10.6084/m9.figshare.5882722.v1 Lin Zhao Lin Zhao Yifang Zhu Yifang Zhu Zhangjian Chen Zhangjian Chen Huadong Xu Huadong Xu Jingwen Zhou Jingwen Zhou Shichuan Tang Shichuan Tang Zhizhen Xu Zhizhen Xu Fanling Kong Fanling Kong Xinwei Li Xinwei Li Yifei Zhang Yifei Zhang Xianzuo Li Xianzuo Li Ji Zhang Ji Zhang Guang Jia Guang Jia Cardiopulmonary effects induced by occupational exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles Taylor & Francis Group 2018 Nanoparticles nanotoxicology occupational health cardiovascular diseases pulmonary function 2018-02-13 14:32:36 Journal contribution https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Cardiopulmonary_effects_induced_by_occupational_exposure_to_titanium_dioxide_nanoparticles/5882722 <p>Although some toxicological studies have reported that exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO<sub>2</sub>) may elicit adverse cardiopulmonary effects, related data collected from human are currently limited. The purpose of this study is to explore cardiopulmonary effects among workers who were exposed to nano-TiO<sub>2</sub> and to identify biomarkers associated with exposure. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a nano-TiO<sub>2</sub> manufacturing plant in eastern China. Exposure assessment and characterization of TiO<sub>2</sub> particles were performed in a packaging workshop. Physical examination and possible biomarkers for cardiopulmonary effects were examined among 83 exposed workers and 85 controls. In packaging workshop, the total mass concentration of particles was 3.17 mg/m<sup>3</sup>. The mass concentration of nanoparticles was 1.22 mg/m<sup>3</sup> accounting for 39% of the total mass. Lung damage markers (SP-D and pulmonary function), cardiovascular disease markers (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, LDL, and TC), oxidative stress markers (SOD and MDA), and inflammation markers (IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-10) were associated with occupational exposure to nano-TiO<sub>2</sub>. Among those markers, SP-D showed a time (dose)–response pattern within exposed workers. The data strongly suggest that nano-TiO<sub>2</sub> could contribute, at least in part, to the cardiopulmonary effects observed in workers. The studied markers and pulmonary function tests may be useful in health surveillance for workers exposed to nanomaterials.</p>