Comparison of the toxicity of sintered vs. unsintered indium-tin oxide particles on murine macrophage and epidermal cells

Details

• Personal Author:
  Cummings, Kristin J. ; Kashon ML ; Leonard, Stephen S. ; Morris AM ; Olgun, Nicole S. ; Stefaniak, Aleksandr B.
• Description:
  Revenues from consumer electronics are at an all-time high, leading to an increased demand for indium-tin oxide (ITO) to produce touch screens and plasma and liquid crystal displays. Composed of 90% indium oxide (In2O3) and 10% tin oxide (SnO2) by weight, ITO is synthesized under conditions of high heat via a process known as sintering. Concerns have arisen over the health of workers in the ITO industry, as severe pulmonary toxicity and increased levels of indium in blood have been associated with occupational exposure to ITO. In the current study, murine macrophage (RAW 264.7) and epidermal (JB6/AP-1) cells were used to differentiate between the toxicological profiles of sintered ITO (SITO) and an unsintered ITO (UITO) mixture. We hypothesized that sintering would play a key role in free radical generation and cytotoxicity. Cells were treated with either 50 microg/ml, 150 microg/ml or 250 microg/ml of ITO and various endpoints were measured over time. Exposure of cells to both UITO and SITO caused a time and dose dependent decrease on the viability of cells. Intracellular ROS generation was inversely related to the concentration of both UITO and SITO, a direct reflection of the decreased number of viable cells observed at higher concentrations. Electron paramagnetic resonance, used to measure free radical generation, showed significantly increased hydroxyl radical generation in cells treated with UITO versus those treated with SITO. This is different from observed LDH release, which showed that SITO caused significantly increased damage to the cell membrane compared to UITO. Our results delineate the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity and free radical production associated with workplace exposure to indium, allowing for earlier disease detection and improved health amongst workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Cells, Cultured Chemistry Computers Cytotoxins Electrical Equipment And Supplies Environmental Exposure Free Radicals Indium Laboratories Lung Lung Diseases Macrophages Occupational Health Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Toxicology

  More +
• Keywords:
  Cell Cultures Cell Culture Techniques Cell Damage Chemical Processing Computer Equipment Cytotoxicity Dose Response Electronic Components Exposure Assessment Exposure Levels Free Radical Generation Free Radicals Hydroxyl Groups Indium Compounds Industrial Processes Laboratory Animals Laboratory Testing Models Oxides Pulmonary Effects Pulmonary Function Pulmonary System Disorders Reactive Oxygen Species ROS Tin Compounds Tin Oxides

  More +
• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Louisiana ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 6 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  HELD - Health Effects Laboratory Division ; RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  150
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20047627
• Citation:
  Toxicologist 2016 Mar; 150(1):130
• CAS Registry Number:
  Indium tin oxide (In1.69Sn0.15O2.85) (CAS RN 71243-84-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2016
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  The Toxicologist. Society of Toxicology 55th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo, March 13-17, 2016, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1be99bd6aa302e078123a41401804d58a27d62a2d00cfa12924e7fe4f7b79aeb763132b3e6e2d2815d64b8c3749cd759ff47052d6c87e41bad1f84ff3ec7ec95
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/202642/cdc_202642_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 441.51 KB ]