Stannosis

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Stannosis (lung)
Specialty Pulmonology   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Symptoms Cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness
CausesExposure to tin oxides
Diagnostic method Radiographic appearance of multiple dense lung nodules

Stannosis is an occupational, non-fibrotic pneumoconiosis caused by chronic exposure and inhalation of tin. [1] Pneumoconiosis is essentially when inorganic dust is found on the lung tissue; in this case, caused by tin oxide minerals. [2] Dust particles and fumes from tin industries, stannous oxide (SnO) and stannic oxide (SnO2), [3] are specific to stannosis diagnoses. [3] [1] Hazardous occupations such as, tinning, tin-working, and smelting are where most cases of stannosis are documented. When melted tin ions are inhaled as a fume, the tin oxides deposit onto the lung nodules and immune response cells. [4] [5] If a worker is exposed to tin oxides over multiple events for an extended time, they are at risk of developing stannosis.

Contents

Toxicology and physiology

Workers with acute exposures, short duration with varying dose concentrations, to tin oxides develop a mild irritation on the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. [6] When the inorganic metal materials are inhaled, the body activates the immune system and sends macrophages to the lungs. The macrophages try removing xenobiotic particles; however, stannous and stannic oxide interferes with the cells function. [4] Tin deposition on lung nodules [5] becomes apparent after X-ray imaging, although the stannosis does not appear to damage the lung tissues. [7] [5] Since the macrophages are laden with tin oxides but little to no fibrosis, stannosis is classified as a non-fibrotic pneumoniosis. [4] Stannosis is a rare disease with only case-by-case appearances throughout history. [1] Therefore, a diagnostic treatment plan has not yet been created by health officials.

Characteristics of Tin for industrial uses

Tin oxide metals are used for their variable valence state and positive charge deficit from their oxygen vacancy. [8] When heated to temperatures above 2602 °C or 2875 K, tin oxides start to boil and produce fumes. [9] For example, tin forms Sn2 when heated in oxygenated environments; also called feebly acid. [9] Tin oxide is known for being a good catalyst in solid photochemical reactions (photocatalysis) and electric production from light (photoelectrocatalysis). [8] The energy produced form splitting water in photoelectrocatalysis is used for the creation of dehydrated dyes. [8]

Tin is found in nature as an off-white or gray crystal mineral called cassiterite.[ citation needed ] The corrosion resistant metal is harvested primarily in Malaya, Bolivia, Indonesia, Zaire, Thailand, and Nigeria. [9] Traditionally, tin was used to create containers; however, since the increased use of plastics and aluminum this is no longer common. There are two allotropic forms of tin, depending on the temperature. A variety of tin alloys morphologies exist including the following metals: soft solder, fusible, pewter, bronze, Babbit, White, and phosphor bronze metal. [9] Tin oxide metals are corrosive resistant which is important in industrial uses. [9]

Tin(II) oxide, or Stannous oxide, is a brown-black powder or blue-black crystalline solid compound. SnO.jpg
Tin(II) oxide, or Stannous oxide, is a brown-black powder or blue-black crystalline solid compound.

Industrial applications of Tin oxides

Stannous oxide (SnO)

Stannous oxide (SnO) is used for manufacturing glass materials, like ceramics. [10] The compound is insoluble in water and takes the form of a brow-black powder or blue-black crystalline solid. [11] It is labeled as both an irritant and health hazard in the chemical safety sections of safety data sheets.

Stannic oxide (SnO2)

Tin(iv) oxide, or stannic oxide, is an off-white/ white crystalline solid powder compound. SnO2.jpg
Tin(iv) oxide, or stannic oxide, is an off-white/ white crystalline solid powder compound.

The primary uses for stannic oxide (SnO2) include polishing glass, marble, silver, and jewelry in addition to creating dyes for fabrics, [12] paper, ceramic glazes, printing inks, coatings, and pigments in food polymers. [13] Stannic oxide is also insoluble in water and dissociates in sulfuric acids and hydrochloric acid. [13]

Case studies

De-tinning plant

In 1679, a 26 year old tin miner who worked in a smelter was found to have odd lung physiology after a radiography. He was asymptomatic despite having profuse small, metallic nodules in the lungs. [7] At the same plant, a 55 year old man who loaded scrap tin into smelting furnaces for 15 years was assessed. [7] His radiography confirmed that his cough and crackle was due to metallic bilateral nodules on the lungs, or stannosis. The second male's biopsy revealed macrophages overwhelmed with dust deposits that affected hist connective tissue in the lungs. [7] The case study determined that two workers in a detinning mine, who handled molten tin, developed stannosis. According to the researchers of "Stannosis: A report of 2 cases", the two workers were subject to the dustiest job of packaging tin-oxide for transportation. [7] Tin miners are typically researched when assessing for stannosis because their exposure to tin oxides is around 70-80% in comparison to other job tasks in a plant. [7]

Tinning milk reservoir tanks

After 17 years of painting tin hot tin powder into the inside of tanks, a 74 year old male patient developed a dry cough and progressive dyspnea. [1] Because engineering controls and respiratory personal protective equipment were not used, the worker suffered grave lung damage. [1] In comparison to healthy, non-tinning workers, the patient had significantly higher bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF) containing tin. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin</span> Chemical element, symbol Sn and atomic number 50

