Showing papers in "Archives of Environmental Health in 1994"
TL;DR: Children admitted with an asthma diagnosis were significantly more likely to live in an area with high traffic flow located along the nearest segment of main road than were children admitted for nonrespiratory reasons or children from the community.
Abstract: This study examined the relationship between residence near major roads, traffic flow, and risk of hospital admission for asthma in children younger than 5 y of age living in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Area of residence and traffic flow patterns were compared for children admitted to the hospital for asthma, children admitted for nonrespiratory reasons, and a random sample of children from the community. Children admitted with an asthma diagnosis were significantly more likely to live in an area with high traffic flow (> 24 000 vehicles/24 h) located along the nearest segment of main road than were children admitted for nonrespiratory reasons (p < .02) or children from the community (p < .002). A significant linear trend was observed for traffic flow (p < .006) for children living less than 500 m from a main road but not for those living farther away. Children admitted for nonrespiratory reasons were more likely to be admitted than children in the community sample if they lived within 200 m of a...
275 citations
TL;DR: In the season-specific analysis, both SO2 and TSP were found to be significant predictors of total daily mortality in summer, and SO2 was again significantly associated with increased mortality, but no positive association was found between TSP and mortality.
Abstract: The relationship between air pollution and daily mortality in 1989 was examined in two residential areas in Beijing, China. Very high concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) (mean = 102 μg/m3, maximum = 630 μg/m3) and total suspended particulates (TSPs) (mean = 375 μg/m3, maximum = 1 003 μg/m3) were observed in these areas. Daily counts of deaths were regressed, using Poisson regression on the logarithm of (SO2) and/or TSPs controlling for effects of temperature, humidity, and day of week. A highly significant association was found between ln(SO2) and daily mortality. The risk of total mortality was estimated to increase by 11% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 5%–16%) with each doubling in SO2 concentration. Separately, the association of ln(TSP) with total daily mortality was positive but not significant (4% increase in mortality with each doubling in TSP; 95% CI = −2%–11%). When mortality was analyzed separately by cause, the association with a doubling in SO2 was significant for chronic obst...
256 citations
TL;DR: PM10 was a risk factor for pneumonia admissions and ozone was also associated with pneumonia admissions, and when days exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for either pollutant were excluded, the association remained for both pneumonia and COPD.
Abstract: Several recent studies have reported associations between airborne particles and/or ozone and hospital admissions for respiratory disease. PM10 has rarely been used as the particle exposure measure, however. This study examined whether such an association could be seen in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, which has daily monitoring data for PM10. Data on hospital admissions in persons aged 65 y and older were obtained from Medicare records for the years 1986 through 1989. Daily counts of admissions, by admit date, were computed for pneumonia (ICD9 480-487) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (ICD9 490-496). Classification was by discharge diagnosis. Daily air pollution data from all monitoring stations for ozone and PM10 in Minneapolis-St. Paul were obtained, and the daily average for each pollutant was computed. An average of approximately six pneumonia admissions and two admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease occurred each day. Poisson regression analysis was used to control for time trends, seasonal fluctuations, and weather. PM10 was a risk factor for pneumonia admissions (relative risk [RR] = 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33-1.02) and COPD admissions (RR = 1.57, 95% CI = 2.06-1.20). Ozone was also associated with pneumonia admissions (RR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.36-0.97). The relative risks are for an increase of 100 micrograms/m3 in daily PM10 and 50 ppb in daily ozone concentration. Several alternative methods for controlling for seasonal patterns and weather were used, including nonparametric regression techniques. The results were not sensitive to the methods. When days exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for either pollutant were excluded, the association remained for both pneumonia (RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.34-1.03 for PM10, and RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.41-0.99 for ozone) and COPD (RR = 1.54, 95% CI = 2.06-1.16 for PM10).
188 citations
TL;DR: The results strongly suggest that inhalation is of minor importance for internal exposure, compared with other, presumably dermal, routes.
