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Ciocan C, Annels C, Fitzpatrick M, Couceiro F, Steyl I, Bray S. Glass reinforced plastic (GRP) boats and the impact on coastal environment - Evidence of fibreglass ingestion by marine bivalves from natural populations. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134619. [PMID: 38754228 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Classified as marine debris, man made materials are polluting the world's oceans. Recently, glass reinforced plastic (GRP) has been shown to degrade and contaminate the coasts. In this pioneering study, fibreglass particles have been detected in the soft parts of oysters and mussels collected from natural populations, in front of an active boatyard. The presence of particulate glass, with concentrations up to 11,220 particles/kg ww in Ostrea edulis and 2740 particles/kg ww in Mytilus edulis, was confirmed by micro Raman spectroscopy. The results showed higher accumulation during the winter months, when boat maintenance activities are peaking and, through repair work, the release of glass fibres in the environment is more likely. Bivalves are considered high risk species due to their sessile nature and extensive filter feeding behaviour. The microparticle inclusion may contribute to adverse impacts on physiological processes and eventually to a decline in the overall health and subsequent death of the animal. The high costs involved in the proper GRP disposal and the lack of recycling facilities worldwide lead to boat abandonement and further contamination of the coasts. For the first time this study presents the extensive fibreglass contamination of natural bivalve populations, in a popular South England sailing harbour, designated a biological and geological site of specific scientific interest (SSRI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina Ciocan
- University of Brighton, School of Applied Sciences, Moulsecoomb Campus, Brighton BN1 4GJ, UK.
| | - Claude Annels
- University of Brighton, School of Applied Sciences, Moulsecoomb Campus, Brighton BN1 4GJ, UK
| | - Megan Fitzpatrick
- University of Brighton, School of Applied Sciences, Moulsecoomb Campus, Brighton BN1 4GJ, UK
| | - Fay Couceiro
- University of Portsmouth, School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Portsmouth PO1 2UP, UK
| | - Ilse Steyl
- Aqass Limited, Netley Abbey, Southampton, UK, SO31 5QA
| | - Simon Bray
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Life Sciences Building (Building 85), Highfield Campus, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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Peters S, Undem K, Solovieva S, Selander J, Schlünssen V, Oude Hengel KM, Albin M, Ge CB, Kjellberg K, McElvenny DM, Gustavsson P, Kolstad HA, Würtz AML, Brinchmann BC, Broberg K, Fossum S, Bugge M, Christensen MW, Ghosh M, Christiansen DH, Merkus SL, Lunde LK, Viikari-Juntura E, Dalbøge A, Falkstedt D, Willert MV, Huss A, Würtz ET, Dumas O, Iversen IB, Leite M, Cramer C, Kirkeleit J, Svanes C, Tinnerberg H, Garcia-Aymerich J, Vested A, Wiebert P, Nordby KC, Godderis L, Vermeulen R, Pronk A, Mehlum IS. Narrative review of occupational exposures and noncommunicable diseases. Ann Work Expo Health 2024:wxae045. [PMID: 38815981 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxae045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Within the scope of the Exposome Project for Health and Occupational Research on applying the exposome concept to working life health, we aimed to provide a broad overview of the status of knowledge on occupational exposures and associated health effects across multiple noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) to help inform research priorities. METHODS We conducted a narrative review of occupational risk factors that can be considered to have "consistent evidence for an association," or where there is "limited/inadequate evidence for an association" for 6 NCD groups: nonmalignant respiratory diseases; neurodegenerative diseases; cardiovascular/metabolic diseases; mental disorders; musculoskeletal diseases; and cancer. The assessment was done in expert sessions, primarily based on systematic reviews, supplemented with narrative reviews, reports, and original studies. Subsequently, knowledge gaps were identified, e.g. based on missing information on exposure-response relationships, gender differences, critical time-windows, interactions, and inadequate study quality. RESULTS We identified over 200 occupational exposures with consistent or limited/inadequate evidence for associations with one or more of 60+ NCDs. Various exposures were identified as possible risk factors for multiple outcomes. Examples are diesel engine exhaust and cadmium, with consistent evidence for lung cancer, but limited/inadequate evidence for other cancer sites, respiratory, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. Other examples are physically heavy work, shift work, and decision latitude/job control. For associations with limited/inadequate evidence, new studies are needed to confirm the association. For risk factors with consistent evidence, improvements in study design, exposure assessment, and case definition could lead to a better understanding of the association and help inform health-based threshold levels. CONCLUSIONS By providing an overview of knowledge gaps in the associations between occupational exposures and their health effects, our narrative review will help setting priorities in occupational health research. Future epidemiological studies should prioritize to include large sample sizes, assess exposures prior to disease onset, and quantify exposures. Potential sources of biases and confounding need to be identified and accounted for in both original studies and systematic reviews.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Peters
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Karina Undem
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Svetlana Solovieva
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40 FI-00032 TYÖTERVEYSLAITOS, Finland
| | - Jenny Selander
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vivi Schlünssen
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2 DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Karen M Oude Hengel
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Princetonlaan 6 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maria Albin
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Calvin B Ge
