The Effects of Metals on Innate Lung Defense Mechanisms

Details

• Personal Author:
  Clarke R ; Roberts J ; Taylor M
• Description:
  Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that inhalation of increased levels of metal-containing particulate air pollution may exacerbate preexisting health conditions and augment pulmonary infection. The objective of this paper is to review the animal studies which have examined the effect of metals that are associated with inhaled particulates on innate lung defense responses. Animal infectivity models have been developed as a means to determine the mechanisms by which inhaled toxicants may affect lung defenses against infection. Due to the prevalence of different metal-containing particulates in the environment and workplace, numerous animal studies have evaluated the effects of agents such as fly ash, concentrated ambient air particulates, and welding fumes on lung defense mechanisms. The alveolar macrophage is the primary lung cell responsible for non-specific innate pulmonary host defenses. Toxicological evidence indicates that metals associated with different occupational and environmental particulates may alter macrophage function and increase the susceptibility to lung infection. Changes in macrophage phagocytosis and the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been observed. In addition, the macrophage secretion of pulmonary cytokines, which are important in immune cell responses, has been shown to be affected by metal-containing particulates. Recent evidence suggests that the soluble metal fraction of specific environmental particulates is responsible for the alterations observed in lung immune responses. Studies are ongoing in an attempt to assess the role that individual metals (e. g. Cr, Fe, Ni, V, and Mn) may play in suppressing lung defense against infection. With the use of animal infectivity models, it is possible to determine the mechanisms by which metal-containing particulates may suppress lung defenses in order to develop a better understanding of how to prevent adverse health effects and protect susceptible populations at risk. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Bacterial Infections Communicable Diseases Lung Metals Mortality Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  Bacterial-infections Infection-control Lung-function Mortality-data Pulmonary-system
• Publisher:
  Fraunhofer IRB Verlag
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  52
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20025526
• Citation:
  Effects of Air Contaminants on the Respiratory Tract - Interpretations from Molecules to Meta Analysis, Proceedings of the 9th International Inhalation Symposium, June 11-14, 2003, Hannover, Germany. Heinrich U, ed., Stuttgart, Germany: Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 2003 Jun; :52
• CAS Registry Number:
  Chromium (CAS RN 7440-47-3) ; Iron (CAS RN 7439-89-6) ; Manganese (CAS RN 7439-96-5) ; Nickel (CAS RN 7440-02-0) ; Vanadium (CAS RN 7440-62-2)
• Editor(s):
  Heinrich U
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2003
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Effects of Air Contaminants on the Respiratory Tract - Interpretations from Molecules to Meta Analysis, Proceedings of the 9th International Inhalation Symposium, June 11-14, 2003, Hannover, Germany
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:a22ae51969b34bc72f4e9ec62a41de1b0d5e06da5ab79f4662be1d8d2c3ec10bfba3e32766bed95bc3edc598b8a917a5dd060212013ced05d635a9953d776a7e
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/196852/cdc_196852_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 346.60 KB ]