Artificial stone dust-induced functional and inflammatory abnormalities in exposed workers monitored quantitatively by biometrics

The manufacture of kitchen and bath countertops in Israel is based mainly on artificial stone that contains 93% silica as natural quartz, and ∼3500 workers are involved in cutting and processing it. Artificial stone produces high concentrations of silica dust. Exposure to crystalline silica may cause silicosis, an irreversible lung disease. Our aim was to screen exposed workers by quantitative biometric monitoring of functional and inflammatory parameters.68 exposed artificial stone workers were compared to 48 nonexposed individuals (controls). Exposed workers filled in questionnaires, and all participants underwent pulmonary function tests and induced sputum analyses. Silica was quantitated by a Niton XL3 X-ray fluorescence spectrometer.Pulmonary function test results of exposed workers were significantly lower and induced sputa showed significantly higher neutrophilic inflammation compared to controls; both processes were slowed down by the use of protective measures in the workplace. Particle size distribution in induced sputum samples of exposed workers was similar to that of artificial stone dust, which contained aluminium, zirconium and titanium in addition to silica.In conclusion, the quantitation of biometric parameters is useful for monitoring workers exposed to artificial stone in order to avoid deterioration over time.

Download Full-text

Unexpected Smoking-Linked High MMP-9 in Induced Sputum of Hazardous Dust-Exposed Workers

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/mi/2006/24827 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2006 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yehuda Lerman ◽

Abraham Moscovich ◽

Elizabeth Fireman

Keyword(s):

Linear Regression ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Induced Sputum ◽

Office Workers ◽

Metal Particles ◽

Pulmonary Injury ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Exposed Workers ◽

Metalloproteinase 9

We investigated whether metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) values in induced sputum (IS) and pulmonary function tests can serve as a marker of damage and intensity of exposure to hazardous dust. Thirty-nine factory employees (28 workers exposed to metal particles and 11 supposedly nonexposed office workers) underwent IS induction. Samples were processed by conventional methods within 2 hours. The proportion of particles with diameters of 0–2μin IS samples was significantly higher in nonexposed than exposed workers and in smoker compared to nonsmoker workers. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were similar for both groups. A linear regression model for MMP-9 based on exposure, smoking habits, and proportion of particles<5 μrevealed a positive correlation between each of the explanatory variables and MMP-9 values. MMP-9 may serve as a marker for pulmonary injury.

Download Full-text

Secondary spontaneous pneumothorax in rapidly progressive forms of silicosis: characterization of pulmonary function measurements and clinical patterns

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1177/0748233707078216 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 125-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Iraj Mohebbi ◽

Isa Abdi Rad

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Function ◽

Pulmonary Function Test ◽

Spontaneous Pneumothorax ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Respiratory Impairment ◽

Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax ◽

Function Tests ◽

Function Test

Background: A secondary spontaneous pneumothorax is a complication of an underlying pulmonary disease. In recent years, there have been only a few scattered reports of patients with silicosis also having a pneumothorax. Silicosis, a form of disabling pulmonary fibrosis, is a well-known occupational disease resulting from high-level exposure to silica or silica-containing dusts. The objective of the present study was to elucidate any associations between the occurrence of a pneumothorax, and pulmonary function tests and clinical observations performed prior to the pneumothorax; these two factors may be predictors for a pneumothorax among workers exposed primarily to silica-containing respirable dust. Methods: A diagnosis of silicosis was made on several factors: silica dust exposure, appropriate interval of time after exposure, clinical findings, pulmonary function tests and chest radiological findings. A checklist was designed for collecting data of occupational history, respiratory signs, and symptoms from onset of dust exposure to the occurrence of a pneumothorax. Spirometery was conducted in accordance to the recommendations of standard protocols and guidelines posited by the American Thoracic Society. Autopsies were performed in three cases where the patient had suffered a pneumothorax due to silicosis. Mann—Whitney U-tests and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine any associations between pneumothorax and predictor factors. Results: An association between a progressive decrease in pulmonary function test values and a pneumothorax was observed. The occurrence of a pneumothorax was associated with complaints of pleuretic chest pain, resting dyspnea, respiratory distress, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, orthopnea and crackle. Conclusion: A characteristic decline in pulmonary function test values and the severity of respiratory impairment may facilitate the occurrence of a pneumothorax in silicosis. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2007; 23: 125—132.