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Princetonlaan 6 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Katarina Kjellberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Damien M McElvenny
- Institute of Occupational Medicine, Research Ave N, Currie EH14 4AP, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Per Gustavsson
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik A Kolstad
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anne Mette L Würtz
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2 DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Bendik C Brinchmann
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Karin Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stine Fossum
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Merete Bugge
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Wulf Christensen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, box 7001 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Høyrup Christiansen
- Centre of Elective surgery, Region Hospital Silkeborg, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Falkevej 3. 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark
| | - Suzanne L Merkus
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars-Kristian Lunde
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Eira Viikari-Juntura
- Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 40 FI-00032 TYÖTERVEYSLAITOS, Finland
| | - Annett Dalbøge
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Daniel Falkstedt
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Morten Vejs Willert
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anke Huss
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Else Toft Würtz
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Orianne Dumas
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Univ. Paris-Sud, Inserm, Équipe d'Épidémiologie respiratoire intégrative, CESP, 94807, Villejuif, France
| | - Inge Brosbøl Iversen
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mimmi Leite
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
| | - Christine Cramer
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2 DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99. DK-8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jorunn Kirkeleit
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 17 Block D 5009 Bergen, Norway
| | - Cecilie Svanes
- Centre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Årstadveien 17 Block D 5009 Bergen, Norway
- Department of Occupational Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, P.O box 1400 5021 Bergen, Norway
| | - Håkan Tinnerberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Gothenburg University, Huvudbyggnad Vasaparken, Universitetsplatsen 1, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Judith Garcia-Aymerich
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), C/ Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), carrer de la Mercè 12, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Anne Vested
- Department of Public Health, Research Unit for Environment, Occupation and Health, Danish Ramazzini Centre, Aarhus University, Bartholins Allé 2 DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pernilla Wiebert
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Torsplan, Solnavägen 4, 113 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Lode Godderis
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 7, box 7001 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Roel Vermeulen
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3584 CM Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anjoeka Pronk
- Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO, Princetonlaan 6 3584 CB Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Sivesind Mehlum
- National Institute of Occupational Health (STAMI), Gydas vei 8, 0363 Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Kirkeveien 166, 0450 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals, Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-Copenhagen 2400 NV, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ledda C, Loreto C, Lombardo C, Cardile V, Rapisarda V. Mesothelin methylation, soluble mesothelin related protein levels and inflammation profiling in workers chronically exposed to naturally occurring asbestos fibers. Transl Oncol 2024; 40:101872. [PMID: 38134842 PMCID: PMC10751818 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101872] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to asbestiform fibers, including chrysotile and amphibole, is carcinogenic, causing malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) when inhaled. Some populations globally face Naturally Occurring Asbestos (NOA) exposure, leading to MPM cases like in Biancavilla, Italy, from Fluoro-edenite (FE) contamination. Studies show NOA exposure causes epigenetic changes, focusing on mesothelin methylation, an MPM marker, and altered inflammation, emphasizing the health risks of FE and asbestos. This research, conducted from February 2022 to October 2022, studied 125 construction workers from Biancavilla and 125 controls from 40 km away without Biancavilla work history. With at least ten years in construction and no respiratory conditions, participants underwent medical assessments and gave blood samples for analysis, including inflammation markers, mesothelin methylation, and soluble mesothelin-related protein levels. The results showed similar demographics but differing inflammation and methylation levels in exposed workers, suggesting long-term cellular changes. Pearson correlation showed intricate biomarker relationships. Significant inflammatory differences were found between FE exposed and non-exposed workers, indicating potential health impacts from FE. This raises concerns for communities like Biancavilla, emphasizing the importance of extensive epigenetic research for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ledda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| | - Carla Loreto
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Claudia Lombardo
- Human Anatomy and Histology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venera Cardile
- Physiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Venerando Rapisarda
- Occupational Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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4
