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[Induction of rat liver foci by inhaled diisocyanate exposure].

Diisocyanates are increasingly used for manufacturing polyurethane foam, elastomers, adhesives, coatings, insecticides and many other products. The large number of workers being exposed to these chemicals has a concentration-dependent risk of developing chronic airway disorders. The clinical role of genotoxic effects of diisocyanates demonstrable in vivo and in vitro is still unclear just as their possible cancerogenic potential. The possible initiating effect of diisocyanates in liver carcinogenesis was studied using a rat liver foci bioassay (RFLA). The RLFA is based on the histochemical demonstration of foci of hepatocytes with altered enzyme equipment, which are induced by carcinogens. These foci are generally regarded as early preneoplastic lesions. Rats were exposed either to 20 ppb TDI (Toluene diisocyanate) or 20 ppb HDI (Hexamethylene diisocyanate) for two hours a day over a period of four weeks. After a break of one week the rats received 10 mg Clophen A50/kg body weight as promotor for possible isocyanate induced tumorigenic lesions twice a week for eight weeks. For positive control the hepatocarcinogen diethylnitrosamin (DEN) was given as a single dose of 10 mg and 20 mg. All animals were sacrificed aged 16 weeks. Serial cryostat sections were prepared for ATPase and gamma GT staining. The foci number was determined and calculated as foci/animal as a mean value taken from both staining protocols. Preneoplastic liver foci were observed in positive control rats treated with a single dose of 10 mg as well as with 20 mg DEN (4.3 +/- 3.2 and 1.8 +/- 1.4 respectively). In none of the animals exposed to TDI or HDI preneoplastic foci were detectable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Direct olfactory transport of inhaled manganese ((54)MnCl(2)) to the rat brain: toxicokinetic investigations in a unilateral nasal occlusion model.

Inhalation exposure of humans to high concentrations of manganese (Mn) is associated with elevated Mn levels in the basal ganglia and an extrapyramidal movement disorder. In the rat, direct olfactory transport of Mn from the nose to the brain has been demonstrated following intranasal instillation of (54)MnCl(2). However, the contribution this route makes to brain Mn delivery following inhalation is unknown and was the subject of our study. Male 8-week old CD rats underwent a single 90-min nose-only exposure to a (54)MnCl(2) aerosol (0.54 mg Mn/m(3); MMAD 2.51 microm). The left and right sides of the nose and brain, including the olfactory pathway and striatum, were sampled at 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 days postexposure. Control rats were exposed to (54)MnCl(2) with both nostrils patent to evaluate the symmetry of Mn delivery. Another group of rats had the right nostril plugged to prevent nasal deposition of (54)MnCl(2) on the occluded side. Gamma spectrometry (n = 6 rats/group/time point) and autoradiography (n = 1 rat/group/time point) were used to compare the levels of (54)Mn found on the left and right sides of the nose and brain to determine the contribution of olfactory uptake to brain (54)Mn levels. Brain and nose samples from the side with the occluded nostril had negligible levels of (54)Mn activity, validating the nasal occlusion procedure. High levels of (54)Mn were observed in the olfactory bulb and tract/tubercle on the side or sides with an open nostril within 1-2 days following inhalation exposure. These results demonstrated, for the first time, that the olfactory route contributes the majority (up to >90%) of the (54)Mn found in the olfactory pathway, but not in the striatum, of the rat brain up to 8 days following a single inhalation exposure. These findings suggest that the olfactory route may make a significant contribution to brain Mn levels following inhalation exposure in the rat.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Kinetics of deposition and clearance of inhaled mineral dusts during chronic exposure.

New inhalation studies have been carried out with rats exposed to UICC (Union International Contre le Cancer) amosite asbestos, with the main aim of further elucidating the factors the influence the accumulation of dust in the lung during prolonged chronic exposure. The results show that, for exposure times beyond a few weeks, the lung burden rises linearly and does not level off as predicted by simple models based on ideas taken from the 1966 report of the Task Group on Lung Dynamics. Furthermore, the lung burden is found to scale directly in proportion to the exposure concentration in a way that seems to contradict the overload hypothesis stated earlier. Nevertheless, the general pattern exhibited by our results for asbestos is markedly similar to that found elsewhere for rats inhaling diesel fume, leading to the suggestion that it is general (and not specific to fibrous dust); and the hypothesis that, whereas overload of clearance can take place at high lung burdens after exposure has ceased, it is cancelled by the sustained stimulus to clearance mechanisms provided by the continuous challenge of chronic exposure. The linearity of the increase in lung burden is explained in terms of a kinetic model involving sequestration of some inhaled material to parts of the lung where it is difficult to clear. The particular sequestration model favoured is one where, the longer a particle remains in the lung without being cleared, the more likely it will be sequestrated (and therefore less likely cleared). It is believed that such ideas may eventually be useful in forming exposure-dose relations for epidemiology.

