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Antonini JM, Kodali V, Meighan TG, McKinney W, Cumpston JL, Leonard HD, Cumpston JB, Friend S, Leonard SS, Andrews R, Zeidler-Erdely PC, Erdely A, Lee EG, Afshari AA. Lung toxicity, deposition, and clearance of thermal spray coating particles with different metal profiles after inhalation in rats. Nanotoxicology 2023; 17:669-686. [PMID: 38116948 PMCID: PMC10872229 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2023.2297048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Thermal spray coating is a process in which molten metal is sprayed onto a surface. Little is known about the health effects associated with these aerosols. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to aerosols (25 mg/m3 × 4 hr/d × 4 d) generated during thermal spray coating using different consumables [i.e. stainless-steel wire (PMET731), Ni-based wire (PMET885), Zn-based wire (PMET540)]. Control animals received air. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed at 4 and 30 d post-exposure to assess lung toxicity. The particles were chain-like agglomerates and similar in size (310-378 nm). Inhalation of PMET885 aerosol caused a significant increase in lung injury and inflammation at both time points. Inhalation of PMET540 aerosol caused a slight but significant increase in lung toxicity at 4 but not 30 d. Exposure to PMET731 aerosol had no effect on lung toxicity. Overall, the lung responses were in the order: PMET885≫PMET540 >PMT731. Following a shorter exposure (25 mg/m3 × 4 h/d × 1d), lung burdens of metals from the different aerosols were determined by ICP-AES at 0, 1, 4 and 30 d post-exposure. Zn was cleared from the lungs at the fastest rate with complete clearance by 4 d post-exposure. Ni, Cr, and Mn had similar rates of clearance as nearly half of the deposited metal was cleared by 4 d. A small but significant percentage of each of these metals persisted in the lungs at 30 d. The pulmonary clearance of Fe was difficult to assess because of inherently high levels of Fe in control lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Antonini
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Vamsi Kodali
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Terence G Meighan
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Walter McKinney
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jared L Cumpston
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Howard D Leonard
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - James B Cumpston
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Sherri Friend
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Stephen S Leonard
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ronnee Andrews
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Patti C Zeidler-Erdely
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aaron Erdely
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Eun Gyung Lee
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aliakbar A Afshari
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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2
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Zeidler-Erdely PC, Erdely A, Kodali V, Andrews R, Antonini J, Trainor-DeArmitt T, Salmen R, Battelli L, Grose L, Kashon M, Service S, McKinney W, Stone S, Falcone L. Lung toxicity profile of inhaled copper-nickel welding fume in A/J mice. Inhal Toxicol 2022; 34:275-286. [PMID: 35724235 PMCID: PMC9872095 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2022.2089783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Stainless steel welding creates fumes rich in carcinogenic metals such as chromium (Cr). Welding consumables devoid of Cr are being produced in an attempt to limit worker exposures to toxic and carcinogenic metals. The study objective was to characterize a copper-nickel (Cu-Ni) fume generated using gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and determine the pulmonary deposition and toxicity of the fume in mice exposed by inhalation. Materials and Methods: Male A/J mice (6-8 weeks of age) were exposed to air or Cu-Ni welding fumes for 2 (low deposition) or 4 (high deposition) hours/day for 10 days. Mice were sacrificed, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), macrophage function, and histopathological analyses were performed at different timepoints post-exposure to evaluate resolution. Results and Discussion: Characterization of the fume indicated that most of the particles were between 0.1 and 1 µm in diameter, with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 0.43 µm. Metal content of the fume was Cu (∼76%) and Ni (∼12%). Post-exposure, BAL macrophages had a reduced ability to phagocytose E. coli, and lung cytotoxicity was evident and significant (>12%-19% fold change). Loss of body weight was also significant at the early timepoints. Lung inflammation, the predominant finding identified by histopathology, was observed as a subacute response early that progressively resolved by 28 days with only macrophage aggregates remaining late (84 days). Conclusions: Overall, there was high acute lung toxicity with a resolution of the response in mice which suggests that the Cu-Ni fume may not be ideal for reducing toxic and inflammatory lung effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patti C. Zeidler-Erdely
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aaron Erdely
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Vamsi Kodali
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ronnee Andrews
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - James Antonini
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Taylor Trainor-DeArmitt
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Rebecca Salmen
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Lori Battelli
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Lindsay Grose
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Michael Kashon