Abstract: In the Netherlands, special guidelines and safety precautions were introduced about 10 y ago for preparation and administration of antineoplastic agents. However, little is known about the effectiveness of these measures. In this study, occupational exposure to antineoplastic agents of nine pharmacy technicians who were involved in drug preparation was investigated. Cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, and methotrexate accounted for 95% of the antineoplastic agents prepared; therefore, the presence of these compounds was monitored. During preparation, cyclophosphamide was detected in the air of the work environment (< 0.04-10.1 micrograms/m3). Contamination of and permeation through latex gloves were found for each of the three compounds. The uptake of cyclophosphamide was assessed by the determination of cyclophosphamide in urine. The drug was found in urine samples of six pharmacy technicians, including three persons who were not directly involved in the preparation of cyclophosphamide. The amounts excreted ranged from 0.2 to 19.4 micrograms/24 h. The results strongly suggest that inhalation is of minor importance for internal exposure, compared with other, presumably dermal, routes.
183 citations
TL;DR: Dentin lead levels were related inversely to scores on two of four attention factors: focus-execute and shift, and executive and self-regulation functions may be among the cognitive skills targeted by lead.
Abstract: In an effort to determine whether specific aspects of attention are impaired by lead, the performance of 79 subjects (aged 19 and 20 y) on a neuropsychologically based battery of tests of attention was examined in relation to lead levels in deciduous teeth (dentin), current blood, and tibia and patella bones measured by K-X-ray fluorescence. Dentin lead levels averaged 14 μg/g. Most bone lead levels were less than 10 μg/g. Dentin lead levels were related inversely to scores on two of four attention factors: focus-execute (ability to select and respond to critical information) and shift (ability to shift focus adaptively). Few significant associations were observed between bone lead levels and performance. Five individuals with the ALA-D 1–2 isozyme phenotype tended to achieve more optimal scores. Executive and self-regulation functions may be among the cognitive skills targeted by lead.
180 citations
TL;DR: Investigation of the ecological relationship between the population-weighted mean arsenic concentration in public drinking water supplies and mortality from circulatory diseases in 30 U.S. counties from 1968 to 1984 concluded that there are spurious associations resulting from invalid outcome data or causal associations.
Abstract: Chronic arsenic consumption can cause vascular diseases. Adverse vascular effects of arsenic in drinking water in the United States have not been studied. This study investigated the ecological relationship between the population-weighted mean arsenic concentration in public drinking water supplies and mortality from circulatory diseases in 30 U.S. counties from 1968 to 1984. Mean arsenic levels ranged from 5.4 to 91.5 micrograms/l. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for diseases of arteries, arterioles, and capillaries (DAAC) (ICD 8th/9th revision, 440-448) for counties exceeding 20 micrograms/l were 1.9 (90% confidence interval [CI] = 1.7-2.1) for females and 1.6 (90% CI = 1.5-1.8) for males. The SMRs for the three subgroups of DAAC--arteriosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, and all other DAAC--tended to be elevated. With respect to the same arsenic group, the SMRs for congenital anomalies of the heart (ICD-8/9, 746/745-746) and circulatory system (ICD-8/9, 747) also tended to be elevated. Two competing interpretations emerge as possibilities: either there are spurious associations resulting from invalid outcome data or causal associations.
178 citations
TL;DR: Fish from the Baltic Sea is a major source of exposure to these compounds in Swedes and PCB congeners investigated, as well as for DDT and DDE, there were statistically significant associations with fish intake.
Abstract: Fatty fish species, e.g., salmon and herring, in the Baltic Sea have high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT), and its main metabolite: 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-ethylene (p,p'-DDE). We determined levels of 10 different PCB congeners, including non- and mono-ortho-PCBs, as well as DDT and DDE, in human blood plasma from 37 subjects with varying intake of fish (0-1 750 g/wk) from the Baltic Sea. With respect to all of the PCB congeners we investigated, as well as for DDT and DDE, there were statistically significant associations with fish intake. Thus, fish from the Baltic Sea is a major source of exposure to these compounds in Swedes. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and dibenzofurans (PCDF) had been determined earlier in 29 of the subjects. The PCB contribution to "dioxin-like" effects among high consumers of fish (calculated as Nordic TCDD equivalents) was almost 80%, whereas that from PCDD and PCDF was only 20%.
