Search

Background: Cases of intoxications to gas from container’s atmosphere have been described. For diagnosis, Fum Ex 2 questionnaire has been developed by the European Society for Environmental and Occupational Medicine. The aim of this study was to enhance knowledge on health effects of toxic substances in containers and to validate this questionnaire in medical follow-up and diagnosis. Materials and methods: In 2014, 125 French dockers answered the questionnaire in a face-to-face interview. Results: 83.5% declared no exposure to fumigants or pesticides. Most frequently declared symptoms were fatigue and neurological disorders for dockers and respiratory irritation for refrigeration technicians. Only 28 workers wore regularly individual protection equipment. Conclusions: A “healthy worker” effect could explain low level of symptoms. Fum Ex 2 questionnaire is relevant for diagnosis. Workers in all steps of the logistic transport chain and consumers are exposed to containers’ atmosphere.

Recycling of electric and electronic waste products (e-waste) which amounted to more than 50 million metric tonnes per year worldwide is a massive and global operation. Unfortunately, an estimated 70 & ndash;80% of this waste has not been properly managed because the waste went from developed to low-income countries to be dumped into landfills or informally recycled. Such recycling has been carried out either directly on landfill sites or in small, often family-run recycling shops without much regulations or oversights. The process traditionally involved manual dismantling, cleaning with hazardous solvents, burning and melting on open fires, etc., which would generate a variety of toxic substances and exposure/hazards to applicators, family members, proximate residents and the environment. The situation clearly calls for global responsibility to reduce the impact on human health and the environment, especially in developing countries where poor residents have been shouldering the hazardous burden. on the other hand, formal e-waste recycling has been mainly conducted in small scales in industrialized countries. Whether the latter process would impose less risk to populations and environment has not been determined yet. Therefore, the main objectives of this review are: 1. to address current trends and emerging threats of not only informal but also formal e-waste management practices, and 2. to propose adequate measures and interventions. A major recommendation is to conduct independent surveillance of compliance with e-waste trading and processing according to the Basel Ban Amendment. The recycling industry needs to be carefully evaluated by joint effort from international agencies, producing industries and other stakeholders to develop better processes. Subsequent transition to more sustainable and equitable e-waste management solutions should result in more effective use of natural resources, and in prevention of adverse effects on health and the environment., Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prevention of Exposure-Related Noncommunicable Diseases (DiMoPEx) COST Action project [CA15129]; European UnionEuropean Commission, This work was supported by the Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prevention of Exposure-Related Noncommunicable Diseases (DiMoPEx) COST Action project (CA15129) and its Final Action Dissemination Grant from the European Union.

Glyphosate is the most heavily applied active compound of agricultural pesticides. It is solely used in more than 750 different glyphosate-based herbicide formulations (GBHs) that also contain other substances, mostly presumed as inert by regulatory agencies. The toxicity of formulations is currently assessed substance by substance, neglecting possible combined effects in mixtures and many of the findings regarding the toxic effects of glyphosate and GBHs to human cells are inconsistent. This is the first study to investigate and compare the cyto- and genotoxic potential of the active ingredient glyphosate and GBHs in human mononuclear white blood (HMWB) cells. HMWB cells were treated for 4 h at 37 °C with increasing concentrations (1–1000 μM) of glyphosate alone and in three GBHs (Roundup Mega, Fozat 480 and Glyfos) to test cytotoxic effect with fluorescent colabelling and genotoxic effect with comet assay. In addition, each concentration was tested with and without metabolic activation using human liver S9 fraction. We found that glyphosate alone does not induce significant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity over the tested concentration range. Contrarily, GBHs induced statistically significant cell death from 250 μM (Roundup Mega and Glyfos) and 500 μM (Fozat 480), as well as statistically significant increase of DNA damage from 500 μM (Roundup Mega and Glyfos) and 750 μM (Fozat 480); however, the latter observation may not be explained by direct DNA injuries, rather due to the high level of cell death (>70%) exerted by the formulations. Metabolic activation significantly increased the DNA damage levels induced by Glyfos, but not of the other GBHs and of glyphosate. The differences observed in the toxic pattern of formulations and the active principle may be attributed to the higher cytotoxic activity of other ingredients in the formulations or to the interaction of them with the active ingredient glyphosate. Hence, further investigation of formulations is crucial for assessing the true health risks of occupational and environmental exposures.

ispartof: SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT vol:660 pages:593-594 ispartof: location:Netherlands status: published

Industrial sensitizing agents (allergens) in living and working environments play an important role in eliciting type 1 allergic disorders including asthma and allergic rhinitis. Successful management of allergic diseases necessitates identifying their specific causes (ie, identify the causative agent(s) and the route of contact to allergen: airborne, or skin contact) to avoid further exposure. Identification of sensitization by a sensitive and validated measurement of specific IgE is an important step in the diagnosis. However, only a limited number of environmental and occupational allergens are available on the market for use in sIgE testing. Accordingly, specific in-house testing by individual diagnostic and laboratory centers is often required. Currently, different immunological tests are in use at various diagnostic centers that often produce considerably divergent results, mostly due to lack of standardized allergen preparation and standardized procedures as well as inadequate quality control. Our review and meta-analysis exhibited satisfactory performance of sIgE detection test for most high molecular weight (HMW) allergens with a pooled sensitivity of 0.74 and specificity of 0.71. However, for low molecular weight (LMW) allergens, pooled sensitivity is generally lower (0.28) and specificity higher (0.89) than for HMW tests. Major recommendations based on the presented data include diagnostic use of sIgE to HMW allergens. A negative sIgE result for LMW agents does not exclude sensitization. In addition, the requirements for full transparency of the content of allergen preparations with details on standardization and quality control are underlined. Development of standard operating procedures for in-house sIgE assays, and clinical validation, centralized quality control and audits are emphasized. There is also a need for specialized laboratories to provide a custom service for the development of tests for the measurement of putative novel occupational allergens that are not commercially available. ispartof: ALLERGY vol:74 issue:10 pages:1885-1897 ispartof: location:Denmark status: published