Animals↗

A study of workers' exposures to the inhalable and 'total' aerosol fractions in the primary nickel production industry using mannequins to simulate personal sampling.

This paper describes a study that was carried out at work sites in the primary nickel production industry to investigate the difference between inhalable and 'total' aerosol exposures by using the mannequin sampling method, and to compare the results with those from an earlier study where actual workers' personal exposures were assessed in the same way. Experiments were carried out at 21 work sites located in mining, milling, smelting, and refining works of two primary nickel production companies. During sampling, mannequins were used to simulate the physical presence of workers and the 'exposures' of these were obtained for strategic positions at selected work sites. The orientations of each mannequin with respect to the wind were rotated through 90 degrees every hour in order to simulate the approximate orientation-averaging corresponding to actual workers. Two samplers were placed side-by-side on each mannequin: the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) inhalable aerosol sampler, and the 37-mm plastic cassette widely used as a personal sampler for 'total' aerosol. Each collected sample was analyzed to obtain both overall dust and overall nickel content. A total of 116 such sample pairs were collected. The results show that inhalable aerosol exposure levels-for both overall dust and for total nickel content-were consistently and significantly higher than the corresponding total aerosol exposure levels. Weighted least squares linear regression yielded (inhalable/'total') aerosol ratios ranging from 1.38 to 3.90 and 1.20 to 4.01, respectively, for overall dust and for total nickel content for different work sites. Comparison of these results with those from the earlier study of actual workers' personal exposures were in good agreement for most of the work sites studies. However, the actual intensities of exposure using the mannequin sampling method were consistently lower than those obtained from actual workers' personal sampling in our earlier study. The consistency of the (inhalable/'total') ratios between mannequin and actual personal sampling strongly suggests that the characteristics of the aerosol sampled by the two methods, most notably the particle size distribution, were the same. This in turn suggests that mannequin sampling can be useful in occupational hygiene for determining such properties of personal workers' exposures. It certainly provides a useful and cost effective method for determining factors at work sites in individual industry settings by which to examine the impact of changing exposure assessment from one based on 'total' aerosol to the recommended new approach based on inhalable aerosol.

Aerosols↗

Toxicokinetic modelling of methyl formate exposure and implications for biological monitoring.

A toxicokinetic (TK) model was developed to describe the inhalation exposure in humans to methyl formate (MF), a catalyst used in foundries, and to discuss biological monitoring. The TK model consisted of four compartments: MF, the metabolites--methanol (MeOH) and formic acid (FA)--and, in addition, a urinary compartment describing the saturable reabsorption of FA. Levels of MeOH and FA in urine, from an experimental study (100 ppm MF, 8 h at rest), validated the present model. The TK model describes well the general behaviour of MeOH and FA in urine after MF exposure. A nonlinear and a linear relationship respectively, was predicted between MF exposure and FA or MeOH excretion in urine, and this has previously been seen after occupational MF exposure. The present model has been modified to simulate MeOH exposure as well. Generally low exposures (concentration or exercise) produce only marginal increases in FA urinary excretions, but when exposure is elevated, urinary FA excretion increases because of saturation in the mechanism of reabsorption. Using FA urinary excretion as the critical indicator, because of its link to health effects, an occupational exposure limit value for MF of no greater than 50 ppm should be selected (based on predictions with the TK model). MeOH in urine can be considered as a biomarker for MF at low exposure, because of lower background values and of a linear relationship with exposure. At higher exposures, however, FA could be used as a biomarker as it becomes progressively more sensitive. But the use of biological monitoring for MF is difficult because of individual variations in background values. Under the present state of knowledge both FA and MeOH should be used to estimate only group exposures, rather than individual exposures.

Environmental Monitoring↗

Inhalation toxicity of high flash aromatic naphtha.