148 citations
TL;DR: The objectives of this study were to review the literature on the effects of occupational exposure to organic solvents on the auditory system and to identify work settings in which exposure to these agents and to noise might occur.
Abstract: The objectives of this study were to review the literature on the effects of occupational exposure to organic solvents on the auditory system and to identify work settings in which exposure to these agents and to noise might occur. The criteria for selecting the chemicals were (a) evidence available that indicated that the chemicals may affect the auditory system and enhance noise effects, and (b) the ubiquity of their use. References to ototoxicity were noted for three proven neurotoxicants, i.e., carbon disulfide, toluene, and trichloroethylene, and for two probable human neurotoxicants--styrene and xylene. The percentages of workers (estimated by NIOSH National Occupational Exposure Survey) exposed to these solvents in each economic sector are shown. Work settings are identified where multiple exposures occur to solvents and noise. The need for future research is discussed.
121 citations
TL;DR: In 35 healthy individuals, the number of amalgam surfaces was related to the emission rates of mercury into the oral cavity and to the excretion rate of mercury by urine, and a high interplay between the variables was exhibited.
Abstract: In 35 healthy individuals, the number of amalgam surfaces was related to the emission rate of mercury into the oral cavity and to the excretion rate of mercury by urine. Oral emissions ranged up to 125 μg Hg/24 h, and urinary excretions ranged from 0.4 to 19 μg Hg/24 h. In 10 cases, urinary and fecal excretions of mercury and silver were also measured. Fecal excretions ranged from 1 to 190 μg Hg/24 h and from 4 to 97 μg Ag/24 h. Except for urinary silver excretion, a high interplay between the variables was exhibited. The worst-case individual showed a fecal mercury excretion amounting to 100 times the mean intake of total Hg from a normal Swedish diet. With regard to a Swedish middle-age individual, the systemic uptake of mercury from amalgam was, on average, predicted to be 12 μg Hg/24 h.
119 citations
TL;DR: Blood MTBE levels were measurably higher during the oxygenated fuel program in Fairbanks than after the program was suspended, and the effect of the program on human exposure to MTBE was investigated.
Abstract: Residents of Fairbanks, Alaska reported health complaints when 15%, by volume, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) was added to gasoline during an oxygenated fuel program. We conducted an exposure survey to investigate the effect of the program on human exposure to MTBE. We studied 18 workers in December 1992 during the program and 28 workers in February 1993 after the program was suspended. All workers were heavily exposed to motor vehicle exhaust or gasoline fumes. In December, the median post-shift blood concentration of MTBE in the workers was 1.8 μg/l (range, 0.2–37.0 μg/l), and in February the median post-shift blood concentration of MTBE in the 28 workers was 0.24 μg/l (range, 0.05–1.44 μg/l; p = .0001). Blood MTBE levels were measurably higher during the oxygenated fuel program in Fairbanks than after the program was suspended.
108 citations
TL;DR: Wang et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the relationship between the high incidence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in Chinese women and cooking oil fumes in the kitchen, which contained benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and dibenzo (a,h)anthracene (DBahA).
Abstract: Various samples of cooking oil fumes were analyzed to an effort to study the relationship between the high incidence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma in Chinese women and cooking oil fumes in the kitchen. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in samples of cooking oil fumes were extracted, chromatographed, and measured by fluorescence spectrophotometer. The samples included oil fumes from three commercial cooking oils and fumes from three catering shops. All samples contained benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and dibenzo (a,h)anthracene (DBahA). In addition, the concentration of DBahA was 5.7 to 22.8 times higher than that of BaP in the fume samples. Concentrations of BaP and DBahA were, respectively, 0.463 and 5.736 micrograms/g in refined vegetable oil, 0.341 and 3.725 micrograms/g in soybean oil, and 0.305 and 4.565 micrograms/g in vegetable oil. Investigation of PAH concentrations at three catering shops showed that the level of BaP at a Youtiao (deep-fried twisted dough sticks) shop was 4.18 micrograms/100 m3, 2.28 micrograms/100 m3 at a Seqenma (candied fritters) workshop, and 0.49 micrograms/100 m3 at a kitchen of a restaurant; concentrations of DBahA were 33.80, 14.41, and 3.03 micrograms/100 m3, respectively. The high concentration of carcinogens, such as BaP and DBahA, in cooking oil fumes might help explain why Chinese women, who spend more time exposed to cooking oil fumes than men, have a high incidence of pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
TL;DR: The results indicate that the naturally occurring PM10 in this setting has a small effect on the respiratory health of the population in general.
