{"title":"Estimated Change in Blood Lead Concentration in Control Populations","authors":"N. Niemuth, Brandon J. Wood, B. Schultz","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602904","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602904","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Investigators have conducted several studies to assess the effectiveness of lead hazard interventions in reducing children's blood lead levels. For practical and ethical reasons, many of these studies have not included control populations. It is, therefore, impossible for researchers to determine to what extent the reported decline in blood lead concentrations has resulted from intervention versus other factors. In the current retrospective analysis, the authors estimated the change in children's blood lead levels in control populations at 12-mo follow-up. The results suggest that an average 9% decline may be attributed to factors that are unrelated to intervention. Declines of approximately 25% have been reported following several lead-hazard interventions. For these studies, the results of the authors' analysis suggest that approximately 16% of the decline is attributed directly to the intervention.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"124 1","pages":"542 - 551"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83441379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pulmonary Deposition of Particles in Welders: On-Site Measurements","authors":"Anne Frøsig, Hanne Bendixen, D. Sherson","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602900","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602900","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The authors used integrating nephelometers to demonstrate the feasibility of measuring particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm (PM2.5) in the breathing zone and PM2.5 mass deposition in the airways of 6 welders at their place of work. The authors also measured stationary PM2.5 measurements. The between-subject variation in deposition of PM2.5 mass was approximately 1/3 of the within-subject variation. Smokers had a significantly higher total respiratory system deposition than nonsmokers. The PM2.5 deposition for a given amount of exhaled air was dependent on PM2.5 concentration levels. The estimated total amount of PM2.5 deposited in the respiratory system of the subjects was approximately 1 mg/day.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"9 1","pages":"513 - 521"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"74967343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
D. Pelclova, Z. Fenclová, Z. Dlasková, P. Urban, E. Lukáš, B. Procházka, C. Rappe, J. Preiß, Anton Koč, J. Vejlupková
{"title":"Biochemical, Neuropsychological, and Neurological Abnormalities Following 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD) Exposure","authors":"D. Pelclova, Z. Fenclová, Z. Dlasková, P. Urban, E. Lukáš, B. Procházka, C. Rappe, J. Preiß, Anton Koč, J. Vejlupková","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602897","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602897","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Presented herein are the results of follow-up examinations of 13 workers performed in 1996–30 yr following 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) intoxication in a herbicide production plant. In these workers, the current mean plasma level of 2,3,7,8-TCDD, measured by high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, was 256 pg/gm lipid (range = 14–760 pg/gm lipid). This mean value corresponded to an estimated concentration of approximately 5,000 pg/gm plasma fat that existed about 30 years ago. Such a mean plasma level indicates that this group was one of the most heavily exposed groups to 2,3,7,8-TCDD described in the literature. Patients with persistent chloracne had significantly higher plasma levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD than persons without chloracne. A significant, positive correlation was found between plasma levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD in 1996 and levels of cholesterol and plasma lipids that existed since 1974. During 1996, there was a significant positive correlation between 2,3,7,8-TCDD and levels of beta-lipoproteins, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Also in 1996, significant correlations were found between neuropsychological variables and plasma levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Other significant correlations were observed between neuropsychological variables and (1) the highest levels of triglycerides (i.e., since the year 1989), (2) levels of triglycerides in 1996, (3) levels of cholesterol at the first examination (i.e., 1969–1970), (4) highest level of cholesterol since the year 1969, and (5) cholesterol levels in 1996. Such correlations are biologically plausible, and they provide evidence of impaired cognitive performance (i.e., memory first), with a concurrent increase of plasma lipid levels. Abnormal electromyography, electroencephalography, and visual evoked potentials were observed in 23%, 54%, and 31 %, respectively, of former workers. Abnormal electroencephalography findings occurred more frequently in workers who had 2,3,7,8-TCDD blood levels that exceeded 200 pg/gm plasma fat than in workers with 2,3,7,8-TCDD values lower than 200 pg/gm plasma fat (p < .025). Frequency of polyneuropathic EMG abnormalities decreased from 38% in the 1970s to 23% in 1996. Improvement of conduction velocity in the tibial nerve was statistically significant (p < .05).","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"147 1","pages":"493 - 500"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86027563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aysha Habib Khan, Amanullah Khan, F. Ghani, M. Khurshid
