Abstract
Many studies have documented the abnormal concentrations of metals/metalloids in serum or urine of occupational workers, but no works systematically analysed the concentrations of elements in serum or urine of indium-exposed workers. This study was aimed to assess 28 elements in serum and urine from 57 individuals with occupational exposure to indium and its compounds. Control subjects were 63 workers without metal exposure. We collected information on occupation and lifestyle habits by questionnaire. Biological samples were collected to quantify elements by inductive coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. Air in the breathing zones was drawn at flow rates of 1.5-3 L/min for a sampling period of 6 to 8 h, using a Model BFC-35 pump. The average ambient indium level was 0.078 mg/m3. Serum/urine Indium levels were significantly higher in indium-exposed workers than in controls (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum/urine indium concentrations in the group with 6-14 years and ≥15 years of employment were significantly higher than those with ≤5 employment years(P < 0.05). Ten of the other 27 elements/metals measured were higher in serum/urine in indium-exposed workers compared to the controls (aluminum, beryllium, cadmium, cesium, chromium, lithium, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum and vanadium). Zinc levels in serum/urine were significantly decreased in the indium-exposed workers. Additionally, other elements/metals were higher in one specimen (serum or urine) but lower in the other (Selenium was lower in serum but higher in urine in the indium-exposed workers compared with the controls; likewise Thallium and Rubidium were higher in serum but lower in urine). Linear regression analyses, revealed significant correlations between serum and urine for indium, aluminum, arsenic, barium, cadmium, cesium, cobalt, selenium, silver, and zinc (P < 0.05). These data suggest that occupational exposure to indium and its compounds may disturb the homeostasis of trace elements in systemic circulation, indium concentrations in serum or urine appear reflective of workers' exposure to ambient indium and their years of working, respectively. The serum/urine levels of essential metals are modified by exposure to indium in occupationally exposed workers. Further studies including larger sample size and more kinds of biological sample are needed to validate our findings.
Highlights
Indium is relatively rare element found in ores of zinc, copper, and tin and has been used in flat-panel displays, optoelectronic devices, and photovoltaic cells for decades
Occupational exposure to indium and its compounds can result in potentially fatal indium lung disease including pulmonary alveolar proteinosis that may progress to fibrosis [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]
It is important to know and measure trace elements status in indium-exposed workers because the alterations in the content may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and related metabolic risk factors
Summary
Indium is relatively rare element found in ores of zinc, copper, and tin and has been used in flat-panel displays, optoelectronic devices, and photovoltaic cells for decades. Cadmium, and arsenic were reported to be the main hazardous metals/metalloids They cause serious damage to many target organs in human bodies through the mechanism of inflammation, production of oxidative stress, and interference with essential elements. The interactions among these toxic metals/metalloids are extremely complex and some effects which have not been observed in single constituent exposure may occur. It is important to know and measure trace elements status in indium-exposed workers because the alterations in the content may play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and related metabolic risk factors
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