Immunological evaluation of four arc welders exposed to fumes from ignited polyurethane (isocyanate) foam: antibodies and immune profiles

Four arc welders having a flu-like illness with multiple health complaints following an exposure to high concentrations of isocyanate fumes from ignited polyurethane foam underwent immunological tests as follows: ELISA antibody assays, activated lymphocyte profiles, and lymphocyte blastogenesis. ELISA procedures revealed the presence of antibodies to hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) and formaldehyde (F) conjugated to human serum albumin (HDI-SA and F-SA). The results from the activated lymphocyte profiles showed deviations from the norm as follows: three welders had elevated helper/suppressor (H/S) ratios; all four had elevated percentages of Tal positive cells; two had decreases in B cells; and one had low total white cell and lymphocyte counts. In contrast, the percentage and absolute numbers of ILS receptor cells were normal in the four subjects. T cell blastogenesis to PHA, Con A and PWM resulted in the following: T-cells from one subject responded normally; in another, a high response (212% of controls) to PHA occurred with normal mitogenesis to Con A and PWM. In the remaining two welders, the T cells responded abnormally low (50 to 75% of controls) to the three mitogens. In conclusion, the existence of IgG antibodies to HDI-SA and F-SA, the altered activated immune profiles, the elevated Tal cells, and the abnormal blastogenesis are interpreted as being linked with the episode of HDI and F exposure and the subsequent flu-like illness of the four welders.     

Six year follow up of lung function in men occupationally exposed to formaldehyde

The long term effects of formaldehyde on the respiratory tract have been investigated in a group of 164 workers exposed daily to the chemical during the production of urea formaldehyde resin, together with 129 workers not exposed to free formaldehyde. Exposure was classified as high (corresponding to an eight hour time weighted exposure of more than 2.0 ppm), medium (0.6 to 2.0 ppm), or low (0.1 to 0.5 ppm). Twenty five per cent of workers had had high exposure at some time and 17% moderate exposure. Both the exposed and unexposed groups had an annual assessment that included lung function. The proportion with self reported respiratory symptoms was similar in the two groups, 12% and 16% reporting breathlessness on hurrying and 26% and 20% wheezing. The initial forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was within 0.5 l (approximately one standard deviation (SD)) of the predicted value (by age and height) in 65% of the exposed and 59% of unexposed workers and more than 0.5 l below the predicted value in 9% of exposed and 11% of unexposed workers. The mean decline in FEV1 was 42 ml a year (SD 45) in the exposed group and 41 ml a year in the unexposed group (SD 40 ml a year). The rate of decline showed the expected association with smoking in the unexposed group, but in the exposed group the mean rate of decline in the never smokers was similar to that in current smokers. There were, however, relatively few never smokers and considerable variation in the rates of decline. In the exposed group no association was found between the rate of decline and indices of exposure to formaldehyde. Thus there is no evidence from this study of an excess of respiratory symptoms or decline in lung function in the workers exposed to formaldehyde. The similar rate of decline of FEV1 however in never smokers and smokers of the exposed group is consistent with findings of other studies for workers exposed to formaldehyde and to toluene di-isocyanate.     

Six year follow up of lung function in men occupationally exposed to formaldehyde.

The long term effects of formaldehyde on the respiratory tract have been investigated in a group of 164 workers exposed daily to the chemical during the production of urea formaldehyde resin, together with 129 workers not exposed to free formaldehyde. Exposure was classified as high (corresponding to an eight hour time weighted exposure of more than 2.0 ppm), medium (0.6 to 2.0 ppm), or low (0.1 to 0.5 ppm). Twenty five per cent of workers had had high exposure at some time and 17% moderate exposure. Both the exposed and unexposed groups had an annual assessment that included lung function. The proportion with self reported respiratory symptoms was similar in the two groups, 12% and 16% reporting breathlessness on hurrying and 26% and 20% wheezing. The initial forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) was within 0.5 l (approximately one standard deviation (SD)) of the predicted value (by age and height) in 65% of the exposed and 59% of unexposed workers and more than 0.5 l below the predicted value in 9% of exposed and 11% of unexposed workers. The mean decline in FEV1 was 42 ml a year (SD 45) in the exposed group and 41 ml a year in the unexposed group (SD 40 ml a year). The rate of decline showed the expected association with smoking in the unexposed group, but in the exposed group the mean rate of decline in the never smokers was similar to that in current smokers. There were, however, relatively few never smokers and considerable variation in the rates of decline. In the exposed group no association was found between the rate of decline and indices of exposure to formaldehyde. Thus there is no evidence from this study of an excess of respiratory symptoms or decline in lung function in the workers exposed to formaldehyde. The similar rate of decline of FEV1 however in never smokers and smokers of the exposed group is consistent with findings of other studies for workers exposed to formaldehyde and to toluene di-isocyanate.     

