Pulmonary inflammation and crystalline silica in respirable coal mine dust: Dose response

Abstract

This study describes the quantitative relationships between early pulmonary responses and the estimated lung-burden or cumulative exposure of respirable-quartz or coal mine dust. Data from a previous bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) study in coal miners (n = 20) and nonminers (n = 16) were used including cell counts of alveolar macrophages (AMs) and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), and the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. Miners' individual working lifetime particulate exposures were estimated from work histories and mine air sampling data, and quartz lung-burdens were estimated using a lung dosimetry model. Results show that quartz, as either cumulative exposure or estimated lung-burden, was a highly statistically significant predictor of PMN response (P < 0.0001); however cumulative coal dust exposure did not significantly add to the prediction of PMNs (P = 0.2) above that predicted by cumulative quartz exposure (P < 0.0001). Despite the small study size, radiographic category was also significantly related to increasing levels of both PMNs and quartz lung burden (P-values < 0.04). SOD in BAL fluid rose linearly with quartz lung burden (P < 0.01), but AM count in BAL fluid did not (P > 0.4). This study demonstrates dose-response relationships between respirable crystalline silica in coal mine dust and pulmonary inflammation, antioxidant production, and radiographic small opacities.

Understanding the Chemical Properties of Macerals and Minerals in Coal and its Potential Application for Occupational Lung Disease Prevention

“…PMNs are small, actively motile white blood cells containing many lysosomes (a vesicle containing hydrolytic enzymes) and specializing in phagocytosis, a process of ingestion and digestion of particles within cells. Cumulative coal dust exposure did not significantly add to the prediction of PMNs above that predicted by cumulative quartz exposure (Kuempel et al, 2003). Separate testing of coal or quartz in rats each showed an increase in PMNs in the lung lavage fluids, indicating an inflammatory response (Blackford et al, 1997).…”

Interactions between nano-TiO2 particles and algal cells at moderate particle concentration

“…The effect of nanomaterials on human health has received many studies in vitro on various human cells [4]. The possible health impacts such as pulmonary toxicity and neurotoxicity have been reported [4][5][6]. However, compared to the human health studies, investigation of the environmental impact is relatively unexplored, albeit increasing attention in recent years.…”

The role of nanoparticle size in hemocompatibility

“…The possible effects after pulmonary exposition like acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, alterations in platelet function and hemostasis that result in thrombosis, inflammation (Wittmaack, 2007;Mutlu et al, 2007;Inoue et al, 2006;Gojova et al, 2007;Warheit et al, 2004;Oberdörster, 2001;Schulz et al, 2005;Kuempel et al, 2003) or abnormalities in plasma properties (Peters et al, 2001;Blomberg et al, 2005) are popular research fields and are widely examined yet. The classification of nanoparticle toxicity on the human body in vitro comprises a plethora of analysis including cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and hemotoxicity and is less investigated.…”