Abstract
A large variety of ornamental and decorative items are manufactured from bone waste by various unorganized sectors in India. An initial survey indicated that workers were exposed at various phases of final product. The subjects (12 industrial units) were tested for total suspended particulate matter (TSPM), particulate matter <10 \(\upmu \)m (PM10), and particulate matter <2.5 \(\upmu \)m (PM2.5). Prevalent levels of TSPM ranged between 2.90 and 5.89 mg m − 3. Respirable fractions of occupational dust as PM10 and PM2.5 were found in the range of 0.30–2.08 and 0.26–0.50 mg m − 3, respectively. Cytotoxicity study was conducted using hemolysis as a sensitive marker. In an in vitro study, rat RBCs were exposed to the concentration of 25–1,000 \(\upmu \)g/ml for 15–120 min. A considerable variation was observed in the hemolytic activity of samples collected from different areas. At 500 \(\upmu \)g/ml concentration, the hemolytic activity (12 h) was found to be in the range of 18–25%. Due to limitation in sample mass of respirable fractions, only one concentration (100 \(\upmu \)g/ml/2 h) was used for comparative study on hemolysis of RBCs caused by PM10 and PM2.5. Interestingly, the hemolytic activity was more at PM2.5 than PM10 and TSPM. These results suggest that the respirable particles are capable of reaching deep into the respiratory system. The finding is significant notably when there are no standards available in occupationally exposed populations. This is the first such study. Data could be of importance to policy makers and regulators.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abramson, C., & Wilton, J. (1985). Inhalation of nail dust aerosols reduction of onychomycotic toenails: I. Characterization of nail dust particles. JAPMA, 75(563), 111–115.
Almeida, S. M., Pio, C. A., Freitas, M. C., Reis, M. A., & Trancoso, M. A. (2006). Approaching PM2.5 and PM2.5–PM10 source apportionment by mass balance analysis, principal component analysis and particle size distribution. Science of the Total Environment, 368, 663–674.
Almeida, S. M., Farinha, M. M., Ventura, M. G., Pio, C. A., Freitas, M. C., Reis, M. A., et al. (2007). Measuring air particulate matter in large urban areas for health effect assessment. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 179, 43–55.
Almeida, S. M., Freitas, M. C., Repolho, C., Dionsio, I., Dung, H. M., Caseiro, A., et al. (2009). Characterizing air particulate matter composition and sources in Lisbon, Portugal. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 281, 215–218.
Altura, B. T., Wilimzig, C., Trnovec, T., Nyulassy, S., & Altura, B. M. (1994). Comparative effects of magnesium enriched diets and different orally administered magnesium oxide preparations on ionized Mg, Mg metabolism and electrolytes in serum of human volunteers. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 13, 447–454.
Brown, G. M., Donaldson, K., & Slight, J. (1989). Degradation of cellular matrix component by alveolar leukocytes in vitro: modulation by mineral dust. In B. T. Mossman (Ed.), Effect of mineral dusts on cells (pp. 289–296). Berlin: Springer.
Buik, J. B., & Magee, T. R. A. (1999). Microbial contamination of flax dust. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 27, 99–104.
Davies, R. R., & Ganderton, M. A. (1975). Allergic hazards in chiropody. Chiropodist, 30(89), 89–92.
Davies, R. R., Ganderton, M. A., & Savage, M. (1983). Human nail dust and precipitating antibodies to Trichophyton rubrum in chiropodists. Clinical Allergy, 13, 309–315.
Department of Health (1998). Quantification of the effects of air pollution on health in Great Britain, Chairman: Holgate ST (pp. 18–36). UK: The Stationary Office.
Disease Control Priorities Project (2007). Developing countries can reduce occupational hazards. Fogarty International Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, The World Bank, World Health Organization, Population Reference Bureau, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dockery, D. W. (1993). An association between air pollution mortality in six US cites. New England Journal of Medicine, 329, 1753–175.
Donaldson, K., Stone, V., Seaton, A., & MacNee, W. (2001). Ambient particle inhalation and the cardiovascular system. Potential mechanisms. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109(1–4), 523–527.
Duell, B. L., Arruda, L. K., Chapman, M. D., & Platt-Mills, T. A. E. (1991). Trichophyton tonsurans allergen. Characterization of a protein that causes immediate but not delayed hypersensitivity. Journal of Immunology, 147(136), 96–101.
Fenger, J. (1999). Urban air quality. National ambient air quality objectives for particulate matter—executive summary. Part 1: Science Assessment Document under Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), 33, 4877–4900.
Gilmour, P. S., Brown, D. M., Lindsay, T. G., Beswick, P. H., MacNee, W., & Donaldson, K. (1998). Adverse health effects of PM10 particles involvement of iron in generation of hydroxyl radical. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 53, 817–822.
