A health surveillance case study on workers who manufacture silver nanomaterials.

The levels of exposure and internal doses of nanomaterials are becoming more and more important for estimating the health effects resulting from exposure to nanomaterials. Health surveillance can be used as an indicator of whether exposure is occurring, rather than in determining if levels of exposure are safe. We have conducted a health surveillance study in a workplace which manufactures silver nanomaterials, including the assessment of personal exposure levels to silver nanoparticles, a walk-through evaluation of the manufacturing process and the collection of blood and urine samples from the exposed workers.

Tissue distribution of manganese in iron-sufficient or iron-deficient rats after stainless steel welding-fume exposure.

Welders can be exposed to high levels of manganese through welding fumes. Although it has already been suggested that excessive manganese exposure causes neurotoxicity, called manganism, the pathway of manganese transport to the brain with welding-fume exposure remains unclear. Iron is an essential metal that maintains a homeostasis in the body.