelial cells and contribute to carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahmina Afroz
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Yusuke Hiraku
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Ning Ma
- Faculty of Nursing, Suzuka University of Medical Science
| | - Sharif Ahmed
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Shinji Oikawa
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
| | - Shosuke Kawanishi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Suzuka University of Medical Science
| | - Mariko Murata
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
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20
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Zeng C, Gonzalez-Alvarez A, Orenstein E, Field JA, Shadman F, Sierra-Alvarez R. Ecotoxicity assessment of ionic As(III), As(V), In(III) and Ga(III) species potentially released from novel III-V semiconductor materials. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2017; 140:30-36. [PMID: 28231503 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2017.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
III-V materials such as indium arsenide (InAs) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) are increasingly used in electronic and photovoltaic devices. The extensive application of these materials may lead to release of III-V ionic species during semiconductor manufacturing or disposal of decommissioned devices into the environment. Although arsenic is recognized as an important contaminant due to its high toxicity, there is a lack of information about the toxic effects of indium and gallium ions. In this study, acute toxicity of As(III), As(V), In(III) and Ga(III) species was evaluated using two microbial assays testing for methanogenic activity and O2 uptake, as well as two bioassays targeting aquatic organisms, including the marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri (bioluminescence inhibition) and the crustacean Daphnia magna (mortality). The most noteworthy finding was that the toxicity is mostly impacted by the element tested. Secondarily, the toxicity of these species also depended on the bioassay target. In(III) and Ga(III) were not or only mildly toxic in the experiments. D. magna was the most sensitive organism for In(III) and Ga(III) with 50% lethal concentrations of 0.5 and 3.4mM, respectively. On the other hand, As(III) and As(V) caused clear inhibitory effects, particularly in the methanogenic toxicity bioassay. The 50% inhibitory concentrations of both arsenic species towards methanogens were about 0.02mM, which is lower than the regulated maximum allowable daily effluent discharge concentration (2.09mg/L or 0.03mM) for facilities manufacturing electronic components in the US. Overall, the results indicate that the ecotoxicity of In(III) and Ga(III) is much lower than that of the As species tested. This finding is important in filling the knowledge gap regarding the ecotoxicology of In and Ga.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Zeng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA.
| | - Adrian Gonzalez-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Emily Orenstein
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Jim A Field
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Farhang Shadman
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
| | - Reyes Sierra-Alvarez
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 210011, Tucson, AZ 85704, USA
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21
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Stefaniak AB, Virji MA, Badding MA, Cummings KJ. Application of the ICRP respiratory tract model to estimate pulmonary retention of industrially sampled indium-containing dusts. Inhal Toxicol 2017; 29:169-178. [PMID: 28595469 PMCID: PMC5746041 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2017.1333548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 05/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Inhalation of indium-containing dusts is associated with the development of indium lung disease. Workers may be exposed to several different chemical forms of indium; however, their lung dosimetry is not fully understood. We characterized the physicochemical properties and measured the lung dissolution kinetics of eight indium-containing dusts. Indium dissolution rates in artificial lung fluids spanned two orders of magnitude. We used the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) human respiratory model (HRTM) to estimate pulmonary indium deposition, retention and biokinetic clearance to blood. For a two-year (median workforce tenure at facility) exposure to respirable-sized particles of the indium materials, modeled indium clearance (>99.99% removed) from the alveolar-interstitial compartment was slow for all dusts; salts would clear in 4 years, sintered indium-tin oxide (ITO) would clear in 9 years, and indium oxide would require 48 years. For this scenario, the ICRP HRTM predicted that indium translocated to blood would be present in that compartment for 3.5-18 years after cessation of exposure, depending on the chemical form. For a 40-year exposure (working lifetime), clearance from the alveolar-interstitial compartment would require 5, 10 and 60 years for indium salts, sintered ITO and indium oxide, respectively and indium would be present in blood for 5-53 years after exposure. Consideration of differences in chemical forms of indium, dissolution rates, alveolar clearance and residence time in blood should be included in exposure assessment and epidemiological studies that rely on measures of total indium in air or blood to derive risk estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandr B Stefaniak
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - M Abbas Virji
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Melissa A Badding
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Kristin J Cummings
- a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Morgantown , WV , USA
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22
