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Stockfelt L, Xu Y, Gudmundsson A, Rissler J, Isaxon C, Brunskog J, Pagels J, Nilsson PT, Berglund M, Barregard L, Bohgard M, Albin M, Hagerman I, Wierzbicka A. A controlled chamber study of effects of exposure to diesel exhaust particles and noise on heart rate variability and endothelial function. Inhal Toxicol 2022; 34:159-170. [PMID: 35475948 DOI: 10.1080/08958378.2022.2065388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adverse cardiovascular effects are associated with both diesel exhaust and road traffic noise, but these exposures are hard to disentangle epidemiologically. We used an experimental setup to evaluate the impact of diesel exhaust particles and traffic noise, alone and combined, on intermediary outcomes related to the autonomic nervous system and increased cardiovascular risk. METHODS In a controlled chamber 18 healthy adults were exposed to four scenarios in a randomized cross-over fashion. Each exposure scenario consisted of either filtered (clean) air or diesel engine exhaust (particle mass concentrations around 300 µg/m3), and either low (46 dB(A)) or high (75 dB(A)) levels of traffic noise for 3 h at rest. ECG was recorded for 10-min periods before and during each exposure type, and frequency-domain heart rate variability (HRV) computed. Endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness were assessed after each exposure using EndoPAT 2000. RESULTS Compared to control exposure, HRV in the high frequency band decreased during exposure to diesel exhaust, both alone and combined with noise, but not during noise exposure only. These differences were more pronounced in women. We observed no synergistic effects of combined exposure, and no significant differences between exposure scenarios for other HRV indices, endothelial function or arterial stiffness. CONCLUSION Three-hour exposure to diesel exhaust, but not noise, was associated with decreased HRV in the high frequency band. This indicates activation of irritant receptor-mediated autonomic reflexes, a possible mechanism for the cardiovascular risks of diesel exposure. There was no effect on endothelial dysfunction or arterial stiffness after exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leo Stockfelt
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yiyi Xu
- Occupational and Environmental Medicine, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anders Gudmundsson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Rissler
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Bioeconomy and Health, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christina Isaxon
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Brunskog
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Joakim Pagels
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Patrik T Nilsson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Margareta Berglund
- Department of Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lars Barregard
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mats Bohgard
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Inger Hagerman
- Department of Cardiology, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Aneta Wierzbicka
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Nilsson PT, Bergendorf U, Tinnerberg H, Nordin E, Gustavsson M, Strandberg B, Albin M, Gudmundsson A. Emissions into the Air from Bitumen and Rubber Bitumen-Implications for Asphalt Workers' Exposure. Ann Work Expo Health 2019; 62:828-839. [PMID: 29931293 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxy053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk among asphalt workers of developing adverse health effects may increase due to their occupational exposure. One area of special concern arises when rubber granules are mixed into bitumen to enhance asphalt properties. This research characterizes and compares bitumen and rubber bitumen regarding the emissions of and workers' exposure to particulates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and benzothiazole. A laboratory and a field study were carried out. In the laboratory, two types of bitumen, one with and one without rubber, were heated up to two temperatures (140°C and 160°C). The concentrations and chemical compositions of the emissions were determined. In the field at asphalt work sites, both emissions and worker exposure measurements were performed. The methods applied included direct-reading sampling techniques next to the asphalt work area and personal sampling techniques on asphalt workers. The exposure measurements on asphalt workers for respirable dust, total dust, particle number and mass, and total PAH concentrations showed similar concentrations when both standard and rubber bitumen were used. The asphalt-surfacing machine operators were the workers with the highest observed exposure followed by the screed operators and roller drivers. Both laboratory and field measurements showed higher concentrations of benzothiazole when rubber bitumen was used, up to 7.5 times higher in the laboratory. The levels of naphthalene, benzo(a)pyrene, and total particles were lower for both types compared with the Swedish occupational exposure limits, 8-h time weighted average concentrations. Benzo(a)pyrene exceeded however the health-based guideline value given by the WHO for both types of bitumen. The study concludes that several air pollutants such as benzothiazole and PAHs are emitted into the air during asphalt work, but it is not evident if exposure to rubber bitumen possesses a higher risk than exposure to standard bitumen in terms of asphalt worker exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik T Nilsson
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Bergendorf
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Håkan Tinnerberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Nordin
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mats Gustavsson
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Bo Strandberg
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Albin
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Solnavägen, Stockholm, Sweden
