Assessment of Autoimmune Responses Associated with Asbestos Exposure in Libby, Montana, USA

Pfau, Jean C.; Sentissi, Jami J.; Weller, Greg; Putnam, Elizabeth A.

doi:10.1289/ehp.7431

Cited by 98 publications

(112 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…In a study on rheumatoid arthritis patients and a control group, no statistically signifi cant difference was observed for silica dust exposure (19,20). In contrast, another study reported crystalline silica exposure as an important risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (21).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Antinuclear Antibody and Rheumatoid Factor in Silica-Exposed Workers

Aminian

Sharifian

Mehrdad

et al. 2009

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

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A lot of workers in industries such as foundry, stonecutting, and sandblasting are exposed to higher than permissible levels of crystalline silica. Various alterations in humoral immune function have been reported in silicosis patients and workers exposed to silica dust. The aim of this study was to measure antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels in foundry workers exposed to silica and to compare them with a control group without such exposure. ANA and RF were measured in 78 exposed and 73 non-exposed workers, and standard statistical methods were used to compare them. The two groups did not signifi cantly differ in age and smoking. Mean work duration of the exposed and non-exposed workers was (14.9±4.72) years and (12.41±6.3) years, respectively. Ten exposed workers had silicosis. ANA was negative in all workers in either group. Its mean titer did not differ signifi cantly between the exposed and control workers [(0.39±0.15) IU mL -1 vs. (0.36±0.17) IU mL -1 , respectively]. RF was positive in two workers of each group. Other studies have reported an increase in ANA and RF associated with exposure to silica dust and silicosis. In contrast, our study suggests that exposure to silica dust does not increase the level of ANA and RF in exposed workers.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Antinuclear Antibody and Rheumatoid Factor in Silica-Exposed Workers

Aminian

Sharifian

Mehrdad

et al. 2009

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology

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show abstract

“…160 Recent studies in a community with occupational and environmental exposures to asbestos showed increased risk of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis. 174,179 These diseases affect connective tissues, skin, and organs.…”

Section: Mr38mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…47 Severe inflammation is assumed to be the initiating step 51 in the appearance of autoimmune diseases ͑systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis͒ that can sometimes be associated with exposure to some nanoparticles, such as silica and asbestos. 174,179 Regarding the treatment of adverse health effects caused by nanoparticle cytotoxicity, antioxidants, 24,50,61,62,206 antiinflammatory drugs, 116,252 and metal chelators 248,253 show promising effects. It has been reported that rats that underwent instillation of nanoparticles into the lungs together with an antioxidant ͑nacystelin͒ showed inflammation reduced by up to 60% in comparison to those exposed to nanoparticles alone.…”

Section: Adverse Health Effects and Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nanomaterials and nanoparticles: Sources and toxicity

2007

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This review is presented as a common foundation for scientists interested in nanoparticles, their origin, activity, and biological toxicity. It is written with the goal of rationalizing and informing public health concerns related to this sometimes-strange new science of 'nano', while raising awareness of nanomaterials' toxicity among scientists and manufacturers handling them. We show that humans have always been exposed to tiny particles via dust storms, volcanic ash, and other natural processes, and that our bodily systems are well adapted to protect us from these potentially harmful intruders. The reticuloendothelial system in particular actively neutralizes and eliminates foreign matter in the body, including viruses and non-biological particles. Particles originating from human activities have existed for millennia, e.g. smoke from combustion and lint from garments, but the recent development of industry and combustion-based engine transportation has profoundly increased anthropogenic particulate pollution. Significantly, technological advancement has also changed the character of particulate pollution, increasing the proportion of nanometer-sized particles -"nanoparticles" and expanding the variety of chemical compositions. Recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between particulate air pollution levels, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, various cancers, and mortality. Adverse effects of nanoparticles on human health depend on individual factors such as genetics and existing disease, as well as exposure, and nanoparticle chemistry, size, shape, agglomeration state, and electromagnetic properties. Animal and human studies show that inhaled nanoparticles are less efficiently removed than larger particles by the macrophage clearance mechanisms in the lung, causing lung damage, and that nanoparticles can translocate through the circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems to many tissues and organs, including the brain. The key to understanding the toxicity of nanoparticles is that their minute size, smaller than cells and cellular organelles, allows them to penetrate these basic biological structures, disrupting their normal function. Examples of toxic effects include tissue inflammation, and altered cellular redox balance toward oxidation, causing abnormal function or cell death. The manipulation of matter at the scale of atoms, "nanotechnology", is creating many new materials with characteristics not always easily predicted from current knowledge. Within the near-limitless diversity of these materials, some happen to be toxic to biological systems, others are relatively benign, while others confer health benefits. Some of these materials have desirable characteristics for industrial applications, as nanostructured materials often exhibit beneficial properties, from UV absorbance in sunscreen to oil-less lubrication of motors. A rational science-based approach is needed to minimize harm caused by these materials, while supporting continued study and appropriate industrial develop...

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“…as actinolite, amosite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, or tremolite) is a mineral silicate containing iron, magnesium, and calcium, it is not reasonable to question whether exposure to asbestos also causes immunological alterations like (immunomodulatory) silica (Uber and McReynolds, 1982;Steenland and Goldsmith, 1995;Shanklin and Smalley, 1998). To date, only a handful of reports have been published detailing autoimmune disorders in asbestosexposed patients (Tellesson, 1961;Pfau et al, 2005;Noonan et al, 2006). The most typical health complications arising from asbestos exposure involve the development of malignant tumors associated with mesothelioma and lung cancers (Nicholson, 1984(Nicholson, , 2001Antman, 1986;Gruber, 1990;Niklinski et al, 2004).…”

Section: R E V I E W a R T I C L Ementioning

confidence: 99%