A petroleum distillate--a high aromatic naphtha--consisting of a 50/50 blended mixture of equivalent products. SHELLSOL A* and SOLVESSO 100**, containing C9 isomers (75 percent) particularly trimethyl benzenes, was examined for systemic toxicity in rats by inhalation exposure. A preliminary 13-week inhalation study with SHELLSOL A had resulted in liver and kidney weight increases in female rats at the high (7400 mg/m3) and medium (3700 mg/m3) exposure levels, and a low grade anaemia in females at all exposure levels (7400, 3700 and 1800 mg/m3). The follow-up 12-month inhalation study in rats described here used atmosphere generated from the SHELLSOL A/SOLVESSO 100 blend of 1800, 900 and 450 mg/m3. Initial reduction in body weight gain occurred in both male and female rats at the higher exposures. Various statistically significant haematological changes were transiently seen in males up to six months, but were not considered biologically significant. High exposure male liver and kidney weights were increased at 6 and 12 months but, in the absence of histopathological changes, were considered to be physiological adaptive responses. No treatment-related histopathological abnormalities were found. It is concluded that chronic exposure to this high aromatic naphtha is without systemic toxicity in rats under the conditions of these studies.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Biotransformation and kinetics of excretion of methyl-tert-butyl ether in rats and humans.

Methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) is widely used as an additive to gasoline to increase oxygen content and reduce tail pipe emission of pollutants. Therefore, widespread human exposure may occur. To contribute to the characterization of potential adverse effects of MTBE, its biotransformation was compared in humans and rats after inhalation exposure. Human volunteers (3 males and 3 females) and rats (5 each, males and females) were exposed to 4 (4.5 +/- 0.4) and 40 (38.7 +/- 3.2) ppm MTBE for 4 h in a dynamic exposure system. Urine samples from rats and humans were collected for 72 h in 6-h intervals, and blood samples were taken in regular intervals for 48 h. In urine, MTBE and the MTBE metabolites tertiary-butanol (t-butanol), 2-methyl-1,2-propane diol, and 2-hydroxyisobutyrate were quantified; MTBE and t-butanol were determined in blood samples. After the end of the exposure period, inhalation of 40 ppm MTBE resulted in blood concentrations of MTBE 5.9 +/- 1.8 microM in rats and 6.7 +/- 1.6 microM in humans. The MTBE blood concentrations after inhalation of 4 ppm MTBE were 2.3 +/- 1.0 in rats and 1.9 +/- 0.4 microM in humans. MTBE was rapidly cleared from blood with a half-life of 2.6 +/- 0.9 h in humans and 0.5 +/- 0.2 h in rats. The blood concentrations of t-butanol were 21.8 +/- 3.7 microM in humans and 36.7 +/- 10.8 microM in rats after 40 ppm MTBE, and 2.6 +/- 0.3 in humans and 2.9 +/- 0.5 in rats after 4 ppm MTBE. In humans, t-butanol was cleared from blood with a half-life of 5.3 +/- 2.1 h. In urine samples from controls and in samples collected from the volunteers and rats before the exposure, low concentrations of t-butanol, 2-methyl-1,2-propane diol and 2-hydroxyisobutyrate were present. In urine of both humans and rats exposed to MTBE, the concentrations of these compounds were significantly increased. 2-Hydroxyisobutyrate was recovered as a major excretory product in urine; t-butanol and 2-methyl-1,2-propane diol were minor metabolites. All metabolites of MTBE excreted with urine were rapidly eliminated in both species after the end of the MTBE exposure. Elimination half-lives for the different urinary metabolites of MTBE were between 7.8 and 17.0 h in humans and 2.9 to 5.0 h in rats. The obtained data indicate that MTBE biotransformation and excretion are similar in rats and humans, and MTBE and its metabolites are rapidly excreted in both species. Between 35 and 69% of the MTBE retained after the end of the exposure was recovered as metabolites in urine of both humans and rats.

Adult↗

Evaluation of workers' exposure to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) in an automobile manufacturing company, Iran.

Evaluation of personal inhalation exposure to methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) among 39 employees, working in the window fixation and window glue processes in an automobile manufacturing company was performed. This study was conducted for both case and control groups. After sampling and sample preparation processes, MDI was determined with a UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 590 nm; the lung function was assessed with a digital spirometer, too. The average concentration of MDI in the window fixation, and window glue workplaces were 34.53 and 27.37 micro g/m3, respectively, which was lower than the threshold limit value (TLV) recommended by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (51 micro g/m3). Respiratory symptoms in the exposed group were significantly different compared to the unexposed group (p < .05). Lung capacities in the case group were lower than in the control group (p < .05). Therefore, MDI can be easily measured making it possible to evaluate the adverse effects caused by occupational exposure.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Non-cancer risk assessment for nickel compounds: issues associated with dose-response modeling of inhalation and oral exposures.

