Occupational exposure and consequent health impairments due to potential incidental nanoparticles in leather tanneries: An evidential appraisal of south Asian developing countries

Abstract

The incidental nanoparticles' (INPs) emission at work and the consequent health impairments is a burning issue of occupational toxicology. The present study is a thorough review of available literature marking an assortment of indicators on INPs generation at leather tanneries and measurable occupational ailments. The literature reported evidences unleash a similarity between the mechanisms of leather tannery induced health damages and toxico-kinetics of incidental nanoparticles in human body. The data on physico-chemical characterization of leather tannery surface dust presents presence of stressors like heavy metals, microbes, animal fur and fibers along with organic and inorganic chemicals. Bearing same characteristics, the mechanism of INPs' induced toxicity (inflammation, increased reactive oxygen species and permeability of blood brain barrier), major target organs (lung, heart, brain, skin and liver) and health damages (cancer, DNA damage, blood coagulation, cardiac arrest, platelet alteration) are quite similar to those found among tannery workers. This review also presents the identification of the different types of potential INPs production and process sources in leather tanneries. There is no data found on Particulate size variation and consequent disparity of these characterizations has been established. However, the reported literature furnishes evidences which support the premise that there is a dire need of size based incidental particulates investigation with a special emphasis on nanoparticles.

Keywords: Incidental nanoparticles; Leather tannery; Occupational diseases; Physicochemical characteristics; Toxicity.