LAUSR

Our study demonstrates that occupational exposure to nano-CaCO3 could lead to the poor pulmonary function observed among occupational workers. Oxidative stress participate in mechanisms of lung injury induced by nano-CaCO3. Especially, the results can provide information for proposing occupational strategies for reducing the occupational hazards. Objective The aim of the study is to investigate whether nano–calcium carbonate (nano-CaCO3) occupational exposure could induce adverse health effects in workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a nano-CaCO3 manufacturing plant in China. Then, we have studied the dynamic distribution of nano-CaCO3 in nude mice and examined the oxidative damage biomarkers of subchronic administrated nano-CaCO3 on Sprague-Dawley rats. Results The forced vital capacity (%) and the ratio of FEV1 to FVC is the rate of one second of workers were significantly decreased than unexposed individuals. Dynamic imaging in mice of fluorescence labeled nano-CaCO3 showed relatively high uptake and slow washout in lung. Similar to population data, the decline in serum glutathione level and elevation in serum MDA were observed in nano-CaCO3–infected Sprague-Dawley rats. Conclusions We found that nano-CaCO3 exposure may result in the poor pulmonary function in workers and lead to the changes of oxidative stress indexes.