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Virji MA, Kurth L. Peak Inhalation Exposure Metrics Used in Occupational Epidemiologic and Exposure Studies. Front Public Health 2021; 8:611693. [PMID: 33490023 PMCID: PMC7820770 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.611693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Peak exposures are of concern because they can potentially overwhelm normal defense mechanisms and induce adverse health effects. Metrics of peak exposure have been used in epidemiologic and exposure studies, but consensus is lacking on its definition. The relevant characteristics of peak exposure are dependent upon exposure patterns, biokinetics of exposure, and disease mechanisms. The objective of this review was to summarize the use of peak metrics in epidemiologic and exposure studies. A comprehensive search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and NIOSHTIC-2 databases was conducted using keywords related to peak exposures. The retrieved references were reviewed and selected for indexing if they included a peak metric and met additional criteria. Information on health outcomes and peak exposure metrics was extracted from each reference. A total of 1,215 epidemiologic or exposure references were identified, of which 182 were indexed and summarized. For the 72 epidemiologic studies, the health outcomes most frequently evaluated were: chronic respiratory effects, cancer and acute respiratory symptoms. Exposures were frequently assessed using task-based and full-shift time-integrated methods, qualitative methods, and real-time instruments. Peak exposure summary metrics included the presence or absence of a peak event, highest exposure intensity and frequency greater than a target. Peak metrics in the 110 exposure studies most frequently included highest exposure intensity, average short-duration intensity, and graphical presentation of the real-time data (plots). This review provides a framework for considering biologically relevant peak exposure metrics for epidemiologic and exposure studies to help inform risk assessment and exposure mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Abbas Virji
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States
| | - Laura Kurth
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, United States
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Masaki H, Yasuike S, Matsumoto K, Tajiri M, Yoshioka Y, Inoba S. Development of a novel non-contact and quick-response detector for boron in coal fly ash based on thermal neutron absorptiometry. Heliyon 2018; 4:e00752. [PMID: 30167499 PMCID: PMC6111023 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Coal fly ash (CFA), a by-product from coal-fired power plants, has many applications. However, there are concerns that the trace elements in CFA-based materials may contaminate groundwater. Therefore, many methods have been developed to rapidly measure these trace elements in CFA in order to management and/or screening their leachability. However, satisfactory methods to measure boron alone have not been reported. In this study, we developed an instrument for the non-contact analysis of boron in CFA samples. This simple instrument consisted of a sealed neutron source, a moderator, a proportional counter, and a signal processing device. The analysis method, based on thermal neutron absorptiometry, can rapidly measure the boron content within five minutes without pre-treatment. We applied the developed equipment to over 200 CFA samples, and excellent correlation was obtained between the proposed and traditional methods. These results indicated that the developed equipment is useful for managing and/or screening boron in CFA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Masaki
- Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 1646 Abiko, Abiko–shi, Chiba 270–1194, Japan
- Corresponding author.
