In Vivo Toxicity Comparison of Surrogate Metal Oxide Mixtures from Welding Fumes

Details

• Personal Author:
  Antonini JM ; Betler E ; Erdely A ; Grose L ; Kodali V ; Leonard, Stephen S. ; Salmen R ; Trainor-Dearmitt T ; Zeidler-Erdely PC
• Description:
  Occupational exposure to welding fumes (WF), a Group 1 carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans), is a complex metal mixture commonly composed of iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr). The objective was to assess the acute in vivo toxicity of different metal oxide combinations (Cr + Ni; Fe + Ni; Fe + Cr; Fe + Cr + Ni), in proportions representing those found in stainless steel WF to understand which combinations contribute to acute toxicity outcomes. Using a block design, male A/J mice were exposed by a single oropharyngeal aspiration to a low- and high-dose of the four different metal mixtures or saline (vehicle control). Surrogate metals used were as follows: iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3); chromium (III) oxide and sodium dichromate dihydrate mixture (Cr2O3/Na2Cr2O7.E2H2O); and nickel (II) oxide (NiO). Whole lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was done at 1,7,28, and 84 days post-exposure to assess lung inflammation and toxicity. BAL fluid lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was measured as a marker of general lung cytotoxicity and recovered BAL cells were counted and differentiated under light microscopy to assess lung inflammation and cell influx. The acellular oxidative potential of the metal mixtures was determined by electron paramagnetic resonance. Both low- and high-dose exposure to all the metal mixtures groups increased LDH levels and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the BAL fluid at 1,7, and 28 days. By 84 days, the low-dose exposure groups had returned to control while the Fe + Cr and Fe + Cr + Ni high-dose groups remained increased. Overall, the order of in vivo toxicity was Fe + Cr + Ni ≥ Fe + Cr > Fe + Ni > Cr + Ni. Acellular oxidative potential, in general, followed this same order. The results suggest that Fe, the most abundant metal component of commonly used WF contributed the most to the toxicity while other metals were additive. When Fe was removed from the mixture, the Cr + Ni group, toxicity was found to be the lowest. Despite the well-known toxicities of these metals, Fe may be the primary driver when given in proportions found in WF aerosols. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Animals Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety Welding
• Keywords:
  Animal Studies Inhalation Studies In Vivo Studies Metal Oxides Toxic Effects Welding Fumes
• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• 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
• Volume:
  192
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20067212
• Citation:
  Toxicologist 2023 Mar; 192(S1):166
• CAS Registry Number:
  Chromium (CAS RN 7440-47-3) ; Iron (CAS RN 7439-89-6) ; Nickel (CAS RN 7440-02-0)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2023
• NORA Priority Area:
  Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  The Toxicologist. Society of Toxicology 62nd Annual Meeting & ToxExpo, March 19-23, 2023, Nashville, Tennessee
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:2bb714fc9cc3a5c88e1530faa1165f7d7daa26ee5f7a368d99d4b2986bbf9004fd5c096a2daab9092bd7d7cd2d0281b06fc420102c8fd76202c2619bfb3beac6
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/231339/cdc_231339_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.09 MB ]