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PubMed1989

Cancer risks associated with 10 inorganic dusts: results from a case-control study in Montreal.

A multicancer site, multifactor case-control study was undertaken to generate hypotheses about possible occupational carcinogens. Probing interviews were carried out with eligible cases, comprising all incident cases of 20 types of cancer who were male, aged 35-70 years, and a resident in Montreal. The interview was designed to obtain detailed lifetime job histories and information on potential confounders. Each job history was reviewed by a team of chemists and industrial hygienists who translated it into a history of occupational exposures. These occupational exposures were then analyzed as potential risk factors in relation to the sites of cancer included; 3,726 cases were interviewed. For each site of cancer analyzed, controls were selected from among the other sites in the study. This report concerns the associations between the 12 main types of cancer in our series and 10 inorganic dusts that are found mainly in construction and metal industries. All site-exposure combinations were investigated. After intensive control for confounding, nonadenocarcinoma (NAC) of the lung was associated with long duration-high level exposure to silica (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4), excavation dust (OR = 1.9), concrete dust (OR = 2.5), abrasives dust (OR = 1.4), and alumina (OR = 1.5). It was difficult to disentangle the relative effects of those substances, and confounding among them was a distinct possibility. Although residual confounding by some uncontrolled factors may explain the elevated ORs, the results were compatible with the hypothesis of a nonspecific relation between NAC of the lung and respirable inorganic dusts as a class. Other associations that remained suggestive after in-depth analysis were silica and stomach cancer (OR = 1.2) and concrete dust and lymphoma (OR = 2.9).

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Unifying concepts underlying the effects of organic dust exposures.

Defense mechanisms protect the lung very well from inhaled organic dusts. With sufficient exposure to certain dusts, however, susceptible individuals develop hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), the organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), or asthma. Mucous membrane irritation (MMI) bothers some individuals inhaling grain dust. Allergic asthma is caused by IgE-mediated immunologic responses to allergenic dust contaminants. ODTS can be explained by a nonimmunologic release of interleukin 1 (IL-1) and perhaps other endogenous pyrogens from alveolar macrophages by endotoxin or other ingredients of dusts. The pathogenesis of HP may involve IL-1 release combined with a specific immunological response by effector T-lymphocytes. MMI may be the result of an irritant effect not involving immune responses or mediators.

Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
PubMed1993

Organic dust exposures from compost handling: case presentation and respiratory exposure assessment.

Inhalation of dust from contaminated organic materials may result in acute respiratory tract illness. Possible mechanisms include toxic and cellular reactions to microbial and other organic products or immunologic responses after prior sensitization to an antigen. A case is presented of a 52 year old male who developed fever, myalgia, and marked dyspnea 12 hr after shoveling composted wood chips and leaves. Inspiratory crackles, hypoxemia, and bilateral patchy pulmonary infiltrates were seen. Precipitating antibody tests for the usual antigens were inconclusive. He improved over 3 days. In order to assess the environmental conditions the patient had experienced, we returned to the site to reproduce and measure respiratory exposures during hand loading of the compost. Visible clouds of fine particulate were easily generated during handling activities. Microscopic examination of these dusts indicated a predominance of spores. Endotoxin concentrations from inspirable and respirable dust samples ranged from 636 to 16,300 endotoxin units/m3. Levels of contaminants found were consistent with those associated with respiratory illness in other agricultural settings. Two respiratory disorders, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), may occur after exposure to organic dusts containing fungal spores and endotoxins. Despite extensive clinical and environmental investigations, we were unable to differentiate these two disorders, and suggest they may represent parts of a spectrum of responses to complex organic dusts, rather than completely distinct clinical entities.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1994

Respiratory symptoms and asthma among workers exposed to paper dust: a cohort study.