| | - Shinji Yasuike
- Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 1646 Abiko, Abiko–shi, Chiba 270–1194, Japan
| | - Kenji Matsumoto
- Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd., 4-5-22, Iwayakitamachi, Nada-ku Kobe-shi, Hyogo 657-0846, Japan
| | - Masaru Tajiri
- Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd., 4-5-22, Iwayakitamachi, Nada-ku Kobe-shi, Hyogo 657-0846, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yoshioka
- Shinko Engineering & Maintenance Co., Ltd., 4-5-22, Iwayakitamachi, Nada-ku Kobe-shi, Hyogo 657-0846, Japan
| | - Seiji Inoba
- Environmental Science Research Laboratory, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 1646 Abiko, Abiko–shi, Chiba 270–1194, Japan
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Kodali VK, Roberts JR, Shoeb M, Wolfarth MG, Bishop L, Eye T, Barger M, Roach KA, Friend S, Schwegler-Berry D, Chen BT, Stefaniak A, Jordan KC, Whitney RR, Porter DW, Erdely AD. Acute in vitro and in vivo toxicity of a commercial grade boron nitride nanotube mixture. Nanotoxicology 2017; 11:1040-1058. [DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2017.1390177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vamsi K. Kodali
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jenny R. Roberts
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mohammad Shoeb
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Lindsey Bishop
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Tracy Eye
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mark Barger
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Katherine A. Roach
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Sherri Friend
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | - Bean T. Chen
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | | | | | | | - Dale W. Porter
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Aaron D. Erdely
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Effect of Additives on Arsenic, Boron and Selenium Leaching from Coal Fly Ash. MINERALS 2017. [DOI: 10.3390/min7060099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The establishment of an inexpensive leaching control method to prevent the leaching of trace elements from fly ash is required for the utilization of large-scale fly ash as an embankment material. This study examined the effects of the additives on suppressing As, B, and Se leaching from coal fly ash using Ca(OH)2, paper sludge ashes (PS Ash 3, PS Ash 4 and PS Ash 5), and filter cake (FC). PS Ash and FC are waste generated in the papermaking and lime industry processes and contain high levels of calcium. The treated fly ash H (FAH) and the resulting mixtures were subjected to a leaching test as per the Environmental Agency of Japan Notifications No. 13. The results indicate that the leaching concentrations of As, B, and Se could be greatly reduced in FAH with the highest effect given by Ca(OH)2, followed by PS Ash 3 and PS Ash 5. Ca(OH)2 greatly reduced both the leaching concentrations of As, B, and Se by about 91–100%, while PS Ash 3 reduced the As and B leaching concentrations by approximately 89–96% and 83–92%, respectively; and PS Ash 5 reduced the Se leaching concentration by about 87–96%. FC did not have any impact on As and B leaching, but reduced Se leaching by about 58–78%. A reason for the decrease in leaching concentrations of As, B, and Se may be the precipitation with calcium or the formation of ettringite. The presence of leached Ca and Na ions are key factors affecting the decrease of As, B, and Se leaching concentrations from fly ash. The utilization of PS Ash 3 and PS Ash 5 as inexpensive additives is a promising method to control the leaching of As, B, and Se into the environment.
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Löfstedt H, Hagström K, Bryngelsson IL, Holmström M, Rask-Andersen A. Respiratory symptoms and lung function in relation to wood dust and monoterpene exposure in the wood pellet industry. Ups J Med Sci 2017; 122:78-84. [PMID: 28276782 PMCID: PMC5441376 DOI: 10.1080/03009734.2017.1285836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Wood pellets are used as a source of renewable energy for heating purposes. Common exposures are wood dust and monoterpenes, which are known to be hazardous for the airways. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of occupational exposure on respiratory health in wood pellet workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-nine men working with wood pellet production at six plants were investigated with a questionnaire, medical examination, allergy screening, spirometry, and nasal peak expiratory flow (nasal PEF). Exposure to wood dust and monoterpenes was measured. RESULTS The wood pellet workers reported a higher frequency of nasal symptoms, dry cough, and asthma medication compared to controls from the general population. There were no differences in nasal PEF between work and leisure time. A lower lung function than expected (vital capacity [VC], 95%; forced vital capacity in 1 second [FEV1], 96% of predicted) was noted, but no changes were noted during shifts. There was no correlation between lung function and years working in pellet production. Personal measurements of wood dust at work showed high concentrations (0.16-19 mg/m3), and exposure peaks when performing certain work tasks. Levels of monoterpenes were low (0.64-28 mg/m3). There was no association between exposure and acute lung function effects. CONCLUSIONS In this study of wood pellet workers, high levels of wood dust were observed, and that may have influenced the airways negatively as the study group reported upper airway symptoms and dry cough more frequently than expected. The wood pellet workers had both a lower VC and FEV1 than expected. No cross-shift changes were found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Håkan Löfstedt
