Particulate matter in the workplace: effects of a mental models-based folder combined with a practical assignment.

Background: With increasing knowledge on the adverse health effects of certain constituents of PM (particulate matter), such as silica, metals, insoluble ions, and black carbon, PM has been under the attention of work safety experts. Previously, we investigated the perceptions of blue-collar workers in highly exposed areas of work. Subsequently, we developed an instruction folder highlighting the most important aspects of PM risk and mitigation, and tested this folder in a digital experiment.

Development and usability of educational material about workplace particulate matter exposure.

Background: Particulate matter (PM) exposure is an important health risk, both in daily life and in the workplace. It causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and results in 800,000 premature deaths per year worldwide. In earlier research, we assessed workers' information needs regarding workplace PM exposure, the properties and effects of PM, and the rationale behind various means of protection.

Cytotoxicity of ethanol in primary cultures of rat midbrain neurons.

Primary cultures of midbrain neurons were obtained from 15-day-old rat fetuses. Neuron cultures were exposed to ethanol (27 mM, 43 mM and 120 mM) for 24 h and evaluated by light microscopy, a viability measure, and protein content. Ethanol concentrations of 43 and 120 mM appeared to affect the cultures both in terms of cell viability and protein.

Acetaldehyde-induced lipid peroxidation in isolated hepatocytes.

In an effort to evaluate further the concept of ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation, isolated rat hepatocytes obtained via collagenase perfusion were utilized. Hepatocytes were judged to be functionally intact based on measurements of adenosine-5-triphosphate, gluconeogenesis, bromosulphthalein uptake, and trypan blue exclusion. When hepatocytes were incubated with acetaldehyde, a metabolite of ethanol, at 100 mg% and 10 mg%, significant increases in lipid peroxidation resulted as measured by levels of malonaldehyde.

Levels of lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes isolated from aging rats fed an antioxidant-free diet.

Enzymatically isolated hepatocytes were utilized to evaluate levels of lipid peroxidation in young (3 months), adult (12 months) and aged (25 months) Fisher-344 female rats. Lipid peroxidation was measured by assaying levels of malonaldehyde, a by-product of the peroxidation reaction. Young, adult and aged animals were fed a liquid antioxidant-free diet for 21 days prior to the hepatocyte isolation.