OBJECTIVES The use of genetically engineered enzymes in the synthesis of flavourings, fragrances and other applications has increased tremendously. There is, however, a paucity of data on sensitisation and/or allergy to the finished products. We aimed to review the use of genetically modified enzymes and the enormous challenges in human biomonitoring studies with suitable assays of specific IgE to a variety of modified enzyme proteins in occupational settings and measure specific IgE to modified enzymes in exposed workers. METHODS Specific IgE antibodies against workplace-specific individual enzymes were measured by the specific fluorescence enzyme-labelled immunoassay in 813 exposed workers seen in cross-sectional surveys. RESULTS Twenty-three per cent of all exposed workers showed type I sensitisation with IgE antibodies directed against respective workplace-specific enzymes. The highest sensitisation frequencies observed were for workers exposed enzymes derived from α-amylase (44%), followed by stainzyme (41%), pancreatinin (35%), savinase (31%), papain (31%), ovozyme (28%), phytase (16%), trypsin (15%) and lipase (4%). The highest individual antibody levels (up to 110 kU/L) were detected in workers exposed to phytase, xylanase and glucanase. In a subgroup comprising 134 workers, detailed clinical diagnostics confirmed work-related symptoms. There was a strong correlation (r=0.75, p

Meta-Analysis Background: The presence of pesticides in honey and related products is an increasing concern for consumers and producers, although there is lack of data on the current burden of exposure of the general human population through these products. We present a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of contamination to insecticides, herbicides and fungicides of products from honeybees, and an estimation of how much the consumption of these products contributes to the ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) of selected substances. Objectives: We aim to systematically review and meta-analyse studies on the contamination to plant protection products in honey, royal jelly, beeswax and propolis, applying the Navigation Guide and WHO-ILO systematic review methodology as an organizing framework. Data sources: We will search electronic academic databases for potentially relevant records from PubMed, TOXNET and EMBASE. We will include quantitative studies analysing the contamination from insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in honey, propolis, royal jelly and beeswax. In particular, we will evaluate the presence of the following substances and classes of pesticides: Glyphosate, Chlorpyrifos, pyrethroid and neonicotinoid pesticides, fungicides and acaricides. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: At least two authors will independently screen titles and abstracts at a first stage of review, and full texts at a second stage, of potentially eligible records against the eligibility criteria; data extraction of included studies will then be performed by at least two authors, in blind. At least two authors will assess risk of bias and the quality of evidence, using the most suited tools currently available. The data on prevalence of contaminated samples and concentration of pesticides in the products will be combined using meta-analysis: when more than three studies reporting the necessary measures to fit the models are available, meta-analysis will be performed separately by product and by exposure; otherwise, weighted descriptive analysis will be performed. We will report the results using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). Highlights: The presence of pesticides in honey and related products is an increasing concern for consumers and producers; We present a protocol for a systematic review of human exposure to pesticide residues in honey and other bees’ products; We will estimate of how much the consumption of these products contributes to the ADI of selected substances. The project is funded by the EU-COST (under Grant no, CA 15129). info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

An increasing number of reports describe among others respiratory symptoms in airline crew members correlated to cabin air incidents („fume event“, FE). So far, no consensus exists about the diagnostic approach. Methods: Symptom-related lung function diagnostics as well as blood and urine samples screened for organophosphates (OP) and/or various VOCs were performed. Results: Out of our nearly 300 symptomatic FE patients about 75% reported respiratory symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and dyspnoea on exertion, lasting a few days or up to several months. Lung function tests often showed small airways obstruction and/or reduced oxygen transfer without affection of the large airways. In most of the symptomatic patients different VOCs and/or OP were found time-correlated with the FE. These chemicals were mostly absent in patients´ unexposed control samples without FE. Conclusions: Our results underline the evidence of lung function impairment after FE. The plausibility of its correlation to FE was supported by the improvement over time after the FE. Furthermore, our results are evidence for an FE-correlated internal exposure with VOCs and/or OP, which are not constituents of the general environment, but of kerosene, oil or hydraulic fluids. Further independent investigations are needed to evaluate the clinical and toxicological findings and their link to FEs. Based on a realistic toxicological risk model an evidence-based workplace safety and effective preventive strategies has to be evaluated and established. Lung function measurements with a focus on peripheral airways and oxygen uptake under exertion are recommended in FE-affected symptomatic patients.

ObjectivesTo determine the test performance parameters for the retrievable range of high-molecular-weight (HMW) and low-molecular-weight (LMW) occupational allergens and to evaluate the impact of allergenic components and the implementation of measures for test validation.MethodsA protocol with predefined objectives and inclusion criteria was the basis of an electronic literature search of MEDLINE and EMBASE (time period 1967–2016). The specific inhalation challenge and serial peak flow measurements were the reference standards for the specific IgE (sIgE) test parameters. All of the review procedures were reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses.ResultsSeventy-one studies were selected, and 62 entered meta-analysis. Pooled pairs analysis indicated a sensitivity of 0.74(95% CI 0.66 to 0.80) and specificity of 0.71(95% CI 0.63 to 0.77) for HMW allergens and a sensitivity of 0.28(95% CI 0.18 to 0.40) and specificity of 0.89(95% CI 0.77 to 0.95) for LMW allergens. Component-specific analysis improved the test parameters for some allergens. Test validation was handled heterogeneously among studies.ConclusionsIgE test performance is rather satisfactory for a wide range of HMW allergens with the potential for component-specific approaches, whereas sensitivity for LMW allergens is considerably lower, indicating methodological complications and/or divergent pathomechanisms. A common standard for test validation is needed.

Magne Bråtveit and Rune Djurhuus have removed themselves as authors from this article [1] as they did not approve the final version and they do not agree with the revisions made to the section “Occurrences of intoxications with chemicals used for pest control in transport containers and on bulk cargo ships” and Table 2, including relationships between claimed exposure and health effects and the statement on fatalities related to container opening.