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Katja Hagström
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Ing-Liss Bryngelsson
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Mats Holmström
- Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Rask-Andersen
- Department of Medical Sciences, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Farfán-García ED, Castillo-Mendieta NT, Ciprés-Flores FJ, Padilla-Martínez II, Trujillo-Ferrara JG, Soriano-Ursúa MA. Current data regarding the structure-toxicity relationship of boron-containing compounds. Toxicol Lett 2016; 258:115-125. [PMID: 27329537 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Boron is ubiquitous in nature, being an essential element of diverse cells. As a result, humans have had contact with boron containing compounds (BCCs) for a long time. During the 20th century, BCCs were developed as antiseptics, antibiotics, cosmetics and insecticides. Boric acid was freely used in the nosocomial environment as an antiseptic and sedative salt, leading to the death of patients and an important discovery about its critical toxicology for humans. Since then the many toxicological studies done in relation to BCCs have helped to establish the proper limits of their use. During the last 15 years, there has been a boom of research on the design and use of new, potent and efficient boron containing drugs, finding that the addition of boron to some known drugs increases their affinity and selectivity. This mini-review summarizes two aspects of BCCs: toxicological data found with experimental models, and the scarce but increasing data about the structure-activity relationship for toxicity and therapeutic use. As is the case with boron-free compounds, the biological activity of BCCs is related to their chemical structure. We discuss the use of new technology to discover potent and efficient BCCs for medicinal therapy by avoiding toxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- E D Farfán-García
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México; Departamento de Fisiología, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México
| | - N T Castillo-Mendieta
- Departamento de Fisiología, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México
| | - F J Ciprés-Flores
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México; Departamento de Fisiología, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México
| | - I I Padilla-Martínez
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Avenida Acueducto s/n, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, 07340, México
| | - J G Trujillo-Ferrara
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México
| | - M A Soriano-Ursúa
- Departamento de Fisiología, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación. Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón, 11340, México City, México.
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Klasson M, Bryngelsson IL, Pettersson C, Husby B, Arvidsson H, Westberg H. Occupational Exposure to Cobalt and Tungsten in the Swedish Hard Metal Industry: Air Concentrations of Particle Mass, Number, and Surface Area. ANNALS OF OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE 2016; 60:684-99. [PMID: 27143598 PMCID: PMC4915521 DOI: 10.1093/annhyg/mew023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to cobalt in the hard metal industry entails severe adverse health effects, including lung cancer and hard metal fibrosis. The main aim of this study was to determine exposure air concentration levels of cobalt and tungsten for risk assessment and dose–response analysis in our medical investigations in a Swedish hard metal plant. We also present mass-based, particle surface area, and particle number air concentrations from stationary sampling and investigate the possibility of using these data as proxies for exposure measures in our study. Personal exposure full-shift measurements were performed for inhalable and total dust, cobalt, and tungsten, including personal real-time continuous monitoring of dust. Stationary measurements of inhalable and total dust, PM2.5, and PM10 was also performed and cobalt and tungsten levels were determined, as were air concentration of particle number and particle surface area of fine particles. The personal exposure levels of inhalable dust were consistently low (AM 0.15mg m−3, range <0.023–3.0mg m−3) and below the present Swedish occupational exposure limit (OEL) of 10mg m−3. The cobalt levels were low as well (AM 0.0030mg m−3, range 0.000028–0.056mg m−3) and only 6% of the samples exceeded the Swedish OEL of 0.02mg m−3. For continuous personal monitoring of dust exposure, the peaks ranged from 0.001 to 83mg m−3 by work task. Stationary measurements showed lower average levels both for inhalable and total dust and cobalt. The particle number concentration of fine particles (AM 3000 p·cm−3) showed the highest levels at the departments of powder production, pressing and storage, and for the particle surface area concentrations (AM 7.6 µm2·cm−3) similar results were found. Correlating cobalt mass-based exposure measurements to cobalt stationary mass-based, particle area, and particle number concentrations by rank and department showed significant correlations for all measures except for particle number. Linear regression analysis of the same data showed statistically significant regression coefficients only for the mass-based aerosol measures. Similar results were seen for rank correlation in the stationary rig, and linear regression analysis implied significant correlation for mass-based and particle surface area measures. The mass-based air concentration levels of cobalt and tungsten in the hard metal plant in our study were low compared to Swedish OELs. Particle number and particle surface area concentrations were in the same order of magnitude as for other industrial settings. Regression analysis implied the use of stationary determined mass-based and particle surface area aerosol concentration as proxies for various exposure measures in our study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Klasson
