Release of beryllium into artificial airway epithelial lining fluid.
Inhaled beryllium particles that deposit in the lung airway lining fluid may dissolve and interact with immune-competent cells resulting in sensitization. As such, solubilization of 17 beryllium-containing materials (ore, hydroxide, metal, oxide, alloys, and process intermediates) was investigated using artificial human airway epithelial lining fluid. The maximum beryllium release in 7 days was 11.78% (from a beryl ore melter dust), although release from most materials was < 1%. Calculated dissolution half-times ranged from 30 days (reduction furnace material) to 74,000 days (hydroxide). Despite rapid mechanical clearance, billions of beryllium ions may be released in the respiratory tract via dissolution in airway lining fluid. Beryllium-containing particles that deposit in the respiratory tract dissolve in artificial lung epithelial lining fluid, thereby providing ions for absorption in the lung and interaction with immune-competent cells in the respiratory tract.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA. AStefaniak@cdc.gov
Aleksandr B
AB
Stefaniak
M Abbas
MA
Virji
Gregory A
GA
Day
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000497:Alloys / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001607:Berylliosis / Q000209:etiology; D001608:Beryllium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D040761:Biomimetic Materials; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009093:Mucus; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa; D012995:Solubility
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000497:Alloys; C032777:beryllium oxide; C042156:beryllium hydroxide; D001608:Beryllium