Dissociation of hexavalent chromium from primer paint particles into simulated mucus fluid /

by Moran, Michael Patrick.

Title: Dissociation of Hexavalent Chromium from Primer Paint Particles into Simulated Mucus Fluid Michael Patrick Moran, Master of Science in Public Health, 2005 Directed By: Peter T. LaPuma, LtCol, USAF, BSC Assistant Professor, Department of Prev Med and Biometrics The military relies heavily on chromate primer paints to protect equipment from corrosion. Epidemiological studies link chromate exposure to cancer however limited studies suggest exposure to chromate paint particles does not increase the risk of lung cancer. The particle size and paint type may hinder chromate released into lung fluid. To simulate particle deposition in the mucosal layer of the lungs, a viable cascade impactor collected paint particles into porcine-based simulated lung fluid (SLF). Samples were tested after 24 hours for dissolved and total chromate to determine the fraction of Cr+6 that dissociated from the particles into the Porcine-SLF. In strontium chromate paints, 0.65–2.1 microns sized particles released significantly less chromate than 2.1–7.0 micron sizes. Barium chromate paints only released 3-7% of its chromate, while strontium based paints released from 20-90%. This method demonstrates a technique to evaluate the bioavailability of contaminants from any type of aerosols. iii Dissociation of Hexavalent Chromium from Primer Paint Particles into Simulated Mucus Fluid By Michael Patrick Moran Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Public Health 2005 Advisory Committee: LtCol Peter T. LaPuma, Chair CDR Gary Hook LCDR Gary Morris iv