- 1.Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden; 2.School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden;
| | - Ing-Liss Bryngelsson
- 1.Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Carin Pettersson
- 1.Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Bente Husby
- 1.Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Helena Arvidsson
- 1.Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden
| | - Håkan Westberg
- 1.Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Örebro University, 70185 Örebro, Sweden; 3.Department of Science Man-Technology-Environment Research Center (MTM), Örebro University, 70182 Örebro, Sweden
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Brüning T, Bartsch R, Bolt HM, Desel H, Drexler H, Gundert-Remy U, Hartwig A, Jäckh R, Leibold E, Pallapies D, Rettenmeier AW, Schlüter G, Stropp G, Sucker K, Triebig G, Westphal G, van Thriel C. Sensory irritation as a basis for setting occupational exposure limits. Arch Toxicol 2014; 88:1855-79. [PMID: 25182421 PMCID: PMC4161939 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-014-1346-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There is a need of guidance on how local irritancy data should be incorporated into risk assessment procedures, particularly with respect to the derivation of occupational exposure limits (OELs). Therefore, a board of experts from German committees in charge of the derivation of OELs discussed the major challenges of this particular end point for regulatory toxicology. As a result, this overview deals with the question of integrating results of local toxicity at the eyes and the upper respiratory tract (URT). Part 1 describes the morphology and physiology of the relevant target sites, i.e., the outer eye, nasal cavity, and larynx/pharynx in humans. Special emphasis is placed on sensory innervation, species differences between humans and rodents, and possible effects of obnoxious odor in humans. Based on this physiological basis, Part 2 describes a conceptual model for the causation of adverse health effects at these targets that is composed of two pathways. The first, “sensory irritation” pathway is initiated by the interaction of local irritants with receptors of the nervous system (e.g., trigeminal nerve endings) and a downstream cascade of reflexes and defense mechanisms (e.g., eyeblinks, coughing). While the first stages of this pathway are thought to be completely reversible, high or prolonged exposure can lead to neurogenic inflammation and subsequently tissue damage. The second, “tissue irritation” pathway starts with the interaction of the local irritant with the epithelial cell layers of the eyes and the URT. Adaptive changes are the first response on that pathway followed by inflammation and irreversible damages. Regardless of these initial steps, at high concentrations and prolonged exposures, the two pathways converge to the adverse effect of morphologically and biochemically ascertainable changes. Experimental exposure studies with human volunteers provide the empirical basis for effects along the sensory irritation pathway and thus, “sensory NOAEChuman” can be derived. In contrast, inhalation studies with rodents investigate the second pathway that yields an “irritative NOAECanimal.” Usually the data for both pathways is not available and extrapolation across species is necessary. Part 3 comprises an empirical approach for the derivation of a default factor for interspecies differences. Therefore, from those substances under discussion in German scientific and regulatory bodies, 19 substances were identified known to be human irritants with available human and animal data. The evaluation started with three substances: ethyl acrylate, formaldehyde, and methyl methacrylate. For these substances, appropriate chronic animal and a controlled human exposure studies were available. The comparison of the sensory NOAEChuman with the irritative NOAECanimal (chronic) resulted in an interspecies extrapolation factor (iEF) of 3 for extrapolating animal data concerning local sensory irritating effects. The adequacy of this iEF was confirmed by its application to additional substances with lower data density (acetaldehyde, ammonia, n-butyl acetate, hydrogen sulfide, and 2-ethylhexanol). Thus, extrapolating from animal studies, an iEF of 3 should be applied for local sensory irritants without reliable human data, unless individual data argue for a substance-specific approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany,
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Maier A, Vincent M, Hack E, Nance P, Ball W. Derivation of an occupational exposure limit for inorganic borates using a weight of evidence approach. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2014; 68:424-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2014.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2012] [Revised: 01/30/2014] [Accepted: 02/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Cetin B, Aydilek AH, Li L. Experimental and numerical analysis of metal leaching from fly ash-amended highway bases. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2012; 32:965-978. [PMID: 22257699 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2011.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2011] [Revised: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/13/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
