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PubMed1988

Serologic study of guinea pigs exposed for 12 months to cotton dust.

A guinea pig animal model of byssinosis has been described that demonstrates both acute and chronic effects of cotton dust inhalation (Ellakkani et al., 1984, 1987). During the latter study in which guinea pigs were exposed to 21 mg/m3 cotton dust 5 d/wk, 6 h/d for 52 wk, blood samples were taken from animals (20 exposed, 20 sham-exposed) prior to exposure and monthly during the exposure period. Sera were evaluated for quantities of the major protein fractions, and for IgG antibodies to cotton dust components. At the completion of the study, blood was evaluated for total and differential leukocytes. At 6 mo of exposure, each of the five protein fractions was significantly different from the corresponding fraction in the control animals. Antibodies reactive with an aqueous cotton dust extract (ACDE) were prominent by 2 mo of exposure and the titer was increased with continued exposure. The extract was composed of 2.6% protein, 12.8% reducing sugar, and 4.1% nucleic acid, with the remainder being largely simply sugars and inorganic material. A fraction of the antibodies showed reactivity with gram-negative bacteria and specifically with Enterobacter agglomerans, the most prevalent gram-negative microorganism in the dust. Minimal antibody response was detected using lipopolysaccharide from this microorganism or gram-positive bacteria. These results indicate that exposure of guinea pigs to cotton dust resulted in hematologic changes and in specific antibody formation. The presence of antibodies in each of the animals suggests their possible use as an indicator of cotton dust exposure.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Modeling the effect of dust on the plasma parameters in a dusty argon discharge under microgravity.

A dusty radio-frequency argon discharge is simulated with the use of a two-dimensional fluid model. In the model, discharge quantities, such as the fluxes, densities, and electric field are calculated self-consistently. The charge and density of the dust are calculated with an iterative method. During the transport of the dust, its charge is kept constant in time. The dust influences the electric potential distribution through its charge and the density of the plasma through recombination of positive ions and electrons on its surface. Results are presented for situations in which the dust significantly changes the discharge characteristics, both by a strong reduction of the electron density and by altering the electric potential by its charge. Simulations for dust particles having a radius of 7.5 microm show that a double space charge layer is created around the sharp boundary of the dust crystal. A central dust-free region (void) is created by the ion drag force. Inside this void a strong increase of the production of argon metastables is found. This phenomenon is in agreement with experimental observations, where an enhanced light emission is seen inside the void.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Exposure to grain dust and changes in lung function.

Respiratory symptoms and lung function were assessed in 41 seasonal grain handlers and related to duration of employment and level of exposure to grain dust. Ten public works department employees, not exposed to grain dust, were examined during the same period. Respiratory symptoms, forced expired volume in one second (FEV1), and bronchial responsiveness (dose of methacholine provoking a 20% fall in FEV1-PD20) were assessed before starting work and at weekly intervals during a period of employment lasting up to four weeks. Two atopic grainhandlers with pronounced bronchial hyperresponsiveness (PD20 less than 1 mumol) and a history of asthma withdrew from the study within two weeks because they developed severe asthma. Respiratory symptoms were more frequent and more often attributed to work in the grainhandlers than in the non-exposed subjects. In the grainhandlers the FEV1 decreased by a mean (95% confidence intervals) of 321 ml (198-444) (p less than 0.05) and the mean (95% confidence interval) PD20 decreased from 20.6 mumol (10.3-41.2) to 6.0 mumol (2.8-12.5) (p less than 0.05) after one week of work. Over the next three weeks the mean FEV1 returned towards the prestudy values. The mean PD20, however, remained significantly lower than the initial value. The mean FEV1 and PD20 did not change significantly in the non-exposed subjects. The frequency of symptoms and decreases in FEV1 were greater in grainhandlers when working in jobs where total exposure to dust was greater than 20 mg/m3 than when working in jobs where it was less than 10 mg/m3. The results indicate that occupational exposure to grain dust results in respiratory symptoms and changes in lung function, including increased airway responsiveness, within the first week of exposure to grain dust at work. These changes appear to be determined by the degree of dust exposure and suggest a direct effect of grain dust on the lung in these subjects.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1998

Relations between occupational exposure to coal mine dusts, erythrocyte catalase and Cu++/Zn++ superoxide dismutase activities, and the severity of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.

