Pneumoconiosis associated with exposure to glass and abrasive particles

Abstract

A patient with a history of decorating glass fixtures by means of abrasive etching presented with a disease characterized by diffuse infiltrates on chest roentgenogram and restriction and diffusion impairment on pulmonary function testing. Mineralogic analysis of biopsied pulmonary lesions showed particles consistent in composition to the glasses etched and abrasives used. The former particles were noncrystalline. Silicate mineral phases were identified as well, these displaying crystalline properties. Previous studies of workers exposed to abrasives, ie, silicon carbide and emery (as a form of corundum) suggest slight pneumoconiotic risk exists; this is also the case for workers exposed to forms of industrially made glass. The question is raised as to whether there exists, in this present case, an etiological association between exposure to respirable glassy particles and the development of pulmonary scarring.

Comparison of subchronic immunotoxicity of four different types of aluminum‐based nanoparticles

“…Although aluminum is abundantly distributed in nature, including in water, soil, plants, and air, the respiratory system is an important prime site for exposure to Al-NPs. According to previous epidemiological studies, inhaled aluminum oxide particles have been associated with pulmonary fibrosis and pneumoconiosis (Brody, Miller, & Langer, 1984;Jederlinic et al, 1990). Additionally, several non-fibrous inorganic particles, including silica, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide, were found in the lung up to 21 years after cessation of occupational exposure and the mean particle diameter in BAL fluid was between 0.5 and 1.2 μm (Dumortier, De Vuyst, & Yernault, 1989).…”