Greenwell, L. L., Jones, T. P., & Richards, R. J. (2002). The collection of PM10 for toxicological investigation: Comparisons between different collecting devices. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 79, 251–273.
Hatch, G. E., Gardner, D. E., & Menzel, D. B. (1980). Stimulation of oxidant production in alveolar macrophages by pollutants and latex particles. Environmental Research, 23, 121–136.
Heeder, D. K., Donwes, J., Wonter, I., & Doeke, G. (2000). Organic dusts: Beyond endotoxin. Inhalation Toxicology, 12, 27–33.
Health and Safety Executive Publications (1991). Medical aspects of occupational asthma. Medical Series 25, 16.
Heinrich, U., Muhle, H., Takenaka, S., Ernst, H., Fuhst, R., Mohr, U., et al. (1986). Chronic effects on the respiratory tract of hamsters, mice and rats after long-term inhalation of high concentrations of filtered and unfiltered diesel engine emissions. Journal of Applied Toxicology, 6, 383–395.
Jones, T. P., Williamsons, B. J., Berube, K. A., & Richards, R. J. (2001). Microscopy and chemistry of particles collected on TEOM filters: Swansea, South Wales 1998–1999. Atmospheric Environment, 35, 3573–3583.
MacNee, W., Donaldson, K., Holgate, S. T., Samet, J. M., Koren, H. S., & Maynard, R. L. (1999). Particulate air pollution: injurious and protective mechanisms in the lungs. In: (Ed.). Air pollution and health (pp. 653–672). San Diego: Academic.
Marken, P. A., Weart, C. W., Carson, D. S., Gums, G., LopesVirella, M. G. (1989). Effects of magnesium oxide on the lipid profile of health volunteers. Atherosclerosis, 77, 37–42.
McLarnon, N. A., Burrow, J. G., Price, P., Aidoo, K. E., Maclaren, W., Harper, M., et al. (2005). The controls of airborne hazardous substances in the health care environment. IOHA Pilannesberg, Paper E1-1, pp. 1–6.
Melbostad, E., & Edward, W. (2001). Organic dust related respiratory and eye irritation in Norway formers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 39, 209–217.
Millar, N. A. (2000). The ocular risks of human nail dust in podiatry. Ph.D. thesis, Glasgow Caledonian University.
Morris, H. P., Nelson, J. W., & Palmer, L. S. (1931). Quantitative determination of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus in feedstuffs and cattle excreta (improved technique). Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Analytical Edition, 3, 164.
Morrow, P. E. (1988). Possible mechanisms to explain dust overloading of the lungs. Fundamental and Applied Toxicology, 10, 369–384.
Muhle, H., Bellman, B., Creutzenberg, O., Fuhst, R., Koch, U., Takenaka, S., et al. (1990). Subchronic inhalation study of toner in rats. Inhalation Toxicology, 2, 341–360.
Nikule, K. J., Vallyathan, V., Green, F. H. Y., & Hahn, F. F. (2001). Influence of exposure concentration or dose on the distribution of particulate matter in rat and human lungs. Environmental Health Perspectives, 109, 311–318.
NTP (1992). Technical report on the toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of talc in F344 rats and B6C3F1 mice. Research Triangle Park: National Toxicology Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
Pope, C. A. 3rd, Thun, M. J., Namboodiri, M. M., Dockery, D. W., Evans, J. S., Speizer, F. E., et al. (1995). Particulate air pollution as a predictor of mortality in a prospective study of U.S. adults. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 151, 669–674.
Raza, S. N., Fletcher, A. M., Pickering, C. A. C., Niven, R., & Mcl Faragher, E. (1999). Ventilatory function and personal breathing zone dust concentrations in Lancashire textile weavers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 56, 520–526.
Rombout, P. J. A. (2000). Health risks in relation to air quality, especially particulate matter, Interim Report, National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven (pp. 1–63).
Schwartz, J., & Meas, L. M. (2000). Fine particles are more strongly associated than coarse particles with acute respiratory health effects in school children. Epidemiology, 11, 6–10.
Vincent, D., & Donaldson, K. (1990). A dosimetric approach for relating the biological response of the lung to the accumulation of inhaled mineral dust. British Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47, 302–307.
Ward, P. E. (1995). Atopy and reaction to nail dust inhalation. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine, 12(2), 275–278.
Wichmann, H. E. (2000). Daily mortality and fine and ultra fine particle in Erfurt, Germany. Part I: role of particle number and particle mass. Health Effects Institute Report No. 98, pp. 5–93.
WHO (1999). Hazard prevention and control in the work environment: Airborne Dust. Geneva: WHO HO/SDE/OEH/99.14.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
IITR Communication No. 2793.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Siddiqui, H., Ashquin, M., Prasad, R. et al. Industrial hygiene and toxicity studies in unorganized bone-based industrial units. Environ Monit Assess 176, 213–223 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1577-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-010-1577-2