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de Jersey AM, Lavers JL, Zosky GR, Rivers-Auty J. The understudied global experiment of pollution's impacts on wildlife and human health: The ethical imperative for interdisciplinary research. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 336:122459. [PMID: 37633432 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
The global impact of pollution on human and wildlife health is a growing concern. The health impacts of pollution are significant and far-reaching yet poorly understood as no one field of research has the practices and methodologies required to encapsulate the diversity of these consequences. This paper advocates that interdisciplinary research is essential to comprehend the full extent of the impact of pollution. Medical and ecological research play a key role in investigating the health consequences of the pollution crisis, yet the wildlife experience is often neglected. This paper outlines how applying advanced techniques and expertise adapted in medical research to wildlife exposed to pollutants offers a unique perspective to understanding the full diversity of impacts to health. The challenges that impede the progress of this research include the lack of support for interdisciplinary research among funding streams, limitations in field-specific techniques, and a lack of communication between researchers from different disciplines. Of awarded funding from major national research councils across Australia, Europe, and the United States of America, only 0.5% is dedicated to pollution focused research. This is inclusive of laboratory equipment, mitigation strategies, quantification of environmental samples and health consequences research. Of that, 0.03% of funding is awarded to explaining the wildlife experience and documenting the health consequences observed despite being model organisms to environmentally and biologically relevant models for pollution exposure. This calls for a coordinated effort to overcome these hurdles and to promote interdisciplinary research in order to fully comprehend the consequences of pollution exposure and protect the health of humans, wildlife, and the environment. An interdisciplinary approach to this problem is timely given the magnitude of negative health consequences associated with exposure, the number of pollutants already present within the environment and the continual development of new compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alix M de Jersey
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Jennifer L Lavers
- Bird Group, The Natural History Museum, Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, HP23 6AP, United Kingdom; Esperance Tjaltjraak Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, 11A Shelden Road, Esperance, Western Australia, 6450, Australia.
| | - Graeme R Zosky
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
| | - Jack Rivers-Auty
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, Australia
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Visonà SD, Crespi E, Belluso E, Capella S, De Matteis S, Filippi F, Lai M, Loscerbo R, Meloni F, Pilia I, Cocco P, Colosio C. Reconstructing historical exposure to asbestos: the validation of 'educated guesses'. Occup Med (Lond) 2022; 72:534-540. [PMID: 35943161 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In both the epidemiological and legal context, the causal attribution of asbestos-related lung diseases requires retrospective exposure assessment (REA). AIMS To assess the correlation between the retrospective assessment of occupational and anthropogenic environmental exposure to asbestos and its content in the lung tissue. METHODS Based on the available exposure information, a team of occupational physicians retrospectively assessed cumulative exposure to asbestos in 24 subjects who died of asbestos-related diseases. The asbestos lung content was analysed using analytical scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS). The Log10 asbestos fibre count in the autoptic samples was predicted as a function of the Log10 estimated cumulative exposure using univariate regression analysis. RESULTS The median count of asbestos fibres by grams of dry weight (ff/gdw) in the lung tissue was 81 339 (range 0-2 135 849.06); it was 287 144 (range 0-2 135 849.06) among the occupationally exposed, and 29 671 (range 0-116 891) among the subjects who only had anthropogenic environmental and/or household exposure. Amphiboles, and particularly amosite (52%) and crocidolite (43%), were detected in all the study subjects. Chrysotile was not detected in any of the samples. Overall, the retrospective estimate of lifetime cumulative exposure to asbestos showed a moderate correlation with the total asbestos fibre count in the autoptic lung, with the regression model explaining 38-55% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS Detailed information on occupational, environmental and household exposure circumstances would be indispensable for experienced industrial hygienists and/or occupational physicians to reliably assess past exposure to amphiboles or mixed types of asbestos.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Visonà
- Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy
| | - E Crespi
- Occupational Health Unit, Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, Milan 20142, Italy
| | - E Belluso
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino and Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates "G. Scansetti", University of Torino, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - S Capella
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino and Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and other Toxic Particulates "G. Scansetti", University of Torino, Torino 10125, Italy
| | - S De Matteis
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - F Filippi
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - M Lai
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - R Loscerbo
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - F Meloni
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - I Pilia
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Occupational Health Unit, University of Cagliari, Cagliari 09124, Italy
| | - P Cocco
- Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, Division of Population Health, Healthcare Research & Primary Care, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - C Colosio
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, Milan M13 9PL, Italy
