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Open AccessJournal ArticleDOI

Toxicological Evaluations of Rare Earths and Their Health Impacts to Workers: A Literature Review

TLDR
It is important to review the toxicological studies to improve the current understanding of the RE compounds in the field of occupational health to establish a sustainable, safe and healthy working environment for RE industries.
Abstract
In concert with the development of new materials in the last decade, the need for toxicological studies of these materials has been increasing. These new materials include a group of rare earths (RE). The use of RE nanotechnology is being considered in some green applications, to increase their efficiency by using nano-sized RE compounds, and therefore hazard evaluation and risk assessment are highly recommended. This review was conducted through an extensive contemplation of the literatures in toxicology with in vitro and in vivo studies. Major aspects reviewed were the toxicological evaluations of these elements and metallic compounds at the molecular and cellular level, animal and human epidemiological studies and environmental and occupational health impacts on workers. We also discuss the future prospect of industries with appliances using RE together with the significance of preventive efforts for workers’ health. To establish a safe and healthy working environment for RE industries, the use of biomarkers is increasing to provide sustainable measure, due to demand for information about the health risks from unfavorable exposures. Given the recent toxicological results on the exposure of cells, animals and workers to RE compounds, it is important to review the toxicological studies to improve the current understanding of the RE compounds in the field of occupational health. This will help to establish a sustainable, safe and healthy working environment for RE industries.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI

Increasing Temperatures Potentiate the Damage of Rare Earth Element Yttrium to the Crop Plant Triticum aestivum L.

TL;DR: In this article, the effect of high temperature on wheat plants was investigated. But, the authors focused on the effects of high temperatures on the root length of the plants and found that exposure to Y at 27 °C showed no visible effects on root length, but induced significant (p < 0.05) metabolic disorders of a range of carbohydrates and amino acids related to galactose, phenylalanine, and glutamate metabolisms.
Journal ArticleDOI

Effect of ions on adsorption of lysozyme protein below its isoelectric point on hydrophilic (OH-Si) and hydrophobic (H-Si) surfaces

TL;DR: In this paper , thin films of this protein are found in human tears, saliva, sweat, and milk, which is a rigid globular protein with four disulfide bonds.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI

Rare earth nanoparticles prevent retinal degeneration induced by intracellular peroxides

TL;DR: The data indicate that the nanoceria particles may be effective in inhibiting the progression of ROI-induced cell death, which is thought to be involved in macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and other blinding diseases, as well as the ROi-induced death of other cell types in diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, stroke and so on.
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Anti‐inflammatory Properties of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles

TL;DR: It is suggested that cerium oxide nanoparticles are well tolerated in mice and are incorporated into cellular tissues and therefore serve as a novel therapy for chronic inflammation.
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Toxicity of Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles in Human Lung Cancer Cells

TL;DR: The cytotoxicity and oxidative stress caused by 20-nm cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles in cultured human lung cancer cells was investigated and it was concluded that free radicals generated by exposure to 3.5 to 23.3 μg/ml CeO2 nanoparticles produce significant oxidative stress in the cells.
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Evaluation of short-term effects of rare earth and other elements used in magnesium alloys on primary cells and cell lines

TL;DR: Of the elements with high solubility in magnesium alloys, Gd and Dy seem to be more suitable than Y, and La and Ce showed the highest cytotoxicity of the analysed elements.
Journal ArticleDOI

Exposure, health and ecological effects review of engineered nanoscale cerium and cerium oxide associated with its use as a fuel additive.

TL;DR: There is an absolute critical need for integrated exposure and toxicological studies in order to accurately assess the environmental, ecological and health implications of nanotechnology enabled diesel fuel additives with existing as well as new engine designs and fuel formulations.
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