Mercury plays a critical role in serious health problems due to environmental or occupational exposures. Aquatic ecosystems are an essential component of the global biogeochemical cycle of mercury, as inorganic mercury can be converted to toxic methyl mercury in these environments and reemissions of elemental mercury rival anthropogenic mercury releases on a global scale. The history of the Minamata disease, a typical example of industrial pollution, has shown how corporate secrecy and ignorance on part of the health authorities may influence the devastating spread of environmental contamination and the progress of disease. While the Minamata Convention, in place since 2017, is aiming to lower mercury exposure and to prevent adverse effects, there are still knowledge gaps in the areas of global environmental mercury exposure. Areas of uncertainty in the global biogeochemical cycle of mercury include oxidation processes in the atmosphere, land-atmosphere and ocean-atmosphere cycling, and methylation processes in the ocean. Pollution related to climate change (especially in boreal and arctic regions), bioaccumulation and biomagnification of methyl mercury in the food chain, especially in fish and marine mammals, needs to be addressed in more detail. Information is lacking on numerous hidden contaminant exposures i.e. from globally applied traditional medicine, mercury containing skin creams and soaps, dental amalgam, ethyl mercury containing vaccines and latex paint additives, as well as on mercury releases from power plants, e-waste/fluorescent lamps, wildfire emissions, and global artisanal small-scale gold mining activities. Mercury occurs in various forms with different levels of toxicity. While much is already known and documented on the health effects of mercury, present knowledge and translation into preventive actions is still incomplete. Risks for long term health effects trough prolonged low dose exposure and trough cumulative exposures of various mercury forms should be further addressed. Preventive actions should include adequate human biomonitoring programs. Research data should be translated swiftly into management tools for local policy makers and health professionals, also paying attention at the major differences in mercury contamination across the globe.

Introduction The World Health Organisation has ranked environmental exposures among the top risk factors for chronic disease mortality. Worldwide 55 million people die each year from non-communicable diseases (NCD) including cancer, diabetes, chronic cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological diseases. Methods The EU-funded project Diagnosis, Monitoring and Prevention of Exposure Related Non-Communicable Diseases (DiMoPEx) aims at developing new concepts for a better understanding of health-environment (including gene-environment) interactions in the aetiology of NCDs. The project is advancing within several working groups, which cover the areas of exposure assessment, toxicology, epidemiology, ethical issues, biomarkers of genetic effects and epigenetic and clinical characteristics of NCDs. Results DiMoPEx partners have identified some of the emerging research needs, including evidence-based exposure data, animal models reflecting total human life-span and low dose cumulative exposures. From the perspective of epidemiology the gaps between risk factor and health outcome may be bridged by biomarker-based research in which well-designed experimental exposure studies and biomarkers of early response should play a central role. DiMoPEx identified several drawbacks in existing studies on exposure-NCD association, e.g. inappropriate study design or suboptimal patient recruitment and sample collection as well as poor data interpretation. As a consequence such studies sometimes do not provide results of desired quality. In occupational and environmental health the use of biomarkers is embedded in a process called human biological monitoring with its standard performance rules. Studies addressing health outcomes in relation to exposures in the living and working environment often do not sufficiently account for existing knowledge regarding proper exposure measures in their study design (e.g. recording only ever/never exposed or self-reporting of chemicals which can lead to exposure misclassification). Discussion DiMoPEx will focus on closing the gap between exposure and disease by extracting and organising evidence-base exposure data, which may support the diagnosis and prevention of NCDs.

ispartof: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH vol:31 issue:6 pages:837-839 ispartof: location:Poland status: published

The silicate mineral asbestos is categorized into two main groups based on fiber structure: serpentine asbestos (chrysotile) and amphibole asbestos (crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, and actinolite). Chrysotile is used in more than 2 000 applications and is especially prevalent in the construction industry. Although its use is banned or restricted in more than 52 countries, an estimated 107 000 workers die from asbestos exposure each year, and approximately 125 million workers continue to be exposed. Furthermore, ambient exposures persist to which the public is exposed, globally. Today, the primary controversies regarding the use of asbestos are the potencies of different types of asbestos, as opposed whether or not asbestos causes morbidity and mortality. The asbestos industry has promoted and funded research based on selected literature, ignoring both clinical and scientific knowledge. In this piece, we highlight a prominent example of a conflicted publication that sought to undermine the World Health Organization (WHO) campaign to stop the use of all forms of asbestos, including chrysotile asbestos. Independent and rigorous scientific data provide sufficient evidence that chrysotile asbestos, like other forms of asbestos, is a cause of asbestos-related morbidity and premature mortality.

Ambient monitoring analyses may identify potential new public health hazards such as residual levels of fumigants and industrial chemicals off gassing from products and goods shipped globally. We analyzed container air with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (TD-2D-GC-MS/FPD) and assessed whether the concentration of the volatiles benzene and 1,2-dichloroethane exceeded recommended exposure limits (REL). Products were taken from transport containers and analyzed for outgassing of volatiles. Furthermore, experimental outgassing was performed on packaging materials and textiles, to simulate the hazards tainting from globally shipped goods. The mean amounts of benzene in analyzed container air were 698-fold higher, and those of ethylene dichloride were 4.5-fold higher than the corresponding REL. More than 90% of all containers struck with toluene residues higher than its REL. For 1,2-dichloroethane 53% of containers, transporting shoes exceeded the REL. In standardized experimental fumigation of various products, outgassing of 1,2-dichloroethane under controlled laboratory conditions took up to several months. Globally produced transported products tainted with toxic industrial chemicals may contribute to the mixture of volatiles in indoor air as they are likely to emit for a long period. These results need to be taken into account for further evaluation of safety standards applying to workers and consumers.

