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2023.05.04 17:41

#0122 Indium concentration in serum is an excellent predictor for assessing accumulated indium concentration in the lungs

It Runs in the Blood: Serum Indium Levels Are Related to Those in the LungsIn 2001, a worker who was regularly exposed to fine indium-containing dusts died of lung collapse (pneumothorax) and scarring (interstitial pneumonia). Since then, many studies have been conducted to determine if exposure to hardly soluble indium dusts can cause respiratory diseases.In previous epidemiological works, we successfully demonstrated the casual relationship between indium dust and lung diseases. However, we used the indium levels in blood serum as an indicator of exposure to indium because there are no easy ways to measure the levels of indium accumulated in lung tissue. The question of whether indium levels in serum can accurately represent indium levels in the lungs remained unanswered—until now.We sought to answer this question in our latest study using data from our 15-year cohort follow-up of workers in 11 factories that handle indium. Five indium-exposed male workers that were enlisted in this follow-up underwent surgery of the lungs for different diseases, including lung cancer and recurrent pneumothorax. With consent from all participants, we took these surgeries as opportunities to check if a clear relationship exists between indium levels in serum and in extracted lung tissue. After analyzing the blood serum and lung tissue samples, we found a remarkably good correlation between the indium levels in both. It appears indium levels in the lungs tend to be several thousand times higher than in blood.Overall, our study showcases how measuring indium levels in blood serum, which is a rather easy and minimally invasive procedure, could be a reliable way to indirectly assess the amount of indium accumulated in the lungs. However, considering we only included five cases, further studies should be conducted to confirm our conclusions. Finding simple and better ways to measure exposure to indium dusts will allow doctors and researchers to better understand how such chemicals adversely affect our bodies. Hopefully, it will ultimately help create safer work environments. 
NEW
2023.05.04 17:33

#0121 Type and timing of exercise during lunch breaks for suppressing postprandial increases in blood glucose levels in workers

NEW
2023.05.04 17:24

#0120 Work-related musculoskeletal disorders and associated risk factors among urban metropolitan hairdressers in India

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2023.05.04 17:17

#0119 Association of organizational factors with knowledge of effectiveness indicators and participation in corporate health and productivity management programs

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2023.05.04 17:09

#0118 The combined effect of long working hours and individual risk factors on cardiovascular disease: An interaction analysis

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#0008 Associations between welding fume exposure and neurological function in Japanese male welders and non-welders

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#0002 Sweating on a Dime: Socioeconomic Disparity Influences Habitual Exercising among Urban Workers in Tokyo

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#0004 Measuring the Measures of Sedentary Behavior: Are We Doing it Right?

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#0007 The Deleterious Health Effects of Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles

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#0025 Risk factors for development of lower limb osteoarthritis in physically demanding occupations: A narrative umbrella review

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#0006 Workplace Responses and Employee Mental Health and Performance in the Time of COVID-19

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