SAM #98769

Sole Source Research Services for Engineered Stone Dust Exposure Study in Mice

This opportunity involves a sole source procurement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), specifically the NIOSH/HELD/PPRB program office, for research services related to engineered stone dust exposure in mice. - Government Buyer: - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Sub-agency: NIOSH/HELD/PPRB - Office: Office of Financial Resources, Acquisition Branch #5 - Vendor: - West Virginia University Research Corporation (Dr. Bingyun Li, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medicine) - OEMs / Key Materials: - Silestone (engineered stone, ~90% crystalline silica) - HybriQ (engineered stone, ~60% crystalline silica) - Products/Services Requested: - Research services to evaluate autoimmune and immune responses in mice exposed to engineered stone dust - Animal studies using two mouse strains (NZBWF1/J and C57BL/6J) - Exposure groups: Silestone, HybriQ, and PBS control - 48 mice total (24 per strain) - 90-day post-exposure evaluation - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Specialized expertise in nanoparticle toxicity, immunotherapy, and animal exposure systems - Proximity to NIOSH Morgantown campus for frequent coordination and monitoring - Use of engineered stone dust from specific brands (Silestone and HybriQ) as exposure materials - Focus on occupational health risks associated with engineered stone countertop dust

Description

Engineered stone countertops containing more than 90% crystalline silica have become increasingly popular among consumers in recent years. As a result, the rapidly growing workforce in this industry is at significant risk of a well-documented occupational hazard—overexposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), which can lead to progressive, irreversible, and potentially disabling pulmonary silicosis. Epidemiological studies have also linked occupational exposure to RCS with the occurrence of autoimmune diseases, including lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the relationship between the development of these autoimmune diseases and silica-induced inflammation and fibrosis remains unclear, and the underlying mechanisms of RCS-induced autoimmune responses have not been fully elucidated. This study hypothesizes that dust from engineered stone fabrication may cause serious health issues, especially triggering autoimmune responses. To test this hypothesis, animal studies are required. This project involves oropharyngeal aspiration studies to evaluate autoimmune responses to chronic exposure to emissions from engineered stone materials in mice. The project was initiated at CDC/NIOSH/HELD in 2024 and paused in 2025. The overall objective of this project is to evaluate the immune responses to dust released from engineered stone countertops during fabrication processes in mice to better understand worker health risks associated with these exposures. This study will employ a sensitization and challenge model to evaluate autoimmune responses following repeated exposure to engineered stone dust. To determine engineered stone dust (ESD)–induced autoimmune responses in mice, two strains of mice (NZBWF1/J and C57BL/6J) will be exposed to two ESD variants—Silestone (~90% crystalline silica) and HybriQ (~60% crystalline silica)—with evaluation at 90 days post-exposure. The study design will include two mouse strains, two ESD variants, and three exposure groups (Silestone, HybriQ, and PBS control), with 8 mice per group and a single exposure dose, followed by a 90-day post-exposure period. The total number of mice is 48 (24 NZBWF1/J and 24 C57BL/6J).

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