A study was conducted to evaluate the leaching potential of unpaved road materials (URM) mixed with lime activated high carbon fly ashes and to evaluate groundwater impacts of barium, boron, copper, and zinc leaching. This objective was met by a combination of batch water leach tests, column leach tests, and computer modeling. The laboratory tests were conducted on soil alone, fly ash alone, and URM-fly ash-lime kiln dust mixtures. The results indicated that an increase in fly ash and lime content has significant effects on leaching behavior of heavy metals from URM-fly ash mixture. An increase in fly ash content and a decrease in lime content promoted leaching of Ba, B and Cu whereas Zn leaching was primarily affected by the fly ash content. Numerically predicted field metal concentrations were significantly lower than the peak metal concentrations obtained in laboratory column leach tests, and field concentrations decreased with time and distance due to dispersion in soil vadose zone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bora Cetin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
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Robbins WA, Xun L, Jia J, Kennedy N, Elashoff DA, Ping L. Chronic boron exposure and human semen parameters. Reprod Toxicol 2010; 29:184-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Graff P, Bozhkov G, Hedenlöf K, Johannesson O, Flodin U. Epistaxis in a low level hydrogen fluoride exposed industrial staff. Am J Ind Med 2009; 52:240-5. [PMID: 19072856 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the effect of exposure to hydrogen fluoride (HF) on the airway mucosa in an industrial setting. METHODS A cross-sectional study encompassing 33 industrial workers in a flame soldering plant and 44 assembly workers unexposed to HF was performed by means of a questionnaire on symptoms and diagnosis regarding upper and lower airways as well as through conduct of a clinical examination of the exposed group. Air concentrations of HF that were monitored in winter amounted to 1.0 mg/m(3) and in summer time to 0.15 mg/m(3). RESULTS A threefold risk for epistaxis (RR = 3.6, 95% confidence interval 1.1-11.0) was observed in the exposed group. Time from the start of exposure to HF until debut of a nose bleeding period varied from 1 month to 6 years. Mean induction (latency) time was 42 months. Mean duration of symptoms was 26 months, range 3-72 months, indicating that the exposure level in summer time was sufficient to maintain the propensity of almost daily nose bleeding. CONCLUSION HF is an irritating vapor, even at relatively low air concentrations. We recommend an 8 hr TLV lower than 1.0 mg/m(3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pål Graff
- Centre of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
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Yazbeck C, Kloppmann W, Cottier R, Sahuquillo J, Debotte G, Huel G. Health impact evaluation of boron in drinking water: a geographical risk assessment in Northern France. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2005; 27:419-27. [PMID: 16237598 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-005-1796-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2004] [Accepted: 02/02/2005] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate health impact of boron in drinking water. METHODS A regional scale geographical study in Northern France was conducted. Assessment of boron blood levels in a group of 180 healthy individuals and correlation with boron content in drinking water were followed by an assessment of health indicators such as birth rates, mortality rates, and sex ratios in zones of different boron content in drinking water. RESULTS After necessary adjustments, men living in municipalities with more than 0.30 mg/L of boron in drinking water had elevated but not significant boron blood levels compared with those living in municipalities with boron water levels of less than 0.30 mg/L (159.1 versus 123.0 ng/g; p > 0.05). The standardized birth ratio adjusted for the reference geographic zone and calendar time period was 1.07 and 1.28 in the low and high (>0.3 mg/L) boron content municipalities, respectively. The birth rate in municipalities with high boron content in drinking water was higher than that of the reference geographic zone and of the French general population (p < 10(-4)). The standardized mortality ratio adjusted for the reference geographic zone and calendar time period was 0.94 and 0.92 in the low and high boron content municipalities, respectively. The mortality rate in municipalities with high boron content in drinking water was less than that of the reference geographic zone and of the French general population (p < 10(-3)). No statistical difference was noted in the male-female sex ratios between the different municipality zones (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study do not support the idea of a deleterious effect of boron on human health, at the boron water level contents found in this specific region. In fact, there is a tendency toward a beneficial effect with low-dose environmental exposure (less than 1 mg/L of boron) in drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chadi Yazbeck
- Unite de Recherches en Epidemiologie et Biostatistique, INSERM U-472, 16 avenue Paul Vaillant Couturier, 94807 Villejuif Cedex, France.
