Health Effects of Trimellitic Anhydride Occupational Exposure: Insights from Animal Models and Immunosurveillance Programs

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bernstein JA ; Ghosh D
• Description:
  Acid anhydrides are used by chemical industries as plasticizers. Trimellitic acid (TMA) is an acid anhydride widely utilized in factories to produce paints, varnishes, and plastics. In addition to causing direct irritant effects, TMA can augment antibody responses in exposed factory workers leading to occupational asthma. Therefore, industries producing TMA have implemented occupational immunosurveillance programs (OISPs) to ensure early diagnosis and medical management, involving exposure reduction/ complete removal of sensitized workers from exposure areas. Multiple animal models (mice strains, rat stains, guinea pig, swine) with different exposure patterns (dermal, nasal, vapor inhalation exposures for different time frames) have been described to elucidate the pathophysiology of TMA exposure. In TMA factories, in spite of implementing advanced environmental controls and personal protective measures to limit exposure, workers become TMA-sensitized. Animal models revealed sIgG, sIgE, sIgA, and sIgM along with pulmonary lesions, cellular infiltrates, alveolar hemorrhage, and pneumonitis associated with TMA exposure. Molecular studies showed involvement of specific functional gene clusters related to cytokine and chemokine responses, lung remodeling, and arginase function. However, thus far, there is no evidence supporting fetotoxic or carcinogenic effects of TMA. OISP data showed IgG and IgE responses in exposed factory workers. Interestingly, timelines for detectable sIgG response, in conjunction with its magnitude, have been shown to be a predictor for future sIgE response. OISPs have been very successful so far at creating a healthy and safe working environment for TMA-exposed factory workers. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Acids Anhydrides Animals Antibodies Asthma, Occupational Genetics Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Hypersensitivity Immune System Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Health Pathology Phthalic Anhydrides Safety Skin

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• Keywords:
  Allergens Animal Studies Antibody Response Author Keywords: Occupational Health Chemical Factory Workers Chemical Industry Workers Chemical Manufacturing Industry Cytokines Genes Haptens IgE Immune Reaction Immune System Immunoglobulins Immunology Industrial Asthma Low Molecular Weight Allergens Medical Monitoring Models Molecular Biology Molecular Signaling Molecular Structure Occupational Asthma Physiological Effects Sensitizers Skin Tests Surveillance Surveillance Programs Trimellitic Anhydride

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• ISSN:
  1080-0549
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  61-77
• Volume:
  59
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20060139
• Citation:
  Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2020 Aug; 59(1):61-77
• Contact Point Address:
  Jonathan A Bernstein, Division of Immunology, Allergy Section, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
• Email:
  Jonathan.bernstein@uc.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Trimellitic acid (CAS RN 528-44-9) ; Trimellitic anhydride (CAS RN 552-30-7)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:811bc04946a0f70049eb407c4528b3264c3aaed5b5ab53660d9bb89da04c4f9016642793b12019cdc4ddb2abae83336d0ce28e6e7df7e8ac662786036bbef414
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/224143/cdc_224143_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 456.55 KB ]