Effects of brief and intermediate exposures to sulfate submicron aerosols and sulfate injections and cardiopulmonary function of dogs and tracheal mucous velocity of sheep

Safety Assessment of Zinc Salts as Used in Cosmetics

The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety (Panel) assessed the safety of 27 inorganic and organometallic zinc salts as used in cosmetic formulations; these salts are specifically of the 2+ (II) oxidation state cation of zinc. These ingredients included in this report have various reported functions in cosmetics, including hair conditioning agents, skin conditioning agents, cosmetic astringents, cosmetic biocides, preservatives, oral care agents, buffering agents, bulking agents, chelating agents, and viscosity increasing agents. The Panel reviewed the relevant data for these ingredients, and concluded that these 27 ingredients are safe in cosmetics in the present practices of use and concentration described in this safety assessment when formulated to be non-irritating.

Respiratory health effects of alkali dust in residents near desiccated Old Wives Lake

Several years of drought have contributed to the desiccation of Old Wives Lake, a shallow, alkaline lake in southern Saskatchewan. The prevailing northwest wind, which blows across the 177-km2 dry lake bed, has generated airborne sodium sulfate, silt, and clay. Residents have reported nasal, eye, and respiratory irritation. A cross-sectional design that included 300 controls and 300 exposed subjects elucidated the potential adverse respiratory health effects of exposure to blowing alkali salt and dust. An increased prevalence of current cough, current wheeze, chronic cough, chronic wheeze, chronic eye irritation, and chronic nasal irritation was identified in the exposed population. Smoking-adjusted odds ratios were consistent with the prevalence ratios. Lung function did not differ between the exposed and the control populations. Rainfall during the study period reduced airborne dust levels and may have precluded demonstration of previously reported adverse effects.

Comparative irritant potency of inhaled sulfate aerosols--effects on bronchial mucociliary clearance

The effect of 1-hr oral inhalation exposures to submicrometer aerosols of ammonium bisulfate (NH4HSO4), ammonium sulfate [NH4)2SO4), and sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) upon mucociliary clearance from the bronchial tree of rabbits was examined. Exposures to NH4HSO4 at concentrations of approximately 600-1700 micrograms/m3 produced a significant depression of clearance rate only at the highest exposure level. No significant effects were observed with the other sulfates at levels up to approximately 2000 micrograms/m3. When results were compared to those from another study in this laboratory using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) aerosol, the ranking of irritant potency was H2SO4 greater than NH4HSO4 greater than (NH4)2SO4, Na2SO4. Alteration in bronchial mucociliary clearance due to sulfate aerosols appears to be related to the deposition of [H+] on the mucus lining of conducting airways.

The health effects of aluminum compounds in mammals

This review, which is based on evaluation of information published in the last decade related to the health effects of aluminum compounds in mammals, directs attention to the well-documented effects of A1(III) compounds on phosphate metabolism. It is suggested that the toxic effects currently associated with A1(III) compounds are dependent upon the nature of A1(III) complexes formed from electron donating groups, rather than restricted to the presence of the high charge density matrix of A1(III) itself.