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Maghin F, Antonietti A, Cerri N, Lancini LM, Maccarinelli A, Manzoni S, Restori M, Rota M, Ruffini D, Verzeletti A, Conti A. Assessment protocol of mesothelioma and relevance of SEM-EDS analysis through a case studies of legal medicine of Brescia (Italy). Leg Med (Tokyo) 2022; 57:102076. [PMID: 35472827 DOI: 10.1016/j.legalmed.2022.102076] [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: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study evaluates the assessment protocol that allows the correlation between the development of mesothelioma to a specific exposure, with particular focus on investigations with Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy. METHODS This retrospective study includes 80 subjects who died from mesothelioma in the period 2001-2019. A judicial autopsy was performed for each case to confirm cause of death and correlate the disease with specific asbestos exposure. In 28 cases investigations were carried out to determine the pulmonary load of the asbestos fibres and corpuscles in the lung tissue through microscopic investigations, in order to confirm the suspicion of occupational exposure. RESULTS Our data agree with the scientific literature reported, but it is interesting to underline how the present study uses a different systematic approach than others, which are mainly based on epidemiological and environmental studies without considering the lung content of fibres and corpuscles. CONCLUSION It would be desirable that the use of the microscopic analysis was introduced in the evaluation protocol: it should always be carried out if the suspicion of asbestos-related disease is raised and not only as a possible integration to the less expensive anamnestic evaluation, even more so if the work or personal history should be suggestive of exposure to asbestos fibres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Maghin
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Anna Antonietti
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Cerri
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Liliana Maria Lancini
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Maccarinelli
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Samuele Manzoni
- Forensic Pathologist, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, via Bissolati 57, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Mario Restori
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Matteo Rota
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Daniela Ruffini
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Andrea Verzeletti
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Adelaide Conti
- Forensic Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali Civili 1, 25123 Brescia, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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7
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Obmiński A. The natural reduction of threat in selected systems of old buildings containing asbestos. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2580. [PMID: 35173172 PMCID: PMC8850589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to measure changes in asbestos dust concentrations over extended use in old building systems. Buildings from different systems during their service lifetimes and after asbestos removal were tested. Asbestos dust concentrations decreased in all building systems due to air exchange and other phenomena in the absence of new active dust sources. Currently, with proper use of those buildings, average values of dust concentrations did not exceed 300–400 f/m3 with a downward trend to < 300 f/m3. The results of these studies were obtained with a modified optical microscopy technique, verified by SEM and TEM methods. The graphical trends in concentration changes over longer periods illustrate the potency of opposing factors reducing and increasing indoor air pollution. If removal asbestos work was not carried out carefully, single measurements conducted in the short-term and mandated immediately after asbestos removal may not detect hazards that appear over time. Monitoring buildings over longer periods allows detection of significant contamination changes. In many cases, the minimal air contamination undermines the desirability of removing asbestos in old buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Obmiński
- Department: Thermal Physics, Acoustics and Environment, Building Research Institute (ITB), Filtrowa 1, 00-611, Warsaw, Poland.
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8
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Serum Calretinin as a Biomarker in Malignant Mesothelioma. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10214875. [PMID: 34768395 PMCID: PMC8585060 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10214875] [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: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The early diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MM) could improve the prognosis of MM patients. To confirm an MM diagnosis, an immunohistochemical analysis of several tumor tissue markers, including calretinin, is currently required. Our aim is to evaluate serum calretinin as a potential biomarker in asbestos-related diseases, especially in MM. Our study includes 549 subjects: 164 MM patients, 117 subjects with asbestosis, 195 subjects with pleural plaques and 73 occupationally asbestos-exposed subjects without asbestos-related diseases. The serum calretinin concentration was determined with a commercially available enzyme immunoassay. Data on the soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRP) concentration are available from previous studies. MM patients had a significantly higher calretinin concentration than subjects without disease, subjects with pleural plaques or subjects with asbestosis (all p < 0.001). The histological type was significantly associated with serum calretinin: patients with sarcomatoid MM had lower calretinin than patients with the epithelioid type (p = 0.001). In a ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve for calretinin concentration predicting MM was 0.826 (95% CI = 0.782-0.869; p < 0.001). At the cutoff value of 0.32 ng/mL, sensitivity was 0.683, while specificity was 0.886. The combination of calretinin and SMRP had the highest predictive value. Calretinin is a useful biomarker that can distinguish MM from other asbestos-related diseases and could, therefore, contribute to an earlier non-invasive diagnosis of MM.