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Cain WS, Jalowayski AA, Kleinman M, Lee NS, Lee BR, Ahn BH, Magruder K, Schmidt R, Hillen BK, Warren CB, Culver BD. Sensory and associated reactions to mineral dusts: sodium borate, calcium oxide, and calcium sulfate. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2004; 1:222-236. [PMID: 15204861 DOI: 10.1080/15459620490432150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Occupational exposure limits (OELs) for irritant dusts have had no quantifiable bases. This study (1) charted chemosensory feel, denoted chemesthesis here, to dusts of calcium oxide (1 to 5 mg/m(3)), sodium tetraborate pentahydrate [sodium borate] (5 to 40 mg/m(3)), and calcium sulfate (10 to 40 mg/m(3)); (2) examined correlates of the chemesthetic sensations; and (3) sought to illuminate the basis for potency. Twelve screened men exercised against a light load while they breathed air in a dome fed with controlled levels of dust for 20 min. Measured parameters included nasal resistance, nasal secretion, minute ventilation, heart rate, blood oxygenation, mucociliary transport time, and chemesthetic magnitude, calibrated to pungency of carbon dioxide. Subjects registered time-dependent feel from exposures principally in the nose, secondarily in the throat, and hardly in the eyes. Calcium oxide had the greatest potency, followed by sodium borate, with calcium sulfate a distant third. Of the physiological parameters, amount of secretion showed the best association with chemesthetic potency. That measure, as well as mucociliary transport time and minute ventilation, went into calculation of mass of dust dissolved into mucus. The calculations indicated that the two alkaline dusts increased in equal molar amounts with time. At equal molar concentrations, they had, to a first approximation, equal chemesthetic magnitude. On the basis of mass concentration in air or dissolved into mucus, calcium oxide and sodium borate differed in potency by a factor just above five, equal to the difference in their molecular weights. This relationship could inform the setting of OELs for a critical effect of irritation.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Cain
- Chemosensory Perception Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Otolaryngology), University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0957, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Subtilisins are proteolytic enzymes of bacterial origin found in detergents. They are high-molecular-weight antigens and have been implicated in allergic rhinitis and asthma. OBJECTIVE This report describes a case of extrinsic allergic alveolitis due to subtilisins in a liquid cleaner. METHODS Clinical, radiologic, and serologic information were used to make the diagnosis. CASE REPORT A 53-year-old woman developed respiratory symptoms while working with a cleaner containing subtilisins. Her symptoms intensified in the work environment and improved away from work. A computed tomography scan demonstrated alveolar and interstitial infiltrates with subsequent scarring. A pulmonary function study revealed a restrictive pattern with diminished diffusion capacity. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed lymphocytosis and all cultures were negative. Precipitating antibodies to the enzyme were found in the patient's serum. Her symptoms improved once she changed her occupation. CONCLUSIONS The combination of the patient's clinical history, physical, laboratory, and radiologic findings support the diagnosis of extrinsic allergic alveolitis from the enzyme contained in the cleaner.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Tripathi
- Ernest S. Bazley Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, Department of Medicine of Northwestern Memorial Hopsital and Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Usuda K, Kono K, Dote T, Miyata K, Nishiura H, Shimahara M, Sugimoto K. Study on urine boron reference values of Japanese men: use of confidence intervals as an indicator of exposure to boron compounds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 1998; 220:45-53. [PMID: 9800385 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(98)00243-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