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Ludvigsson L, Isaxon C, Nilsson PT, Tinnerberg H, Messing ME, Rissler J, Skaug V, Gudmundsson A, Bohgard M, Hedmer M, Pagels J. Carbon Nanotube Emissions from Arc Discharge Production: Classification of Particle Types with Electron Microscopy and Comparison with Direct Reading Techniques. Ann Occup Hyg 2016; 60:493-512. [PMID: 26748380 PMCID: PMC4815937 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mev094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: An increased production and use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is occurring worldwide. In parallel, a growing concern is emerging on the adverse effects the unintentional inhalation of CNTs can have on humans. There is currently a debate regarding which exposure metrics and measurement strategies are the most relevant to investigate workplace exposures to CNTs. This study investigated workplace CNT emissions using a combination of time-integrated filter sampling for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and direct reading aerosol instruments (DRIs). Material and Methods: Field measurements were performed during small-scale manufacturing of multiwalled carbon nanotubes using the arc discharge technique. Measurements with highly time- and size-resolved DRI techniques were carried out both in the emission and background (far-field) zones. Novel classifications and counting criteria were set up for the SEM method. Three classes of CNT-containing particles were defined: type 1: particles with aspect ratio length:width >3:1 (fibrous particles); type 2: particles without fibre characteristics but with high CNT content; and type 3: particles with visible embedded CNTs. Results: Offline sampling using SEM showed emissions of CNT-containing particles in 5 out of 11 work tasks. The particles were classified into the three classes, of which type 1, fibrous CNT particles contributed 37%. The concentration of all CNT-containing particles and the occurrence of the particle classes varied strongly between work tasks. Based on the emission measurements, it was assessed that more than 85% of the exposure originated from open handling of CNT powder during the Sieving, mechanical work-up, and packaging work task. The DRI measurements provided complementary information, which combined with SEM provided information on: (i) the background adjusted emission concentration from each work task in different particle size ranges, (ii) identification of the key procedures in each work task that lead to emission peaks, (iii) identification of emission events that affect the background, thereby leading to far-field exposure risks for workers other than the operator of the work task, and (iv) the fraction of particles emitted from each source that contains CNTs. Conclusions: There is an urgent need for a standardized/harmonized method for electron microscopy (EM) analysis of CNTs. The SEM method developed in this study can form the basis for such a harmonized protocol for the counting of CNTs. The size-resolved DRI techniques are commonly not specific enough to selective analysis of CNT-containing particles and thus cannot yet replace offline time-integrated filter sampling followed by SEM. A combination of EM and DRI techniques offers the most complete characterization of workplace emissions of CNTs today.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linus Ludvigsson
- 1.Solid State Physics, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden; 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Christina Isaxon
- 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Patrik T Nilsson
- 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hakan Tinnerberg
- 3.Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria E Messing
- 1.Solid State Physics, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Rissler
- 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Vidar Skaug
- 4.National Institute of Occupational Health, P.O. Box 8149 Dep, 0033 Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Gudmundsson
- 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Mats Bohgard
- 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria Hedmer
- 3.Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Joakim Pagels
- 2.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
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Nilsson PT, Marini S, Wierzbicka A, Kåredal M, Blomgren E, Nielsen J, Buonanno G, Gudmundsson A. Characterization of Hairdresser Exposure to Airborne Particles during Hair Bleaching. Ann Occup Hyg 2015; 60:90-100. [PMID: 26371279 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mev063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory symptoms among hairdressers are often ascribed to the use of bleaching powders that contain persulfate salts. Such salts can act as allergens and airway irritants but the mechanisms behind the negative health effects are not fully known. In order to understand why some hairdressers experience respiratory symptoms during, and after, sessions of hair bleaching, it is of importance to characterize how exposure occurs. In this work we used time and particle size resolved instrumentation with the aim to measure the concentration of particles that hairdressers are exposed to during sessions of hair bleaching. We also used filter samples to collect particles for quantitative determination of persulfate (S2O8(2-)) content and for analysis by light microscopy. Two different types of bleaching powders were used, one marked as dust-free and one without this marking (denoted regular). The time resolved instrumentation revealed that particles <10 µm were emitted, specifically when the regular powder was prepared and mixed with hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to other research our work also revealed that supercoarse particles (>10 µm) were emitted during application of the bleaching, when both the regular and the dust-free powders were used. The measured level of persulfate, sampled in the breathing zone of the hairdressers, was on average 26 µg m(-3) when the regular powder was used and 11 µg m(-3) when the dust-free powder was used. This indicates that use of dust-free powder does not eliminate exposure to persulfates, it only lowers the concentration. We show that the site of sampling, or position of the hairdresser with regards to the hair being bleached, is of high importance in the determination of persulfate levels and exposure. This work focuses on the physical and chemical characterization of the particles released to the air and the results are important for accurate exposure assessments. Accurate assessments may in turn lead to a better understanding of why some hairdressers experience respiratory symptoms from hair bleaching sessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrik T Nilsson
- 1.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden;
| | - Sara Marini
- 2.Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy
| | - Aneta Wierzbicka
- 1.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Monica Kåredal
- 3.Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Eva Blomgren
- 3.Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jörn Nielsen
- 3.Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
| | - Giorgio Buonanno
- 2.Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino (FR), Italy; 4.International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD 4001, Australia
| | - Anders Gudmundsson
- 1.Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Lund University, P.O. Box 118, SE-22100, Lund, Sweden