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Investigating the Molecular Processes behind the Cell-Specific Toxicity Response to Titanium Dioxide Nanobelts. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179432. [PMID: 34502343 PMCID: PMC8431385 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179432] [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: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Some engineered nanomaterials incite toxicological effects, but the underlying molecular processes are understudied. The varied physicochemical properties cause different initial molecular interactions, complicating toxicological predictions. Gene expression data allow us to study the responses of genes and biological processes. Overrepresentation analysis identifies enriched biological processes using the experimental data but prompts broad results instead of detailed toxicological processes. We demonstrate a targeted filtering approach to compare public gene expression data for low and high exposure on three cell lines to titanium dioxide nanobelts. Our workflow finds cell and concentration-specific changes in affected pathways linked to four Gene Ontology terms (apoptosis, inflammation, DNA damage, and oxidative stress) to select pathways with a clear toxicity focus. We saw more differentially expressed genes at higher exposure, but our analysis identifies clear differences between the cell lines in affected processes. Colorectal adenocarcinoma cells showed resilience to both concentrations. Small airway epithelial cells displayed a cytotoxic response to the high concentration, but not as strongly as monocytic-like cells. The pathway-gene networks highlighted the gene overlap between altered toxicity-related pathways. The automated workflow is flexible and can focus on other biological processes by selecting other GO terms.
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Lee S, Kang D, Kim Y, Kim YJ, Kim SY. Activity-Based Exposure Levels and Cancer Risk Assessment Due to Naturally Occurring Asbestos for the Residents Near Abandoned Asbestos Mines in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105225. [PMID: 34069013 PMCID: PMC8156354 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the overall asbestos exposure intensity and assess the health risk to residents due to naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) near abandoned asbestos mines in South Korea. Of 38 mines, we found 19 with measured concentrations of NOA. We evaluated the average of airborne NOA concentrations according to the environmental exposure category. When evaluated regionally by dividing into two clusters, the mean concentrations in activity-based sampling (ABS) scenarios exceeded the Korean exposure limit (0.01 f/cc) in both clusters. Moreover, airborne NOA concentrations in agricultural activity (5.49 × 10-2 f/cc) and daily activity (6.95 × 10-2 f/cc) had the highest values for clusters A and B, respectively. The excess lifetime cancer risk of one region (cluster A) by the ABS scenarios did not exceed the Korean Ministry of the Environment's criteria for soil purification (1 × 10-4). However, one of the ABS scenarios-the daily life activity of clusters centered on Chungcheongbuk-do (cluster B)-showed an exposure of 1.08 × 10-4, greater than the limit (1 × 10-4). This indicates non negligible health damage to residents living near the abandoned asbestos mines, and it is necessary to continuously monitor and clean up the asbestos contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungho Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
| | - Dongmug Kang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Youngki Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Yoon-Ji Kim
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Environmental Health Center of Asbestos, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Se-Yeong Kim
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan 50612, Korea; (S.L.); (D.K.); (Y.K.)
- Department of Preventive and Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Medical College, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-55-360-3173
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11
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Wimalasena NN, Chang-Richards A, Wang KIK, Dirks KN. Housing Risk Factors Associated with Respiratory Disease: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18062815. [PMID: 33802036 PMCID: PMC7998657 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18062815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cold, damp and mouldy housing arises from the degradation of the housing stock over time due to weathering and a lack of maintenance. Living in such houses is associated with many adverse impacts on human health, especially for those with existing health issues. This paper presents a systematic review, using the PRISMA protocol, consisting of an exploratory analysis of housing-related risk factors associated with respiratory disease. The review consisted of 360 studies investigating 19 risk factors associated with respiratory conditions. Each fall into one of four categories, namely, (1) outdoor environment-related factors; (2) indoor air pollution-related factors; (3) housing non-structure-related factors; or (4) housing structure-related factors. The results show that effects of poor housing conditions on occupants’ respiratory health is a growing research field, where poor indoor air quality, mainly due to a lack of adequate ventilation, was found to be the most influential risk factor. Usage of solid fuel and living in an urban area without a pollutant-free air filtration system are the main risk factors related to inadequate ventilation. Therefore, an adequate and reliable ventilation system with air-infiltration was considered to be the main mitigation solution to improve indoor air quality. It is suggested that government organisations and health practitioners could use the identified risk factors to measure the healthiness of existing dwellings and take measures to improve existing conditions and develop regulations for new housing construction to promote the healthy home concept. Further research is needed for risk mitigation strategies to reduce the respiratory health burden attributed to housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipuni Nilakshini Wimalasena
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, 0600 Auckland, New Zealand; (A.C.-R.); (K.N.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +64-225-311-863
| | - Alice Chang-Richards
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, 0600 Auckland, New Zealand; (A.C.-R.); (K.N.D.)
