Evaluation of potential biomarkers of exposure to crystalline silica: A case study in an insulator manufacturer

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential determinants of serum neopterin, malondialdehyde (MDA), and erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) as potential markers of oxidative stress, resulting in cellular immune response to inhaled silica particles. This descriptive analytical study was conducted on two groups of exposed workers ( n = 55) and unexposed office workers ( n = 38) of an insulator manufacturing plant. The sampling of airborne silica in the breathing zone of participants was done on the basis of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Method 7601. The blood samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography to determine the level of serum neopterin. A ZellBio GmbH assay kit was used for the quantitative assays of GSH and MDA on the basis of the colorimetric assay. The results of this study show that the measurements of serum neopterin, MDA, and GSH can be considered as potential biological markers of silica exposure for undertaking further comprehensive studies in this area.

Changes in Oxidative Stress Parameters as Response to Supplementation With Vitamin E and Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Male Workers Exposed to High Level Noise

“…In a previous study by the authors, potential biomarkers involved in exposure to crystalline silica were investigated in an insulation manufacturing company. In that study, mean serum MDA was 8.26 (4.65) nmol/ml in the control group (o ce employees) [23], while this was signi cantly higher at 22.48 nmol/ml among the participants of the present study. Joshaghani and Shafe'i conducted a study in order to determine if serum superoxide dismutase levels and red blood cells have any relationship with serum homocysteine among patient with myocardial infarction.…”

“…The blood samples were placed in an ice box and transferred to the lab where they were kept at -20°C until analysis. The target parameters were measured using an ELISA reader (StatDax 2100, Awareness CO., USA) in a bio-chemistry lab according to the guidelines of the ELISA kits (Kiazist CO., Iran) [23].…”

Feasibility study on the application of electrospun nanofiber webs for the air sampling of crystalline silica

“…The PVC-1S6532 polymer purchased from Arvand Petrochemical Co. (Iran) (molecular weight of 62.50 g/mol (per unit) and a density of 1.3 g/cm 3 to 1.45 g/cm 3 ) was used to create the nanofibers. The dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent from Merck (Germany) (molecular weight of 73.09 g/mol and a purity of higher than 99.8 %) along with the tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent from Merck (Germany) (molecular weight of 72.11 g/mol and a purity higher than 99.8) were prepared at a 1:1 ratio to provide different concentrations of the PVC solution.…”

“…The LOD and LOQ were calculated using the standard deviation (0.00031) of the measurement and the slope of the calibration curve (0.0189). LOD of 0.049 µg and LOQ of 0.162 µg were obtained 3) . Based on the calculations of stability of samples, the silica concentration difference between the nanofiber webs and PVC membrane immediately analyzed was 0.32%, while the difference was 0.34% for analyzing after seven days.…”

Critical aspects in the handling of reactive silica in cementitious materials: Effectiveness of rice husk ash vs nano-silica in mortar dosage

“…Although the use of nanotechnology is not very widespread in the construction sector (it is due to the high price involved in the use of large quantities of nanometric materials), silica plays an essential role in the cement sector, so other compounds with different chemical composition could not replace it [20]. In particular, the inhalation of silica produces its deposition on lungs, which may cause illnesses as silicosis or lung cancer [21]. The fact of being as nanosize makes it acts as fine airborne dust and therefore 125 the risk of illness increases because of its ability to be breathed.…”