OBJECTIVES: To better understand the relations between occupational exposure, blood antioxidant enzyme activities, total plasma antioxidant concentration, and the severity of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from miners without CWP exposed to low dust concentrations for > or = 4 years at the time of the study (n = 105), or exposed to high dust concentrations for > or = 14 years at the time of the study (n = 58), and from retired miners with CWP (n = 19). Miners without CWP were classified into three subgroups according to their estimated cumulative exposure to dust. Chest x ray films were obtained for each miner. Miners were classified in five subgroups according to their International Labour Organisation (ILO) profusion grades. Univariate tests were completed by multiple linear regression analyses. RESULTS: The estimated cumulative exposure to dust was strongly positively related to erythrocyte catalase activity and strongly negatively related to Cu++/Zn++ SOD activity only in miners exposed to high dust concentrations for > or = 14 years at the time of the study (F tests p = 0.006 and p = 0.004 respectively). Moreover, catalase activity was strongly related to the severity of CWP expressed as five subgroups of ILO profusion grades (F test p = 0.003); the greatest difference in the mean values was found between the group of 1/1 to 1/2 ILO profusion grades and the group of 2/1 to 3/3 ILO profusion grades. CONCLUSION: These results are in good agreement with the hypothesis that production of reactive oxygen species may be an important event in the exposure to coal mine dusts and the severity of CWP. Erythrocyte catalase and Cu++/Zn++ SOD activities are more closely related to recent exposure to high dust concentrations than to cumulative exposure, and could be considered as biological markers of exposure rather than as markers of early adverse biological effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1977

Pulmonary function in granite dust exposure: a four-year follow-up.

Pulmonary function studies were performed on 974 workers in Vermont granite sheds in 1974. Of these subjects, 668 had been studied 4 years earlier and had remained in jobs in which their exposure to granite dust had not changed based on dust concentrations measured during 1970. The yearly decrement in pulmonary function observed in the 668 granite shed workers was excessive (0.07 to 0.08 liter per year for forced vital capacity and 0.05 to 0.07 liter per year for forced expiratory volume in 1 sec). This exceeded the expected decrement derived from several other occupational and population groups. Studies from this laboratory and published cross-sectional and longitudinal data consistently indicate a decrement of no more than 0.03 to 0.04 liter per year in both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec. The observed decrements were independent of exposure groups and not accounted for by cigarette smoking. In 528 additional granite shed workers, decrements in ventilatory capacity had been measured for one, 2, or 3 years and were consistently of the same order of magnitude. Dust concentrations within defined jobs and between granite sheds showed great variability. Despite this, a suggestive relationship between exposure and decrement in ventilatory function was demonstrated at the end of 2 years; however, at the end of 4 years the relationship could no longer be shown with these exposure groupings. The difficulty in characterizing individual dust exposures and projecting dust concentrations for several years is considered to account for the absence of a dose-response relationship at the 4-year follow-up. The results of this study suggest that our previous estimates of annual deterioration in ventilatory capacity attributable to work in granite sheds are underestimates. We conclude that present dust concentrations in Vermont granite sheds cause excessive deterioration of lung capacity. To prevent these effects, dust concentrations must be lowered.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Dust mite, cockroach, cat, and dog allergen concentrations in homes of asthmatic children in the northeastern United States: impact of socioeconomic factors and population density.

Home exposures to aeroallergens are an important environmental factor in allergic sensitization and in the development and exacerbation of asthma. We assessed variations in home concentrations of dust mite, cockroach, cat, and dog allergens in dust collected in the main living areas of asthmatics' homes by family income, mother's education, dwelling type, population density, household population density, and ethnicity in Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts. Dust samples were collected at the time of home interview in 999 homes as part of an ongoing longitudinal birth cohort study of 1,002 infants and their asthmatic siblings. The analysis employed lower and upper cut points for group 1 dust mite (> or = 2.0 microg/g and > or = 10 microg/g), cockroach (> or = 1.0 U/g and > or = 4.0 U/g), cat (> or = 1.0 microg/g and > or = 8.0 ug/g), and dog (> or = 2.0 microg/g and > or = 10.0 microg/g) allergens. Subject residences were geocoded to assess population density from the U.S. Census, and multiple logistic regression was used to control for confounding. The portion of homes at the lower cut point for dust mite, cockroach, cat, and dog allergens were 46.9%, 24.9%, 42.2%, and 35.6%, respectively; the upper cut point for each of the allergens was reached in 22.4%, 13.4%, 21.0%, and 22.9% of the homes, respectively. In all, 86.0% of the homes had at least one allergen at the lower cut point, and 58.0% had at least one allergen at the upper cut point. Forty-nine percent of the homes had two or more allergens at the lower cut point, and 19.7% had two or more allergens at the upper cut point. Higher education of the mother, higher household income, living in a single-family home in a less densely populated area with fewer people per room, and being a white household were associated with elevated dust mite, cat, and dog allergens and low cockroach allergen. In contrast, low income, living in a multifamily home in a high population density area with a higher occupancy rate per room, and being a Hispanic or black household were associated with elevated cockroach allergens and low concentrations of dust mite, cat, and dog allergens. Although the presence of an individual allergen is more likely associated with one or more socioeconomic or ethnic factors, most homes typically have multiple allergen burdens in excess of concentrations thought to be associated with sensitization and exacerbation of asthma. Mite and cockroach allergens have distinct and opposite associations with socioeconomic factors and population density.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Persistent inflammation and impaired chemotaxis of alveolar macrophages on cessation of dust exposure.