The aim of the present cohort study was to investigate whether exposure to paper dust causes increased risk for respiratory symptoms or asthma. The cohort included all workers at a soft paper mill who had worked there for more than 1 year 1960-1986 (n = 1,697). Randomly selected inhabitants of the mill town (n = 781) were used as unexposed referents. Both groups were investigated using a postal questionnaire. From the paper mill cohort, workers with high cumulative exposure (n = 313), with medium cumulative exposure (n = 321), and with low cumulative exposure (n = 338) to paper dust were selected. In the 1960s and 1970s, the dust levels were between 5 and 10 mg/m3. After adjustment for smoking and gender, paper dust exposure resulted in elevated prevalence ratios for chronic cough, chronic phlegm, wheeze, and breathlessness. The prevalence ratios ranged from 1.3 to 2.5. No significantly increased risk of asthma was found among the exposed, incidence rate ratio 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.93-1.8). Among the exposed, there was an insignificantly increasing incidence rate ratio, 1.0, 1.4, 2.1, with increasing cumulative exposure. In conclusion, an increased risk for respiratory symptoms was observed among workers exposed to paper dust, but the study does not permit any definite conclusions regarding asthma and paper dust exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Airway responsiveness to methacholine, respiratory symptoms, and dust exposure levels in grain and flour mill workers in eastern France.

Our goal was to assess the relation between dust exposure levels and the respiratory health status of workers in grain and flour mills in eastern France. We studied 118 male workers from 11 mills and 164 unexposed male controls. Dust concentration was measured by personal sampling methods. Outcome variables included respiratory symptoms, routine pulmonary function tests, and indices of airway responsiveness to methacholine. A great within- and between-area variability of inhalable dust concentration was found in all mills. A dose-response relationship was observed between dust exposure levels and chronic respiratory symptoms, suggesting that exposure to grain and flour dust may lead to chronic bronchitis. A significant relation was found between dust exposure and airway hyper-responsiveness; this finding is important since it has been hypothesized that the latter abnormality may lead to or be a predisposing factor in subsequent chronic, irreversible airflow obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Coal mine workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP): in vitro study of the release of organic compounds from coal mine dust in the presence of physiological fluids.

Solvents like dichloromethane generally are used to yield exhausted extraction amounts of the organic compounds in coals. Leaching of coal mine dust by dichloromethane yields extracts with comparable amounts of alkanes, aromatics, and phenolic compounds. Dominantly phenolic compounds are leached from coal mine dust by aqueous solutions saturated in lecithin because of their high water solubility. High concentrations of phenolic compounds can be extracted from coal mine dust generated from low-rank coals. Phenolic compounds leached by fluids adapted to physiological conditions correlate with high cytotoxicities of the dust from low-rank coals. Adaptation of leaching fluids to physiological conditions allows a more realistic estimation of experiments. Coal mine dust with varying coal content of different ranks can be seen as a parameter reinforcing the cytotoxic potential of coal mine dust.

Body Fluids↗
PubMed1998

The contribution of lead-contaminated house dust and residential soil to children's blood lead levels. A pooled analysis of 12 epidemiologic studies.

In 1992, the U.S. Congress passed the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, which requires the promulgation of health-based dust lead and soil lead standards for residential dwellings to prevent undue lead exposure in children. Unfortunately, the levels of lead in house dust and soil that are associated with elevated blood lead levels among U.S. children remain poorly defined. This pooled analysis was done to estimate the contributions of lead-contaminated house dust and soil to children's blood lead levels. The results of this pooled analysis, the most comprehensive existing epidemiologic analysis of childhood lead exposure, confirm that lead-contaminated house dust is the major source of lead exposure for children. These analyses further demonstrate that a strong relationship between interior dust lead loading and children's blood lead levels persists at dust lead levels considerably below the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's current postabatement standards and the Environmental Protection Agency's guidance levels. Finally, these analyses demonstrate that a child's age, race, mouthing behaviors, and study-site specific factors influence the predicted blood lead level at a given level of exposure. These data can be used to estimate the potential health impact of alternative health-based lead standards for residential sources of lead exposure.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1995

Bioavailability of arsenic in soil and house dust impacted by smelter activities following oral administration in cynomolgus monkeys.

