Purpose of ReviewLeather tanneries are known to produce harmful particulate matter (PM), leading to various respiratory and other health issues among workers. While studies have linked PM exposure to respiratory ailments, research on PM composition and its association with health risks in tanneries is limited. This study aimed to investigate PM composition, size-based exposures, and associated health risks among tannery workers.Recent FindingsA comprehensive literature review was conducted, focusing on PM characteristics, occupational exposures in tanneries, and pulmonary impairments. Results showed that tannery workers exhibited lung function decline, with a mixed pattern of restrictive and obstructive disorders. PM analysis revealed diverse airborne metal concentrations within acceptable limits but posing respiratory and cancer risks. Chromium, carbon and bacterial pathogens emerged as major concerns.SummaryThe organic carbon and bacterial species were identified as both contributors and synergists to respiratory ailments, with bacterial associations more prominent in larger PM sizes. Smoking further exacerbated lung damage, synergizing with PM exposure.

Prior research has explored the relationship between occupational exposure to nickel and lung function. Nonetheless, there is limited research examining the correlation between blood nickel levels and lung function among young adults in the general population. The metabolomic changes associated with nickel exposure have not been well elucidated. On August 23, 2019, we enrolled 257 undergraduate participants from the Chinese Undergraduates Cohort to undergo measurements of blood nickel levels and lung function. The follow-up study was conducted in May 2021. A linear mixed-effects model was employed to assess the relationship between blood nickel levels and lung function. We also conducted stratified analyses by home address. In addition, in order to explore the biological mechanism of lung function damage caused by nickel exposure, we performed metabolomic analyses of baseline serum samples (N = 251). Both analysis of variance and mixed linear effect models were utilized to assess the impact of blood nickel exposure on metabolism. Our findings from cross-sectional and cohort analyses revealed a significant association between blood nickel levels and decreased forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) among young adults in the general population. Furthermore, we found stronger associations in urban areas. In metabolomics analysis, a total of nine metabolites were significantly changed under blood nickel exposure. The changed metabolites were mainly enriched in six pathways including carbohydrate, amino acid, and cofactor vitamin metabolism. These metabolic pathways involve inflammation and oxidative stress, indicating that high concentrations of nickel exposure can cause inflammation and oxidative stress by disrupting the above metabolism of the body.