甲醛吸入对小鼠免疫系统毒性作用

目的通过吸入甲醛（formaldehyde,FA）染毒小鼠观察其免疫损伤作用。方法选用健康清洁级昆明种小鼠30只,随机分成5组（即阴性对照组1,3,5 mg/m3染毒组和阳性对照组）,每组6只,用静式吸入染毒方式染毒14d处死后,计算脾脏系数、胸腺系数;测定脾脏和胸腺CD3含量、CD4含量、CD8含量;测定巨噬细胞吞噬功能、迟发超敏反应、抗体生成细胞数及脾脏淋巴细胞功能转化。结果甲醛吸入染毒可以引起小鼠脾脏系数、胸腺系数减小（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;脾脏和胸腺CD3、CD4、CD8含量降低,CD4/CD8明显增大（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）;脾淋巴细胞转化功能、迟发变态反应强度、抗体生成细胞数、巨噬细胞吞噬功能均随染毒剂量的升高而下降（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）。结论吸入甲醛可导致小鼠免疫系统的全面损伤。     

Building-related illness and antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde, toluene diisocyanate, and trimellitic anhydride

A case of building-related health complaints was investigated with respect to the relationship among frequency of symptoms, antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde (HCHO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and tirmellitic anhydride (TMA), and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). The indoor air concentrations of VOCs, HCHO, TDI, and TMA did not exceed Fed-OSHA and ACGIH permissible standards. However, HCHO concentrations ranged between 0.05 and 0.08 ppm. The reported symptoms were multiple, involving the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, skeletomuscular system, and central nervous system. Anti-HCHO, -TDI, and -TMA isotypes were found in 12 of 14 full-time employees and were nondetectable in one part-time employee. There was a positive, but not statistically significant, correlation (r values ranged between .24 and .55) between symptoms and the geometric mean titers to conjugates. The data suggest that a synergistic immunological response to airborne chemicals may be occurring in these subjects. In conclusion, immunological monitoring of affected individuals where chemicals are suspected may prove to be useful in future investigations of building-related illness.     

Humoral immune responses of workers occupationally exposed to wheat flour

Wheat flour is a complex organic dust likely to induce immune responses when inhaled in work environment conditions. We compared the humoral status of 159 exposed workers from 11 flour mills and one industrial bakery with that of 41 workers from a salt factory. IgG, IgA, and IgM levels of antibodies to whole flour and to gliadin were assayed using ELISA tests in serum and saliva samples. Serum levels of IgG and IgA to both antigens were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in occupationally exposed workers. Exposed workers had significantly higher levels of salivary IgG (p = 0.005) and IgA (p < 0.0001) to whole flour and of salivary IgG (p = 0.0005) to gliadin. In both groups, similar levels of anti-gliadin salivary IgA antibodies were observed. These data suggest that occupational exposure to wheat flour triggers specific immune responses, most likely through stimulation of the mucosal immune system. The presence of significant levels of serum antibodies, however, indicates that a systemic immunologic response is also present among exposed individuals.     

Proportionate mortality study of workers in the garment industry exposed to formaldehyde

In order to evaluate the human carcinogenicity of formaldehyde, we conducted a proportionate mortality study of garment workers engaged in the production of shirts from formaldehyde-treated cloth. This study included three plants, and was based upon 256 deaths identified from a death-benefit insurance fund. No deaths due to nasal cancer were observed, and the mortality from respiratory cancer (11 cases, PMR = 95) was slightly less than expected. Statistically significant (p less than .05) elevations in proportionate mortality were observed for malignant neoplasms of the "buccal cavity" (three cases, PMR = 750), for "biliary passages and liver" (four cases, PMR = 313) and for "other lymphatic and hematopoietic sites" (four cases, PMR = 400). A proportionate cancer mortality (PCMR) analysis also was conducted, and cancer of the "buccal cavity" (three cases, PCMR = 682), and other "lymphatic and hematopoietic sites" (four cases, PCMR = 342) were still significantly elevated. The observed excesses in cancer mortality were primarily experienced by white females, who made up the major portion of the workforce, and workers with more than 10 years of latency and duration of exposure, a criterion for inclusion for most workers in the study group. The neoplasms observed were not equally distributed among the three facilities included in the study. Because of the small number of deaths involved and the lack of consistency with other studies, we believe that these findings should be viewed cautiously, pending the outcome of more definitive studies.     