This study was conducted to determine the extent of arsenic (As) absorption from soil and house dust impacted by smelter activities near Anaconda, Montana. Female cynomolgus monkeys were given a single oral administration via gelatin capsules of soil (0.62 mg As/kg body wt) or house dust (0.26 mg As/kg body wt), or soluble sodium arsenate by the gavage or intravenous route of administration (0.62 mg As/kg body wt) in a crossover design with a minimum washout period of 14 days. Urine, feces, and cage rinse were collected at 24-hr intervals for 168 hr. Blood was collected at specified time points and area under the curves (AUCs) was determined. Arsenic concentrations for the first 120 hr, representing elimination of greater than 94% of the total administered dose for the three oral treatment groups, were < 0.021 to 4.68 micrograms/ml for the urine and < 0.24 to 31.1 micrograms/g for the feces. In general, peak concentrations of As in the urine and feces were obtained during the collection intervals of 0-24 and 24-72 hr, respectively. The main pathway for excretion of As for the intravenous and gavage groups was in the urine, whereas for the soil and dust groups, it was in the feces. Mean absolute percentage bioavailability values based on urinary excretion data were 68, 19, and 14% for the gavage, house dust, and soil treatments, respectively, after normalization of the intravenous As recovery data to 100%. Corresponding absolute bioavailability values based on blood were 91, 10, and 11%. The bioavailability of soil and house dust As relative to soluble As (by gavage) was between 10 and 30%, depending upon whether urinary or blood values were used. These findings suggest that risks associated with the ingestion of As in soil or dust will be reduced compared to ingestion of comparable quantities of As in drinking water.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1992

Occupational exposure of truck drivers to dust and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons: a pilot study in Geneva, Switzerland.

The exposure to dust and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of 15 truck drivers from Geneva, Switzerland, was measured. The drivers were divided between "long-distance" drivers and "local" drivers and between smokers and nonsmokers and were compared with a control group of 6 office workers who were also divided into smokers and nonsmokers. Dust was measured on 1 workday both by a direct-reading instrument and by sampling. The local drivers showed higher exposure to dust (0.3 mg/m3) and PAH than the long-distance drivers (0.1 mg/m3), who showed no difference with the control group. This observation may be due to the fact that the local drivers spend more time in more polluted areas, such as streets with heavy traffic and construction sites, than do the long-distance drivers. Smoking does not influence exposure to dust and PAH of professional truck drivers, as measured in this study, probably because the ventilation rate of the truck cabins is relatively high even during cold days (11-15 r/h). The distribution of dust concentrations was shown in some cases to be quite different from the expected log-normal distribution. The contribution of diesel exhaust to these exposures could not be estimated since no specific tracer was used. However, the relatively low level of dust exposure dose not support the hypothesis that present day levels of diesel exhaust particulates play a significant role in the excess occurrence of lung cancer observed in professional truck drivers.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1989

Dust exposure, eye redness, eye cytology and mucous membrane irritation in a tobacco industry.

In a study of 75 workers employed in a tobacco factory producing cheroots we measured cellular contents of tear fluid, redness of eyes, discomfort, total (0-5.7 mg/m3) and respirable dust in the breathing zone and total ambient dust by stationary sampling (0.08-1.0 mg/m3). A matched group of 50 office workers in a telephone company (total ambient dust concentration between 0.08-0.13 mg/m3) was similarly examined as referents. We found a difference between the two companies with regard to cell counts, with tobacco workers having the largest numbers except for lymphocytes. Among tobacco workers we furthermore found that the number of cuboidal and columnar epithelial cells increased during the day. The increase of cuboidal cells, however, occurred mainly in a small group of tobacco workers exposed to the highest concentrations of tobacco dust (mean = 1.26 mg/m3). No difference in the sensation of eye irritation was found between companies, but increased irritation in the morning was associated with increased exposure to total dust during the workshift among tobacco workers. A dose-dependent difference in photographically measured eye redness was found among the tobacco workers. It could not be explained by differences in tobacco smoking, sex, age, sleeping habits or use of glasses. Irritation of lips and upper airways as reported by questionnaire were more common in tobacco workers than in referents. In conclusion the tobacco workers, more often than the referents, had complaints and objective changes in the mucous membranes of the eyes. These may be related to tobacco dust exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

[The significance of dust in the evaluation of the potential health risk in chemical industry plants].

