Lung Particulate Burdens of Subjects from the Cincinnati, Ohio Urban Area

Authors

L. E. Stettler, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
S. F. Platek, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
R. D. Riley, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
J. P. Mastin, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
S. D. Simon, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Abstract

Because of the relatively small data base existing for lung particulate burdens of subjects with no overt pneumoconioses, the total exogenous lung particulate concentrations of 91 subjects from the Cincinnati, Ohio urban area were determined using an automated scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray analysis-image analysis system. Four of these subjects were foundry workers and had the highest exogenous particle concentrations seen in the 91 lungs, ranging from 1860 to 2990 x 10⁶ particles per gram of dry lung (ppg). The average exogenous particle concentration for the remaining 87 subjects was 476 ± 380 x 10⁶ ppg with a range of 71 to 1860 x 10⁶ ppg. The median size of the exogenous particles in the 87 lungs was narrow, ranging from 0.37 to 1.02 µm. The geometric mean particle size over all 87 lungs was 0.60 µm with a geometric standard deviation (σ_g) of 2.35. The total exogenous particle levels were elevated for the male subjects compared to females (p=0.015), and were positively associated with age (p=0. 021). However, no correlation was seen between total particle concentration and race or smoking history.

Recommended Citation

Stettler, L. E.; Platek, S. F.; Riley, R. D.; Mastin, J. P.; and Simon, S. D. (1990) "Lung Particulate Burdens of Subjects from the Cincinnati, Ohio Urban Area," Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol5/iss1/9