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Pawlak M, Pobłocki K, Drzeżdżon J, Gawdzik B, Jacewicz D. "Isocyanates and isocyanides - life-threatening toxins or essential compounds?". THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 934:173250. [PMID: 38761928 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Isocyanides and isocyanates are some of the most reactive compounds in organic chemistry, making them perceived as compounds with high potential for use in both the laboratory and industry. With their high reactivity also comes several disadvantages, most notably their potentially high toxicity. The following article is a collection of information on the toxic effects of the isocyanide group on the human body and the environment. Information on the mechanism of how these harmful substances affect living tissues and the environment, worldwide information on how to protect against these chemicals, current regulations, and exposure limits for specific countries is compiled. The latest research on the application uses of isocyanates and isocyanides is also outlined, as well as the latest safer and greener methods and techniques to work with these compounds. Additionally, the presented article can serve as a brief guide to the organic toxicity of a group of isocyanates and isocyanates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pawlak
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Technology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Kacper Pobłocki
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Technology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Joanna Drzeżdżon
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Technology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Barbara Gawdzik
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University, Uniwersytecka 7, 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Dagmara Jacewicz
- Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Environmental Technology, University of Gdansk, Wita Stwosza 63, Gdansk, Poland.
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Mihaicuta S, Udrescu L, Militaru A, Nadasan V, Tiotiu A, Bikov A, Ursoniu S, Birza R, Popa AM, Frent S. Multivariate analysis and data mining help predict asthma exacerbations. J Asthma 2024; 61:608-618. [PMID: 38112563 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2023.2297366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work-related asthma has become a highly prevalent occupational lung disorder. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to evaluate occupational exposure as a predictor for asthma exacerbation. METHOD We performed a retrospective evaluation of 584 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated for asthma between October 2017 and December 2019 in four clinics from Western Romania. We evaluated the enrolled patients for their asthma control level by employing the Asthma Control Test (ACT < 20 represents uncontrolled asthma), the medical record of asthma exacerbations, occupational exposure, and lung function (i.e. spirometry). Then, we used statistical and data mining methods to explore the most important predictors for asthma exacerbations. RESULTS We identified essential predictors by calculating the odds ratios (OR) for the exacerbation in a logistic regression model. The average age was 45.42 ± 11.74 years (19-85 years), and 422 (72.26%) participants were females. 42.97% of participants had exacerbations in the past year, and 31.16% had a history of occupational exposure. In a multivariate model analysis adjusted for age and gender, the most important predictors for exacerbation were uncontrolled asthma (OR 4.79, p < .001), occupational exposure (OR 4.65, p < .001), and lung function impairment (FEV1 < 80%) (OR 1.15, p = .011). The ensemble machine learning experiments on combined patient features harnessed by our data mining approach reveal that the best predictor is professional exposure, followed by ACT. CONCLUSIONS Machine learning ensemble methods and statistical analysis concordantly indicate that occupational exposure and ACT < 20 are strong predictors for asthma exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Mihaicuta
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lucretia Udrescu
- Department I-Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Militaru
- Department of Computer and Information Technology, Politehnica University Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Valentin Nadasan
- Department of Hygiene, "G.E. Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Angelica Tiotiu
- Department of Pulmonology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Andras Bikov
- Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Public Health and Health Management, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Romina Birza
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alina Mirela Popa
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Stefan Frent
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