According to statistics, occupational diseases (and respiratory disorders in particular) are rare. Occupational disease accounted for only 1.5% of all job-related disabilities registered with the Swiss Accident Insurance Institute (SUVA) in 1984. Skin disorders (37.1%) are the leading form of occupational disease, followed by disturbances of the locomotor apparatus (36%) arising from physical causes. Pneumoconiosis (quartz, asbestos) accounts for 2.8% of cases. Chronic disorders of the respiratory tract brought about by irritant or toxic gases are buried away under the heading of 'chronic poisoning' (7.8%). Bronchitis caused by organic dust (0.3%) is listed under 'other disorders' (13.9%). It is shown that, depending on the type of chemical manufacturing involved, major significance is attached to the role of dust as a potentially dangerous substance and thus to monitoring and prevention at source. Attention is particularly drawn to the hazard posed by lipophilic dust (aromatic amines, organic phosphates, etc.) which can easily pass through intact skin and penetrate into the body unnoticed. Uptake of toxic agents through the skin is not registered by the devices used to test air quality, but can only be ascertained by detection of toxic substances or metabolites in the urine or the blood (biological monitoring). Finally, it is pointed out that--in general--MAC or BEI limits have not been stipulated for biologically active dust, with the exception of a few values for insecticides. The 'general upper limit' of 6 mg/m3 for inert dust is of no use in the monitoring of dust from biologically active products.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Allergens↗
PubMed2005

Expression of TNFalpha and its receptors R1 and R2 in human alveolar epithelial cells exposed to organic dust and the effects of 8-bromo-cAMP and protein kinase A modulation.

OBJECTIVE: Expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF), TNF receptors 1 and 2 and TNFalpha converting enzyme (TACE) was studied in A549 human alveolar epithelial cells exposed to organic dust from a swine barn. Additional objectives were to elucidate whether 8-bromocAMP affected TNF and TNF receptor mRNA expression by activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and whether it increased phosphorylation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reverse transcriptase- (RT-) PCR was performed on unexposed cells and cells exposed to a dust-suspension, with and without 8-bromo-cAMP (1 mM). H-89 was used to inhibit PKA. To further investigate mRNA expression of TNF, staurosporine was used. Immunolabeling was applied for detection of TNF, TNFR1, TNFR2 and phosphorylation of CREB. RESULTS: TNF mRNA and protein was expressed after 1-3 h in dust-exposed cells. TNFR2 mRNA and protein expression was induced by dust-exposure, whereas expression of TNFR1 and TACE was constitutive. After 1-1.5 h incubation, mRNA expression of TNF was (PKA-independently) attenuated by 8-bromo-cAMP (p < 0.05), whereas that of TNFR1 was PKA-dependently stimulated (p < 0.05). Staurosporine attenuated mRNA expression of TNF (p < 0.05), but not interleukin (IL)-6, which was detected prior to TNF. CONCLUSION: Expression of TNF and its receptors in alveolar epithelial cells may contribute to the response to organic dust. 8-bromo-cAMP, which increased the number of cells exhibiting phosphorylation of CREB exerted opposite effects on TNF and TNFR1 mRNA expression. The mechanism by which cAMP attenuates TNF mRNA expression remains to be established. Dust-induced expression of IL-6 precedes that of TNF and the induction pathways differ with regard to staurosporine sensitivity.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗
PubMed2004

Respiratory symptoms and intensity of occupational dust exposure.

