A novel system to generate WTC dust particles for inhalation exposures.
First responders (FRs) present at Ground Zero within the critical first 72 h after the World Trade Center (WTC) collapse have progressively exhibited significant respiratory injury. The majority (>96%) of WTC dusts were >10 μm and no studies have examined potential health effects of this size fraction. This study sought to develop a system to generate and deliver supercoarse (10-53 μm) WTC particles to a rat model in a manner that mimicked FR exposure scenarios. A modified Fishing Line generator was integrated onto an intratracheal inhalation (ITIH) system that allowed for a bypassing of the nasal passages so as to mimic FR exposures. Dust concentrations were measured gravimetrically; particle size distribution was measured via elutriation. Results indicate that the system could produce dusts with 23 μm mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) at levels up to ≥1200 mg/m(3). To validate system utility, F344 rats were exposed for 2 h to ≈100 mg WTC dust/m(3). Exposed rats had significantly increased lung weight and levels of select tracer metals 1 h after exposure. Using this system, it is now possible to conduct relevant inhalation exposures to determine adverse WTC dusts impacts on the respiratory system. Furthermore, this novel integrated Fishing Line-ITIH system could potentially be used in the analyses of a wide spectrum of other dusts/pollutants of sizes previously untested or delivered to the lungs in ways that did not reflect realistic exposure scenarios.
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Joshua M
JM
Vaughan
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Brittany J
BJ
Garrett
1] Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA [2] Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Michael F. Price Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
Colette
C
Prophete
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Lori
L
Horton
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Maureen
M
Sisco
Human Studies Facility, US Environmental Protection Agency, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Joleen M
JM
Soukup
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Judith T
JT
Zelikoff
Human Studies Facility, US Environmental Protection Agency, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Andrew
A
Ghio
School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Ametherst, Massachusetts, USA.
Richard E
RE
Peltier
Applied Research Associates, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.
Bahman
B
Asgharian
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Lung-Chi
LC
Chen
Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, Tuxedo, New York, USA.
Mitchell D
MD
Cohen
D000818:Animals; D004391:Dust; D060731:Emergency Responders; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009929:Organ Size; D010316:Particle Size; D051381:Rats; D011916:Rats, Inbred F344; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks
D004391:Dust