Pulmonary effects of exposure to indium and its compounds: cross-sectional survey of exposed workers and experimental findings in rodents

作者：Nan Liu, Yi Guan, Yan Yu, Gai Li, Ling Xue, Weikang Li, Xiaoyu Qu, Ning Li, Sanqiao Yao · 发表于：Particle and Fibre Toxicology · 年份：2022 · DOI：10.1186/s12989-022-00510-w · 被引用次数：14 · 研究领域：Photovoltaic Systems and Sustainability、Extraction and Separation Processes、Fluoride Effects and Removal

Abstract Background Many studies have shown that occupational exposure to indium and its compounds could induce lung disease. Although animal toxicological studies and human epidemiological studies suggest indium exposure may cause lung injury, inflammation, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and even lung cancer, related data collected from humans is currently limited and confined to single workplaces, and the early effects of exposure on the lungs are not well understood. Objectives This study combined population studies and animal experiments to examine the links of indium with pulmonary injury, as well as its mechanism of action. A cross-sectional epidemiological study of indium-exposed workers from China was conducted to evaluate associations between occupational indium exposure and serum biomarkers of early effect. This study also compares and analyzes the causal perspectives of changes in human serum biomarkers induced by indium compound exposure and indium exposure-related rat lung pathobiology, and discusses possible avenues for their recognition and prevention. Methods This is a study of 57 exposed (at least 6 h per day for one year) workers from an indium ingot production plant, and 63 controls. Indium concentration in serum, urine, and airborne as exposure indices were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Sixteen serum biomarkers of pulmonary injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured using ELISA. The ...