An vielen Arbeitsplatzen mit Losungsmittel-Einsatz bestehen weit komplexere Belastungen als allgemein angenommen wird. Neben einer bekannten Hauptsubstanz findet man oft auch andere gesundheitsrelevante Stoffe, v.a. andere Losungsmittel. Fur das Biomonitoring ist die Wahl des am besten geeigneten Parameters von besonderer Bedeutung, weil dieser dazu dienen soll, die innere Exposition wiedergeben. Oft sind die Expositionsstoffe mit einem einfachen Vorort-Ambientmonitoring nicht erfassbar. Im Falle von Toluol werden nicht selten lediglich BTX-Aromaten als eine gesamte Stoffgruppe mit einem On-Site-Gerat (Vor-Ort-) gemessen. Dieses kann eine umfassende Gefahrdungsbeurteilung erschweren oder sogar unmoglich machen. Eine Risikoabschatzung setzt die Berucksichtigung aller relevanten Arbeitsstoffe voraus. Nicht selten wird beispielsweise o-Kresol als einziger Parameter bestimmt, um die mogliche Toluolaufnahme abzuschatzen. Dass die gleichzeitige Benzolexposition die metabolische Umwandlung von Toluol hemmt und dass Methanol/Ethanol den Toluol-Blutspiegel erhohen konnte, wird au:sBer Acht gelassen. Wesentlich aussagekraftiger und zuverlassiger ist die Bestimmung, mehrerer Biomonitoringparameter — im Zweifelsfall auch jener des Alkohols.

Background With increases in globalization, cultural remedies from Chinese, Ayurvedic, Arab and other traditions have become more available to international consumers, offering unfamiliar “Natural Health Products” (NHP), used as alternative medicine or supplementary medicine. Contamination with toxic ingredients including lead, mercury, arsenic, and other toxic elements has been documented in several of these products from various parts of the globe, particularly from some parts of Asia and the Orient. Findings We have been following this development in the last 6 years and have analyzed n = 20 such products (60 analyses) from patients with intoxication symptoms in a pilot study, showing alarming high concentrations of mercury and/or lead (the first one in “therapeutic” doses). 82 % of the studied NHP contained lead concentrations above the EU limit for dietary supplements. 62 % of the samples exceeded the limit values for mercury. Elevated blood lead and mercury levels in patients along with clinical intoxication symptoms corroborate the causal assumption of intoxication (s). We present one detailed clinical case report of severe lead and mercury intoxications and give an overview about blood concentration related symptoms and signs of n = 41 case reports of mercury intoxications of the German monitoring BfR-DocCenter. Conclusions For NHP there is evidence on a distinct toxicological risk with alarming low awareness for a possible intoxication which prevents potentially life-saving diagnostic steps in affected cases. In many cases patients do not communicate the events to their physicians or the local health authority so that case reports (e.g. the BfR-DocCentre) are missing. Thus, there is an urgent need to raise awareness and to initiate more suitable monitory systems (e.g. National Monitoring of Poisonings) and control practice protecting the public.

Fumigation of transport containers is common practice to protect stored products from pests. Yet little is known about the desorption times and effects of the highly toxic gases used in this process. To shed light on the behavior of fumigants in real food, we treated sunflower seeds ( Helianthus annuus L.) with 100 ppm phosphine (PH 3 ), methyl bromide (MeBr) or 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) for 72 h. The compound concentrations in the air were then analyzed by thermal desorption/2D gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and flame photometric detection (TD-2D-GC–MS/FPD). A desorption time of several months was observed for DCE, whereas PH 3 and MeBr were outgassed in a matter of days. To investigate possible interactions between gases and constituents of the seeds, non-fumigated, fumigated and outgassed samples were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction GC–MS. We observed significantly different volatile profiles in fumigated and subsequently outgassed seeds compared to non-fumigated seeds. Whereas PH 3 -treated seeds released far more terpenoids, the volatile pattern of seeds exposed to DCE revealed significantly fewer terpenoids but more aldehydes. These changes are likely to affect food aroma characteristics.

Ein Thermodesorptions-Gaschromatografie-Massenspektrometrie-System (TD-GC-MS) fur die Messung von Luftproben wurde modifiziert. Dazu wurden eine zweite gaschromatografische Dimension und ein Flammenphotometer als zweiter Detektor integriert. Neben der massenspektrometrischen Detektion fluchtiger organischer Substanzen kann nun parallel Phosphorwasserstoff detektiert werden. Die Validierung zeigt niedrige Nachweisgrenzen, gute Reproduzierbarkeit sowie gute Wiederfindungsraten der neuen Methode. Die Methode wurde bereits wahrend einer Messkampagne an 53 Import-Containern angewendet sowie fur Messungen im Umfeld eines Containers wahrend dessen aktiver Begasung mit Phosphorwasserstoff.

The fumigation of freight containers to protect transported goods from fungal and pest infestation has increased worldwide in the last five years due to international regulations requiring fumigation or heat treatment of wooden packaging material and dunnage. We have found in 2008 that every sixth container and its contents do retain harmful concentrations of various fumigants and chemicals, representing a significant health risk for port and transport workers, customs officials, warehousemen, store employees and consumers. The shipping documents of these containers did not provide any information about the fumigation procedure or the used fumigant. We report here the cases of 26 patients introduced to our outpatient clinic with presumed intoxication to fumigants, or with symptoms due to inhaling the air out of fumigated containers. All patients were examined from 2007 to 2010 according to a standardized comprehensive diagnostic program. We were able to confirm the diagnosis based on typical symptoms and extensive clinical examination; by laboratory analysis we identified ethylene dichloride, methyl bromide, phosphine and methylene chloride. The predominant symptoms were headaches, concentration and memory problems, dizziness and nausea, irritation of the skin and mucous membranes and a reduced ability to do exercise. In addition to the neurological and neuropsychological impairments our analyses verified the development of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) in 14 of 26 patients with long lasting symptoms due to their contact with fumigants. Intoxications with fumigants are serious and could be avoided. These systematical explored cases show the sustainable impact for health and socio-economic wellbeing. These findings also emphasize the necessity for international standards on permitted fumigants, appropriate labeling in the shipping documents and handling of fumigated containers.

