International audienceTo better rule out the complex fire risk related to large format lithium ion cells, a detailed and systematic evaluation, both at component and cell levels, could be an invaluable milestone. Therefore, combustion analysis was conducted for major single organic solvents and their mixtures used in lithium ion battery technology, both in oxygen rich and lean environments using a Tewarson calorimeter. Well controlled test conditions have enabled the determination of key parameters governing the fire induced hazards such as flash point, ease of ignition, heat release rate, effective heat of combustion, specific mass loss rate, as well as the assessment of fire induced toxicity. Moreover, a rule of thumb for the screening of new solvents including the safety perspective such as the Boie correlation and N-factor were introduced for predicting the heat of combustion and combustion kinetics, respectively, prior to conducting any experimental work. Fire induced toxicity of single solvents and their mixtures was also briefly examined by performing toxic gas measurements

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Discordant results have been observed regarding the associations of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases with secretor, Lewis, and ABO histo-blood groups, which are defined by glycosyltransferases. These enzymes build up oligosaccharide structures that play a role in the adhesion of environmental factors to epithelial cells. The objectives of the present study were to assess the role of all three systems, Lewis (Le), salivary ABH secretor (Se), and red cell blood group ABO, on lung function, wheezing, and asthma in a cohort of 228 coal miners studied cross-sectionally, considering the potential modifying effect of environmental factors on these associations. Asthma was significantly related to nonsecretor phenotype. Significantly lower lung function and higher prevalences of wheezing and asthma were observed in Lewis-negative or nonsecretor subjects of blood group O. Very low lung function values were observed in the small group of Lewis-negative nonsecretors who lack both Le and Se controlled fucoses (1% of Caucasians). Lewis-positive, salivary ABH secretors who have these two fucoses represent 70% of Caucasians. Among these subjects, lower lung function was observed in blood group A, and in a lesser extent in blood group B, i.e., with terminal alpha GaINAc or alpha Gal respectively, than in blood group O subjects. ABO, Lewis, and secretor phenotypes did not account for the potential genetic heterogeneity of subjects toward smoking, but alcohol consumption appeared to exert a protective effect on lung function in Lewis-negative subjects (10% of Caucasians). If confirmed in other populations, the magnitude of the effects observed regarding low lung function in Lewis-negative ABH nonsecretors, and the protective effect of Lewis negative on the deleterious effect of alcohol, may be of clinical importance. Further studies of the combined effects of various histo-blood group genetic systems seem worthwhile, particularly for airflow limitation, wheezing, and asthma, possibly with reference to susceptibility to infectious agents.

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Objectives-To better understand the relations between occupational exposure, blood antioxidant enzyme activities, total plasma antioxidant concentration, and the severity of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP). Methods-Blood samples were obtained from miners without CWP exposed to low dust concentrations for >4 years at the time of the study (n = 105), or exposed to high dust concentrations for >14 years at the time of the study (n=58), and from retired miners with CWP (n=19). Miners without CWP were classified into three subgroups according to their estimated cumulative exposure to dust. Chest x ray films were obtained for each miner. Miners were classified in five subgroups according to their International Labour Organisation (ILO) profusion grades. Univariate tests were completed by multiple linear regression analyses. Results-The estimated cumulative exposure to dust was strongly positively related to erythrocyte catalase activity and strongly negatively related to Cu ++ /Zn ++ SOD activity only in miners exposed to high dust concentrations for >14 years at the time of the study (F tests p=0.006 and p=0.004 respectively). Moreover, catalase activity was strongly related to the severity of CWP expressed as five subgroups of ILO profusion grades (F test p=0.003); the greatest diVerence in the mean values was found between the group of 1/1 to 1/2 ILO profusion grades and the group of 2/1 to 3/3 ILO profusion grades. Conclusion-These results are in good agreement with the hypothesis that production of reactive oxygen species may be an important event in the exposure to coal mine dusts and the severity of CWP. Erythrocyte catalase and Cu ++ /Zn ++ SOD activities are more closely related to recent exposure to high dust concentrations than to cumulative exposure, and could be considered as biological markers of exposure rather than as markers of early adverse biological eVect. (Occup Environ Med 1998;55:533-540)