{"title":"Low-Level Lead Exposure and Blood Lead Levels in Children: A Cross-Sectional Survey","authors":"Aysha Habib Khan, Amanullah Khan, F. Ghani, M. Khurshid","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602898","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602898","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The authors studied 53 girls (44.5%) and 66 (55.5%) boys in Karachi, Pakistan, to determine their blood lead levels. The association between blood lead levels/water lead levels and the possible risk factors and symptoms associated with lead toxicity was explored. The mean lead level for the entire group was 7.9 μg/dl (standard deviation = 4.5 μg/dl). Thirty (25.2%) of the children had lead levels that exceeded 10 μg/dl; 12 (10.0%) of these had lead levels that exceeded 15 μg/dl. Thirteen (20.9%) of the children under the age of 6 yr (n = 62) had lead levels greater than 10 μg/dl, and 6 (9.6%) had levels in excess of 15 μg/dl. The authors found no association (p > .05) between high lead levels in water and blood lead levels in children. Mean blood lead levels were highest in the group of children exposed to various risk factors for lead absorption (e.g., exposure to paint, remodeling, and renovation; use of lead utensils; pica). There was a significant association between a history of exposure to paint/renovation activities and a history of pica. High blood lead levels in the children in Karachi stress the urgency for actions that control lead pollution. Screening programs should be instituted by the state. Individuals must become aware of lead's toxicity, and they must avoid substances that contain lead.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"31 1","pages":"501 - 505"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"81966496","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gonzalo López-Abente, J. Sanz-Anquela, C. González
{"title":"Consumption of Wine Stored in Leather Wine Bottles and Incidence of Gastric Cancer","authors":"Gonzalo López-Abente, J. Sanz-Anquela, C. González","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602906","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602906","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The authors conducted a survey among participants of a large-scale case-control study to evaluate a possible association between consumption of wine in leather bottles and incidence of gastric cancer. There were 59 cases and 53 controls in the study. The results suggest that some of the components of the complex mixture (i.e., tar) used in the proofing of leather wine bottles might dissolve in the wine and participate in the etiology of gastric cancer. Nevertheless, the results should be confirmed in an independent study.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"29 1","pages":"559 - 561"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90612672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
H. Fielder, S. Palmer, Celia Poon-king, Nigel Moss, G. Coleman
{"title":"Addressing Environmental Health Concerns near Trecatti Landfill Site, United Kingdom","authors":"H. Fielder, S. Palmer, Celia Poon-king, Nigel Moss, G. Coleman","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602902","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602902","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Residents near the Trecatti landfill site located in South Wales, United Kingdom, expressed concern about odors and health effects they attributed to site emissions. The authors compared routinely collected, population-based, health data from potentially exposed electoral wards (i.e., United Kingdom electoral tracts) with data from both wards nearby, matched for socioeconomic deprivation scores, and with wards where residents were likely to attend the same hospital. Mortality rates were higher for all causes and neoplastic diseases (but not respiratory disease) in the exposed wards, but there was no change in rates after the site opened. Hospital data revealed a transient increase in admissions for asthma during the 3 yr that preceded the peak in odor complaints. The birth prevalence of congenital malformations was raised in the exposed wards, but the authors could not exclude a possible artifact resulting from differences in reporting practices between hospitals. The absence of environmental monitoring in the community during the period of public concern was a significant weakness of this study.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"2 1","pages":"529 - 535"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80876372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Fallout from the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster and Congenital Malformations in Europe","authors":"W. Hoffmann","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602895","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602895","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Investigators estimate that the population exposure that resulted from the Chernobyl fallout is in the range of natural background radiation for most European countries. Given current radiobiologic knowledge, health effects—if any—would not be measurable with epidemiologic tools. In several independent reports, however, researchers have described isolated peaks in the prevalence of congenital malformations in the cohort conceived immediately after onset of the fallout. The consistency of the time pattern and the specific types of malformation raise concern about their significance. In this study, the author summarizes findings from Turkey, Belarus, Croatia, Finland, Germany, and other countries, and implications for radiation protection and public health issues are discussed.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"27 1","pages":"478 - 484"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75813982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
P. Hölttä, H. Kiviranta, A. Leppäniemi, T. Vartiainen, P. Lukinmaa, S. Alaluusua