Fumigants and volatile industrial chemicals are particularly hazardous to health when a freight container is fumigated or the contaminated material is introduced into its enclosed environment. Phosphine is now increasingly used as a fumigant, after bromomethane--the former fumigant of choice--has been banned by the Montreal Protocol. We have enhanced our previously established thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS) method by integrating a second gas chromatographic dimension and a flame photometric detector to allow the simultaneous detection of phosphine and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), providing a novel application. A thermal desorption system is coupled to a two dimensional gas chromatograph using both mass spectrometric and flame photometric detection (TD-2D-GC-MS/FPD). Additionally, the collection of mass spectrometric SIM and Scan data has been synchronised, so only a single analysis is now sufficient for qualitative scanning of the whole sample and for sensitive quantification. Though detection limits for the herewith described method are slightly higher than in the previous method, they are in the low μL m(-3) range, which is not only below the respective occupational exposure and intervention limits but also allows the detection of residual contamination after ventilation. The method was developed for the separation and identification of 44 volatile substances. For 12 of these compounds (bromomethane, iodomethane, dichloromethane, 1,2-dichlorethane, benzene, tetrachloromethane, 1,2-dichloropropane, toluene, trichloronitromethane, ethyl benzene, phosphine, carbon disulfide) the method was validated as we chose the target compounds due to their relevance in freight container handling.

Im Rahmen der wirtschaftlichen Globalisierung wird ein Grosteil des internationalen Frachtverkehrs mit Containern abgewickelt. Zahlreiche Untersuchungen zeigen, dass neben den vorgeschriebenen Begasungen nach ISPM Nr. 15 von Containern und deren Waren die Importprodukte selber mit toxischen Industriechemikalien belastet sind und ausgasen. Transportpapiere liefern zu den Belastungen in der Regel keine Hinweise. Um eine Gefahrdung von Kontrollpersonal, Personal in Transportunternehmen und in Warenlagern bis hin zum Endverbraucher auszuschliesen, ist eine Luftanalytik vor dem Betreten oder Entladen dieser Container erforderlich. In der Studie wurden die Ergebnisse von zwei einfach zu bedienenden Vor-Ort-Messgeraten einer stationaren Laboranalytik gegenubergestellt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass diese Vor-Ort-Gerate beim Selected-Ion-Flow-Tube-Massenspektrometer (SIFT) sowohl zu falsch positiven als auch zu falsch negativen Ergebnissen bei dem bisher begrenzt ausgewerteten Targetstoffumfang fuhrt. Das portable Gasdetektorenarray (GDA) produziert mit der Einschrankung bzgl. qualitativer und quantitativer Aussagen haufig falsch positive Ergebnisse. In Zusammenarbeit mit den Gerateherstellern wird eine verbesserte Messtechnik angestrebt.

Importcontainer sind zum Teil mit erheblichen Schadstoffkonzentrationen in der Atemluft belastet. Dabei handelt es sich nicht nur um Gefahrgut, sondern auch um toxische Chemikalien, die entweder zum Schutz der Ladungsinhalte vor Schadlingen und zur Reduzierung von Schimmelpilzbefall eingesetzt wurden (z.B. als Begasungsmittel) oder aus dem Herstellungsprozess nachgasen. Nur fur die begasten Container gibt es eine Verpflichtung zur Kennzeichnung. Insbesondere beim ersten Offnen, bei Kontrollen des Containerinhalts und beim Entladen von Importcontainern konnen Personen gefahrdet sein. Einzelne Schadstoffe sind geruchlos oder werden durch andere Geruche uberdeckt, so dass objektive Messungen zum Ausschluss von Gefahrdungen erforderlich sind.

The increasing transport of goods worldwide is mainly carried in standard containers. These containers are frequently fumigated in order to protect freight from pests and to follow regulations of importing countries. Fumigants as well as toxic industrial chemicals can adsorb to goods and be emitted from them over various periods of time. This review is based on a literature search, analyses of air samples from a randomized selection of import containers at the port of Hamburg and clinical investigations of intoxicated subject. These data indicate that about 70% of imported containers exceed national or international threshold levels, about one sixth exceeding occupational exposure limits of fumigants and/or toxic industrial chemical, 0.5% had concentrations immediately dangerous to life or health. Intoxications by inhalation mainly occur in workers in the logistics area. No information exists on possible fumigation in small and medium-sized companies where the container units are unloaded. Neurological and respiratory ailments dominated in patients from our outpatient clinic and those reported in the literature: symptoms were often misdiagnosed. Our results confirm findings of other investigators that subjects who unload containers or have otherwise intensive contact with imported goods are frequently exposed to toxic or very toxic volatile chemicals. It can be assumed that there are many unrecognized cases and also health risks to the ultimate consumers of transported goods. History taking targeted on potential exposure is of great diagnostic importance in elucidating typical temporal relationship between exposure by inhalation and symptoms such as headache, skin irritation, cough, dyspnea, diarrhoea and neurological deficits. Detailed investigations by medical specialists is necessary to confirm suspected diagnoses. This should be combined with immediate special analyses of air samples and laboratory tests (biological monitoring).