Abstract: Southeast Washington State, which has a long history of seasonal dust storms, experienced 2 d of dust storms in October 1991, during which PM10 levels exceeded 1,000 micrograms/m3 (i.e., six times greater than the Environmental Protection Agency's 24-h PM10 standard). Three community hospitals in southeast Washington were visited for the purpose of assessing the possible effects of dust storms on respiratory health. During these visits, the number of emergency room visits for respiratory disorders for each day of 1991 were abstracted. These numbers were compared with daily PM10 levels for 1991. Also determined were the observed/expected ratios for the number of emergency room visits for each respiratory disorder category during October 1991. The maximum observed/expected ratio for the respiratory disorders was 1.2. For 1991, we found a 3.5% increase in the number of daily emergency room visits for bronchitis for each 100 micrograms/m3 increase in PM10. In addition, 2 d subsequent to those days on which the PM10 levels exceeded 150 micrograms/m3, there was a 4.5% increase in the number of emergency room visits for sinusitis for each 100 micrograms/m3 increase in PM10. Our results indicate that the naturally occurring PM10 in this setting has a small effect on the respiratory health of the population in general.
TL;DR: Extensive use of formaldehyde at work or repeated airborne exposure to formaldehyde and phenol appears to have impaired central nervous system function.
Abstract: Three patients were evaluated for effects of formaldehyde on central nervous system function. Three patients had used formalin, formaldehyde with or without phenol, to fix whole animals for 14-30 y, and a fourth patient was covered several times by formaldehyde and phenol rainout from manufacturing spills. All were disabled, and two had developed seizures. They had elevated mood state scores (82 to 162) and elevated symptom frequency scores (111 to 138), compared with referent subjects. There was excessive fatigue, somnolence, headache, difficulty remembering, irritability, and instability of mood. Compared with referents, choice reaction time was prolonged in four of four (4/4) subjects, blink latency was delayed in 2/2, balance was abnormal in 3/4, and visual fields were constricted in 2/3. Cognitive functions, measured by Culture Fair, block design, and digit symbol tests, were impaired in all. Delayed verbal recall and visual reproduction were impaired in 3/4. Perceptual motor speed on slotted pegboard and trail making A and B tests was reduced in 4/4. Errors on fingertip number writing were abnormal in all. Long-term memory was decreased in only one. Extensive use of formaldehyde at work or repeated airborne exposure to formaldehyde and phenol appears to have impaired central nervous system function.
TL;DR: The applicability of using high precision lead isotopes as an indicator of previous lead exposure in children is illustrated and data is provided from two subjects who had different exposure to lead during early childhood.
Abstract: A pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of using high precision lead isotopes as an indicator of previous lead exposure in children was undertaken on deciduous teeth from 10 children in a lead-mining city. The present study illustrates the applicability of the method and provides data from two subjects who had different exposure to lead during early childhood. Teeth were examined by slicing the crowns into upper and lower sections and/or by selective dissolution with different mineral acids. Different exposures to mine lead and other sources, such as food, water, air (gasoline), are readily detected in any tooth from an individual.
TL;DR: Ingestion of soil and dust, either directly or via mouthing activity, is the main source and pathway for elevated blood lead in children from the Broken Hill mining community in Australia.