Rats were exposed by inhalation to coal mine dust, titanium dioxide, or quartz. The magnitude of the consequent inflammatory response was assessed by counting numbers and types of leukocytes in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The magnitude of the inflammatory response reflected the toxicity of the dusts, with quartz eliciting the greatest recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes, coal mine dust less than quartz, and titanium dioxide eliciting no inflammation. To assess the persistence of the inflammation, groups of rats were maintained in room air for 30 or 60 days after cessation of dust exposure and then numbers of leukocytes were assessed. Bronchoalveolar leukocytes in rats exposed to coal mine dust were reduced after exposure, but in the quartz-exposed rats the numbers increased with time after exposure. The chemotactic responses of bronchoalveolar leukocytes from rats inhaling coal mine dust and quartz were reduced and remained so after a 30-day recovery period. Their reduced ability to chemotact did not fully prevent macrophages from leaving the bronchoalveolar region of dust-exposed rats. However, it is likely that the delayed removal of inflammatory leukocytes with the potential to injure the lung tissue may contribute to septal damage and so contribute to the pathogenesis of pneumoconiosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Synergistic effects of dust and ammonia on the occupational health effects of poultry production workers.

OBJECTIVE: As production methods for livestock and poultry moved towards large industrial-scale confinement facilities, the occupational health community reported risks for respiratory illnesses in workers. Likely, greater risks for respiratory disease will occur with the continuing trend towards full-time confinement workers, who inspire a combination of bioaerosols, particulates, and gases. Although there have been numerous studies on the individual health effects of air contaminants inside confined animal production facilities, there have been no reports on the effects of combined exposures. The objective of this study was to investigate the combined health effects of air contaminants on poultry production workers. SAMPLE POPULATION: Two hundred and fifty-seven poultry production workers participated in this study. The workers represented various areas of the poultry industry, including turkey growing, broiler production, egg laying, and unloading/shakeling in poultry processing. Worker procedures pulmonary function testing was conducted before and after a four-hour work shift. The work environment was assessed for total and respirable dust, ammonia, endotoxin and CO2. The relationship of simultaneous total dust and ammonia exposures was examined by correlation, logistic modeling, and synergy index calculations. RESULTS: Synergy between ammonia levels and airborne dust explained up to 43% and 63% of the decline (respectively for Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV) in one second and Forced Expiratory Flow (FEF25-75) in pulmonary function over the work shift. Furthermore, assessing the synergy index indicated the combined effect of dust and ammonia is from 53 to 156% (greater combined than individually). The proportion of health effect due to synergy is 35%-61%. CONCLUSIONS: Synergy of simultaneous dust and ammonia exposures in a working environment raises the question of redefining exposure limits for organic dust and ammonia when workers are exposed simultaneously to these substances. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Control of both dust and ammonia in livestock facilities is extremely important. Lack of control of both these contaminants will increase the risk of respiratory dysfunction to all exposed to this environment, including workers and veterinarians.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Allergy to house dust mites in primary health care subjects with chronic or recurrent inflammatory states of respiratory system.