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Hedmer M, Ludvigsson L, Isaxon C, Nilsson PT, Skaug V, Bohgard M, Pagels JH, Messing ME, Tinnerberg H. Detection of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Carbon Nanodiscs on Workplace Surfaces at a Small-Scale Producer. ANNHYG 2015; 59:836-52. [DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mev036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Rissler J, Nordin EZ, Eriksson AC, Nilsson PT, Frosch M, Sporre MK, Wierzbicka A, Svenningsson B, Löndahl J, Messing ME, Sjogren S, Hemmingsen JG, Loft S, Pagels JH, Swietlicki E. Effective density and mixing state of aerosol particles in a near-traffic urban environment. Environ Sci Technol 2014; 48:6300-6308. [PMID: 24798545 DOI: 10.1021/es5000353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
In urban environments, airborne particles are continuously emitted, followed by atmospheric aging. Also, particles emitted elsewhere, transported by winds, contribute to the urban aerosol. We studied the effective density (mass-mobility relationship) and mixing state with respect to the density of particles in central Copenhagen, in wintertime. The results are related to particle origin, morphology, and aging. Using a differential mobility analyzer-aerosol particle mass analyzer (DMA-APM), we determined that particles in the diameter range of 50-400 nm were of two groups: porous soot aggregates and more dense particles. Both groups were present at each size in varying proportions. Two types of temporal variability in the relative number fraction of the two groups were found: soot correlated with intense traffic in a diel pattern and dense particles increased during episodes with long-range transport from polluted continental areas. The effective density of each group was relatively stable over time, especially of the soot aggregates, which had effective densities similar to those observed in laboratory studies of fresh diesel exhaust emissions. When heated to 300 °C, the soot aggregate volatile mass fraction was ∼10%. For the dense particles, the volatile mass fraction varied from ∼80% to nearly 100%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Rissler
- Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, ‡Division of Nuclear Physics, and §Solid State Physics, Lund University , P.O. Box 118, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden
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Hedmer M, Isaxon C, Nilsson PT, Ludvigsson L, Messing ME, Genberg J, Skaug V, Bohgard M, Tinnerberg H, Pagels JH. Exposure and emission measurements during production, purification, and functionalization of arc-discharge-produced multi-walled carbon nanotubes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 58:355-79. [PMID: 24389082 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/met072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The production and use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is rapidly growing. With increased production, there is potential that the number of occupational exposed workers will rapidly increase. Toxicological studies on rats have shown effects in the lungs, e.g., inflammation, granuloma formation, and fibrosis after repeated inhalation exposure to some forms of multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). Still, when it comes to health effects, it is unknown which dose metric is most relevant. Limited exposure data for CNTs exist today and no legally enforced occupational exposure limits are yet established. The aim of this work was to quantify the occupational exposures and emissions during arc discharge production, purification, and functionalization of MWCNTs. The CNT material handled typically had a mean length <5 μm. Since most of the collected airborne CNTs did not fulfil the World Health Organization fibre dimensions (79% of the counted CNT-containing particles) and since no microscopy-based method for counting of CNTs exists, we decided to count all particle that contained CNTs. To investigate correlations between the used exposure metrics, Pearson correlation coefficient was used. METHODS Exposure measurements were performed at a small-scale producer of MWCNTs and respirable fractions of dust concentrations, elemental carbon (EC) concentrations, and number concentrations of CNT-containing particles were measured in the workers' breathing zones with filter-based methods during work. Additionally, emission measurements near the source were carried out during different work tasks. Respirable dust was gravimetrically determined; EC was analysed with thermal-optical analysis and the number of CNT-containing particles was analysed with scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS For the personal exposure measurements, respirable dust ranged between <73 and 93 μg m(-3), EC ranged between <0.08 and 7.4 μg C m(-3), and number concentration of CNT-containing particles ranged between 0.04 and 2.0 cm(-3). For the emission measurements, respirable dust ranged between <2800 and 6800 μg m(-3), EC ranged between 0.05 and 550 μg C m(-3), and number concentration of CNT-containing particles ranged between <0.20 and 11cm(-3). CONCLUSIONS The highest exposure to CNTs occurred during production of CNTs. The highest emitted number concentration of CNT-containing particles occurred in the sieving, mechanical work-up, pouring, weighing, and packaging of CNT powder during the production stage. To be able to quantify exposures and emissions of CNTs, a selective and sensitive method is needed. Limitations with measuring EC and respirable dust are that these exposure metrics do not measure CNTs specifically. Only filter-based methods with electron microscopy analysis are, to date, selective and sensitive enough. This study showed that counting of CNT-containing particles is the method that fulfils those criteria and is therefore the method recommended for future quantification of CNT exposures. However, CNTs could be highly toxic not only because of their length but also because they could contain, for example transition metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or have surface defects. Lack of standardized counting criteria for CNTs to be applied at the electron microscopy analysis is a limiting factor, which makes it difficult to compare exposure data from different studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Hedmer
- 1. Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, PO Box 118, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
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Bellens J, Halver B, Hilden M, Jakobsen G, Nilsson PT, Petersen I, Stürup H. [Analgesic treatment with levomepromazine (Nozinan) and methadone in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a double-blind randomized study]. Ugeskr Laeger 1981; 143:1313-6. [PMID: 6170148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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