The influence of hydrocarbon composition and exposure conditions on jet fuel-induced immunotoxicity.

Abstract

Chronic jet fuel exposure could be detrimental to the health and well-being of exposed personnel, adversely affect their work performance and predispose these individuals to increased incidences of infectious disease, cancer and autoimmune disorders. Short-term (7 day) JP-8 jet fuel exposure has been shown to cause lung injury and immune dysfunction. Physiological alterations can be influenced not only by jet fuel exposure concentration (absolute amount), but also are dependent on the type of exposure (aerosol versus vapor) and the composition of the jet fuel (hydrocarbon composition). In the current study, these variables were examined with relation to effects of jet fuel exposure on immune function. It was discovered that real-time, in-line monitoring of jet fuel exposure resulted in aerosol exposure concentrations that were approximately one-eighth the concentration of previously reported exposure systems. Further, the effects of a synthetic jet fuel designed to eliminate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were also examined. Both of these changes in exposure reduced but did not eliminate the deleterious effects on the immune system of exposed mice.

• Authors: Jianhua W Hilgaertner, Xianghui He, Daniel Camacho, Michael Badowski, Mark Witten, David T Harris
• Journal: Toxicology and industrial health (Toxicol Ind Health) Vol. 27 Issue 10 Pg. 887-98 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1477-0393 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21402657 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Hydrocarbons
• JP8 aviation fuel
• Petroleum
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
• Interferon-gamma

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Hematologic Tests
• Hydrocarbons (chemistry, toxicity)
• Immune System (drug effects)
• Immune System Diseases (chemically induced, pathology)
• Interferon-gamma (metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Organ Size (drug effects)
• Petroleum
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (analysis)
• Spleen (drug effects, pathology)
• T-Lymphocytes (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Thymus Gland (drug effects, pathology)