Chronic and recurrent respiratory tract disorders are a frequent problem in general practice. The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of hypersensitivity to house dust mites in respiratory tract diseases in general practice patients. We tried to assess the influence of determined risk factors exposure on development of respiratory tract allergy. Patients from family practitioners surgeries with chronic or recurrent respiratory tract symptoms who had no diagnosis of allergy were recruited to the study (n = 89). All patients responded to a questionnaire focused on history of symptoms, atopic conditions in family and exposure to determined environmental factors like dwelling conditions, obstetrician history, diet in the first year of life. All patients underwent skin prick test with common inhalant allergens. Families of the patients were asked to participate in the study. Families who agreed to take part also responded to the questionnaire and underwent skin tests. In patients and their families blood samples were taken to determine total IgE and specific IgE antibodies to mites allergens. Dust samples were collected by vacuuming of patients' bedroom carpets and mattresses to determine house dust mites allergens concentration. Data on 30 complete patients family sets of their brotherhood, mother and father were collected. Total and specific serum IgE antibodies were determined by disc enzyme-immunoassay (Analco). Mites allergens concentration in dust was measured by simple Acarex strip test (Nexter). The results of the assays (positive skin tests and/or elevated levels of specific IgE) showed allergy to house dust mites in 24 of 89 study patients from general practitioners surgeries (27%). The prevalence of chronic rhinitis, recurrent bronchitis, chronic or recurrent cough, wheezing, dyspnoea was higher in allergic than in nonallergic subjects. Patients with the diagnosis of allergy to house dust mites had usually worse dwelling conditions. Especially the influence of dampness in flats on several respiratory symptoms was observed. Subjects who had been found to be allergic were more frequently exposed to higher concentrations of house dust mites allergens in bedroom carpets and in mattresses. In allergic children early introducing of sensitizing components into the diet in infancy related to shorter breast feeding was observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Relationship between the composition of fine dust particles in the air and lung function in school children].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not there is a relationship between the lung function of school children and the ability of fine dust particles in the air to generate radicals. DESIGN: Descriptive. METHOD: Six primary schools in locations with different traffic volumes were selected in Maastricht, the Netherlands. Air samples were taken in these schools over a period of 4 days; the concentration of fine dust was measured in the 6 pooled samples. Lung function tests were performed in children in the age of 8-13 and their parents filled out a questionnaire on the state of their children's health. RESULTS: An average of 66% of the children (184 girls and 158 boys, with an average age of 10 years (range: 8-13 years)) participated. The average FEV1 for the children from the 6 schools was not related with the total amount of fine dust particles in the air. However, a lower average FEV1 was associated with a higher radical-generating capacity in the air samples. No direct association was observed between the radical-generating capacity of the dust and the traffic intensity. CONCLUSION: There was a clear relationship between lung function and the radical-generating capacity of fine dust in the air. On the basis of these findings future guidelines could be based on chemical properties of the fine dust particles and not exclusively on the quantity of fine dust.

English Abstract↗
PubMed1988

[Estimation of pulmonary dust load using magnetic pneumography].

If an occupational history enables the identification of subjects at high risk from occupational disease, it yields no information on the individual dust level on account of very important inter-individual variations in pulmonary dust retention. Magnetopneumography is the only technique which enables pulmonary dust loads to be estimated on living subjects. The first measures of dust load by magnetopneumography made at the Ambroise Pare Hospital are reported. By knowing the magnetic properties of occupationally inhaled aero-contaminants, this technique is sensitive and non-invasive and enables the total pulmonary dust load to be estimated from the study of the residual magnetism in the ferromagnetic component of these aero-contaminants. A SQUID magnetometer measures this magnetism on 5 lines of the anterior surface of the thorax after overall magnetisation of the latter by an external magnetic field of 30 kA/m. Measurements were made on 18 male subjects: 5 non-exposed controls and 13 occupationally exposed subjects to these aero-contaminants. The dust load calculated was variable, 0 in the controls and between 0 and 3,065 mg in exposed subjects. For the first time measures were made in 4 dental technicians: their dust load was between 725 and 3,065 mg. The problems posed by this method are broached. Its principle objective is the surveillance of occupationally exposed population to these aero-contaminants of ferromagnetic composition. A decrease in the residual magnetic signal after the cessation of magnetisation was observed in keeping with the data of the literature. This phenomenon, recognised under the term of "relaxation", is evidence of the activity of alveolar macrophages.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Clinical and biochemical aspects of loading heifers with magnesium flue dust].

