Angular and Fibrous Particles in Lung are Markers of Job Categories

Dufresne, A; Begin, R; Dion, C; Jagirdar, J; Rom, WN; Loosereewanich, P; Muir, DCF; Ritchie, AC; Perrault, G

HERO ID

1877108

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

1997

Language

English

PMID

9394479

HERO ID 1877108
In Press No
Year 1997
Title Angular and Fibrous Particles in Lung are Markers of Job Categories
Authors Dufresne, A; Begin, R; Dion, C; Jagirdar, J; Rom, WN; Loosereewanich, P; Muir, DCF; Ritchie, AC; Perrault, G
Journal Science of the Total Environment
Volume 206
Issue 2-3
Page Numbers 127-136
Abstract Associations between inorganic fiber burdens and job category in the lungs of industrial workers were examined. Lung tissue sections were collected from 21 workers employed in gold, zinc, and copper mining, 18 iron foundry workers, 22 noniron foundry workers, four welders, three sandblasting workers, four construction workers, three technical or professional workers, seven workers in 'miscellaneous trades', 13 former asbestos (1332214) workers with mild asbestosis, and 20 persons from the general population (controls). The tissue samples were digested in aqueous sodium-hypochlorite. After drying, the digests were prepared for analysis for quartz (14808607) and other elements by transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The quartz analyses were also performed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The highest quartz concentrations varied from 0.69 to 3.90 million particles per milligram dry lung tissue (mp/mg) and were found in tissues from the miners, iron foundry, and sandblasting workers. Lung quartz burdens in the workers in the other occupations varied from 0.05 to 0.65mp/mg, the highest concentrations in these groups being found in the welders and technical and professional personnel. The quartz concentrations in the asbestos workers and controls averaged 0.40 and 0.23mp/mg, respectively. High levels of metallic particles were found in the lungs of welders and iron foundry workers, averaging 6.13 and 1.10mp/mg, respectively. The particles consisted primarily of aluminum (7429905), nickel (7440020), manganese (7439965), cadmium (7440439), and chromium (7440473). When stratified according to fiber characteristics, the highest concentrations of long fibers were found in noniron foundry workers and asbestos workers. High concentrations of ferruginous bodies were also found in these groups. The noniron foundry workers had been exposed to ceramic and asbestos fibers. The authors conclude that the composition of the particles found in the lungs of these workers can be explained on the basis of their work histories. The broad range of particle types identified demonstrate the complexity of trying to determine disease origins in these occupational settings.
Pmid 9394479
Wosid WOS:A1997YF70300004
Url https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0048969797800046
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword angular particles; fibrous particles; lung concentration; work histories; disease origins