Tin is a chemical element; it has symbol Sn and atomic number 50. A silvery-colored metal, tin is soft enough to be cut with little force, and a bar of tin can be bent by hand with little effort. When bent, the so-called "tin cry" can be heard as a result of twinning in tin crystals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berylliosis</span> Medical condition

Berylliosis, or chronic beryllium disease (CBD), is a chronic allergic-type lung response and chronic lung disease caused by exposure to beryllium and its compounds, a form of beryllium poisoning. It is distinct from acute beryllium poisoning, which became rare following occupational exposure limits established around 1950. Berylliosis is an occupational lung disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pneumoconiosis</span> Class of interstitial lung diseases

Pneumoconiosis is the general term for a class of interstitial lung disease where inhalation of dust has caused interstitial fibrosis. The three most common types are asbestosis, silicosis, and coal miner's lung. Pneumoconiosis often causes restrictive impairment, although diagnosable pneumoconiosis can occur without measurable impairment of lung function. Depending on extent and severity, it may cause death within months or years, or it may never produce symptoms. It is usually an occupational lung disease, typically from years of dust exposure during work in mining; textile milling; shipbuilding, ship repairing, and/or shipbreaking; sandblasting; industrial tasks; rock drilling ; or agriculture. It is one of the most common occupational diseases in the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asbestosis</span> Pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation and retention of asbestos fibers

Asbestosis is long-term inflammation and scarring of the lungs due to asbestos fibers. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Complications may include lung cancer, mesothelioma, and pulmonary heart disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silicosis</span> Pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of silica, quartz or slate particles

Silicosis is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust. It is marked by inflammation and scarring in the form of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs. It is a type of pneumoconiosis. Silicosis, particularly the acute form, is characterized by shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis. It may often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema, pneumonia, or tuberculosis. Using workplace controls, silicosis is almost always a preventable disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis</span> Medical condition

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disorder characterized by an abnormal accumulation of surfactant-derived lipoprotein compounds within the alveoli of the lung. The accumulated substances interfere with the normal gas exchange and expansion of the lungs, ultimately leading to difficulty breathing and a predisposition to developing lung infections. The causes of PAP may be grouped into primary, secondary, and congenital causes, although the most common cause is a primary autoimmune condition in an individual.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chest radiograph</span> Projection X-ray of the chest

A chest radiograph, chest X-ray (CXR), or chest film is a projection radiograph of the chest used to diagnose conditions affecting the chest, its contents, and nearby structures. Chest radiographs are the most common film taken in medicine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin(II) chloride</span> Chemical compound

Tin(II) chloride, also known as stannous chloride, is a white crystalline solid with the formula SnCl2. It forms a stable dihydrate, but aqueous solutions tend to undergo hydrolysis, particularly if hot. SnCl2 is widely used as a reducing agent (in acid solution), and in electrolytic baths for tin-plating. Tin(II) chloride should not be confused with the other chloride of tin; tin(IV) chloride or stannic chloride (SnCl4).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypersensitivity pneumonitis</span> Medical condition

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) or extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) is a syndrome caused by the repetitive inhalation of antigens from the environment in susceptible or sensitized people. Common antigens include molds, bacteria, bird droppings, bird feathers, agricultural dusts, bioaerosols and chemicals from paints or plastics. People affected by this type of lung inflammation (pneumonitis) are commonly exposed to the antigens by their occupations, hobbies, the environment and animals. The inhaled antigens produce a hypersensitivity immune reaction causing inflammation of the airspaces (alveoli) and small airways (bronchioles) within the lung. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may eventually lead to interstitial lung disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin(IV) oxide</span> Chemical compound known as stannic oxide, cassiterite and tin ore

Tin(IV) oxide, also known as stannic oxide, is the inorganic compound with the formula SnO2. The mineral form of SnO2 is called cassiterite, and this is the main ore of tin. With many other names, this oxide of tin is an important material in tin chemistry. It is a colourless, diamagnetic, amphoteric solid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin(II) hydroxide</span> Chemical compound

Tin(II) hydroxide, Sn(OH)2, also known as stannous hydroxide, is an inorganic compound tin(II). The only related material for which definitive information is available is the oxy hydroxide Sn6O4(OH)4, but other related materials are claimed. They are all white solids that are insoluble in water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pneumonitis</span> General inflammation of lung tissue

Pneumonitis describes general inflammation of lung tissue. Possible causative agents include radiation therapy of the chest, exposure to medications used during chemo-therapy, the inhalation of debris, aspiration, herbicides or fluorocarbons and some systemic diseases. If unresolved, continued inflammation can result in irreparable damage such as pulmonary fibrosis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black lung disease</span> Human disease caused by long-term exposure to coal dust

Black lung disease (BLD), also known as coal-mine dust lung disease, or simply black lung, is an occupational type of pneumoconiosis caused by long-term inhalation and deposition of coal dust in the lungs and the consequent lung tissue's reaction to its presence. It is common in coal miners and others who work with coal. It is similar to both silicosis from inhaling silica dust and asbestosis from inhaling asbestos dust. Inhaled coal dust progressively builds up in the lungs and leads to inflammation, fibrosis, and in worse cases, necrosis.

Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), also known as bronchoalveolar washing, is a diagnostic method of the lower respiratory system in which a bronchoscope is passed through the mouth or nose into an appropriate airway in the lungs, with a measured amount of fluid introduced and then collected for examination. This method is typically performed to diagnose pathogenic infections of the lower respiratory airways, though it also has been shown to have utility in diagnosing interstitial lung disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage can be a more sensitive method of detection than nasal swabs in respiratory molecular diagnostics, as has been the case with SARS-CoV-2 where bronchoalveolar lavage samples detect copies of viral RNA after negative nasal swab testing.

Occupational lung diseases comprise a broad group of diseases, including occupational asthma, industrial bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiolitis obliterans, inhalation injury, interstitial lung diseases, infections, lung cancer and mesothelioma. These can be caused directly or due to immunological response to an exposure to a variety of dusts, chemicals, proteins or organisms. Occupational cases of interstitial lung disease may be misdiagnosed as COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or a myriad of other diseases; leading to a delay in identification of the causative agent.

Caplan's syndrome is a combination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pneumoconiosis that manifests as intrapulmonary nodules, which appear homogeneous and well-defined on chest X-ray.

Tin(II) sulfide is a chemical compound of tin and sulfur. The chemical formula is SnS. Its natural occurrence concerns herzenbergite (α-SnS), a rare mineral. At elevated temperatures above 905 K, SnS undergoes a second order phase transition to β-SnS (space group: Cmcm, No. 63). In recent years, it has become evident that a new polymorph of SnS exists based upon the cubic crystal system, known as π-SnS (space group: P213, No. 198).

Indium lung is a rare occupational lung disease caused by exposure to respirable indium in the form of indium tin oxide. It is classified as an interstitial lung disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William N. Rom</span> Sol and Judith Professor of Medicine and Environmental Medicine

William N. Rom is the Sol and Judith Bergstein Professor of Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Emeritus at New York University School of Medicine and former Director of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine at New York University and Chief of the Chest Service at Bellevue Hospital Center, 1989–2014. He is Research Scientist at the School of Global Public Health at New York University and Adjunct Professor at the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He teaches Climate Change and Global Public Health and Environmental Health in a Global World.

Whole lung lavage (WLL), also called lung washing, is a medical procedure in which the patient's lungs are washed with saline by filling and draining repeatedly. It is used to treat pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, in which excess lung surfactant proteins prevent the patient from breathing. Some sources consider it a variation of bronchoalveolar lavage.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Altraja A, Nigol K, Altraja S, Viitak A (2012-03-12). "Increased bronchoalveolar lavage fluid tin content in stannosis". Chest Disease Reports. 2 (1): 8. doi: 10.4081/cdr.2012.e8 . ISSN   2039-4772.
  2. ↑ Corrin B, Nicholson AG (2011). "Occupational, environmental and iatrogenic lung disease". Pathology of the Lungs. Elsevier. pp. 327–399. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-3369-8.00007-0. ISBN   978-0-7020-3369-8. PMC   7170212 .
  3. 1 2 Luong D (July 2021). "Pulmonary stannosis". Radiopedia. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Chong S, Lee KS, Chung MJ, Han J, Kwon OJ, Kim TS (2006-01-01). "Pneumoconiosis: comparison of imaging and pathologic findings". Radiographics. 26 (1): 59–77. doi:10.1148/rg.261055070. PMID   16418244.
  5. 1 2 3 Fishwick D, Barber (2017-08-22). "Chapter 3: Respiratory Disorders". In Koh DS, Aw TC (eds.). Textbook Of Occupational Medicine Practice (Fourth ed.). World Scientific Publishing Company. pp. 49–90 (72). doi:10.1142/9789813200708_0003. ISBN   978-981-320-071-5.
  6. ↑ Dikensoy O, Kervancioglu R, Ege I, Uysal N, Elbek O, Ozkur A (2008). "High prevalence of diffuse parenchymal lung diseases among Turkish tinners". Journal of Occupational Health. 50 (2): 208–211. doi: 10.1539/joh.l7104 . PMID   18403874. S2CID   10074583.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sluis-Cremer GK, Thomas RG, Goldstein B, Solomon A (February 1989). "Stannosis. A report of 2 cases". South African Medical Journal. 75 (3): 124–126. PMID   2919326.
  8. 1 2 3 Manjunathan P, Shanbhag GV (January 2020). "Application of tin oxide-based materials in catalysis.". Tin Oxide Materials. Elsevier. pp. 519–553. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-815924-8.00018-9. ISBN   9780128159248. S2CID   210513441.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tin | Sn". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
  10. ↑ "Stannous Oxide Formula". oftschools.com.
  11. ↑ "Tin(II) oxide". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
  12. ↑ "Stannic Oxide". Conservation and Art Materials Encyclopedia Online (CAMEO).
  13. 1 2 "Tin(IV) oxide". PubChem. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 2022-04-12.


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