Exposure to Aerosols and Airway Inflammation Among Workers in the Silicon Carbide Processing Industry
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 撤回
- 发起方
- 试验地点
- 1
研究概览
简要总结
Exposure to noxious gases and particles is associated with an increased prevalence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, investigation of possible airway inflammation and/or systemic inflammation in workers exposed to high levels of dust is important. Silicon Carbide (SiC) Processing Inc. provides cutting fluid (slurry) for the production of solar cells and is at present the largest provider of slurry to the solar industry worldwide. In the production process, the recyclable materials (SiC), polyethylene glycol (PEG)) of the used slurry are recovered. The airborne exposure consists mainly of SiC (dust particles) and evaporation from the recycling of PEG. High levels of dust have been measured and, seventeen per cent of the measurements in the processing hall were equal to or higher than the Norwegian occupational exposure limit. Thus, assessment of possible systemic and airway effects of this exposure is of interest. A prospective design will be applied and the effects studied by means of registration of respiratory symptoms, spirometry, nitric oxide (NO) in exhaled air, induced sputum and blood sampling over a 3 year period. Exposed subjects will also be compare with non- or low exposed subjects (administrative/office workers). Efforts will be made to include all eligible subjects and to avoid drop-outs. If early signs of airway or systemic inflammation in workers or in cells are demonstrated in the study, it will be necessary to implement measures to reduce the exposure levels.
The primary aim of the present study of workers exposed to Silicon Carbide dust in the workplace is to determine whether this exposure is associated with inflammatory changes in the lungs.
The secondary aims are: - to examine possible changes in systemic inflammatory markers and - to examine changes in lung function among Silicon Carbide processing workers during a period of 3 years. Possible changes in lung function will be monitored by spirometry and gas diffusion measurements (study A). Airway inflammatory responses and changes in circulating inflammatory markers will be assessed by examination of the induced sputum samples and blood samples every 6th month in a subgroup of workers (study B).
详细描述
Does exposure to aerosols induce airway inflammation and/or a systemic inflammatory response in workers in the silicon carbide (SiC) processing industry?
As yet, no human studies describing the health effects from exposure during recycling of slurry containing SiC and/or PEG have been reported. However, there are several studies that may be relevant which assess the health effects of other particles. It has been demonstrated that small particles penetrate further into the lungs than larger particles and thereby have stronger irritating properties [2]. Results from 2 experimental studies where the effect variables were lung function, organ weights and characteristics of broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) [3, 4] indicate that SiC dust and PEG itself are probably relatively inert. However, in a third study it was demonstrated that SiC particles have the potential to stimulate test cells (murine macrophage cell line and human osteoblast-like cell line) to produce inflammatory signal substances (tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alfa), indicating possible inflammatory responses in the lungs [5]. Furthermore, it is thought that the total amount of inhaled dust is important ("overload") even if the substance itself is relatively inert [6]. Repeated high exposures (peaks) may act as a reinforcing factor.
Because there are few previous studies, and the available data are conflicting, there is a need for more knowledge about the association between health effects and exposure to particles in general and to exposure in the SiC processing industry in particular.
Our hypothesis is that airway inflammation may be induced by exposure to SiC particles and would probably be detectable as increased levels of inflammatory cells and soluble inflammatory markers in the sputum and blood samples from non-smoking, asymptomatic workers.
The primary aim of the present study of workers exposed to SiC dust in the work-place is to determine whether this exposure is associated with inflammatory changes in the lungs.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Observational
- 观察模型
- Cohort
- 时间视角
- Prospective
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Employment at SiC plant in Porsgrunn;
- •Exclusion Criteria for sputum study:
- •active airway infection or less then 3 weeks after recovery
- •active allergy
排除标准
- 未提供
研究者
Anne Kristin M. Fell
Consultant
Sykehuset Telemark