| | - Kevin I-Kai Wang
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Software Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, 0600 Auckland, New Zealand;
| | - Kim N. Dirks
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Auckland, 0600 Auckland, New Zealand; (A.C.-R.); (K.N.D.)
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Visonà SD, Capella S, Bodini S, Borrelli P, Villani S, Crespi E, Frontini A, Colosio C, Belluso E. Inorganic Fiber Lung Burden in Subjects with Occupational and/or Anthropogenic Environmental Asbestos Exposure in Broni (Pavia, Northern Italy): An SEM-EDS Study on Autoptic Samples. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18042053. [PMID: 33669843 PMCID: PMC7923219 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Increased mortality due to malignant mesothelioma has been demonstrated by several epidemiologic studies in the area around Broni (a small town in Lombardy, northern Italy), where a factory producing asbestos cement was active between 1932 and 1993. Until now, the inorganic fiber burden in lungs has not been investigated in this population. The aim of this study is to assess the lung fiber burden in 72 individuals with previous occupational and/or anthropogenic environmental exposure to asbestos during the activity of an important asbestos cement factory. Inorganic fiber lung burden was assessed in autoptic samples taken from individuals deceased from asbestos-related diseases using a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy-dispersive spectrometer. Significant differences in the detected amount of asbestos were pointed out among the three types of exposure. In most lung samples taken from patients who died of mesothelioma, very little asbestos (or, in some cases, no fibers) was found. Such subjects showed a significantly lower median amount of asbestos as compared to asbestosis. Almost no chrysotile was detected in the examined samples. Overall, crocidolite was the most represented asbestos, followed by amosite, tremolite/actinolite asbestos, and anthophyllite asbestos. There were significant differences in the amount of crocidolite and amosite fibers according to the kind of exposure. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, as well as the different impacts of the various types of asbestos on human health in relation to their different biopersistences in the lung microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Damiana Visonà
- Unit of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-03-8298-7596; Fax: +39-03-8252-8025
| | - Silvana Capella
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (E.B.)
- Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates “G. Scansetti”, University of Torino, 10121 Torino, Italy
| | - Sofia Bodini
- Unit of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | - Paola Borrelli
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (P.B.); (S.V.)
- Laboratory of Biostatistics, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Simona Villani
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (P.B.); (S.V.)
| | - Eleonora Crespi
- Occupational Health Unit, Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, 20142 Milano, Italy; (E.C.); (C.C.)
| | - Andrea Frontini
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Claudio Colosio
- Occupational Health Unit, Santi Paolo e Carlo Hospital, 20142 Milano, Italy; (E.C.); (C.C.)
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Elena Belluso
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Torino, 10125 Torino, Italy; (S.C.); (E.B.)
