Historical shift in pathological type of progressive massive fibrosis among coal miners in the USA.

Background: Pneumoconiosis among coal miners in the USA has been resurgent over the past two decades, despite modern dust controls and regulatory standards. Previously published studies have suggested that respirable crystalline silica (RCS) is a contributor to this disease resurgence. However, evidence has been primarily indirect, in the form of radiographic features.

Developing a Solution for Nasal and Olfactory Transport of Nanomaterials.

With advances in nanotechnology, engineered nanomaterial applications are a rapidly growing sector of the economy. Some nanomaterials can reach the brain through nose-to-brain transport. This transport creates concern for potential neurotoxicity of insoluble nanomaterials and a need for toxicity screening tests that detect nose-to-brain transport.

Pathology and Mineralogy Demonstrate Respirable Crystalline Silica Is a Major Cause of Severe Pneumoconiosis in U.S. Coal Miners.

The reasons for resurgent coal workers' pneumoconiosis and its most severe forms, rapidly progressive pneumoconiosis and progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), in the United States are not yet fully understood. To compare the pathologic and mineralogic features of contemporary coal miners with severe pneumoconiosis with those of their historical counterparts. Lung pathology specimens from 85 coal miners with PMF were included for evaluation and analysis.

Histopathology of the broad class of carbon nanotubes and nanofibers used or produced in U.S. facilities in a murine model.

Background: Multi-walled carbon nanotubes and nanofibers (CNT/F) have been previously investigated for their potential toxicities; however, comparative studies of the broad material class are lacking, especially those with a larger diameter. Additionally, computational modeling correlating physicochemical characteristics and toxicity outcomes have been infrequently employed, and it is unclear if all CNT/F confer similar toxicity, including histopathology changes such as pulmonary fibrosis. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 40 µg of one of nine CNT/F (MW #1-7 and CNF #1-2) commonly found in exposure assessment studies of U.

Flavorings-Related Lung Disease: A Brief Review and New Mechanistic Data.

Flavorings-related lung disease is a potentially disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease of workers making or using flavorings. First identified almost 20 years ago in microwave popcorn workers exposed to butter-flavoring vapors, flavorings-related lung disease remains a concern today. In some cases, workers develop bronchiolitis obliterans, a severe form of fixed airways disease.