{"title":"Developmental Dental Defects in Children Who Reside by a River Polluted by Dioxins and Furans","authors":"P. Hölttä, H. Kiviranta, A. Leppäniemi, T. Vartiainen, P. Lukinmaa, S. Alaluusua","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602901","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602901","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The authors determined that demarcated hypomineralizations of developing teeth are a biological indicator of an early dioxin exposure in a healthy population of children. In the current study, the authors examined the prevalences of the demarcated hypomineralization lesions of teeth in 2 Finnish towns by the Kymijoki River—a river that is severely contaminated by dioxins and furans. The 4,120 permanent first molars of 1,030 children were studied. The prevailing levels of dioxins and furans in human milk were measured. The prevalences of the defects in children in Kotka and Anjalankoski were 14.2% and 5.6%, respectively, and the corresponding dioxins and furans in human milk were 13.4 pg/gm fat and 10.9 pg/gm fat (International Toxic Equivalents). In Anjalankoski, the duration of total breast-feeding was associated with the prevalence of the defects. Compared with the figures reported earlier in Finland, neither the prevalence of dental lesions nor the levels of dioxins and furans in human milk were increased in riverside residents.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"73 1","pages":"522 - 528"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78036909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fadela Alili, I. Momas, F. Callais, Y. Moullec, C. Sacre, M. Chiron, J. Flori
{"title":"Exposure to Traffic Pollution: Comparison between Measurements and a Model","authors":"Fadela Alili, I. Momas, F. Callais, Y. Moullec, C. Sacre, M. Chiron, J. Flori","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602905","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602905","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract French researchers from the Building Scientific and Technical Center have produced a traffic-exposure index. To achieve this, they used an air pollution dispersion model that enabled them to calculate automobile pollutant concentrations in front of subjects' residences and places of work. Researchers used this model, which was tested at 27 Paris canyon street sites, and compared nitrogen oxides measurements obtained with passive samplers during a 6-wk period and calculations derived from the model. There was a highly significant correlation (r = .83) between the 2 series of values; their mean concentrations were not significantly different. The results suggested that the aforementioned model could be a useful epidemiological tool for the classification of city dwellers by present—or even cumulative—exposure to automobile air pollution.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"76 1","pages":"552 - 558"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82807596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. Perico, Marvela Gottardi, V. Boddi, P. Bavazzano, E. Lanciotti
{"title":"Assessment of Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Police in Florence, Italy, through Personal Air Sampling and Biological Monitoring of the Urinary Metabolite 1-Hydroxypyrene","authors":"A. Perico, Marvela Gottardi, V. Boddi, P. Bavazzano, E. Lanciotti","doi":"10.1080/00039890109602899","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00039890109602899","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In this study, the authors evaluated exposure to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in workers exposed to exhaust gas from cars, and they assessed the efficiency of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene as an indicator of exposure to pyrene and PAHs. The authors selected 2 groups of police who worked in 2 areas in the city of Florence: 1 group was highly exposed to high-density traffic emissions during the winter and summer of 1997, and the 2nd group experienced low exposure to traffic emissions during the same period. Ambient monitoring was achieved with personal sampling of airborne PAHs during each workshift. Eight hydrocarbons were used as indicators of pollution caused by PAHs (e.g., pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene). Biological monitoring was performed through dosing of 1-hydroxypyrene (pyrene metabolite) in urine samples taken at the end of each workshift. The ambient monitoring revealed that PAH concentrations were influenced by both season of sampling and varying intensities of traffic in the different areas. The median concentration of benzo[a]pyrene in winter was twice as high in the high-density traffic area as in the low-density traffic area (i.e., 4.1 ng/m3 versus 1.8 ng/m3). In summer, the high-density traffic area experienced benzo[a]pyrene concentrations that were 6 times higher than in the low-density traffic area (i.e., 1.2 ng/m3 versus 0.2 ng/m3). Benzo[a]pyrene was also correlated highly (r s = .92, p < .0001) with the mixture of total PAHs analyzed, thus confirming its function as a good indicator of exposure to PAHs in an urban environment. Levels of urinary 1-hydroxypyrene appeared to be generally influenced by the intensity of traffic, especially during the winter (i.e., median value in winter was 199.2 ng/gm creatinine in the high-density traffic area and 120.5 ng/gm creatinine in the low-density traffic area). An analysis of the general data revealed that 1-hydroxypyrene was, to some degree, related to pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and airborne total PAHs, whereas analysis of separate data for the area and the season revealed an emergence of a closer correlation during the winter in the high-traffic area. Therefore, 1-hydroxypyrene can be considered a good biological indicator of exposure to airborne PAHs in the urban environment, especially in winter and in high-density traffic areas.","PeriodicalId":8276,"journal":{"name":"Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal","volume":"35 1","pages":"506 - 512"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2001-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86622070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}