OBJECTIVES: Occupational exposure to dusts may result in chronic respiratory symptoms. METHODS: To investigate the utility of obtaining a history of occupational exposure to dust in US veterans, a respiratory health survey was conducted between 1988 and 1992 in a community-based cohort of US veterans in southeastern Massachusetts that were eligible for Veterans' Affairs (VA) healthcare benefits but were not regular users. A mail questionnaire was used to obtain a history of cough, phlegm, and wheeze, work in a dusty job, and duration, type, and intensity of dust exposure. Information on cigarette use and other possible confounders was obtained. RESULTS: In 2,617 white men, after the data had been adjusted for cigarette smoking, age, distance to the nearest major roadway, and chronic respiratory disease, the relative odds of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and persistent wheeze attributable to occupational dust exposure was increased twofold. Risk also increased, based on exposure intensity. For heavy dust exposure the OR was 1.98 (95% CI 1.39-2.81) for chronic cough, 2.82 (95% CI 2.03-3.93) for chronic phlegm, and 2.70 (95% CI 1.95-3.75) for persistent wheeze. CONCLUSIONS: After active cigarette smoking and other possible confounders had been considered, it was found that dust exposure was related to respiratory symptoms in US veterans and that the greatest risk was attributable to heavy intensity exposure.

Chronic Disease↗
PubMed2005

Differential respirable dust related lung function effects between current and former South African coal miners.

Dust-related dose-response decrements in lung function among coal miners have been reported in several studies, with varying magnitudes across populations. Few studies have compared differences between current and former coal miners. No studies on dose response relationships with lung function have been conducted in South African coal mines, one of the top three producers of coal internationally. The objectives of this study were (1) to describe the relationship between respirable dust exposure and lung function among current and former South African coal miners and to determine whether differential dust related effects were present between these employment categories; (2) to examine dust related dose response relationships, controlling for potential confounding by smoking and a history of tuberculosis (TB). Six hundred and eighty-four current and 188 ex-miners from three bituminous coal mines in Mpumalanga Province were studied. Interviews assessing work histories, smoking profiles and other risk factors were conducted. Work histories were also obtained from company records. Standardised spirometry was performed by trained technicians. Cumulative respirable dust exposure (CDE) estimates were constructed from company-collected sampling and measurements conducted by the researchers. Regression models examined the associations of CDE with per cent predicted FEV(1) and FVC, controlling for smoking, past history of TB and employment status. A statistically significant decline in FEV(1) of 1.1 and 2.2 ml/mg-year/m(3) was found in representative 40-year-old, 1.7-m tall current and former miners, respectively. Significant differences were found between the highest and medium exposure categories. Ex-miners had a lower mean per cent predicted lung function than current miners for each cumulative exposure category, suggesting a "healthy worker" effect. Past history of TB contributed to 21 and 14% declines in per cent predicted FEV(1) and FVC, respectively. Thus, in this cohort, a dose-related decline in lung function was associated with respirable dust exposure, with a magnitude of effect similar to that seen in other studies and important differences between current and former employees. A "healthy worker" effect may have attenuated the magnitude of this relationship. TB was a significant contributor to lung function loss.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Nasal symptoms and indices of nasal inflammation in flour-dust-exposed bakers.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether indices of nasal airway inflammation in bakers were related to nasal symptoms and exposure to airborne flour dust. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in 12 currently flour-exposed bakers. They were examined by nasal lavage (NAL), visual inspection, a test of mucociliary clearance, and nasal peak expiratory flow (nasal PEF). NAL fluid was analyzed according to the inflammatory markers eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), indicating eosinophilic activity; myeloperoxidase (MPO), indicating active neutrophils; hyaluronic acid (HA) from active fibroblasts; tryptase, indicating activation of mast cells; and albumin, indicating plasma exudation. The bakers were also questioned about respiratory symptoms and working history. Their current and cumulative exposure to inhalable flour dust was estimated after exposure measurements and information about earlier work tasks. Office workers (n=16) without occupational exposure to dust or any other known nasal irritant or sensitizer served as controls. RESULTS: Personal inhalable dust measurements among the bakers working as dough makers or bread formers ranged from 1.0 to 3.8 mg/m3. Of the 12 bakers, 10 reported at least 1 nasal symptom (crusts, blockage, or a runny nose), a proportion significantly greater than that of the controls (P=0.009). Bakers with nasal symptoms had higher concentrations of markers of inflammation in their NALs as compared with nonsymptomatic bakers. The difference was significant for MPO (P=0.02) and HA (P=0.04) in relation to a runny nose. Tryptase was detected in only one NAL of the bakers. There was a positive correlation between the cumulative dose of inhalable flour dust and concentrations of MPO and HA in NAL. Two bakers were sensitized to wheat; they had the highest NAL concentrations of inflammatory markers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that flour dust exposure in bakers at levels below the current occupational exposure limit causes nasal mucosal inflammation, which, in turn, is related to nasal symptoms. We propose that the inflammation may be nonallergic, characterized by activation of neutrophils and fibroblasts.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

