Systemic inflammatory effects of zinc oxide particles: is a re-evaluation of exposure limits needed?

Abstract

Exposure to airborne substances such as gases, vapours, and particles remains a relevant health risk in many workplaces. A current topic and cause for discussion is the investigation of the health effects of particles containing zinc oxide (ZnO). Among other data, those collected from our study on human exposure data of ZnO in 2018 prompted the National Research Centre for the Working Environment 2021 to formulate a new, sharply lowered proposed occupational exposure limit (OEL) for zinc in workplaces. Since the publication of the Danish report, further studies have been conducted with ZnO. In the following text, all arguments for deriving this new limit value for zinc from the report are discussed, extended with the more recent data since 2018. It should be noted that especially the application of time extrapolation factors needs further discussion and harmonization between regulatory authorities. From our point of view, the data situation can justify a higher OEL for zinc than that proposed by the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment.

Re-evaluation of the occupational exposure limit for ZnO is warranted. Comments on 'Systemic inflammatory effects of zinc oxide particles: is a re-evaluation of exposure limits needed?' by Christian Monsé et al.

“…In conclusion, Monsé and co-workers have performed important controlled studies on ZnO that replicated the ZnO-induced acute phase response in humans that we have observed in mice. Compared to the current Danish occupational exposure limit for ZnO at 5 mg/m 3 , an exposure limit for ZnO of 0.1 mg/m 3 as suggested by the MAK commission (Monse et al 2023 ) and a health-based occupational exposure limit at 0.05 as suggested by us (Hadrup et al 2021b ) may be regarded as being very similar.…”

“…Christian Monsé and co-workers recently published a Short Communication in Archives of Toxciology (Monse et al 2023 ) commenting on the suggested health-based occupational exposure limit for zinc oxide made by the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA) in Denmark (Hadrup et al 2021b ).…”

“…ZnO exposure induces dose-dependent acute phase response in humans and mice (Hadrup et al 2019 ; Jacobsen et al 2015 ; Saber et al 2022 ; Monse et al 2023 ). The acute phase response is the systemic response to acute and chronic inflammatory states caused by, e.g.…”

Concentración de monóxido y dióxido de carbono en el proceso de soldadura con electrodo revestido

“…Los soldadores son trabajadores que se encuentran constantemente expuestos a una serie de compuestos perjudiciales, generalmente presentes en forma de gases (Monsé, 2023), resultado de procesos industriales relacionados con la soldadura (Quishpe, 2023). Diferentes estudios, indican claramente los riesgos para su salud, principalmente por el desprendimiento de gases; como el dióxido de carbono (CO2) y el monóxido de carbono (CO) (Singh, 2020).…”