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Samantha Service
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Walter McKinney
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Samuel Stone
- Health Effects Laboratory Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Lauryn Falcone
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Genotoxicity and inflammatory potential of stainless steel welding fume particles: an in vitro study on standard vs Cr(VI)-reduced flux-cored wires and the role of released metals. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:2961-2975. [PMID: 34287684 PMCID: PMC8380239 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03116-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Welders are daily exposed to various levels of welding fumes containing several metals. This exposure can lead to an increased risk for different health effects which serves as a driving force to develop new methods that generate less toxic fumes. The aim of this study was to explore the role of released metals for welding particle-induced toxicity and to test the hypothesis that a reduction of Cr(VI) in welding fumes results in less toxicity by comparing the welding fume particles of optimized Cr(VI)-reduced flux-cored wires (FCWs) to standard FCWs. The welding particles were thoroughly characterized, and toxicity (cell viability, DNA damage and inflammation) was assessed following exposure to welding particles as well as their released metal fraction using cultured human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC-3kt, 5–100 µg/mL) and human monocyte-derived macrophages (THP-1, 10–50 µg/mL). The results showed that all Cr was released as Cr(VI) for welding particles generated using standard FCWs whereas only minor levels (< 3% of total Cr) were released from the newly developed FCWs. Furthermore, the new FCWs were considerably less cytotoxic and did not cause any DNA damage in the doses tested. For the standard FCWs, the Cr(VI) released in cell media seemed to explain a large part of the cytotoxicity and DNA damage. In contrast, all particles caused rather similar inflammatory effects suggesting different underlying mechanisms. Taken together, this study suggests a potential benefit of substituting standard FCWs with Cr(VI)-reduced wires to achieve less toxic welding fumes and thus reduced risks for welders.
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Khisroon M, Khan A, Shah AA, Ullah I, Farooqi J, Ullah A. Scalp Hair Metal Analysis Concerning DNA Damage in Welders of Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. Biol Trace Elem Res 2021; 199:1649-1656. [PMID: 32676939 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Welding is used throughout the world in refineries, thermal power plants, chemical facilities, and pressurized containers, and the welders are exposed to toxic heavy metals, electromagnetic fields, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and ultraviolet radiations. In the present study, 59 welders and an equal number of control subjects were assessed for DNA damage in the lymphocytes using the comet assay. Heavy metals such as lead (Pb), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and cadmium (Cd) levels in the scalp hair of the subjects were evaluated by using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The results of the current study showed that DNA damage in the lymphocytes of welders (121.8 ± 10.7) was significantly higher as compared with controls (56.5 ± 17.6) (P < 0.001). Besides, the levels of Pb, Fe, Ni, Cr, Mn, and Cd were remarkably higher in the scalp hair of workers as compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Regression analysis showed a prominent association between the heavy metals and total comet score (TCS) in the exposed subjects. Age and duration of occupational exposure had significant effects (P < 0.05) on TCS values. Our results concluded that occupational exposure to welding fumes may cause DNA damage and can lead to important health hazards in the workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Khisroon
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Ajmal Khan
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25120, Pakistan.
| | - Ashraf Ali Shah
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Ihsan Ullah
- Poonch Medical College, Rawalakot, AJK, Pakistan
| | - Javeed Farooqi
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Abid Ullah
- Department of Zoology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25120, Pakistan
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Magrone T, Russo MA, Jirillo E. Impact of Heavy Metals on Host Cells: Special Focus on Nickel-Mediated Pathologies and Novel Interventional Approaches. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2019; 20:1041-1058. [PMID: 31782370 DOI: 10.2174/1871530319666191129120253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Heavy metals [arsenic, aluminium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, nickel (Ni), palladium and titanium] are environmental contaminants able to impact with host human cells, thus, leading to severe damage. OBJECTIVE In this review, the detrimental effects of several heavy metals on human organs will be discussed and special emphasis will be placed on Ni. In particular, Ni is able to interact with Toll-like receptor-4 on immune and non-immune cells, thus, triggering the cascade of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Then, inflammatory and allergic reactions mediated by Ni will be illustrated within different organs, even including the central nervous system, airways and the gastrointestinal system. DISCUSSION Different therapeutic strategies have been adopted to mitigate Ni-induced inflammatoryallergic reactions. In this context, the ability of polyphenols to counteract the inflammatory pathway induced by Ni on peripheral blood leukocytes from Ni-sensitized patients will be outlined. In particular, polyphenols are able to decrease serum levels of interleukin (IL)-17, while increasing levels of IL- 10. These data suggest that the equilibrium between T regulatory cells and T helper 17 cells is recovered with IL-10 acting as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. In the same context, polyphenols reduced elevated serum levels of nitric oxide, thus, expressing their anti-oxidant potential. Finally, the carcinogenic potential of heavy metals, even including Ni, will be highlighted. CONCLUSION Heavy metals, particularly Ni, are spread in the environment. Nutritional approaches seem to represent a novel option in the treatment of Ni-induced damage and, among them, polyphenols should be taken into consideration for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea Magrone