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Zhang S, Gao Z, Wu L, Zhong Y, Gao H, Tao FB, Wu X. Global patterns of asthma burden related to environmental risk factors during 1990-2019: an age-period-cohort analysis for global burden of disease study 2019. Environ Health 2024; 23:20. [PMID: 38355550 PMCID: PMC10868053 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-024-01060-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Change in asthma burden attributed to specific environmental risk factor has not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the age, period, and cohort effects on asthma burden attributable to smoking and occupational asthmagens in different socio-demographic index (SDI) regions and the region and sex disparities. METHODS Risk factor-specific asthma deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rates were extracted from Global Burden of Disease study 2019, estimated by standard Combined Cause of Death Model and DisMod-MR 2.1 modeling tool. Age-period-cohort analysis was conducted to decompose age, period, and cohort effects on asthma burden. RESULTS Smoking- and occupational asthmagens-related asthma deaths and DALYs rates dropped by > 45% during 1990-2019. In 2019, Africa, South and Southeast Asia had higher asthma burden than other regions. Male had higher asthma burden than female. Among nearly all age groups, low-middle SDI region had the highest smoking-related asthma burden, and low SDI region had the highest occupational asthmagens-related asthma burden. Inverse "V" shaped trend was observed in the above regions with increasing age. For smoking-related asthma deaths and DALYs rates, the most significant improvement of period rate ratio (RR) occurred in high SDI region, decreased from 1.67 (1.61, 1.74) to 0.34 (0.33, 0.36) and 1.61 (1.57, 1.66) to 0.59 (0.57, 0.61), respectively, as well as the cohort effect on smoking-related asthma burden. For occupational asthmagens-related asthma deaths and DALYs rates, the most sharply decrease of period and cohort RR appeared in the high and high-middle SDI regions. Low SDI region showed least progress in period and cohort RR of smoking- and occupational asthmagens-linked asthma burden. CONCLUSION Smoking- and occupational asthmagens-related asthma burden sharply decreases, but region and sex disparities exist. Policy makers from low SDI region should reinforce tobacco control and prioritize workplace protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Zhang
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Zongshi Gao
- The First Clinical College of Anhui Medical University, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Lihong Wu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Yumei Zhong
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Hui Gao
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230022, China
| | - Fang-Biao Tao
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China
| | - Xiulong Wu
- Department of Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health across the Life Course, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032, China.
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Stefanescu K, Timlin CL, Moy AS, Zapotoczny G. Reduced Isocyanate Release Using a Waterproof, Resin-Based Cast Alternative Relative to Fiberglass Casts. TOXICS 2023; 11:1002. [PMID: 38133403 PMCID: PMC10747184 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11121002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The effects of occupational isocyanate exposure range from asthma and contact dermatitis to neurotoxicity and cancer. Respiratory sensitization due to orthopedic cast application has been well documented. This study aims to compare the safety of standard-of-care fiberglass casts and a novel waterproof cast alternative by measuring the amount of isocyanate released during off-gassing over time. A 3D-printed arm simulator with comparable casing material amounts was placed in a sealed chamber. An isocyanate-sensing color-changing (SafeAir) tag was used to measure the levels of toxic exposure. Triplicate trials were conducted across all time periods (15 min, 1 h, and 24 h) and conditions. The bare arm simulator and freshly opened tags served as negative controls. Normalized pixel intensity indexes and isocyanate release estimates in ppb were derived from ImageJ-analyzed SafeAir tag photos. Fiberglass casts exhibited greater isocyanate release than both the waterproof alternative (p = 0.0002) and no-cast controls (p = 0.0006), particularly at 24 h. The waterproof alternative and no-cast control did not statistically differ (p = 0.1603). Therefore, the waterproof alternative released less isocyanate than the fiberglass casts. Waterproof cast alternatives may be safer than fiberglass by limiting medical professionals' exposure to toxic isocyanates and, thus, decreasing their risk of suffering occupational asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen Stefanescu
- Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, 1975 Zonal Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA;
| | | | | | - Grzegorz Zapotoczny
- Consortium for Technology & Innovation in Pediatrics, Lurie Children’s Hospital, 225 E Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