African dust clouds are associated with increased paediatric asthma accident and emergency admissions on the Caribbean island of Trinidad.

A retrospective ecological study of paediatric asthma patients who attended the Accident and Emergency (A and E) department of the Paediatric Priority Care Facility at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in relation to Saharan dust visibility and other climatic variables for the period 23 May 2001 to 13 May 2002 was undertaken to determine if there is an association between paediatric A and E asthma visits and Saharan dust cloud cover. A Poisson regression model was used to determine the statistical relationship between acute paediatric asthma A and E visits and Saharan dust cover with and without other variables such as climatic parameters and month. During the study period, there were 2,655 A and E visits for acute asthma. There was an association between increased paediatric asthma admissions and increased Saharan dust cover. The best fitting model estimated that in one month, such as June, a deterioration of visibility due to increased Saharan dust cover from no dust (visibility =16 km) to very dusty (visibility =7 km) would increase a daily admission rate of 7.8 patients to 9.25 when climate variables such as barometric pressure and humidity were kept constant.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Characteristics of rural dust events shown to impact on asthma severity in Brisbane, Australia.

Wind erosion in arid inland Australia leads to dust plumes which can pass over populated coastal areas in Eastern Australia, such as Brisbane. Such events can lead to concerns about respiratory health problems because they significantly increase the fine particle component of atmospheric aerosols. This paper examines the particulate characteristics of 11 dust events in Brisbane and associations with daily diary records (peak expiratory flow, symptoms) of people with asthma, and hospital emergency attendances for asthma during a number of seasons between 1992 and 1994. These dust events are frequently, but not always, characterised by higher particulate levels and higher ratios of fine to coarse particulates. The results indicate that a number of dust events were significantly associated with changes in asthma severity, but general relationships could not be determined. Given that the phenomenon of wind-blown dust is not isolated to the Australian continent, these findings raise important questions about the effects of wind-blown dust in other parts of the world.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Externalities of fugitive dust.

It is known that fugitive dust can cause human health and environmental problems, alone or in combination with other air pollutants. These problems are referred to as 'external costs' that have been traditionally ignored. However, there is a growing interest towards quantifying externalities to assist policy and decision-making. With this in mind, the present study aimed at discussing the environmental regulations that deal with fugitive dust, the impact of fugitive dust on human health and global climate system, and the available methods for calculating fugitive dust externalities. The damage cost associated with human health and global environmental problems was predicted based on the environmental strategy priority model. The damage cost estimated by the model ranged from 40 to 374 EUR/kg of emitted fugitive dust with a mean value of 120 EUR/kg of emitted fugitive dust. It was also found that PM(2.5) and PM(10) have contributed to about 60% and 36% of the estimated damage cost, respectively. The remaining 4% was attributed to both nitrate and sulfate aerosols.

Air Pollutants↗