Particle toxicology: from coal mining to nanotechnology

Our plain-English summary of Particle toxicology: from coal mining to nanotechnology, by P.J. Borm (Inhalation Toxicology, 2002).

The study

• Author: P.J. Borm
• Journal: Inhalation Toxicology
• Published: 2002;14(3):311-24
• Type of article: Historical article, Review
• Cited by: 80 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

Particle research has been historically closely connected to industrial activities or materials, such as coal, asbestos, man-made mineral fibers, and more recently ambient particulate matter (PM). It is the purpose of this review to combine insights and developments in particle toxicology with the historical context of exposure and organizations sponsoring such research in Europe. In supporting research on particle-induced respiratory effects and mechanisms, research programs of the European Community on Steel and Coal (ECSC) have played a tremendous role. Current particle research in Europe is dominated by PM, and funded by the World Health Organization (WHO), European Union Framework programs, and the Health Effects Institute (HEI). Differences between historical and current research in particle toxicology include the exposure concentrations, particle size, target populations, endpoints, and length of exposure. Inhaled particle effects are no longer confined to the lung, since particles are suggested to translocate to the blood while lung inflammation invokes systemic responses. Finally, the particle size and concentrations have both been reduced about 100-fold from 2-5 mg/m3 to 20-50 mg/m3 and from 1-2 microm to 20-100 nm (ultrafine) as domestic fuel burning has decreased and vehicle sources have increased and attention has moved from coal mining industry to general environment. There is, however, a further occupational link to nanotechnology, which continuously produces new materials in the ultrafine range. Although inhalation exposure is considered to be minimal in this technology, some particles are produced to be used for carrier purpose in medical applications. Based on our current knowledge of particle toxicology, it is highly desirable that toxicology and technology are linked in this extremely rapid developing area, to learn more about potential risks and also to develop knowledge on the role of surface and size in particle toxicity.

In plain English

This was a narrative review by a single author, based on a professorial inauguration speech at Düsseldorf University in 2001. It reported no new study and mentioned asbestos only in passing, as one of the materials particle research has historically followed. The author traced European research on dust-related lung disease from coal mining to airborne particulate matter and nanotechnology. The review described how the European Community for Steel and Coal funded five medical research programs with a total budget of 35.3 million ECU. It noted that earlier large studies of more than 40 respirable coal mine dusts did not show a consistent relation between quartz content and toxicity or disease. It cited World Health Organization estimates that each 10 µg/m3 rise in the annual level of fine particles (PM2.5) increases mortality by 1.4%. It also cited chemistry studies showing that titanium dioxide considered inert can become chemically active at nano size. The author concluded that toxicology and nanotechnology should be linked, suggested centers for testing ultrafine particles, and noted that the review covered only part of nanotechnology.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Narrative historical review based on the author's professorial inauguration speech; no original study
• Who was studied: No study population. The review covered past research on coal miners and coal mine dust, mainly European research sponsored by the ECSC, and current research on ambient particles and nanoparticles.
• Exposure: Coal mine dust and its quartz content, ambient particulate matter (fine and ultrafine), and engineered nanoparticles such as titanium dioxide. Asbestos and man-made mineral fibers were mentioned only as historical subjects of particle research and were not reviewed.
• Main results:
  • The European Community for Steel and Coal ran five medical research programs with a total budget of 35.3 million ECU.
  • Large-scale studies in the ECSC programs (Davis et al., 1982), covering more than 40 respirable coal mine dusts, did not show a consistent relation between quartz content and in vitro toxicity, in vivo effects, or epidemiological outcome.
  • A figure reprinted from the author's earlier 5-year follow-up of coal miners (Schins & Borm, 1995) was described as showing that dust exposure was the primary determinant of pneumoconiosis progression, with individual susceptibility linked to tumor necrosis factor release superimposed on exposure.
  • Citing WHO (1999), the review stated that each 10 µg/m3 increase in the annual concentration of PM2.5 is estimated to increase mortality by 1.4%, and respiratory disease such as bronchitis or asthma exacerbations by as much as 4%.
  • Citing chemical studies (Jefferson & Tilley, 1999), the review stated that titanium dioxide considered inert can become chemically active at nano size. Work by the author and others found that ultrafine titanium dioxide with a hydrophobic surface was less toxic and proinflammatory than untreated ultrafine titanium dioxide.
• The authors' conclusion: The author concluded that it is highly desirable to link toxicology and nanotechnology, in order to learn about potential risks and the role of particle surface and size in toxicity. The author suggested forming competence centers where ultrafine particles can be tested for actions on biological targets.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • The author stated that the review concentrated only on a specific application and part of nanotechnology.
  • The author stated that the article did not aim to document the mechanisms and pathogenesis of the health effects caused by these particles.

Topics

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Mineral Fiber, Inflammation.

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