Abstract: Lower blood lead averages in mining communities, compared with other child exposure settings, e.g., innercity areas of the United States and smelter communities, have been attributed to lower bioavailability of lead to children in the mining areas. Direct supporting evidence of the lower bioavailability has, however, generally been lacking. Elevated blood lead levels for approximately 85% of children with > 10 μg/dl have been reported from the Broken Hill mining community in Australia. Lead isotope, optical, and scanning electron microscope analyses on the lead species from soils and dusts show them to be derived mainly from weathered ore body material. Solubility tests using 0.1 M HCl on the −53+38 μm fraction of soil and dust show the lead species to have a high degree of bioavailability. Ingestion of soil and dust, either directly or via mouthing activity, is the main source and pathway for elevated blood lead in children from this community.
TL;DR: This work provides an elementary introduction to empirical-Bayes analysis of occupational and environmental hazard surveillance data, using a study of occupational exposures and cancer mortality to illustrate key concepts.
Abstract: Empirical-Bayes methods offer potentially dramatic improvements in statistical accuracy over conventional statistical methods. We provide an elementary introduction to empirical-Bayes analysis of occupational and environmental hazard surveillance data. Such analyses are especially well suited to situations in which many associations must be examined, but few or none can be estimated precisely. Statistical issues in hazard surveillance are reviewed, followed by a discussion of the rationale and methods for empirical-Bayes analyses, using a study of occupational exposures and cancer mortality to illustrate key concepts. Finally, the assumptions underlying empirical-Bayes analyses are discussed critically, with special attention to the “exchangeability” assumptions that distinguish empirical-Bayes from conventional methods.
TL;DR: A significant effect of carbon disulfide exposure on libido and potency is indicated, but no effects were noted on fertility nor on semen quality.
Abstract: One hundred sixteen male viscose rayon workers exposed to carbon disulfide and 79 other workers, who were not exposed to any toxic agent in the working environment, were asked about their sexual behavior and reproductive record. Forty-three exposed and 35 nonexposed men provided a semen sample. The relationship with occupational exposure was analyzed with univariate and multivariate methods. The results indicate a significant effect of carbon disulfide exposure on libido and potency, but no effects were noted on fertility nor on semen quality.
TL;DR: Current studies investigating psychogenic hypotheses of M CS syndrome are methodologically problematic and their conclusions questionable, and studies of psychiatric profiles observed in MCS syndrome need to be designed to differentiate between competing psychogenic and biogenic hypotheses.
Abstract: The purpose of this review was to critically evaluate research on the psychogenic origins of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) syndrome. Using as keywords environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivities, and clinical ecology, two databases—PsychLit and Medline—were searched by computer; reference lists of all articles located were also searched manually. Ten articles meeting three criteria were selected for review. Five sample selection problems, seven measurement problems, and three study design problems were common in all but one of the articles reviewed. Current studies investigating psychogenic hypotheses of MCS syndrome are methodologically problematic and their conclusions questionable. Studies of psychiatric profiles observed in MCS syndrome need to be designed to differentiate between competing psychogenic and biogenic hypotheses.
TL;DR: This work examined the hypothesis that whole blood lead concentration would be associated positively with lipid peroxidation in workers exposed to lead in an industrial area in the south of Taiwan and found that it was correlated weakly with blood lead when blood lead was less than 35 micrograms/dl, but it correlated strongly with bloodLead.
Abstract: In animal studies, lead compounds increased lipid peroxidation. Using an industrial hygiene approach, we examined the hypothesis that whole blood lead concentration would be associated positively with lipid peroxidation in workers exposed to lead. Study subjects were 130 lead-exposed workers and controls from an industrial area in the south of Taiwan. Blood lead concentration was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and lipid peroxidation was determined by liquid chromatography. Lipid peroxidation was correlated weakly with blood lead when blood lead was less than 35 micrograms/dl, but it correlated strongly with blood lead when blood lead was greater than 35 micrograms/dl, especially when blood lead was greater than 40 micrograms/dl.
TL;DR: An investigation that included health provider interviews, hospital record review, physical examination of sheep, determination of sheep urine fluoride levels, and complete constituent analysis of ash samples collected at proscribed distances from the volcano found no signs or symptoms of fluorosis observed in sheep or humans.