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Frei-Stuber L, Drexler H, Heutelbeck A, Nowak D. [Occupational obstructive airway diseases: How can early diagnosis be made to avoid chronic courses?]. Pneumologie 2023. [PMID: 37068510 DOI: 10.1055/a-2055-0806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Since abolishing the obligation to terminate the harmful professional activity from January 1st, 2021 onwards for some occupational diseases including obstructive respiratory diseases in Germany, the recognition of occupational diseases coded under 4301, 4302 and 1315 according the Occupational Diseases Ordinance has increased significantly. By the time these diseasese are recognized, they are usually already at an advanced stage. Therefore, early detection will play a greater role in the future, as the statutory accident insurance can offer individual preventive measures in order to minimize the consequences of illness and thus also the socio-economic burden. However, precursors of such obstructive airway diseases are often overlooked. For optimizing early detection, the statutory accident insurance worked out an early notification procedure for the respiratory tract - comparable to the already well-established dermatological procedure. "Early cases" from the pilot regions can be reported there; to qualify for being reported as early cases, patients must persue insured professional activity with potential effects on the respiratory tract and suffer from a disease of the upper or lower respiratory tract according to the ICD-10 code (e.g. J31.0 chronic rhinitis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludwig Frei-Stuber
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, LMU Klinikum, München, Deutschland
| | - Hans Drexler
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Medizinische Fakultät, Erlangen, Deutschland
| | - Astrid Heutelbeck
- Institut für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Jena, Jena, Deutschland
| | - Dennis Nowak
- Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits-, Sozial- und Umweltmedizin, LMU Klinikum, München, Deutschland
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Evidence of seasonal changes in airborne particulate matter concentration and occupation-specific variations in pulmonary function and haematological parameters among some workers in Enugu Southeast Nigeria: a randomized cross-sectional observational study. Arch Public Health 2022; 80:213. [PMID: 36138426 PMCID: PMC9502601 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-022-00967-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Upsurge in cardiopulmonary dysfunctions in Enugu, Nigeria, involved mainly cement workers, automobile spray painters, woodworkers, and Cleaners and was worsened in the dry season, suggesting the need for an occupation-specific characterization of the disease features and seasonal evaluation of air quality for prevention and management. Methods We conducted a randomized cross-sectional study of eighty consenting participants (in Achara Layout, Enugu), comprising 20 cement workers (39.50 ± 14.95 years), 20 automobile spray painters (40.75 ± 9.85 years), 20 woodworkers (52.20 ± 9.77 years), and 20 cleaners (42.30 ± 9.06 years). The air quality, some haematological (fibrinogen-Fc, and C-reactive protein-CRP), and cardiopulmonary parameters were measured and analyzed using ANCOVA, at p < 0.05. Results The dry season particulate matter (PM) in ambient air exceeded the WHO standards in the New layout [PM10 = 541.17 ± 258.72 µg/m3; PM2.5 = 72.92 ± 25.81 µg/m3] and the University campus [PM10 = 244 ± 74.79 µg/m3; PM2.5 = 30.33 ± 16.10 µg/m3], but the former was twice higher. The PM differed significantly (p < 0.05) across the sites. Forced expiratory volume at the first second (FEV1) (F = 6.128; p = 0.001), and Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (F = 5.523; p = 0.002), differed significantly across the groups. FEV1/FVC% was < 70% in cement workers (55.33%) and woodworkers (61.79%), unlike, automobile spray painters (72.22%) and cleaners (70.66%). FEV1 and work duration were significantly and negatively related in cement workers (r = -0.46; r2 = 0.2116; p = 0.041 one-tailed). CRP (normal range ≤ 3.0 mg/L) and Fc (normal range—1.5–3.0 g/L) varied in cement workers (3.32 ± 0.93 mg/L versus 3.01 ± 0.85 g/L), automobile spray painters (2.90 ± 1.19 mg/L versus 2.54 ± 0.99 mg/L), woodworkers (2.79 ± 1.10 mg/L versus 2.37 ± 0.92 g/L) and cleaners (3.06 ± 0.82 mg/L versus 2.54 ± 0.70 g/L). Conclusion(s) Poor air quality was evident at the study sites, especially in the dry season. Cement workers and automobile spray painters showed significant risks of obstructive pulmonary diseases while woodworkers had restrictive lung diseases. Cement workers and cleaners recorded the highest risk of coronary heart disease (CRP ≥ 3.0 mg/L). The similarity in Fc and CRP trends suggests a role for the inflammation-sensitive proteins in the determination of cardiovascular risk in cement workers and cleaners. Therefore, there are occupation-specific disease endpoints of public health concern that likewise warrant specific preventive and management approaches among the workers.
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