The WHO has ranked environmental hazardous exposures in the living and working environment among the top risk factors for chronic disease mortality. Worldwide, about 40 million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular, neurological and lung diseases. The exposure to ambient pollution in the living and working environment is exacerbated by individual susceptibilities and lifestyle-driven factors to produce complex and complicated NCD etiologies. Research addressing the links between environmental exposure and disease prevalence is key for prevention of the pandemic increase in NCD morbidity and mortality. However, the long latency, the chronic course of some diseases and the necessity to address cumulative exposures over very long periods does mean that it is often difficult to identify causal environmental exposures. EU-funded COST Action DiMoPEx is developing new concepts for a better understanding of health-environment (including gene-environment) interactions in the etiology of NCDs. The overarching idea is to teach and train scientists and physicians to learn how to include efficient and valid exposure assessments in their research and in their clinical practice in current and future cooperative projects. DiMoPEx partners have identified some of the emerging research needs, which include the lack of evidence-based exposure data and the need for human-equivalent animal models mirroring human lifespan and low-dose cumulative exposures. Utilizing an interdisciplinary approach incorporating seven working groups, DiMoPEx will focus on aspects of air pollution with particulate matter including dust and fibers and on exposure to low doses of solvents and sensitizing agents. Biomarkers of early exposure and their associated effects as indicators of disease-derived information will be tested and standardized within individual projects. Risks arising from some NCDs, like pneumoconioses, cancers and allergies, are predictable and preventable. Consequently, preventative action could lead to decreasing disease morbidity and mortality for many of the NCDs that are of major public concern. DiMoPEx plans to catalyze and stimulate interaction of scientists with policy-makers in attacking these exposure-related diseases. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12995-018-0186-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Residues of pesticide fumigants and toxic industrial chemicals in freight containers represent a health hazard to employees and consumers, especially since freight containers are sealed for transport and distributed widely throughout the importing countries before being opened for unloading. We investigated 2113 freight containers arriving at the second largest container terminal in Europe, Hamburg, Germany, over a 10-week period in 2006. The countries of origin, type of contents and the pesticide fumigation history declared on labels attached to the container were recorded. We determined that 1478 (70%) containers were contaminated with toxic chemicals above chronic reference exposure levels; 761 (36%) even exceeded the higher acute reference exposure level thresholds. Benzene and/or formaldehyde contamination was 4-times greater than for fumigants. Our findings indicate a health risk for dockworkers, container unloaders and even end-consumers, especially as many of the cancerogenic or toxic gases elude subjective detection.

Import-Container werden vor der Verschiffung im Herkunftsland haufig zur Schadlingsabtotung begast. Die Container und die darin enthaltenen Import-Waren konnen daher auch im Ankunftsland noch gesundheitsschadigende Ruckstande von Begasungsmitteln oder Chemikalien enthalten. Es werden die typischen Beschwerden und Untersuchungsbefunde von 16 Patienten dargestellt, die durch entsprechende Ruckstande erkrankten. Diese Patienten stellten sich im Zeitraum von 09/2006 bis 11/2008 in unserer arbeitsmedizinischen Poliklinik vor und wurden entsprechend einem umfassenden standardisierten Diagnostik-Programm untersucht. Vier Patienten mit anhaltenden zentral-nervosen Beschwerden wurden zusatzlich fachneurologisch und neuropsychologisch getestet.

Es wird uber funf Arbeiter berichtet, die bis zu 4,5 Stunden gegenuber Ruckstanden von Begasungsmitteln beim Entladen von Containern ausgesetzt waren. Alle Arbeiter klagten nach Exposition uber akut auftretende Kopfschmerzen, Benommenheit, Ubelkeit und Hautreizungen. Zwei der Arbeiter zeigten anhaltende neurologische Symptome sowie eine sich verzogert entwickelnde, jedoch uber Wochen anhaltende Luftnot; nachweisbar war eine verminderte Einsekundenkapazitat, eine bronchiale Hyperreagibilitat im Methacholintest und eine verminderte korperliche Belastbarkeit in der Spiroergometrie. In den Proben des Stauholzes aus einem der Container konnten Ruckstande des Begasungsmittels 1,2-Dichlorethan nachgewiesen werden. Weitere leicht fluchtige Begasungsmittel wie Brommethan und Sulfuryldifluorid sind als verursachende toxische Stoffe nicht auszuschliesen. Neurologische Erkrankungen als Folge der Intoxikationen mit halogenierten Kohlenwasserstoffen sind bekannt; anhaltende Atemwegserkrankungen im Sinne einer reaktive Atemwegsfehlfunktion wurden bisher nicht beschrieben. Konsequente Luft-analysen in importierten Containern auf Begasungsmittelruckstande vor deren Betreten sind dringend geboten.

Begasungsmittelruckstande und toxische Industriechemikalien in Import-Containern konnen fur das betroffene Personal gesundheitsgefahrdend sein. Um die Gefahrdung abschatzen zu konnen, sollten im Rahmen dieser Studie aus mehr als 2000 Import-Containern Luftproben analysiert werden. Weitere Ziele der Messkampagne waren, Daten fur einen Geratevergleich zu erhalten sowie neuere feldtaugliche Messgerate im Routinebetrieb zu testen und deren Ergebnisse–soweit moglich–mit etablierten Labor-Techniken (Thermodesorptions-Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie, TD-GC-MS) zu vergleichen.

To ensure the preservation and quality of the goods, physical (i.e. radiation) or chemical pest control is needed. The dark side of such consents may bear health risks in international transport and production sharing. In fact, between 10% and 20% of all containers arriving European harbors were shown to contain volatile toxic substances above the exposure limit values. Possible exposure to these toxic chemicals may occur not only for the applicators but also the receiver by off gassing from products, packing materials or transport units like containers. A number of intoxications, some with lethal outcome, occur not only during the fumigation, but also during freight transport (on bulk carriers and other transport vessels), as well as in the logistic lines during loading and unloading. Risk occupations include dock-workers, seafarers, inspectors, as well as the usually uninformed workers of importing enterprises that unload the products. Bystanders as well as vulnerable consumers may also be at risk. Ongoing studies focus on the release of these toxic volatile substances from various goods. It was shown that the half-lives of the off-gassing process range between minutes and months, depending on the toxic substance, its chemical reactivity, concentration, the temperature, the contaminated matrix (goods and packing materials), and the packing density in the transport units. Regulations on declaration and handling dangerous goods are mostly not followed. It is obvious that this hazardous situation in freight transport urgently requires preventive steps. In order to improve awareness and relevant knowledge there is a need for more comprehensive information on chemical hazards and a broader implementation of the already existing regulations and guidelines, such as those from ILO, IMO, and national authorities. It is also necessary to have regular controls by the authorities on a worldwide scale, which should be followed by sanctions in case of disregarding regulations. Further, fumigated containers must have a warning sign corresponding to international recommendations and national regulations, and freight documents have to indicate any potential hazard during stripping the goods. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12995-015-0059-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Clinical and public health research, education, and medical practice are vulnerable to influence by corporate interests driven by the for-profit motive. Developments over the last 10 years have shown that transparency and self-reporting of corporate ties do not always mitigate bias. In this article, we provide examples of how sound scientific reasoning and evidence-gathering are undermined through compromised scientific enquiry resulting in misleading science, decision-making, and policy intervention. Various medical disciplines provide reference literature essential for informing public, environmental, and occupational health policy. Published literature impacts clinical and laboratory methods, the validity of respective clinical guidelines, and the development and implementation of public health regulations. Said literature is also used in expert testimony related to resolving tort actions on work-related illnesses and environmental risks. We call for increased sensitivity, full transparency, and the implementation of effective ethical and professional praxis rules at all relevant regulatory levels to rout out inappropriate corporate influence in science. This is needed because influencing the integrity of scientists who engage in such activities cannot be depended upon.