Abstract: The August, 1991 eruption of Mt. Hudson (Chile) deposited ash across southern Argentina and contributed to the deaths of thousands of grazing sheep. Early ash analysis revealed high levels of fluoride, a potential ash constituent toxic to humans and animals. In order to evaluate fluorosis as the cause of sheep deaths and to examine the possibility that similar ash and airborne toxins could also have an effect on the human population, we conducted an investigation that included health provider interviews, hospital record review, physical examination of sheep, determination of sheep urine fluoride levels, and complete constituent analysis of ash samples collected at proscribed distances from the volcano. Ash deposited farthest from the volcano had highest fluoride levels; all fluoride measurements were normal after rainfall. There were no signs or symptoms of fluorosis observed in sheep or humans. Sheep deaths resulted from physical, rather than chemical properties of the ash.
TL;DR: Urinary metabolites were the most sensitive indicator of recent exposure and correlated moderately with dermal and clothing levels and correlated well with RBC-AChE drawn 3 d after exposure began, and no significant oxime-induced reactivation was found.
Abstract: We compared measurements of urinary alkylphosphate metabolites and oxime-induced reactivation of plasma cholinesterase (P-ChE) and erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase (RBC-AChE) with measurements of foliar residues, skin and clothing contamination, and P-ChE and RBC-AChE activities among 20 Northern California peach orchard workers exposed to the organophosphate agent azinphosmethyl (Guthion). Subjects entered orchards treated 30 d previously with azinphosmethyl and worked 21 d in treated fields during the ensuing 6 wk. Dislodgeable foliar residues ranged from 0.32-0.96 micrograms/cm2. Median reduction in RBC-AChE activity was 7% (p < .001) over the initial 3-d period of exposure and 19% (p < .01) over the 6-wk season. Urinary metabolites were the most sensitive indicator of recent exposure and correlated moderately with dermal and clothing levels (rs = +0.31-(+)0.55); urinary metabolites correlated well with RBC-AChE drawn 3 d after exposure began (rs = -0.77). No significant oxime-induced reactivation was found.
TL;DR: Methylmercury levels in some Wisconsin Chippewa were found to be elevated, but were below the levels associated with adverse health effects, and it is recommended a continuation of efforts to limit exposures in this high-risk population.
Abstract: Methylmercury is a known neurotoxin at high blood levels (> 400 micrograms/l) and is thought to cause neurologic symptoms at substantially lower levels in susceptible adults and infants. Given that levels of methylmercury in fish in northern Wisconsin lakes can be high (> 1 ppm, FDA standard) and Chippewa Indians take large amounts of fish from these lakes, the extent of their exposure to methylmercury was investigated. Using tribal-maintained registries, 465 Chippewa adults living on reservation were selected randomly and were invited to participate; 175 (38%) participated in the study. In an effort to characterize nonrespondents, 75 nonrespondents were selected randomly and were followed up aggressively. An additional 152 volunteers who were selected nonrandomly also participated in the study. Subjects completed a questionnaire about fish consumption patterns and had blood drawn for mercury determination. Sixty-four persons (20%) had blood mercury levels in excess of 5 micrograms/l (i.e., upper limit of normal in nonexposed populations); the highest level found was 33 micrograms/l. Fish consumption was higher in males and the unemployed. Blood mercury levels were highly associated with recent walleye consumption (p = .001). Methylmercury levels in some Wisconsin Chippewa were found to be elevated, but were below the levels associated with adverse health effects. We recommend a continuation of efforts to limit exposures in this high-risk population.
TL;DR: Hair lead concentration in children correlated with lead content in air and soil and in adults who resided in the same area, hair lead was lower; however, it exceeded the control group values by up to five times.