甲醛致V79细胞DNA交联作用的体外研究

目的研究甲醛对V79细胞DNA的交联作用,探讨甲醛的基因毒作用及可能的形成机制。方法中国仓鼠肺细胞(V79)分别暴露于浓度为75,150,300,600,1200μmol/L的甲醛溶液中1,2,4h,以紫外线照射作为标准断裂剂,用单细胞凝胶电泳技术对不同浓度、不同暴露时间甲醛诱导的V79细胞DNA-交联作用进行体外实验。结果在本研究所用的剂量范围内,除75μmol/L组外,其它4个浓度组3个染毒时间点甲醛均可引起显著的V79细胞DNA的交联作用,彗星尾长和彗星细胞率显著低于紫外线照射的对照组(P<0.01),随着甲醛浓度的增加,交联作用加强,彗星尾长存在明显剂量效应关系(P<0.01)。且细胞暴露在甲醛中4,2h;150,300,600μmol/L浓度组彗星尾长和彗星细胞率显著低于暴露于1h的相应浓度组(P<0.01)。结论甲醛是一种DNA交联剂,具有诱导V79细胞DNA交联的作用,并有明显的剂量、时间效应关系。     

A study of humoral and cellular responsiveness in a population occupationally exposed to beryllium

Summary The present study of 30 healthy industrial workers having occupational contact with beryllium has revealed specific humoral responses to beryllium in 37% of the investigated group. Antitissue antibodies to lung and to thymus were found in 30% and to suprarenals in 27% of the subjects examined. A tendency to an increased level of IgG and IgA and some deficiency of IgM was observed. The cellular immunity examinations showed positive skin reactions to beryllium salts in 19% and specific blast transformation of PBL in 4% of the persons investigated.The results of determinations of humoral and cellular reactivity were not correlated. The afore-mentioned tests are useful in estimating the type and degree of hypersensitivity to beryllium, indicating the necessity of carrying out a long-term study on the population to evaluate their prognostic value.     

甲醛暴露工人XRCC1基因多态性与DNA损伤的关系研究

目的探讨甲醛暴露工人DNA修复基因XRCC1多态性与外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤的关系。方法选择某密度板厂的151名甲醛暴露工人(暴露组)和某推土机厂的112名非甲醛暴露工人(对照组)为研究对象。用气相色谱法检测作业环境的甲醛浓度,应用彗星实验测定研究对象外周血淋巴细胞DNA损伤,以Olive尾距和彗星尾长反映DNA损伤水平,用PCR-RFLP方法分析XRCC1基因的多态性;用多元协方差分析调整工人的年龄、工龄、职业甲醛暴露及吸烟与饮烟情况,比较XRCC1基因不同基因型个体的Olive尾距和彗星尾长。结果使用多元协方差分析校正甲醛暴露工人的年龄、工龄、甲醛暴露水平和吸烟与饮酒情况后,携带Arg280His位点变异基因型个体的Olive尾距和彗星尾长(几何均值分别为4.30和13.42)均显著高于野生型基因型的个体(几何均值分别为3.38和11.71),差异均有显著性(Olive尾距:P<0.05,彗星尾长:P<0.01);未发现XRCC1基因其他3个位点的多态性与甲醛暴露工人Olive尾距和彗星尾长有显著关联。结论XRCC1基因Arg280His位点的多态性影响甲醛暴露工人的DNA损伤水平。     

气态甲醛对小鼠外周血淋巴细胞和肝细胞微核率的影响

目的研究气态甲醛对细胞遗传物质的毒性。方法选用SPF级昆明种纯系雄性小鼠作为研究对象,用浓度为0．5、1．0和3．0mg／m3的气态甲醛对小鼠进行连续动态染毒72h,染毒结束后观察外周血淋巴细胞和肝细胞微核形成率。结果气态甲醛能诱导外周血淋巴细胞微核率和肝细胞微核率增加,染毒组与对照组比均有显著性差异。结论甲醛对小鼠外周血淋巴细胞和肝细胞的染色体有明显的损伤作用。     

Retrospective biodosimetry using translocation frequency in a stable cell of occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation

Two cases of hematological malignancies were reported in an industrial radiography company over a year, which were reasonably suspected of being consequences of prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation because of the higher incidence than expected in the general population. We analyzed chromosomal aberrations in the peripheral blood lymphocytes from the other workers who had been working under similar circumstances as the patients in the company. Among the subjects tested, 10 workers who belonged to the highest band were followed up periodically for 1.5 years since the first analysis. The aim of this study was to clarify pertinence of translocation analysis to an industrial set-up where chronic exposure was commonly expected. To be a useful tool for a retrospective biodosimetry, the aberrations need to be persistent for a decade or longer. Therefore we calculated the decline rates and half-lives of frequency for both a reciprocal translocation and a dicentric chromosome and compared them. In this study, while the frequency of reciprocal translocations was maintained at the initial level, dicentric chromosomes were decreased to 46.9% (31.0–76.5) of the initial frequency over the follow-up period. Our results support the long-term stability of reciprocal translocation through the cell cycle and validate the usefulness of translocation analysis as a retrospective biodosimetry for cases of occupational exposure.     

The Prevalence of Anti-Zein Antibodies: A Comparative Study between Celiac Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by exposure to dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. In contrast, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder affecting the large intestine, without an autoimmune component. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of IgA and IgG antibodies to maize zeins (AZA) in patients with CD and IBS. Using an in-house ELISA assay, the IgA and IgG anti-zein antibodies in the serum of 37 newly diagnosed CD (16 biopsy proved and 21 serological diagnosis) and 375 IBS patients or 302 healthy control (HC) subjects were measured. Elevated levels of IgA AZA were found in CD patients compared with IBS patients (p < 0.01) and HC (p < 0.05). CD patients had the highest prevalence (35.1%), followed by IBS (4.3%) and HCs (2.3%) (p < 0.0001). IgG AZA antibodies were not found in any CD patients, IBS patients, or HC subjects. A significant positive correlation was found between IgA AZA with IgA anti-gliadin (AGA, r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and IgA anti-deaminated gliadin peptides (DGP, r = 0.42, p < 0.001) in the celiac disease group. Taken together, our results show for the first time a higher prevalence of AZA IgA antibodies in newly diagnosed CD patients than in IBS patients, confirming a biased immune response to other gliadin-related prolamins such as maize zeins in genetically susceptible individuals.     

三氧化二砷亚急性染毒对雄性小鼠生殖与免疫毒性的研究

目的探讨As2O3亚急性染毒对雄性小鼠生殖与免疫毒性作用。方法24只清洁级KM雄性小鼠,分为对照组、低、中及高剂量染砷组。分别给予去离子水,As2.0、4.0、8.0mg/kg体重灌胃染毒7天。实验结束后剖杀动物取睾丸、附睾称重、计算器官指数并测定附睾精子数,摘取免疫器官胸腺、脾脏称重、计算免疫器官指数。结果(1)高剂量组睾丸及附睾重量低于正常对照组(P<0.05),但各组睾丸指数与对照组没有差异;各染砷组精子数均低于对照组(P>0.05),且中、高剂量组精子畸形率上升显著(P<0.05);(2)中、高剂量组免疫器官重量及指数降低,且高剂量组脾脏重量及指数显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论As2O3可致小鼠某些生殖和免疫毒性指标改变。     

Occurrence and specificity of IgE antibodies to isocyanates in occupationally exposed workers

Summary The levels of IgE antibodies specific for toluene-diisocyanate (TDI), diphenylmethane-diisocyanate (MDI) and hexamethylene-diisocyanate (HDI) were determined in eight workers with an unequivocal history of professional asthma, all having been exposed to isocyanates in the working atmosphere. Five workers were examined at the clinical onset of asthma. They had serum IgE antibodies specific for TDI, MDI and HDI, and depressed pulmonary ventilation parameters. In contrast, three workers, who had only a mild bronchial obstruction at the time of testing, had no anti-isocyanate IgE antibodies. The results indicated that asthma was induced by type I allergic reaction, but other pathogenetic mechanisms of bronchoobstruction could not be completely ruled out.     

Neurobehavioural testing in workers occupationally exposed to lead: systematic review and meta-analysis of publications

Although the toxic effects of lead on the central nervous system have been well described, the blood concentration at which lead begins to exert adverse effects remains the focus of debate. A meta-analysis of occupational studies was conducted evaluating the association between neurobehavioural testing results and moderate blood lead concentrations.