Repeated inhalative exposures to antigenic material from a variety of sources, mainly from moulds, thermophilic Actinomycetes, and avians, respectively, can induce immune responses with the clinical picture of extrinsic allergic alveolitis (EAA) or hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Delays of years or even decades till the diagnosis is made are not uncommon; frequent misdiagnoses include allergic asthma, COPD, recurrent flue and other infections. We provide here the state of the art references, a detailed case description and recommend a current diagnostics schema.

We investigated the mechanism of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling in ovarian theca cells and observed that stimulation with this bioactive lipid markedly enhanced Thr/Tyr phosphorylation of the MAPK ERK1/2. Activation of ERK was transient, showing a peak at 5 min that declined thereafter, and was not associated with a concomitant nuclear translocation of the enzyme, suggesting that a cytosolic tyrosine phosphatase may be responsible for switching off the signal. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced activation of the enzyme in the same cell system was more rapid (peaking at 1 min), sustainable for at least 60 min, and could be suppressed by prior treatment with either pertussis toxin or a noncompetitive inhibitor of Ras acceptor protein, manumycin A. This functional inhibition of either Gi or Ras failed, however, to affect the LPA-induced ERK-phosphorylation. Surprisingly, functional inhibition of Rho-GTPase, in C3-exotoxin-lipofected cells, markedly reduced LPA-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK, without affecting the EGF-induced stimulation of MAPK. Theca cells labeled with anti-LPA1/edg2-type antibody showed a distinct cell surface labeling, which is reflected in the expression of (LPA1)-type LPA receptors at both mRNA and protein levels. The findings indicate that LPA transiently stimulates MAPK ERK in LPA1/edg2-expressing theca cells and suggest an alternative mechanism regulating the activation of ERK that differs from the canonical EGF-Ras-MAPK kinase pathway.

Background Airborne enzymes behave as potent respiratory allergens. Till date, allergic disorders caused by genetically engineered enzymes widely used in the industry, have not been reported. Results and Conclusions We describe a worker employed in the detergent industry who developed asthma and rhinitis from IgE-mediated sensitization to the thermostable endo-alpha-amylase Termamyl® and to the protease Savinase®. This is the first report showing that Termamyl® elicits allergic respiratory disorders in humans. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:378–380, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Zur Beurteilung von Belastung und Gesundheitsgefahrdung infolge einer Begasungsmittelexposition kommen verschiedene arbeitsmedizinische Verfahren zum Einsatz. Das Ambient-Monitoring bietet die Moglichkeit, ausere Gefahrdungen durch unbekannte Zielsubstanzen (z.B. Begasungsmittel) in der Luft zu identifizieren und die Konzentration der vorhandenen Gefahrstoffe zu messen. Das Biomonitoring (Expositions-Monitoring) erlaubt die aufgenommene Gefahrstoffmenge unter der Berucksichtigung der Bioverfugbarkeit, Resorption, Kinetik und Ausscheidung zu erfassen. Erganzend erfolgt das Effekt-Monitoring, um die in Folge einer Intoxikation entstandene praklinische Lasion zu erfassen. Solche Beanspruchungsparameter sollten durch eine Abschatzung individueller Suszeptibilitat erganzt werden. Erst die Kombination verschiedener Parameter der unterschiedlichen Monitoring-Verfahren erlaubt eine verlassliche Abschatzung des Gesundheitsrisikos infolge einer Begasungsmittelintoxikation.

Kopfschmerzen, Gedachtnisstorungen, Schwindel und Ubelkeit, Hautreizungen, respiratorische Symptome und Muskelkrampfe sind Beschwerden, bei denen an eine akute oder chronische Intoxikation gedacht werden muss. Die gezielte Nach–frage nach typischen Expositionsumstanden (z.B. Offnen und Entladen von Importcontainern, Entpacken von Importwaren oder direktes Beoder Entgasen von Containern) weist ggf. auf Begasungsmittel oder Chemikalienruckstande aus Importwaren hin. Die Schwere der Erkrankung ist von der Dauer der Exposition, der Konzentration, Verteilung und Freisetzung des Giftes, von der Kinetik der Substanz, der individuellen Suszeptibilitat des Betroffenen sowie von der simultanen Exposition gegenuber mehreren Giften abhangig. Neben der korperlichen Untersuchung konnen Bluttests auf Ruckstande der Gifte, Lungenfunktionsuntersuchungen, hier insbesondere der Test auf eine neu aufgetretene unspezifische Uberempfindlichkeit der Atemwege, sowie neuropsychologische Tests die Diagnose erharten. Personen, die mit Importwaren handeln, sollten uber die typischen Symptome einer Intoxikation durch Begasungsmittel informiert sein und Anlaufstellen fur eine adaquate medizinische Versorgung kennen.