Abstract: The study of hair and urine lead concentrations in urban populations of various age groups exposed to contaminating effects of industry and transport and the corresponding analysis of lead in ambient air and soil have made it possible to determine the percentage of subjects showing evidence of elevated lead bioconcentrations. The highest lead concentrations among children were found among those who resided near a copper smelter (18.2 micrograms/g), a lead-cadmium plant (31.1 micrograms/g), and a storage battery factory (48.3 micrograms/g). In adults who resided in the same area, hair lead was lower; however, it exceeded the control group values by up to five times. Hair lead concentration in children correlated with lead content in air and soil (r = 0.7 and r = 0.74, respectively). In the majority of European countries and in the United States, legislative acts have been adopted recently to sharply reduce lead content in gasoline (i.e., from 0.4 to 0.15 g/l). Drastic measures need to be taken to diminish lead concentration in ambient air in Russia. Biomonitoring should be applied in preventive medicine, including medical inspection of industrial workers.
TL;DR: It does not appear that occupational noise exposure has an effect on blood pressure, and cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses indicated no association between blood pressure and noise exposure.
Abstract: The question of an association between occupational noise exposure and blood pressure has important public health implications. The harmful effects of hypertension are well known, and noise is considered the most pervasive of all occupational exposures. Most previous studies have looked cross-sectionally at blood pressure and noise exposures in workers. The present study examined historic medical and personnel records of 2 197 white male South African miners. At approximately 3-y intervals, the job title, diastolic and systolic blood pressures, height, weight, and use of medication for hypertension were recorded. Noise levels were estimated, based on noise measurements of individual jobs and work areas. In the cross-sectional analyses, multiple linear regression was used with blood pressure as the dependent variable; age, body mass index (BMI), and noise exposure were the independent variables. Longitudinal analyses were performed for those miners who had observations at four or more time periods...
TL;DR: When the effect of clinical predictors of increased airways responsiveness (history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, baseline airways caliber, skin reactivity, recent respiratory infection) was considered through multiple logistic regression, the odds ratios associated with living in the industrial area were still significantly increased in girls.
Abstract: This study evaluated the prevalence of increased bronchial responsiveness (BR) in children living in two areas with different air pollution levels. A total of 1,215 methacholine challenge tests were performed among a random sample of primary schoolchildren in an industrial town polluted by oil-fired thermoelectric power plants and in a rural area chosen as a control. The two groups showed similar lung function data (forced vital capacity [FVC] and forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1.0]) and prevalence of positive prick tests to common aeroallergens. All children responding with a 20% drop in FEV1.0 to a methacholine concentration 64 mg/ml), calculating odds ratios (ORs). There were more "all responders" (57.2% versus 41.4%) and "strong responders" (20.0% versus 14.8%) among subjects living in the industrial area; the excess remained when several potential confounders were taken into account ("all responders": OR = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 1.5-2.6; "strong responders": OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.3-2.8), and it was even more pronounced among girls. When the effect of clinical predictors of increased airways responsiveness (history of asthma, allergic rhinitis, baseline airways caliber, skin reactivity, recent respiratory infection) was considered through multiple logistic regression, the odds ratios associated with living in the industrial area were still significantly increased in girls. The cross-sectional approach and the lack of individual exposure data limit the interpretation of the findings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TL;DR: In a cross-sectional study involving 131 flower bulb farmers and 67 well-matched controls, peripheral and autonomic nerve functions were examined, a decrease was found in resting sinus arrhythmia and the refractory period was determined and found to be increased in the sural and peroneal nerves.
Abstract: In a cross-sectional study involving 131 flower bulb farmers (mean age = 43 y) and 67 well-matched controls, peripheral and autonomic nerve functions were examined. The study group had been exposed during a period of 20 y (standard deviation = 7) and applied a similar pesticide package. Lifetime cumulative exposure was estimated based on exposure levels for specific application methods and duration of exposure. Exposure-related decreased conduction velocities were found in the motor fibers of the median (−1.1 m/s) and peroneal (fast fibers: −1.2 m/s, slow fibers: −1.3 m/s) nerves, and in the sensory fibers of the median (−1.4 m/s) and sural (−0.9 m/s) nerves. In addition, the refractory period was determined and found to be increased in the sural and peroneal nerves. With regard to the autonomic nerve function, a decrease was found in resting sinus arrhythmia (−10%).