The objective of the paper was to investigate clinical and laboratory findings in heifers subjected to magnesite flue dust stress. A 50-day experiment was conducted in clinical conditions on five two-year heifers of the Slovak and Red Pied breeds at the live weight of 331 to 420 kg. All animals received dietary Mg from the source of magnesite flue dust at a rate of 500 mg/kg live weight. The test flue dust came from dust separation from electrostatic filters and contained these main elements: Mg (88%), Ca (1.6%), K (0.36%), Na (0.26%), Fe (1.89%), Zn (0.0026%), Cu (0.000294%) and trace amount of P. The clinical health of the animals was evaluated daily. Samples of blood, urine and dung were taken before the first administration of flue dust, on days 12, 30 and 50 of the experiment. The counts of erythrocytes, leucocytes, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value were determined in blood. Enzyme activities (AST, ALT, GMT), concentrations of total bilirubin, albumin, total proteins and total immunoglobulins were determined in blood serum. Contents of Mg, Ca, P, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn in blood serum, urine, dung and of the test pollutant were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on a Perkin Elmer apparatus (model 306, 1100). Profuse diarrhea was a dominant clinical symptom in the animals which appeared in individual animals between 24th and 48th hour from the first intake of magnesite flue dust. Diarrhea lasted alternately in all heifers until day 50 of the experiment. As for the analyzed parameters of hematological profile during administration of the pollutant (Figs. 1-4), Hb and Hk (P < 0.01) increased significantly in the investigated animals on day 12 in comparison with the initial values. Out of the enzymes, AST and ALT activities showed most readily the feeding of magnesite flue dust (r = 0.99 and r = 0.92, resp.), Figs. 5 and 6. Correlation relationships between magnesite pollutant administration and bilirubinemia dynamics during the experiment indicated the correlation r = 0.53 (Fig. 8), r = 0.36 (Fig. 9) for total proteins, r = 0.75 (Fig. 10) for albumin and r = 0.93 (Fig. 11) for total immunoglobulins. In comparison with the initial values, Mg concentrations in blood serum and dung significantly increased from day 12 of experiment (P < 0.01 - Fig. 13) and in urine from day 30 (P < 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in mill workers exposed to wood dust.

This study surveyed wood dust exposure levels and pulmonary hazards among wood mill workers. Dust concentrations as measured by six-stage cascade impactors were high in work areas of grinding and screening. Total dust concentrations for these dusty activities ranged from 4.4 to 22.4 mg/m3, and the respirable proportions were between 2.4% and 50.2%. The dust level in the sawing work was 2.9 mg/m3. Although symptoms of cough and phlegm were higher in smoking workers than in nonsmoking workers, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the exposed workers was not significantly higher than in the controls. However, the incidence of symptoms such as chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis in the nonsmoking high-exposure workers was significantly higher than in nonsmoking controls. The mean values of MMF, PEFR, and FEF25% were significantly lower in the exposed workers than in controls for both smokers and nonsmokers. The pulmonary function deficits, with the exception of FEV1.0/FVC, also showed a significant trend with increasing levels of wood dusts exposure classified by job titles for both smokers and nonsmokers. After adjustment for age, sex, height, and smoking status, all parameters of pulmonary function were significantly lower in exposed workers than in controls and showed a declining trend with increasing exposure levels classified by job titles. These results indicate that high level of wood dust exposure in the wood mill industries may lead to pulmonary hazards. Engineering control and industrial hygiene are mandatory for dusty activities.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sinonasal cancer and occupational exposure to textile dust.

Data from a case-control study conducted at 27 hospitals in France in 1986-88 were analyzed to examine the association between exposure to textile dust and sinonasal cancer. The study included 207 cases and 409 controls. Detailed information on occupational history and other potential risk factors for sinonasal cancer was collected. Exposure to textile dust (probability and level of exposure, type of textile fiber) was assessed by an expert in industrial hygiene. Among women, exposure to textile dust was associated with an elevated risk of squamous cell carcinoma (odds ratio (OR) = 2.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.85-7.06, nine exposed cases) and adenocarcinoma (OR = 3.70, 95% CI = 0.56-24.4, three exposed cases). For squamous cell carcinomas, the risk increased with the duration and the level of exposure (P < 0.05): the ORs for the low, medium, and high level of cumulative exposure were 1.00 (95% CI = 0.10-9.43), 2.43 (95% CI = 0.54-11.1), and 3.57 (95% CI = 0.92-13.8), respectively. There was also a limited evidence of an excess risk of squamous cell carcinomas among men exposed to high levels of textile dust (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 0.65-7.30, four exposed cases). Because of the strong association between wood-dust exposure and adenocarcinoma, an independent effect of textile dust on this type of cancer could not be studied among men. The risks associated with the different types of textile fibers (cotton, wool, and synthetic fibers) were similar and the results did not permit to incriminate a particular type of textile.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2000

Absence of significant genotoxicity in lymphocytes and urine from workers exposed to moderate levels of cobalt-containing dust: a cross-sectional study.

