RESPONSE OF HUMAN ORGANISM TO THE EXPOSURE TO AIRBORNE FIBRES
Main researcher
: VALIĆ, FEDOR (51484) Assistants
SKURIĆ, ZDENKA (43590)
BERITIĆ, DUNJA (3264)
CIGULA, MIRA (6870)
DOKO-JELINIĆ, JAGODA (39880)
CAR, ZLATAN (104371)
Type of research: applied Duration from: 01/01/91. Papers on project (total): 21
Institution name: Medicinski fakultet, Zagreb (108) Department/Institute: Andrija Štampar School of Public Health Address: 10000 Zagreb, Rockefellerova 4 City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)1 276 822
Fax: 385 (0)1 275 415
E-mail: Summary: Prevalences of all respiratory symptoms were found to be
significantly higher in asbestos workers compared with controls, both in
nonsmokers and smokers.Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the
prevalences of symptoms increased with both the length of employment and
the cumulative exposure to total airborne particles, but not with
cumulative exposure to fibres. In spite of increased asbestos fibre
concentrations measured in domestic environments of workers occupationally
exposed to asbestos, no increase of prevalences of respiratory symptoms
was found in their family members. In female members, however, the mean
measured ventilatory lung function parameters were found to be
significantly lower than the expected normal values. There was no
difference in the sensitivity to occupational exposure to asbestos-cement
between men and women. On the basis of multiple linear regression analyses
of the relationship of concentrations obtained with the konimeter, the
thermal precipitator and the membrane filtre in four different asbestos
manufacturing processes, it was established that no single conversion
factor may be used for the interconversion of results obtained by
different methods. Evaluating whether formaldehyde, evaporating in the
course of impregnation and use of mineral fibres, could exert negative
effects, it was observed that formaldehyde can cause conjunctivitis and
pharyngitis at concentrations as low as one third of TLV. Determining the
airborne concentrations of mineral fibres in buildings it was proven that,
contrary to expectations, the unnecessary removal of insulating materials
may bring about a significant increase of the exposure of inhabitants. The
results of the studies of the health effects of asbestos and possible
substitutes for asbestos were used in the period 1991-1995 in the
development of 7 papers in journals, 3 international monographs, 2
critical reviews in international proceedings, 1 paper in domestic
proceeding, 3 invited presentations at international meetings, and 3
summaries in the proceedings of an international meeting.
Keywords: airborne fibres, asbestos fibres, mineral fibres, formaldehyde, concentration conversions, respiratory symptoms, lung function, removal of fibres from buildings
Research goals: In our previous studies, partly in cooperation with
the US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, indications
were obtained that non-specific chronic respiratory symptoms may be the
earliest response of the organism to the exposure to asbestos fibres, but
the hypothesis that the effect on the lung function is the consequence of
specific pathogenesis due to fibres remained unresolved. In order to
confirm or decline the hypothesis and in order to evaluate whether the
substitute non-asbestos fibres act in a different way, it was planned to
perform analyses of the relationships between the cumulative fibre
exposure and the magnitude of their biological pathogenic potential. It
was also planned to compare the magnitude of the effects of asbestos and
potential substitute fibres, calculating the specific effects of related
fibre exposures extrapolated to unit exposure level. Using differential
ecological analyses, the evaluation to be made of the relative role of
fibres in the biological effects of total solid aerosols. The development
of equations for interconverting fibre exposure levels of airborne fibres
determined by different analytical methods was planned, a problem of
utmost impostance in quantitative health risk assessment.
COOPERATION - PROJECTS
Name of project
: Environmental Health Criteria Programme Name of institution: International Programme on Chemical
Safety/World Health Organization
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: International Programme on Chemical
Safety/World Health Organization Type of institution: International organization Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information City: Ženeva, Švicarska
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Name
: There is no difference in respiratory response to asbestos
between women and men Type of achievement: Other Authors: Valić F, Beritić D, Cigula M
Name
: Uklanjanje vlaknatih izolacijskih materijala iz zgrada
nije uvijek potrebno Type of achievement: Other Authors: Cigula M, Valić F Other information about the project.