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IWASAWA S, NAKANO M, MIYAUCHI H, TANAKA S, KAWASUMI Y, HIGASHIKUBO I, TANAKA A, HIRATA M, OMAE K. Personal indium exposure concentration in respirable dusts and serum indium level. INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 2017; 55:87-90. [PMID: 27644848 PMCID: PMC5285317 DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.2016-0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between indium exposure concentration in the respirable dust fraction (In-E) and indium in serum (In-S) in workers. METHODS A total of 39 workers were studied. The study subjects were categorized into 3 groups, namely, smelting workers (n=7), ITO workers (n=6) in an ITO grinding plant, and other workers (n=26). In-E and In-S ranged from 0.004-24.0 μg/m3 and 0.1-8.50 μg/L, respectively. The simple regression equation was log(In-S)=0.322×log(In-E)-0.443. The simple correlation coefficients for the smelting workers, ITO workers and other workers were 0.489, 0.812 and 0.163, respectively. The differences in the relationships among the three groups suggest that In-S may vary with the chemical form to which the workers were exposed. In-E and In-S seem to be positively correlated. The correlation coefficient was higher for both smelting and ITO workers than for other workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoko IWASAWA
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, Japan
| | - Makiko NAKANO
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki MIYAUCHI
- Department of Environmental Management, School of Health Sciences, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan
| | - Shigeru TANAKA
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Human Life Science, Jumonji University, Japan
| | - Yaeko KAWASUMI
- Occupational Health Research and Development Center, Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association, Japan
| | - Ichiro HIGASHIKUBO
- Occupational Health Research and Development Center, Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association, Japan
| | - Akiyo TANAKA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Japan
| | - Miyuki HIRATA
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki OMAE
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University, Japan
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Nakano M, Tanaka A, Hirata M, Kumazoe H, Wakamatsu K, Kamada D, Omae K. An advanced case of indium lung disease with progressive emphysema. J Occup Health 2016; 58:477-481. [PMID: 27488043 PMCID: PMC5356982 DOI: 10.1539/joh.16-0076-cs] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To report the occurrence of an advanced case of indium lung disease with severely progressive emphysema in an indium-exposed worker. Case report: A healthy 42-year-old male smoker was employed to primarily grind indium-tin oxide (ITO) target plates, exposing him to indium for 9 years (1998-2008). In 2004, an epidemiological study was conducted on indium-exposed workers at the factory in which he worked. The subject's serum indium concentration (In-S) was 99.7 μg/l, while his serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 level was 2,350 U/ml. Pulmonary function tests showed forced vital capacity (FVC) of 4.17 l (91.5% of the JRS predicted value), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) of 3.19 l (80.8% of predicted), and an FEV1-to-FVC ratio of 76.5%. A high-resolution chest computed tomography (HRCT) scan showed mild interlobular septal thickening and mild emphysematous changes. In 2008, he was transferred from the ITO grinding workplace to an inspection work section, where indium concentrations in total dusts had a range of 0.001-0.002 mg/m3. In 2009, the subject's In-S had increased to 132.1 μg/l, and pulmonary function tests revealed obstructive changes. In addition, HRCT scan showed clear evidence of progressive lung destruction with accompanying severe centrilobular emphysema and interlobular septal thickening in both lung fields. The subject's condition gradually worsened, and in 2015, he was registered with the Japan Organ Transplant Network for lung transplantation (LTx). Conclusions: Heavy indium exposure is a risk factor for emphysema, which can lead to a severity level that requires LTx as the final therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Nakano
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Keio University
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24
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Bomhard EM. The toxicology of indium tin oxide. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 45:282-294. [PMID: 27343753 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Indium tin oxide (ITO) is a technologically important semiconductor. An increasing number of cases of severe lung effects (characterized by pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and/or interstitial fibrosis) in ITO-exposed workers warrants a review of the toxicological hazards. Short- and long-term inhalation studies in rats and mice revealed persistent alveolar proteinosis, inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs down to concentrations as low as 0.01mg/m(3). In rats, the incidences of bronchiolo-alveolar adenomas and carcinomas were significantly increased at all concentrations. In mice, ITO was not carcinogenic. A few bronchiolo-alveolar adenomas occurring after repeated intratracheal instillation of ITO to hamsters have to be interpreted as treatment-related. In vitro and in vivo studies on the formation of reactive oxygen species suggest epigenetic effects as cause of the lung tumor development. Repeated intratracheal instillation of ITO to hamsters slightly affected the male sexual organs, which might be interpreted as a secondary effect of the lung damage. Epidemiological and medical surveillance studies, serum/blood indium levels in workers as well as data on the exposure to airborne indium concentrations indicate a need for measures to reduce exposure at ITO workplaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernst M Bomhard
- REACh ChemConsult GmbH, Strehlener Str. 14, D-01069 Dresden, Germany.