Download Full-text

Effects of Stone Dust Exposure on Some Liver and Kidney Related Serum Parameters of Stone Crush Plant Workers

Journal of Biology and Life Science ◽

10.5296/jbls.v3i1.1961 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ikram Ilahi ◽

Asghar Khan ◽

Mehboob Ali ◽

Ubaid Ullah ◽

Jawad Ali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mean Value ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Continuous Exposure ◽

Serum Parameters ◽

Mean Values ◽

Stone Dust ◽

Exposed Workers ◽

Liver And Kidney ◽

Glutamate Pyruvate ◽

The Mean

In the present study the effects of stone dust exposure on liver and kidney related serum parameters were assessed in workers of stone crush plants in various localities of Swat and Dir (L) districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The liver and kidney related serum parameters included Glutamate Pyruvate Transaminase (GPT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin and creatinine. Blood samples were collected from 66 exposed workers and 66 unexposed persons (control). The mean values of liver related parameters i.e. serum GPT, ALP and bilirubin of workers were significantly higher than control persons (P<0.05). The mean value of kidney related parameter i.e. creatinine of workers was significantly higher as compared to control persons (P<0.05). From the present survey it was concluded that continuous exposure to stone dust can cause abnormal alterations in the normal levels of serum GPT, ALP, bilirubin and creatinine.

Download Full-text

Induced sputum cytology and pulmonary function tests in ex-smoker asthmatic patients controlled with inhaled steroid and long acting beta agonist therapy

10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.pa1038 ◽

2015 ◽

Author(s):

Bilun Gemicioglu ◽

Sermin Borekci ◽

Buket Caliskaner Ozturk ◽

Nail Yilmaz

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Function ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Induced Sputum ◽

Beta Agonist ◽

Sputum Cytology ◽

Agonist Therapy ◽

Asthmatic Patients ◽

Function Tests ◽

Long Acting

Download Full-text

smoking has a protective effects on functional and inflammatory parameters in workers exposed to artificial stone dust

10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.pa4281 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Noa Ophir ◽

Amir Bar Shai ◽

Yifat Alcalay ◽

Yehuda Schwarz ◽

Rafi Korenstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Protective Effects ◽

Inflammatory Parameters ◽

Stone Dust ◽

Artificial Stone

Download Full-text

Cement dust exposure and Pulmonary function tests in construction site workers

Asian Pacific Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.21276/apjhs.2016.3.2.9 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 43-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lakshmi Sumana P V ◽

Alice Jemima M ◽

Joya Rani D ◽

Madhuri T ◽

Keyword(s):

Pulmonary Function ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Dust Exposure ◽

Construction Site ◽

Cement Dust ◽

Function Tests

Download Full-text

Differential Diagnosis of Byssinosis by Blood Histamine and Pulmonary Function Test: A Review and an Appraisal

International Journal of Toxicology ◽

10.1080/109158101753253054 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 321-327 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

H. Venkatakrishna-Bhatt ◽

N. Mohan-Rao ◽

G. M. Panchal

Keyword(s):

Differential Diagnosis ◽

Pulmonary Function ◽

Pulmonary Function Tests ◽

Cotton Dust ◽

Free Zone ◽

Peripheral Airways ◽

Exposed Workers ◽

Function Test ◽

Blood Histamine ◽

Two Parameters

A study was conducted on byssinotic ( N = 8) and nonbyssinotic ( N = 16) mill workers exposed to cotton dust and on controls ( N = 15) from a cotton dust-free zone. They were examined for chest tightness and breathlessness during successive days from Mondays to Fridays. In addition to monitoring the workers only on Mondays after shift work, their blood histamine levels and pulmonary function tests such as FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25–75% (PEFR represents airflow of larger airways, FEF25–75% reflects airflow in smaller airways, and FEV1 represents airflow in both central and peripheral airways) were screened, but Monday data were only counted to appraise a contrast between these two parameters. The results showed that the histamine levels were significantly higher in the cotton dust-exposed workers in association with significantly decreased FEV1, PEFR, and FEF25–75%, indicating bronchoconstriction of the central, larger, and peripheral airways. Histamine can cause a severe constriction of the central as well as peripheral airways in cotton dust-exposed workers, enabling a paradoxical effect for a differential diagnosis of byssinosis.

Download Full-text