Zirconium dioxide

Exposure related observations in humans: other data

Administrative data

Endpoint:

exposure-related observations in humans: other data

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

3 (not reliable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: Clinical and radiographic evaluation of selected employees. Limited documentation.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

A study of the effects on the lung of industrial exposure to zirconium dusts

Author:

Reed, C.E.

Year:

1956

Bibliographic source:

Archives of Industrial Health, See AMA Archives of Industrial Health 13, 578-580

Materials and methods

Type of study / information:

Clinical studies of employees working on production of zirconium.

Endpoint addressed:

repeated dose toxicity: inhalation

Principles of method if other than guideline:

No guideline followed

GLP compliance:

no

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Zirconium dioxide

EC Number:

215-227-2

EC Name:

Zirconium dioxide

Cas Number:

1314-23-4

Molecular formula:

O2Zr

IUPAC Name:

zirconium dioxide

Test material form:

other: dust

Details on test material:

- Name of test material (as cited in study report): zirconium dust

Method

Details on study design:

Twenty-two workers who had been exposed to the fumes of this process for periods of one to five years were studied. Men who had been employed the longest and those with chest symptoms were selected. Clinical studies included history, physical examination, vital capacity, determination, and serial chest roentgenograms. Most of these men were veterans of World War II, and many had been in areas where histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis were endemic.

Exposure assessment:

not specified

Results and discussion

Results:

No cases of pulmonary granulomatosis were found. No other workers presented findings similar to the engineer previously mentioned. Fifteen of the twenty-two men had no symptoms of lung disease. Two had mild bronchial astma. Five men had chronic cough and sputum and had consulted a physician for chest symptoms. A diagnosis of chronic bronchitis had been made, and the findings confirmed the diagnosis. Three of those five men worked in the chlorination room and attributed their symptoms to chlorine fumes. No significant abnormalities were found on physical examination, and the chest expansion was normal in all cases. The vital capacity was within normal limits in all but two of the men. These men were among the five with chronic bronchitis and had vital capacities of 3.2 and 3.8 liters, respectively.

Any other information on results incl. tables

Roentgenograms were made June, 1954, October, 1954, and March, 1955. In no case there were striking abnormalities in the lung fields. In 11 cases the three films were interpreted as entirely normal. The two men with reduced vital capacity had normal roentgenograms. In seven there was equivocal increase in peripheral lung markings in one of the three films, but this may have been more in the mind of the observer than in the chest of the worker. In the remaining four cases light increase in lung markings was seen in two or more films. Three of these four cases were in the group of five men with chronic bronchitis, and three of them worked in the chlorinated room. No changes reasonably attributable to radiopaque dusts were found.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The possibility that dusts encountered in the production of zirconium metal might produce pulmonary granulomas was investigated by clinical and radiographic evaluation of selected employees. No abnormalities attributable to zirconium were found.