Mortality studies have shown that, in the past, lung cancer occurred after exposure to mixtures of cobalt metal and metallic carbide particles, the main constituents of hard metals, but apparently not when exposure was to cobalt alone. The major objective of this biomonitoring study was to assess genotoxic effects as a measure for carcinogenic risk in workers from cobalt refineries and hard metal plants currently exposed to the threshold limit value/time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) for cobalt-containing dust. The study comprised three groups of workers: 35 workers exposed to cobalt dust from three refineries, 29 workers exposed to hard metal dust from two producing plants, and 35 matched control subjects recruited from the respective plants. The study design integrated complementary methodologies to assess biomarkers of effects that represent both initial DNA damage (8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine [8-OHdG] in urine and comet assay on lymphocytes) and definitive chromosome breakage/loss (micronuclei in lymphocytes). Cobalt and cotinine were determined in urine as a measure for cobalt exposure and recent smoking, respectively. No significant increase of genotoxic effects was detected in workers exposed to cobalt-containing dust as compared to controls. No difference in any genotoxicity biomarker was found between workers exposed to cobalt and hard metal dusts. Multiple regression analysis indicated that workers who smoked and were exposed to hard metal dusts had elevated 8-OHdG and micronuclei values. Because this observation is in line with a previous epidemiological study of an increased risk of dying from lung cancer in workers from the hard metal industry who smoked, it is concluded that this specific occupational group needs closer medical surveillance.

8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine↗
PubMed2005

Wood dust exposure and the association with lung cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Wood dust was designated as a human carcinogen based on increased sinus and nasal cancer rates among exposed workers. However, data on an association with lung cancer have been inconclusive. METHODS: Self-reported wood dust exposure was compared between 1,368 lung cancer patients and 1,192 cancer-free adults, in a lung cancer case-control study. Epidemiological information was collected through a detailed personal interview. RESULTS: Using several definitions of wood dust exposure we consistently observed statistically significant elevated adjusted risk estimates; for example, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for combined wood dust related occupations and industries was 3.15 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.45-6.86) and for an overall summary exposure measure it was 1.60 (95% CI 1.19-2.14). The association was maintained when stratified by histopathological type. Among those exposed to cigarette smoke and wood dust, 21% of the cases were attributable to biologic interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Wood dust exposure is a potential risk factor for lung cancer.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

Cotton dust contains proteolytic and elastolytic enzymes not inhibited by alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor.

Others have found proteolytic activity in cotton dust and correlated this with the prevalence of acute byssinosis. The present study characterized the proteases in aqueous extracts of cotton dust after controlling for potential artifact from microbial contamination. We tested cotton dust, generated in a model card room operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for total proteolytic activity (hydrolysis of azocasein) and elastolytic activity (degradation of insoluble 3H-elastin). Both coarse dust and a respirable fraction (aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 1.7 microgram) yielded proteolytic activity. Proteolysis was inhibited by EDTA (39%), diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) (33%) and alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1 PI) (30%), but not by iodoacetic acid or pepstatin. Elastolytic activity was also present, and was inhibited by DFP (80%) and alpha 1 PI (70%), but not by EDTA. We conclude that cotton dust contains preformed metallo- and serine proteases, and serine elastolytic protease(s) which are incompletely inhibited by alpha 1 PI. These findings may be relevant to the development of chronic lung disease in people exposed to cotton dust.

Byssinosis↗
PubMed1987

Respiratory effects of cotton dust exposure in the cotton garnetting industry.

We measured exposures to total dust, vertically elutriated dust, and endotoxin and studied acute pulmonary responses among 128 workers in the cotton garnetting and mattress assembly industries. Previous studies in this segment of industry have not characterized endotoxin exposures or related them to pulmonary responses. The median 8-hour time-weighted average total dust was 0.72 mg/m3, the median vertically elutriated dust was 0.22 mg/m3, and the median endotoxin concentration was 5.2 ng/m3. Ten percent of the subjects reported chest tightness or dyspnea on Mondays. Thirteen percent of the subjects reported symptoms of chronic bronchitis. Although there was no relationship between changes in pulmonary function across the workshift and either total dust, vertically elutriated dust, or endotoxin exposure, 13% of the subjects had greater than 5% decrements in FEV1 over the workshift.

Adult↗