- Interdepartmental Center for Studies on Asbestos and Other Toxic Particulates “G. Scansetti”, University of Torino, 10121 Torino, Italy
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13
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Emmett EA. Asbestos in High-Risk Communities: Public Health Implications. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:1579. [PMID: 33562413 PMCID: PMC7915393 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Asbestos-related diseases (ARDs)-mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis-are well known as occupational diseases. As industrial asbestos use is eliminated, ARDs within the general community from para-occupational, environmental, and natural exposures are more prominent. ARD clusters have been studied in communities including Broni, Italy; Libby, Montana; Wittenoom, Western Australia; Karain, Turkey; Ambler, Pennsylvania; and elsewhere. Community ARDs pose specific public health issues and challenges. Community exposure results in higher proportions of mesothelioma in women and a younger age distribution than occupational exposures. Exposure amount, age at exposure, fiber type, and genetic predisposition influence ARD expression; vulnerable groups include those with social and behavioral risk, exposure to extreme events, and genetic predispositions. To address community exposure, regulations should address all carcinogenic elongated mineral fibers. Banning asbestos mining, use, and importation will not reduce risks from asbestos already in place. Residents of high-risk communities are characteristically exposed through several pathways differing among communities. Administrative responsibility for controlling environmental exposures is more diffuse than for workplaces, complicated by diverse community attitudes to risk and prevention and legal complexity. The National Mesothelioma Registries help track the identification of communities at risk. High-risk communities need enhanced services for screening, diagnosis, treatment, and social and psychological support, including for retired asbestos workers. Legal settlements could help fund community programs. A focus on prevention, public health programs, particularization to specific community needs, and participation is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward A Emmett
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Rebello S, Anoopkumar AN, Aneesh EM, Sindhu R, Binod P, Kim SH, Pandey A. Hazardous minerals mining: Challenges and solutions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 402:123474. [PMID: 32738780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Minerals are valuable resources gifted to man from the Mother Earth and quite often they need to be dug out from deep down with much effort to utilize them in many of our anthropogenic activities. The fascinating nature, colours as well as the physicochemical properties of minerals has extended their prospective value in the synthesis of various household and industrial products. However, knowledge of the mostly explored minerals, associated products, and their hazardous nature becomes relevant to its prevalence in our daily life. The harmful effects of some minerals are mostly evident from its site of occurrence, process of mining, post mining wastes left over and even in finished products. The current review focuses to evaluate the hazardous nature of minerals, cautions associated with its mining, drastic effects on human health, and ecosystem as an eye-opener to us. Finally, the effective remedies that could be implemented in the exploration of minerals are also discussed to the best of our knowledge. Bioleaching methods of rare earth elements and copper have been discussed briefly to explain the pros and cons of biological methods over conventional chemical leaching methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharrel Rebello
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, India
| | - A N Anoopkumar
- Communicable Disease Research Laboratory, St. Joseph's College, Irinjalakuda, India; Department of Zoology, Christ College, Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut, India
| | | | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum, 695 019, India
| | - Parameswaran Binod
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Trivandrum, 695 019, India
| | - Sang Hyoun Kim
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ashok Pandey
- Center for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226 001, India; Frontier Research Lab, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.
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15
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Vimercati L, Cavone D, Delfino MC, Caputi A, De Maria L, Sponselli S, Corrado V, Ferri GM, Serio G. Asbestos Air Pollution: Description of a Mesothelioma Cluster Due to Residential Exposure from an Asbestos Cement Factory. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E2636. [PMID: 32290540 PMCID: PMC7215593 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The study describes a cluster of 71 malignant mesothelioma cases among Bari residents without asbestos exposure other than residential exposure. This small cohort, as expected, was composed of a majority of females (56.34%) with a M/F ratio of 0.8, ages ≤ 65 years old (52.11%) and the epithelioid morphological type (78.87%). Sixty-four subjects (90.14%) lived between 10 m and 1000 m from the asbestos cement factory (Fibronit), and the latency length was longer than 55 years for 25 subjects (35.21%). The adjusted risk (adjusted OR) of observing the epithelial form of mesothelioma among subjects living at small distances from Fibronit was high (OR = 1.870 (0.353-9.905)) for people living 550-1000 m from the site and for those living less than 550 m from the site (OR = 1.470 (0.262-8.248)). Additionally, the subjects with a high length of exposure showed a relevant risk of epithelioid mesothelioma both for 21-40 years of exposure (OR = 2.027 (0.521-7.890)) and more than 40 years of exposure (OR = 2.879 (0.651-12.736)). All of the estimates were high but not significant because this transitional study has a typically low power. The adjustment for latency showed the same trend. Using detailed information collected by the regional mesothelioma registry, this study provided evidence of a continuing health impact of the Fibronit asbestos cement factory in Bari on the resident population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Vimercati
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Domenica Cavone
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Maria Celeste Delfino
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Antonio Caputi
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Luigi De Maria
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Stefania Sponselli
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Vincenzo Corrado
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Giovanni Maria Ferri
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy; (D.C.); (M.C.D.); (A.C.); (L.D.M.); (S.S.); (V.C.); (G.M.F.)
