Markers of inflammation among workers exposed to engineered TiO2nanoparticles

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<b>Background:</b> NanoTiO₂ is widely used as a high volume engineered nanomaterial, however human health data for exposed workers are scarce. Experimental and in vitro studies found lung inflammation and injury. <b>Methods:</b> In 30 workers occupationally exposed to TiO₂ in 2012/2013, post-shift spirometry, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and leukotrienes (LTs) as markers of inflammation in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were examined: LT B4 and cysteinyl-LTs C4,D4 and E4. Identical examination was done in 22 office employees from the same factory; and in 45 unexposed controls. <b>Results:</b> The aerosol TiO₂ exposure mildly lowered from 2012 to 2013; respirable mass concentration was 0.4 and 0.65 mg/m³ and the median particle number concentration in the production area 1.98x10⁴ and 2.32x10⁴ particles/cm³ in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In both years, 80-85% of the particles had&lt;100 nm in diameter. The lung functions were not impaired in the workers except PEF and %PEF (p&lt;0.05). The increase of LT B4 and cysteinyl LT C4 and LT E4(p&lt;0.001) and LTD4(p&lt;0.01) in the EBC of workers comparing to controls was significant in both years. In office workers, LTB4 (p&lt;0.01) and LTD4 (p&lt;0.05) were higher than in the controls. FeNO was not elevated. <b>Conclusion:</b> These findings are consistent with the inflammation in the respiratory tract and suggest a lung injury. LTs in EBC appear a useful and sensitive technique for non-invasive monitoring of workers exposed to engineered nanoTiO₂, similarly as oxidation products of nucleic acids and proteins(1). FeNO and lung functions are not sensitive enough. Acknowledgement: P25/1LF/2, P28/1LF/6. Reference: 1. Pelclova D et al. Occup Environ Med 2016;73:110-8.