Nonfibrous Mineralogical Analysis of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid from Blast-Furnace Workers

• Published in: Archives of environmental health Vol. 50; no. 4; pp. 312 - 319
• Main Authors: Corhay, Jean-Louis, Bury, Thierry, Delavignette, Jean-Paul, Baharloo, Farhad, Radermecker, Maurice, Hereng, Pierre, Fransolet, André-Mathieu, Weber, Georges, Roelandts, Ivan
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Taylor & Francis Group 01.07.1995; Heldref; Heldref Publications
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid - chemistry; Cardiovascular & respiratory systems; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Female; Human health sciences; Humans; Inorganic dusts (pneumoconiosises) and organic dusts (byssinosis etc.); Male; Medical sciences; Metallurgy; Metals - analysis; Microscopy, Electron; Middle Aged; Minerals - analysis; Occupational Exposure; Pulmonary Alveoli - chemistry; Sciences de la santé humaine; Smoking; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Steel; Systèmes cardiovasculaire & respiratoire; Toxicology; Human; Talc; Respiratory disease; Toxicity; Illite; Metallurgical industry; Iron; Malignant tumor; Steel; Occupational exposure; Quartz; Silica; Bronchopulmonary; Particle; Blast furnace; Bronchoalveolar lavage; Titanium; Kaolinite
• ISSN: 0003-9896; 2331-4303
• DOI: 10.1080/00039896.1995.9935960

Steelworkers are exposed to many pollutants, and they are at risk for developing lung cancer. We demonstrated previously that steelworkers may be subject to an occult exposure to amphiboles in the plant environment. In the current study, we further analyzed bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of steelworkers by measuring intramacrophagic trace-metal content and nonfibrous mineral particles, using the particle-induced x-ray emission method and electron microscopy, respectively. Forty-seven blast-furnace workers and 45 healthy white-collar workers volunteered for this study. Significantly increased levels of iron, titanium, zinc, and bromine were found in the steelworkers, and levels of lead, chromium, arsenic, and strontium tended to increase in the macrophages and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the steelworkers. Nonfibrous particles, including illite, kaolinite, talc, chlorite, amorphous silica, quartz, iron (compounds), and titanium hydroxide, were found in both groups, but the particle number per ml bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (particularly iron hydroxides and silicates) was more pronounced in blast-furnace workers. These elements and particles may act synergistically with other occupational carcinogens and cigarette smoke, the result of which may be an increased incidence of lung cancer in the ironsteel industry.