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Matteo A Russo
- MEBIC Consortium, San Raffaele Open University of Rome and IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Emilio Jirillo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sensory Organs, School of Medicine, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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Shoeb M, Kodali V, Farris B, Bishop LM, Meighan T, Salmen R, Eye T, Roberts JR, Zeidler-Erdely P, Erdely A, Antonini JM. Evaluation of the molecular mechanisms associated with cytotoxicity and inflammation after pulmonary exposure to different metal-rich welding particles. Nanotoxicology 2017; 11:725-736. [PMID: 28660804 PMCID: PMC6324175 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2017.1349200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Welding generates a complex aerosol of incidental nanoparticles and cytotoxic metals, such as chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), and iron (Fe). The goal was to use both in vivo and in vitro methodologies to determine the mechanisms by which different welding fumes may damage the lungs. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated by intratracheal instillation (ITI) with 2.0 mg of gas metal arc-mild steel (GMA-MS) or manual metal arc-stainless steel (MMA-SS) fumes or saline (vehicle control). At 1, 3, and 10 days, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to measure lung toxicity. To assess molecular mechanisms of cytotoxicity, RAW264.7 cells were exposed to both welding fumes for 24 h (0-100 μg/ml). Fume composition was different: MMA-SS (41% Fe, 29% Cr, 17% Mn, 3% Ni) versus GMA-MS (85% Fe, 14% Mn). BAL indicators of lung injury and inflammation were increased by MMA-SS at all time points and by GMA-MS at 3 and 10 days after exposure. RAW264.7 cells exposed to MMA-SS had elevated generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein-HNE (P-HNE) adduct formation, activation of ERK1/2, and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) compared to GMA-MS and control. Increased generation of ROS due to MMA-SS exposure was confirmed by increased expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Results of in vitro studies provide evidence that stainless steel welding fume mediate inflammatory responses via activation of ROS/P-HNE/ERK1/2/Nrf2 signaling pathways. These findings were corroborated by elevated expression of COX-2, Nrf2, and HO-1 in homogenized lung tissue collected 1 day after in vivo exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shoeb
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Vamsi Kodali
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Breanne Farris
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Lindsey M Bishop
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Terence Meighan
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Rebecca Salmen
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Tracy Eye
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Jenny R Roberts
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Patti Zeidler-Erdely
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - Aaron Erdely
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
| | - James M Antonini
- a Health Effects Laboratory Division , National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health , Morgantown , WV , USA
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Présumé M, Simon-Deckers A, Tomkiewicz-Raulet C, Le Grand B, Tran Van Nhieu J, Beaune G, Duruphty O, Doucet J, Coumoul X, Pairon JC, Boczkowski J, Lanone S, Andujar P. Exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles administered at occupationally relevant doses induces pulmonary effects in mice. Nanotoxicology 2016; 10:1535-1544. [PMID: 27680323 DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2016.1242797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In spite of the great promises that the development of nanotechnologies can offer, concerns regarding potential adverse health effects of occupational exposure to nanoparticle (NP) is raised. We recently identified metal oxide NP in lung tissue sections of welders, located inside macrophages infiltrated in fibrous regions. This suggests a role of these NP in the lung alterations observed in welders. We therefore designed a study aimed to investigate the pulmonary effects, in mice, of repeated exposure to NP administered at occupationally relevant doses. We therefore chose four metal oxide NPs representative of those found in the welder's lungs: Fe2O3, Fe3O4, MnFe2O4 and CrOOH. These NPs were administered weekly for up to 3 months at two different doses: 5 μg, chosen as occupationally relevant to welding activity, and 50 μg, chosen as occupationally relevant to the context of an NP-manufacturing facility. Our results show that 3 month-repeated exposures to 5 μg NP induced limited pulmonary effects, characterized by the development of a mild peribronchiolar fibrosis observed for MnFe2O4 and CrOOH NP only. This fibrotic event was further extended in terms of intensity and localization after the repeated administration of 50 μg NP: all but Fe2O3 NP induced the development of peribronchiolar, perivascular and alveolar fibrosis, together with an interstitial inflammation. Our data demonstrate for the first time a potential risk for respiratory health posed by repeated exposure to NP at occupationally relevant doses. Given these results, the development of occupational exposure limits (OELs) specifically dedicated to NP exposure might therefore be an important issue to address.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Angélique Simon-Deckers