| | - Gabriella Serio
- Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (DETO), Pathology Division, University of Bari Medical School, 11 G, Cesare Square, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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16
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Consonni D, De Matteis S, Dallari B, Pesatori AC, Riboldi L, Mensi C. Impact of an asbestos cement factory on mesothelioma incidence in a community in Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:108968. [PMID: 31812249 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2019.108968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Broni is a small town (9000 inhabitants) in the province of Pavia, Lombardy, north-west Italy, where the second largest Italian asbestos cement factory (Fibronit) was in operation between 1932 and 1993. Based on Lombardy Mesothelioma Registry (RML) data (2000-2011), we previously showed a high impact of asbestos exposure on malignant mesothelioma (MM) incidence among Fibronit workers, their families, and people living in Broni and in the nearby town of Stradella (11,000 residents). Given the great concern of the community, we have recently updated the data regarding 5 more years (2012-2016). METHODS From the RML database we extracted subjects who ever worked in Fibronit, their family members, ever residents in Broni, and subjects living in Stradella and nearby towns at the time of diagnosis. For each type of exposure we calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIR = observed/expected cases). RESULTS In the period 2000-2016 we registered 56 cases (2.52 expected, SIR = 22.2), 49 men (41 pleural, 8 peritoneal MM), 7 women (5 pleural, 2 peritoneal MM) with past occupational exposure in Fibronit. Among subjects never occupationally exposed and never exposed to extra-occupational sources unrelated to Fibronit, we counted 39 cases (4.24 expected, SIR = 9.2), 10 men (all pleural MM), 29 women (28 pleural, 1 peritoneal MM) in Fibronit workers' families, 91 pleural mesothelioma cases (7.43 expected, SIR = 12.2, 31 men, 60 women), ever residents in Broni, and 25 pleural mesothelioma cases (3.05 expected, SIR = 8.2, 6 men, 19 women) living in Stradella at the time of diagnosis. The overall number of excess cases was about 194 (211 against 17.24 expected). In the remaining adjacent (No. 8) and surrounding (No. 17) municipalities (32,000 people) there were 7 cases (1 men, 6 women, 8.85 expected). CONCLUSION The mesothelioma burden related to the asbestos cement factory is still high on factory workers, their families, and residents in Broni and Stradella towns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Consonni
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sara De Matteis
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Barbara Dallari
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Angela C Pesatori
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luciano Riboldi
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
| | - Carolina Mensi
- Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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Agrawal S, Gernand JM. Quantifying the Economic Impact of Hydraulic Fracturing Proppant Selection in Light of Occupational Exposure Risk and Functional Requirements. RISK ANALYSIS : AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY FOR RISK ANALYSIS 2020; 40:319-335. [PMID: 31858619 DOI: 10.1111/risa.13419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Selection of an effective and economic proppant material for hydraulic fracturing is an important design choice to optimize the production of oil and natural gas. Proppants are made of silica (quartz sand), alumina, resin-coated silica, ceramics, and others. These materials can be toxic to varying degrees and lead to health problems in the employees handling them primarily due to inhalation exposure. Proppants are selected based on grain size, shape, strength, and cost. Current use is dominated by crystalline silica-the proppant that also has the greatest hazard as an inhalation toxin. Existing research describes the effect of silica on human health, but little research has been done to determine the risk-reduction and social-cost-effectiveness associated with using alternative proppants in light of the health risks. This study quantifies the relative risks or benefits to human health by the use of these proppants through an economic analysis considering the health-related economic impact and its technical attributes. Results show that the use of each ton of silica proppant results in $123 of external costs from fatalities and nonfatal illness arising due to exposure to silica for a crew handing 60,000 tons of proppants. If these health-related externalities were incorporated into the cost, silica proppant could be economically replaced by less harmful, more expensive alternatives for hydraulic fracturing crews handling less than 60,000 tons of proppant each year.
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VIMERCATI L, CAVONE D, MANSI F, CANNONE E, DE MARIA L, CAPUTI A, DELFINO M, SERIO G. Health impact of exposure to asbestos in polluted area of Southern Italy. JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 2019; 60:E407-E418. [PMID: 31967100 PMCID: PMC6953442 DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.4.1330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The three main sources of asbestos pollution in the city of Bari, Puglia, the former Fibronit asbestos factory, the Torre Quetta beach, the former Rossani barracks and the history of their reclamation are described. The results of cohort studies on factory workers and case-control studies on asbestos exposure to the resident population and the onset of mesothelioma are also reported. Finally, the data of the regional register of mesothelioma related to residents in the city of Bari and four new cases with environmental exposure due to the former Rossani barracks are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. VIMERCATI
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - D. CAVONE
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - F. MANSI
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - E.S.S. CANNONE
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - L. DE MARIA
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - A. CAPUTI
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - M.C. DELFINO
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine “B. Ramazzini”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - G. SERIO
- Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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