All asbestos types cause asbestosis (cancer): chrysotile is not biopersistent, so fibre analysis is not diagnostic http://ow.ly/BOLC30grqYg

Background: International phytosanitary standards ISPM 15 require (since 2007) fumigation or heat treatment for shipping and storage. Those dealing with fumigated freight might be accidentally exposed. In this paper we report a series of three accidents of six storage room workers in a medium sized company regularly importing electronic production parts from abroad. Methods: Patients (n = 6, aged from 32–54 yrs.) and control group (n = 30, mean 40 yrs.) donated blood and urine samples. The fumigants: ethylene oxide, methyl bromide, chloropicrin, ethylene dichloride, other halo-alkanes and solvents were analyzed by headspace gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GCMS). For the quantitation of long term exposure/s, macromolecular reaction products (hemoglobin adducts) were used (with GCMS) as molecular dosimeter; additionally 8-OHdG and circulating mtDNA (cmtDNA) were analyzed as nonspecific biological effect markers. Results: The hemoglobin adducts N-methyl valine (MEV) and N-(2-hydroxy ethyl) valine (HEV) were elevated after exposure to the alkylating chemicals methyl bromide and ethylene oxide. Under the consideration of known elimination kinetics and the individual smoking status (biomonitored with nicotine metabolite cotinine and tobacco specific hemoglobin adduct: N-(2 cyan ethyl) valines, CEV), the data allow theoretical extrapolation to the initial protein adduct concentrations at the time of the accident (the MEV/CEV levels were from 1,616 pmol/g globin to 1,880 pmol/g globin and HEV/CEV levels from 1,407 pmol/g globin to 5,049 pmol/g globin, and correlated with inhaled 0.4-1.5 ppm ethylene oxide. These integrated, extrapolated internal doses, calculated on the basis of biological exposure equivalents, confirmed the clinical diagnosis for three patients, showing severe intoxication symptoms. Both, cmtDNA and 8-OHdG, as non-specific biomarkers of toxic effects, were elevated in four patients. Conclusion: The cases reported here, stress the importance of a suitable risk assessment and control measures. We put emphasis on the necessity of human biomonitoring guidelines and the urgency for the relevant limit values.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a biologically active phospholipid recently introduced as a new marker for ovarian cancer. Because high concentrations of LPA have also been found in the follicular fluid from healthy subjects, one can presume that this biological mediator may have relevance for normal ovarian physiology as well. We have reported earlier that luteal cells possess specific binding sites for LPA. Using these cells as a model, we show now that LPA is able to modulate the morphological cell shape changes induced by LH in that it inhibits the formation of stellate processes induced by LH. This morphoregulatory effect of LPA is mimicked by cytotoxic necrotizing factor 1, a bacterial toxin known to activate small G-proteins from the Rho family. On the other hand, C3-exotransferase that acts mainly through the inhibition of Rho A mimics the effects of LH. Furthermore, we report here that the morphoregulatory effects of LPA are accompanied by the translocation of Rho proteins from the cytosol to cell membrane, an effect generally considered to be an indicator for the activation of Rho-GTPases. During the development and rescue of the corpus luteum, major morphoregulatory effects are exerted by LH that appear to be modulated by LPA via an activation of Rho proteins.

Weit verbreitete Entwesungsmasnahmen im globalisierten Handel erfordern eine neue Sichtweise auf Gefahrdungsbeurteilungen von Arbeitsplatzen, bei denen ein Umgang mit Import-Containern besteht. Wir zeigen mehrere gesundheitsrelevante Faktoren auf, die fur solche Risikobeurteilungen herangezogen werden mussen und die z.T. mit einem erhohten Gesundheitsrisiko einhergehen. Dabei sind neben Begasungsmittelresten haufig anzutreffende toxische Industriechemikalien zu berucksichtigen.

Die Thermodesorption-Gaschromatographie-Massenspektrometrie (TD-GC-MS) stellt eine sensitive und spezifische Methode dar, Containerluftproben umfassend und prazise auffluchtige Substanzen zu untersuchen. Anreicherung, Auftrennung und identifizierende Detektion der Substanzen erlaubt neben der genauen quantitativen Analytik von Zielsubstanzen auch das Auffinden und die Identifikation unerwarteter Substanzen, wie beispielsweise unbekannter, neuer Begasungsmittel.

Brommethan ist von der IARC in die Kategorie 3 als Kanzerogen eingestuft und kann als potentieller Tumorpromotor wirken. Anhand von In-vivo-, In-vitro- und epidemiologischen Studien wurde ein systematisches Review uber die Toxizitat und Kanzerogenitat des Brommethans durchgefuhrt. Infolge des hohen alkalischen Potenzials wird oft ein zytotoxischer Effekt in In-vivo- und In-vitro-Studien beschrieben. Beim Menschen kann durch das Vorhandensein oder nicht Vorhandensein von GSST T1 ein differierender Metabolismus auftreten. In Folge dessen kann es bei Nicht-Konjugatoren nach Einwirkung von Brommethan zu genotoxischen Wirkungen kommen. In epidemiologischen Studien wird bei Personen mit einer beruflichen Exposition gegenuber Brommethan ein erhohtes Risiko, an Prostatakarzinom zu erkranken, beobachtet.

The aim of this study was to determine whether luteal cells possess functional receptors for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). We present evidence that [3H]LPA binds to a 38–40 kDa protein in a membrane fraction prepared from luteal cells and that this phospholipid is able to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins (65–125 kDa). Furthermore, LPA upregulates forskolin- and LH/GTP-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by changing its Vmax. Although a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein has been reported to transmit the inhibitory signals between the LPA receptor and adenylyl cyclase, the observed upregulation of the enzyme activity in luteal cells is not abolished after pre-treating the cells with the toxin, suggesting that a different mechanism is operative in these cells. According to the pharmacological regulatory pattern it is suggested that the modulated adenylyl cyclase isoform is the enzyme subtype V expressed in luteal cells.