Metal exposure from additive manufacturing and its effect on the nasal lavage fluid proteome - a pilot study

PLoS One. 2021 Aug 31;16(8):e0256746. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256746. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

The use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) is steadily increasing and is an emerging concern regarding occupational exposure. In this study, non-invasive sampled nasal lavage fluid (NLF) from the upper airways was collected from metal AM operators at the beginning and end of a workweek during two consecutive years with preventive interventions in the occupational setting in-between (n = 5 year 1, n = 9 year 2). During year one, NLF was also collected from welders (n = 6) from the same company to get a comparison with a traditional manufacturing technique with known exposure and health risks. The samples were investigated using untargeted proteomics, as well as using multi-immunoassay to analyze a panel of 71 inflammatory protein markers. NLF in AM operators from year 1 showed decreased levels of Immunoglobulin J and WAP four-disulfide core domain protein 2 and increased levels of Golgi membrane protein 1, Uteroglobin and Protein S100-A6 at the end of the workweek. At year two, after preventive interventions, there were no significant differences at the end of the workweek. In welders, Annexin A1 and Protein S100-A6 were increased at the end of the workweek. The analysis of 71 inflammatory biomarkers showed no significant differences between the beginning and the end of workweek year 1 in AM operators. We identified several proteins of interest in the AM operators that could serve as possible markers for exposure in future studies with a larger cohort for validation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin J-Chains / analysis
  • Inflammation / chemically induced
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Male
  • Manufacturing Industry*
  • Membrane Proteins / analysis
  • Metals / adverse effects*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nasal Lavage Fluid / chemistry*
  • Occupational Exposure / adverse effects
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Proteome / analysis
  • Proteome / drug effects*
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein A6 / analysis
  • WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2 / analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • GOLM1 protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin J-Chains
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Metals
  • Proteome
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein A6
  • WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2
  • WFDC2 protein, human

Grants and funding

The study was funded by AFA Insurance (Sweden, grant no 150246, awarded non-author). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.