This report presents the results of noncancer dose-response modeling for inhalation and oral exposures to nickel compounds using the NOAEL/LOAEL and benchmark dose (BMD) approaches. Several key issues associated with the implementation of the BMD approach were examined. Primary among them are difficulties associated with use of data for which the dose-response shape is poorly defined: nonuniqueness of maximum likelihood estimates and lower bounds equal to zero. In addition, several generalizable properties of the "hybrid approach" for modeling continuous endpoints were identified. A hybrid modeling approach allows one to consider "biological significance" on an individual (rather than group) basis; differences between individual- and group-based biological significance in the definition of benchmark response (BMR) levels are elucidated. In particular, it is shown that BMDs defined using group-based BMRs may be more like LOAELs than NOAELs. Application of cross-chemical and cross-endpoint comparisons suggest that, for chronic inhalation exposure, nickel sulfate appears to be as toxic or more toxic than nickel subsulfide and nickel oxide, although the high response rates for the latter two compounds at the lowest chronically administered concentration make such conclusions problematic. A nickel reference concentration could be derived based on the most sensitive benchmark concentration for chronic inhalation exposure to nickel sulfate, 1.7 x 10(-3) mg Ni/m3 for lung fibrosis in male rats. Analyses of oral studies of nickel sulfate and nickel chloride suggest that an appropriate basis for the nickel oral reference dose would be a BMD of 4-5 mg Ni/kg/day, based on increased prenatal mortality. (Uncertainty factors were not determined and neither an RfD nor an RfC was derived in this paper.) The BMD approach provides appropriate quantitative support for toxicological judgment; this paper addresses specific issues associated with the role of the BMD approach in noncancer risk assessment. Resolution of these and other issues may require the accumulation of a number of case studies such as the one presented here.

Administration, Oral↗

Significance of mode of exposure in aerosol inhalation toxicity studies - head only versus whole body exposure.

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in acute inhalation toxicity (LC50 values) using different types of exposure systems with five agricultural chemicals (three insecticides and two herbicides). Rats of both sexes were exposed during a period of four hours and observed for 14 days. During exposure air flow rate, concentration, particle size distribution, temperature, relative humidity and oxygen content were monitored within the inhalation chamber, toxic signs and death rate were recorded during the exposure and observation period. Of the three insecticides tested two were liquid OP type compounds - one of which was hydrophilic and one lipophilic - and one was a moderately hydrophilic solid insecticidal carbamate. Upon whole body exposure the hydrophilic OP was slightly less toxic and the lipophilic OP slightly more toxic. The carbamate was equally toxic regardless of type of exposure. The results demonstrate that it is advisable to have both systems available in view of the importance of exposures under practical conditions of use. For gaseous materials the whole body exposure is preferred.

Aerosols↗

Comparative pulmonary toxicological assessment of oil combustion particles following inhalation or instillation exposure.

Controversy persists regarding the validity of intratracheal instillation (IT) of particulate matter (PM) as a surrogate for inhalation exposure (IH) in rodents. Concerns center on dose, dose-rate, and distribution of material within the lung. Acute toxicity of a residual oil fly ash (ROFA) administered by IH was compared to those effects of a single IT bolus at an IH-equivalent dose. Male Sprague Dawley rats (60 days old) were exposed by nose-only IH to approximately 12 mg/m3 for 6 h. Inter-lobar dose distribution of ROFA, dissected immediately post exposure, was assayed by neutron activation. Vanadium and nickel were used as ROFA markers. IT administration of the IH-equivalent dose (110 microg) showed similar (<15%) interlobular distribution, with the exception of the inferior lobe dose (IT>IH approximately 25%). Evaluation of airway hyperreactivity (AHR), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) constituents, and histopathology was conducted at 24, 48, and 96 h post exposure. AHR in the IH group was minimally (p > 0.05) affected by treatment, but was significantly increased ( approximately 40%) at both 24 and 48 h post IT. Inflammation in both groups, as measured by alterations in BALF protein, lactate dehydrogenase and neutrophils, was virtually identical at all time points. Alveolitis and bronchial inflammation/epithelial hypertrophy were prominent 24 h following IT, but not apparent after IH. Conversely, alveolar hemorrhage, congestion, and airway exudate were pronounced at 48 h post-IH but not remarkable in the IT group. Thus, IT-ROFA mimicked IH in terms of lobar distribution and injury biomarkers over 96 h, while morphological alterations and AHR appeared to be more dependent on the method of administration.

Animals↗