Engineered Stone Fabrication Work Releases Volatile Organic Compounds Classified as Lung Irritants

Abstract

Engineered stones are often characterized for their crystalline silica content. Their organic composition, particularly that of the emissions generated during fabrication work using hand-held power tools, is relatively unexplored. We forensically screened the emissions from dry-cutting 12 engineered stone products in a test chamber for their organic composition by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) plus selected traditional capture and analysis techniques. Phthalic anhydride, which has a Respiratory Sensitization (RSEN) Notation by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), was the most common and abundant compound, at 26–85% of the total organic composition of engineered stone emissions. Benzaldehyde and styrene were also present in all twelve samples. During active cutting, the predominant volatile organic compound (VOC) emitted was styrene, with phthalic anhydride, benzene, ethylbenzene, and toluene also detected. These results have important health implications as styrene and phthalic anhydride are irritants to the respiratory tract. This study suggests a risk of concurrent exposure to high levels of respirable crystalline silica and organic lung irritants during engineered stone fabrication work.

Understanding the pathogenesis of engineered stone‐associated silicosis: The effect of particle chemistry on the lung cell response

“…15,21 Recent work by us, and others, has shown that a wide range of VOCs are emitted when cutting stone materials, in varying concentrations depending on the ES samples. 18,26 Epidemiological studies indicate that inhalation of airborne VOCs is associated with reduced lung function, exacerbation of asthma and increased rates of obstructive lung diseases and lung cancer. 47 Animal studies have shown that exposure to low-dose VOCs (formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene) produces bronchial and lung inflammation.…”

“…47 Animal studies have shown that exposure to low-dose VOCs (formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and xylene) produces bronchial and lung inflammation. 48 Low molecular weight VOCs, such as phenanthrene and fluorene which we have identified during ES processing, 18 induce oxidative stress and inflammation in human lung epithelial cells (A549) and the combined action of both are more potent than their individual effects. 24 Therefore, urgent research is needed to assess the contribution of VOCs generated from processing ES to the development of severe and progressive silicosis in this occupational group.…”

“…16 Toxicological studies have shown that ES dusts promote free radical generation at higher rates than pure crystalline silica, 17 suggesting a role for ES components other than crystalline silica in disease pathogenesis. In addition to high levels of crystalline silica, ES emissions contain a range of metal elements (8%-10% by weight) [16][17][18][19] with known toxicological and proinflammatory profiles. In fact, the presence of metals such as Al was detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from patients with engineered stone-associated silicosis.…”

“…15,21 Recently, we showed that ES processing generates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as styrene and phthalic anhydride, both of which have been linked to lung disease. 18,22,23 Other low-molecular weight VOCs identified during ES processing have also been observed to induce oxidative stress and inflammation in human lung epithelial cells. 24 Taken together, these data highlight the potential importance of the non-crystalline silica components of ES in determining disease risk and severity.…”

Understanding the pathogenesis of engineered-stone associated accelerated silicosis: the effect of particle chemistry on the lung cell response

“…There is also a growing concern regarding the potential impact of inhaling the organic compounds liberated by processing ES, potentially from the binding resin which represents up to 14%, by weight, of ES [23,24]. Recently, we showed that ES processing generates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as styrene and phthalic anhydride, both of which have been linked to lung disease [21,25,26]. Other low-molecular weight VOCs identi ed during ES processing have also been observed to induce oxidative stress and in ammation in human lung epithelial cells [27].…”