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Cummings KJ, Virji MA, Park JY, Stanton ML, Edwards NT, Trapnell BC, Carey B, Stefaniak AB, Kreiss K. Respirable indium exposures, plasma indium, and respiratory health among indium-tin oxide (ITO) workers. Am J Ind Med 2016; 59:522-31. [PMID: 27219296 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Workers manufacturing indium-tin oxide (ITO) are at risk of elevated indium concentration in blood and indium lung disease, but relationships between respirable indium exposures and biomarkers of exposure and disease are unknown. METHODS For 87 (93%) current ITO workers, we determined correlations between respirable and plasma indium and evaluated associations between exposures and health outcomes. RESULTS Current respirable indium exposure ranged from 0.4 to 108 μg/m(3) and cumulative respirable indium exposure from 0.4 to 923 μg-yr/m(3) . Plasma indium better correlated with cumulative (rs = 0.77) than current exposure (rs = 0.54) overall and with tenure ≥1.9 years. Higher cumulative respirable indium exposures were associated with more dyspnea, lower spirometric parameters, and higher serum biomarkers of lung disease (KL-6 and SP-D), with significant effects starting at 22 μg-yr/m(3) , reached by 46% of participants. CONCLUSIONS Plasma indium concentration reflected cumulative respirable indium exposure, which was associated with clinical, functional, and serum biomarkers of lung disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:522-531, 2016. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Cummings
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - M. Abbas Virji
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Ji Young Park
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
- Institute of Health and Environment; Seoul National University; Seoul Republic of Korea
| | - Marcia L. Stanton
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Nicole T. Edwards
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Bruce C. Trapnell
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati Ohio
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Brenna Carey
- Translational Pulmonary Science Center; Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center; Cincinnati Ohio
| | - Aleksandr B. Stefaniak
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
| | - Kathleen Kreiss
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Morgantown West Virginia
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Noguchi S, Eitoku M, Kiyosawa H, Suganuma N. Fibrotic gene expression coexists with alveolar proteinosis in early indium lung. Inhal Toxicol 2016; 28:421-8. [DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2016.1193573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuhei Noguchi
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Masamitsu Eitoku
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Hidenori Kiyosawa
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
| | - Narufumi Suganuma
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, Kochi, Japan
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Choi S, Won YL, Kim EA. Effect of respiratory protector intervention among indium reclaiming workers. Am J Ind Med 2015; 58:1319-20. [PMID: 26442982 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sungyeul Choi
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute; Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency; Ulsan Korea
| | - Yong Lim Won
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute; Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency; Ulsan Korea
| | - Eun-A Kim
- Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute; Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency; Ulsan Korea
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Nakano M, Tanaka A, Hirata M, Iwasawa S, Omae K. Pulmonary effects in workers exposed to indium metal: A cross‐sectional study. J Occup Health 2015; 57:346-52. [DOI: 10.1539/joh.14-0262-oa] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Nakano
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineJapan
| | - Akiyo Tanaka
- Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityJapan
| | - Miyuki Hirata
- Environmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical SciencesKyushu UniversityJapan
| | - Satoko Iwasawa
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineJapan
| | - Kazuyuki Omae
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public HealthKeio University School of MedicineJapan
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Amata A, Chonan T, Omae K, Nodera H, Terada J, Tatsumi K. High levels of indium exposure relate to progressive emphysematous changes: a 9-year longitudinal surveillance of indium workers. Thorax 2015; 70:1040-6. [DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2014-206380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Early changes in clinical, functional, and laboratory biomarkers in workers at risk of indium lung disease. Ann Am Thorac Soc 2015; 11:1395-403. [PMID: 25295756 DOI: 10.1513/annalsats.201407-346oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Occupational exposure to indium compounds, including indium-tin oxide, can result in potentially fatal indium lung disease. However, the early effects of exposure on the lungs are not well understood. OBJECTIVES To determine the relationship between short-term occupational exposures to indium compounds and the development of early lung abnormalities. METHODS Among indium-tin oxide production and reclamation facility workers, we measured plasma indium, respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, chest computed tomography, and serum biomarkers of lung disease. Relationships between plasma indium concentration and health outcome variables were evaluated using restricted cubic spline and linear regression models. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Eighty-seven (93%) of 94 indium-tin oxide facility workers (median tenure, 2 yr; median plasma indium, 1.0 μg/l) participated in the study. Spirometric abnormalities were not increased compared with the general population, and few subjects had radiographic evidence of alveolar proteinosis (n = 0), fibrosis (n = 2), or emphysema (n = 4). However, in internal comparisons, participants with plasma indium concentrations ≥ 1.0 μg/l had more dyspnea, lower mean FEV1 and FVC, and higher median serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 and surfactant protein-D levels. Spline regression demonstrated nonlinear exposure response, with significant differences occurring at plasma indium concentrations as low as 1.0 μg/l compared with the reference. Associations between health outcomes and the natural log of plasma indium concentration were evident in linear regression models. Associations were not explained by age, smoking status, facility tenure, or prior occupational exposures. CONCLUSIONS In indium-tin oxide facility workers with short-term, low-level exposure, plasma indium concentrations lower than previously reported were associated with lung symptoms, decreased spirometric parameters, and increased serum biomarkers of lung disease.
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