Deep Airway Inflammation and Respiratory Disorders in Nanocomposite Workers
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Date
2019-09-16
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Thousands of researchers and workers worldwide are employed in nanocomposites
manufacturing, yet little is known about their respiratory health. Aerosol exposures were
characterized using real time and integrated instruments. Aerosol mass concentration ranged from
0.120 mg/m3
to 1.840 mg/m3 during nanocomposite machining processes; median particle number
concentration ranged from 4.8 × 104
to 5.4 × 105 particles/cm3
. The proportion of nanoparticles
varied by process from 40 to 95%. Twenty employees, working in nanocomposite materials research
were examined pre-shift and post-shift using spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in
parallel with 21 controls. Pro-inflammatory leukotrienes (LT) type B4, C4, D4, and E4; tumor necrosis
factor (TNF); interleukins; and anti-inflammatory lipoxins (LXA4 and LXB4) were analyzed in their
exhaled breath condensate (EBC). Chronic bronchitis was present in 20% of researchers, but not in
controls. A significant decrease in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and FEV1/forced vital
capacity (FVC) was found in researchers post-shift (p < 0.05). Post-shift EBC samples were higher
for TNF (p < 0.001), LTB4 (p < 0.001), and LTE4 (p < 0.01) compared with controls. Nanocomposites
production was associated with LTB4 (p < 0.001), LTE4 (p < 0.05), and TNF (p < 0.001), in addition to
pre-shift LTD4 and LXB4 (both p < 0.05). Spirometry documented minor, but significant, post-shift
lung impairment. TNF and LTB4 were the most robust markers of biological effects. Proper ventilation
and respiratory protection are required during nanocomposites processing.
Description
Subject(s)
nanoparticles, nanocomposites, exhaled breath condensate (EBC), inflammation, spirometry, FeNO