Case reports of indium lung disease in Taiwan.

The production of indium-tin oxide has increased in the past decades due to the increased manufacture of liquid crystal displays (LCD). Taiwan is one of the highest indium-consuming countries worldwide. After repeated inhalation, indium oxide (InO) particles would accumulate in the lungs, resulting in severe lung effects.

Characteristics of Decreased Pulmonary Function and Clinical Symptoms in Nickel Electroplating Workers.

Objective: To investigate health problems, especially pulmonary function, among electroplating workers exposed to nickel.

Methods: We recruited 153 nickel-exposed and 74 control workers from electroplating shops in printed circuit board production plants. Questionnaires were conducted to collect basic information.

Do sanitary ceramic workers have a worse presentation of chest radiographs or pulmonary function tests than other ceramic workers?

Background/purpose: Silicosis remains the most prevalent occupational disease worldwide. There have been no specific studies focusing on the association between exposure settings at work and the clinical severity in silicosis patients. In this study, we describe and compare the clinical characteristics and silicosis-associated exposure history at work among workers from several types of ceramic production facilities in Taiwan.

Nickel exposure and plasma levels of biomarkers for assessing oxidative stress in nickel electroplating workers.

Context: The mechanism of nickel-induced pathogenesis remains elusive.

Objective: To examine effects of nickel exposure on plasma oxidative and anti-oxidative biomarkers.

Materials And Methods: Biomarker data were collected from 154 workers with various levels of nickel exposure and from 73 controls.

Blood oxidative stress in Taiwan workers exposed to carbon disulfide.

Background: Overexposure to carbon disulfide (CS(2) ) has been associated with an increase in coronary heart disease, but the mechanisms mediating this effect remain unclear. We aimed to examine the relationship between CS(2) exposure and oxidative stress markers, in order to clarify the oxidative mechanisms involved in CS(2) -induced atherosclerosis.

Methods: A total of 89 workers from a viscose rayon plant were recruited for this study, and 111 workers not exposed to CS(2) served as controls.

Inflammatory responses and oxidative stress from metal fume exposure in automobile welders.

Objectives: : Welding operations expose to metal fume. We investigated the inflammatory responses and oxidative stress from metal fume exposure in an automobile plant.

Methods: : We recruited 258 automobile workers and measured the urine zinc, copper, and nickel to determine the exposure level, and examined the white blood cells, and IL-6 as inflammatory responses to the metal fume exposure.

Pulmonary function abnormalities and airway irritation symptoms of metal fumes exposure on automobile spot welders.

Background: Spot or resistance welding has been considered less hazardous than other types of welding. Automobile manufacturing is a major industry in Taiwan. Spot and arc welding are common processes in this industry.

Molecular epidemiology of plasma oncoproteins in vinyl chloride monomer workers in Taiwan.

Aims: To determine the presence of Asp13-p21-ki-ras oncoprotein and p53 oncoprotein in the plasma of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)-workers in Taiwan.

Methods: We used enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) western blotting to detect Asp13-p21-ki-ras and ELISA to detect mutant p53 protein (p53-Ag) and anti-p53 antibodies (p53-Ab) in the plasma of VCM-exposed workers.

Results: Twenty-five out of 251 (10%) VCM-workers were positive for Asp13-p21-ki-ras in plasma, but 0 out of 36 controls were positive.