- a INSERM, U955, Team4 , Créteil , France.,b CNRS, UMR 8502, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides , Orsay , France
| | - Céline Tomkiewicz-Raulet
- c INSERM, UMR-S1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation cellulaire , Paris , France.,d Université Paris Descartes , Paris , France
| | - Béatrice Le Grand
- c INSERM, UMR-S1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation cellulaire , Paris , France
| | - Jeanne Tran Van Nhieu
- e APHP, CHU Henri Mondor, Service d'Anatomo-Pathologie , Créteil , France.,f Université Paris-Est Créteil, Faculté de Médecine , Créteil , France
| | - Gregory Beaune
- g Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Collège de France, Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris , Paris , France
| | - Olivier Duruphty
- g Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Université Paris 06, CNRS, Collège de France, Laboratoire de Chimie de la Matière Condensée de Paris , Paris , France
| | - Jean Doucet
- b CNRS, UMR 8502, Laboratoire de Physique des Solides , Orsay , France
| | - Xavier Coumoul
- c INSERM, UMR-S1124, Toxicologie Pharmacologie et Signalisation cellulaire , Paris , France.,d Université Paris Descartes , Paris , France
| | - Jean-Claude Pairon
- a INSERM, U955, Team4 , Créteil , France.,f Université Paris-Est Créteil, Faculté de Médecine , Créteil , France.,h Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Service de Pneumologie et Pathologie professionnelle , Créteil , France , and
| | - Jorge Boczkowski
- a INSERM, U955, Team4 , Créteil , France.,f Université Paris-Est Créteil, Faculté de Médecine , Créteil , France.,i APHP, DHU A-TVB, CHU Henri Mondor, Service d'Explorations fonctionnelles respiratoires , Créteil , France
| | - Sophie Lanone
- a INSERM, U955, Team4 , Créteil , France.,h Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Service de Pneumologie et Pathologie professionnelle , Créteil , France , and
| | - Pascal Andujar
- a INSERM, U955, Team4 , Créteil , France.,f Université Paris-Est Créteil, Faculté de Médecine , Créteil , France.,h Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Service de Pneumologie et Pathologie professionnelle , Créteil , France , and
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Kauppi P, Järvelä M, Tuomi T, Luukkonen R, Lindholm T, Nieminen R, Moilanen E, Hannu T. Systemic inflammatory responses following welding inhalation challenge test. Toxicol Rep 2015; 2:357-364. [PMID: 28962369 PMCID: PMC5598409 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2014.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to investigate inflammatory and respiratory responses to welding fume exposure in patients with suspected occupational asthma. METHODS Sixteen patients referred to the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health underwent mild steel (MS) and stainless steel (SS) welding challenge tests, due to suspicion of OA. Platelet count, leucocytes and their differential count, hemoglobin, sensitive CRP, lipids, glucose and fibrinogen were analyzed in addition to interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, endothelin-1, and E-selectin in plasma samples. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 min (FEV1) and exhaled nitric oxide (NO) measurements were performed before and after the challenge test. Personal particle exposure was assessed using IOM and a mini sampler. Particle size distribution was measured by an Electric Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI). RESULTS The number of leukocytes, neutrophils, and platelets increased significantly, and the hemoglobin level and number of erythrocytes decreased significantly after both the MS and SS exposure tests. Five of the patients were diagnosed with OA, and their maximum fall in FEV1 values was 0.70 l (±0.32) 4 h after SS exposure. MS welding generated an average inhalable particle mass concentration of 31.6, and SS welding of 40.2 mg/m3. The mean particle concentration measured inside the welding face shields by the mini sampler was 30.2 mg/m3 and 41.7 mg/m3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to MS and SS welding fume resulted in a mild systemic inflammatory response. The particle concentration from the breathing zones correlated with the measurements inside the welding face shields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Kauppi
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University (Central) Hospital, Respiratory Diseases and Allergology, Helsinki, Finland.,Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja Järvelä
- Aerosols, Dusts and Metals, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Timo Tuomi
- Aerosols, Dusts and Metals, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ritva Luukkonen
- Statistical Services, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tuula Lindholm
- Physical Work Capacity, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riina Nieminen
- The Immunopharmacology Research Group, University of Tampere School of Medicine and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Eeva Moilanen
- The Immunopharmacology Research Group, University of Tampere School of Medicine and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland
| | - Timo Hannu
- Occupational Medicine, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.,The Hjelt Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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