Rare‐earth pneumoconiosis: A new case

Abstract

A new case of rare-earth (RE) pneumoconiosis is described. The subject had worked as a photoengraver for 13 years and had not been exposed for 17 years. Chest X-ray showed a diffuse nodular pattern (q 2/3-ILO/1980). The patient was asymptomatic despite a restrictive spirometric impairment. The diagnosis derived from the finding, in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, of abnormal levels of La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Tb, Yb, and Lu. The presence of these elements was demonstrated by two methods: the neutron activation analysis and (as regards Ce alone) the X-ray energy spectrometry of mineral particles observed with electron microscope. Abnormal levels of rare earths were demonstrated also in the nails, suggesting an absorption of the RE from the lung.

Pulmonary Toxicity Induced by Intratracheal Instillation of Coarse and Fine Particles of Cerium Dioxide in Male Rats

“…It is known that pneumoconiosis is caused by occupational exposure of workers to industrial and commercial products containing cerium or its oxidized form [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] , and that cerium-induced pneumoconiosis is pathologically characterized by fibrosis, emphysema, sclerotic thickening of septal tissue, bronchial ectasia, granulomas and chronic inflammatory peribronchial infiltrates [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . It is interesting to note in the present study that some of these disorders occurring in the cerium-exposed workers, including inflammation and granulomas, were also observed in the lungs of male rats exposed to Ce-F particles by intratracheal instillation.…”

Differences in Behavior among the Chlorides of Seven Rare Earth Elements Administered Intravenously to Rats

“…Possible use of REEs in the biochemical and medical fields has also been investigated recently because of several of their unique chemical properties (Ellis, 1977;Evans, 1983). The occurrence of rare earth pneumoconiosis has been reported in workers exposed to particles containing REEs for a long time such as photoengravers, glass or lens polishers, and movie projectionist (Sabbioni et al, 1982;Sulotto et al, 1986;Nemery, 1990;Waring and Watling, 1990). In these persons, large amounts of REEs had accumulated in the lung, liver, kidney, and nails compared with the control group (Sabbioni et al, 1982;Sulotto et al, 1986;Waring and Watling, 1990).…”

“…The occurrence of rare earth pneumoconiosis has been reported in workers exposed to particles containing REEs for a long time such as photoengravers, glass or lens polishers, and movie projectionist (Sabbioni et al, 1982;Sulotto et al, 1986;Nemery, 1990;Waring and Watling, 1990). In these persons, large amounts of REEs had accumulated in the lung, liver, kidney, and nails compared with the control group (Sabbioni et al, 1982;Sulotto et al, 1986;Waring and Watling, 1990). Higher concentrations of some kinds of REEs compared with the control had been reported in the spleen of alcoholics (Erametsa and Sihvonen, 1971) and in the plasma and synovia] fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (Esposito et al, 1986).…”

Dissolution of Functional Materials and Rare Earth Oxides into Pseudo Alveolar Fluid

“…Rare earth elements have specific properties regarding their magnetism and electron states. In the1980s, the applications of the specific properties were realized in many types of functional materials such as high-efficiency magnetic materials, solid metal hydrides, and high-intensity respiratory tract to rare earth oxides carries the risk of pneumoconiosis [3][4][5][6][7] . Consequently, we have begun researching the biological effects of rare earth elements on the respiratory organs and evaluating their chemical behavior within the living body, such as their dissolution profiles and chemical conversion by water and/or air by in vitro experiments.…”