A simple and rapid method for the determination of urine boron by inductively-coupled plasma argon emission spectrometry (ICPAES) has been developed to establish boron exposure guidelines. After 11-fold dilution in 18.25 M omega cm ultra-pure water and vigorous shaking, urine may be directly injected into the spectrometer, providing accurate and reproducible results. We report the results obtained with urine samples obtained from a group of male Japanese electronic workers (n = 102) who had not been exposed to boron; boron concentrations were corrected with use of a specific gravity of 1.024 g/ml. The frequency distribution resulted in a log-normal distribution diagram for anatomical spread. The geometric mean values for urine boron in the non-exposed workers was 798.0 micrograms/l, while the confidence interval (C.I.) was between 398.1 and 1599.6 micrograms/l. Taking into consideration the short biological half-life of boron and its major excretion route via urine, urine was considered to be a suitable means for monitoring of exposure to this element. We conclude that the guidelines established by determining boron reference values are useful for the protection of individuals exposed to boron in their working environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Usuda
- Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Osaka Medical College, Japan
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Abstract
Inorganic borates, including boric acid, Na, ammonium, K, and Zn borates generally display low acute toxicity orally, dermally, and by inhalation. They are either not irritant or mild skin and eye irritants. Exceptions owing to physiochemical properties do occur. Longer-term toxicological studies have been reported mainly on boric acid or borax where the properties are generally similar on an equivalent boron (B) basis. The critical effects in several species are male reproductive toxicity and developmental toxicity. The doses that cause these effects are far higher than any levels to which the human population could be exposed. Humans would need to consume daily some 3.3 g of boric acid (or 5.0 g borax) to ingest the same dose level as the lowest animal NOAEL. No effects on fertility were seen in a population of workers exposed to borates or to a population exposed to high environmental borate levels. There is remarkable similarity in the toxicological effects of boric acid and borax across different species. Other inorganic borates that simply dissociate to boric acid are expected to display similar toxicity, whereas those that do not dissociate simply to boric acid may display a different toxicological profile.
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Culver BD, Shen PT, Taylor TH, Lee-Feldstein A, Anton-Culver H, Strong PL. The relationship of blood- and urine-boron to boron exposure in borax-workers and usefulness of urine-boron as an exposure marker. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 1994; 102 Suppl 7:133-7. [PMID: 7889874 PMCID: PMC1566651 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.94102s7133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Daily dietary-boron intake and on-the-job inspired boron were compared with blood- and urine-boron concentrations in workers engaged in packaging and shipping borax. Fourteen workers handling borax at jobs of low, medium, and high dust exposures were sampled throughout full shifts for 5 consecutive days each. Airborne borax concentrations ranged from means of 3.3 mg/m3 to 18 mg/m3, measured gravimetrically. End-of-shift mean blood-boron concentrations ranged from 0.11 to 0.26 microgram/g; end-of-shift mean urine concentrations ranged from 3.16 to 10.72 micrograms/mg creatinine. Creatinine measures were used to adjust for differences in urine-specific gravity such that 1 ml of urine contains approximately 1 mg creatinine. There was no progressive increase in end-of-shift blood- or urine-boron concentrations across the days of the week. Urine testing done at the end of the work shift gave a somewhat better estimate of borate exposure than did blood testing, was sampled more easily, and was analytically less difficult to perform. Personal air samplers of two types were used: one, the 37-mm closed-face, two-piece cassette to estimate total dust and the other, the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) sampler to estimate inspirable particulate mass. Under the conditions of this study, the IOM air sampler more nearly estimated human exposure as measured by blood- and urine-boron levels than did the sampler that measured total dust.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Culver
- College of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
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