Human and animal evidence supports lower occupational exposure limits for poorly-soluble respirable particles: Letter to the Editor re: 'Low-toxicity dusts: Current exposure guidelines are not sufficiently protective' by Cherrie, Brosseau, Hay and Donaldson.

Abstract

We commend the overall evaluation by Cherrie et al. (2013) of the current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for respirable poorly-soluble low toxicity (PSLT) particles. As described in that paper, the epidemiological studies provide compelling evidence that exposure to PSLT at the current OELs has been associated with adverse health effects, including pulmonary fibrosis and lung function deficits. In contrast to Cherrie et al. (2013), we discuss here that the chronic inhalation studies in animals also provide evidence of the adverse pulmonary effects of PSLT.