TL;DR: Survey data demonstrated that the prevalence of all common chronic diseases considered together was significantly increased in fumigant appliers, compared with all other pesticide use groups, and the frequency of chronic lung disease was also significantly increased.
Abstract: We surveyed 1 000 randomly selected state-licensed pesticide appliers to improve our understanding of pesticide use and its potential health effects. Participants were stratified by pesticide class (herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, fumigants) to determine potential differences in health characteristics among different pesticide groups. A subset of 60 applicators, divided by pesticide class used, were studied for exposure-related cholinesterase (ChE) depression. ChE depression in excess of 20% was most frequent in fumigant applicators who did enclosed-space application, in addition to other pesticide application procedures (p < .05). Survey data demonstrated that the prevalence of all common chronic diseases considered together was significantly increased (p = .015) in fumigant appliers, compared with all other pesticide use groups. The frequency of chronic lung disease was also significantly increased in the fumigant applier group (p = .027). Curiously, two cases of a rare hematopoietic neop...
TL;DR: Merging a large population database with environmental data proved to be an innovative but not very efficient method of assessing the risks of low birthweight related to the environment.
Abstract: Data from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey files were linked with data from the 1990 Environmental Protection Agency National Priorities List of hazardous waste sites to determine whether any relationship existed between living in proximity to hazardous waste sites and low birthweight. The odds ratio for low birthweight versus normal birthweight was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.98–1.16), and remained at 0.99 (95% CI = 0.86–1.16) when adjusted for maternal age, parity, infant sex, prenatal care, and behavioral and socioeconomic factors. Very low birthweight, infant and fetal death, prematurity, and congenital malformation were not found to be associated with living in the vicinity of a hazardous waste site during pregnancy. Merging a large population database with environmental data proved to be an innovative but not very efficient method of assessing the risks of low birthweight related to the environment.
TL;DR: These R values suggest that within- subject variability is smaller than between-subject variability, supporting the utility of nasal lavage as a reliable technique for investigating the nasal cavity response to air pollutants.
Abstract: Recent studies have utilized nasal lavage to study the inflammatory cells of the nasal epithelium. In unexposed subjects, investigators have reported wide interindividual variability in lavage cell counts. The intraindividual variability of cell counts in sequential lavages has been less well described. Investigators have also reported that nasal lavage may washout cells, resulting in lower cell counts on subsequent lavages. The present study was designed to characterize both the variability in cell counts in unexposed volunteers and the kinetics of cell washout. Twenty-one subjects participated in two nasal lavage trials. In Trial 1, a baseline lavage was followed by a lavage 72 h later; in Trial 2, the baseline lavage was followed by a lavage 48 h later. Intraclass correlation coefficients of reliability (R) were calculated for each trial. In Trial 1, the R was 0.88, with a one-sided confidence interval ≥ 0.75, whereas in Trial 2 R was 0.67, with a confidence interval ≥ 0.40. The smaller R in T...
TL;DR: The results indicate that maternal blood lead levels were higher in those who experienced abnormal deliveries and in Those who ate nonvegetarian diets or drank groundwater compared with the respective control groups, indicating a need for regular monitoring and lowering of environmental Pb exposure.
Abstract: A preliminary investigation was carried out in a hospital in the city of Lucknow, India, to provide information on the possible range of lead (Pb) exposure in pregnant women and fetuses, to correlate high Pb levels with various socioenvironmental factors, and to examine any possible association between reproductive outcome and Pb levels in this population. The results indicate that maternal blood lead levels were higher in those who experienced abnormal deliveries and in those who ate nonvegetarian diets or drank groundwater compared with the respective control groups. Placenta, cord blood, and fetal membranes from both normal and abnormal delivery cases showed no significant differences in their Pb content. Other socioenvironmental factors did not influence these Pb levels. However, incidence of higher Pb levels in maternal blood (17% and 38% with Pb > 25 μg/dl in normal and abnormal deliveries, respectively) and cord blood (> 10 μg/dl) reflect a need for regular monitoring and lowering of envir...