Lung Toxicity Profile of Inhaled Copper-Nickel Welding Fumes in Rats

Details

• Personal Author:
  Zeidler-Erdely, Patti C. ; Roberts, Jennifer R. ; Kodali, Vamsi K. ; Meighan, Terence G. ; Grose, Lindsay ; Eye, Tracy ; McKinney, Walter G. ; Stone, Samuel ; Cumpston, Jared L. ; Leonard, Howard D. ; Erdely, Aaron ; Antonini, James M.
  More +
• Description:
  Background and Purpose: Welding processes create inhalable fumes rich in iron (Fe) that may also contain known toxic metals such as chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni). Welding aerosols derived from copper-nickel (CuNi) consumables have not been investigated as thoroughly as those from mild (Fe-rich) and stainless-steel (Fe-rich + Cr + Ni) welding consumables. The study objective was to determine the pulmonary toxicity in rats exposed by inhalation to CuNi welding fumes generated using gas metal arc welding. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6/group/timepoint) were exposed to CuNi welding aerosols by whole-body inhalation for 3 hours/day for 3 days at 40 mg/m3 or filtered air. Rats were sacrificed and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was done at 1, 4, 6, and 8 days post-exposure. 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. Animal body weights were assessed throughout the exposure and post-exposure periods. Results: Characterization of the fume indicated that >95% of the particles were between 0.1 and 1 µm in diameter, with a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 0.43 µm. Metal content of the fume was Cu (approx. 76%) and Ni (approx. 12%). All animals gained weight throughout the exposure period. Body weight (% increase) was significantly different between air- and CuNi fume-exposed at the 1-day post-exposure timepoint only. CuNi welding fume significantly increased LDH levels and polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the BAL fluid at all timepoints post-exposure. Lung cytotoxicity was increased in the CuNi fume-exposed group by 10-fold on 1- and 4-days post-exposure, and 8- and 4-fold at 6 and 8 days. Total cell BAL cells were also increased at all timepoints and were 4- and 5-fold at 1 and 4 days, respectively, and remained elevated at 8 days post-exposure (approx. 3.5-fold). Conclusions: The results suggest that short-term exposure to inhaled CuNi welding fume causes significant acute lung toxicity in rats with no resolution of the inflammatory lung response by 8 days. Description provided by NIOSH
• Subjects:
  • Copper
  • Lung
  • Nickel
  • Occupational Health
  • Rats
  • Respiratory System
  • Safety
  • Welding
• Keywords:
  • Inhalation; Laboratory animals; Toxic effects; Welding fumes; Lung; Cytotoxicity
• Source:
  Toxicologist 2025 Mar; 204(S1):253
• ISSN:
  1096-6080
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Philadelphia Region OSHA ; 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:
  2 pdf pages
• Volume:
  204
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071580
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• NORA Priority Area:
  Construction ; Manufacturing
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/259355/cdc_259355_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 260.08 KB]
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f9373fa9520c0a9b6ae96ed9d7289b42471374685668c297d5ce029c311ee6cc630223c78005de543552537c1a75f598b8d06a72b92ed932b27f82898894e1a0