[Comment: VOCs as a whole contribute to over 80% of the cancer risk among the hazardous air pollutants.]
Spatial–temporal and cancer risk assessment of selected hazardous air pollutants in Seattle
Environment International. Article in Press, Corrected Proof. doi:10.1016/j.envint.2010.06.006
Chang-fu Wua, b, , 1, , L.-J. Sally Liuc, d, 1, Alison Cullene, Hal Westbergf and John Williamsong Received 20 December 2009; accepted 18 June 2010. Available online 10 July 2010.
Abstract In the Seattle Air Toxics Monitoring Pilot Program, we measured 15 hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) at 6 sites for more than a year between 2000 and 2002. Spatial–temporal variations were evaluated with random-effects models and principal component analyses. The potential health risks were further estimated based on the monitored data, with the incorporation of the bootstrapping technique for the uncertainty analysis. It is found that the temporal variability was generally higher than the spatial variability for most air toxics. The highest temporal variability was observed for tetrachloroethylene (70% temporal vs. 34% spatial variability). Nevertheless, most air toxics still exhibited significant spatial variations, even after accounting for the temporal effects. These results suggest that it would require operating multiple air toxics monitoring sites over a significant period of time with proper monitoring frequency to better evaluate population exposure to HAPs. The median values of the estimated inhalation cancer risks ranged between 4.3 × 10− 5 and 6.0 × 10− 5, with the 5th and 95th percentile levels exceeding the 1 in a million level. VOCs as a whole contributed over 80% of the risk among the HAPs measured and arsenic contributed most substantially to the overall risk associated with metals.
[Comment: Propiconazole is a fungicide that acts through demethylation. This study shows that -term exposure to higher concentrations of propiconazole affects the health status of fish. For more information on this chemical, please see http://www.pesticideinfo.org/Detail_Chemical.jsp?Rec_Id=PC34271]
Biochemical and physiological responses in liver and muscle of rainbow trout after long-term exposure to propiconazole
Zhi-Hua Lia, b, , , Vladimir Zlabeka, Ping Lia, b, Roman Grabica, c, Josef Veliseka, Jana Machovaa and Tomas Randaka. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Article in Press, Corrected Proof. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2010.05.017.
a University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 389 25 Vodnany, Czech Republic b Key Field Station for Fishery Resource and Environment in Upper–Middle Reaches of Yangtze River (Ministry of Agriculture), Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Jingzhou 434000, China c Department of Chemistry, Umea University, SE-90187 Umea, Sweden Received 12 January 2010; revised 12 May 2010; accepted 18 May 2010. Available online 10 July 2010.
Abstract In this study, the chronic toxic effects of PCZ, a triazole fungicide commonly present in surface and ground water, on morphological indices, ROS generation and RNA/DNA ratio in liver and white muscle of rainbow trout were investigated.
Fish were exposed at sublethal concentrations of PCZ (0.2, 50 and 500 μg L−1) for 7, 20 and 30 d. Compared with the control, there were significant lower CF and HSI in fish exposed at the highest concentration of PCZ.
ROS levels in both tissues increased significantly at higher PCZ concentrations (50 and 500 μg L−1) after 20 d and above, as well as in muscle of fish exposed at lowest PCZ concentration (0.2 μg L−1) after 30 d. The hepatic antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT) activities were induced significantly at higher concentrations (50, 500 μg L−1) of PCZ after 20 d and at 50 μg L−1 after 30 d. Additional, hepatic SOD activity was significantly induced at 0.2 μg L−1 after 30 d.
Compared with the hepatic antioxidant enzymes activities in fish exposed to 50 μg L−1 of PCZ, there was a decreasing trend in those exposed to 500 μg L−1 after 30 d exposure. However, both the antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly inhibited in muscle of fish exposed to 500 μg L−1 PCZ after 30 d. Moreover there was significant lower RNA/DNA ratio in both tissues after long-term exposure to higher concentration of PCZ.
In short, environmental concentrations of PCZ could not induce obvious impacts on fish, but long-term exposure to higher concentrations of CBZ could affect seriously the health status of fish.
"Nobody's going to make me believe I'm not at risk and that I haven't been at risk," Mbwelera says. "The health risks these chemicals pose – we've experienced them all." The chemicals are chlorinated solvents that are in the soil and groundwater beneath the former Wayne Metal Protection plant, a defunct metal plating company at 1511 Wabash Ave. on the east side of the city near Memorial Park. The contamination has spread northeast from the shuttered plant, toward Memorial Park Middle School; Mbwelera's house is immediately north of the plant.
[Comment: Even though we predicted that Gulf Oil Syndrome is what these poor poisoned workers would be labeled with, it is still very disheartening to see such a label being used for what is clearly toxic chemical poisoning.]
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
[Comment: This two part news video discusses how BP oil workers are getting sick from the toxic crude oil and dispersant and why respirators were not allowed for the workers.]
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
J Clin Neurol. 2010 Jun;6(2):64-72. Epub 2010 Jun 30.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea.
Abstract This article presents a schematic review of the clinical manifestations of occupational neurologic disorders in Korea and discusses the toxicologic implications of these conditions. Vascular encephalopathy, parkinsonism, chronic toxic encephalopathy, cerebellar dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, and neurodegenerative diseases are common presentations of occupational neurotoxic syndromes in Korea. Few neurotoxins cause patients to present with pathognomic neurologic syndrome. Detailed neurologic examinations and categorization of the clinical manifestations of neurologic disorders will improve the clinical management of occupational neurologic diseases. Physicians must be aware of the typical signs and symptoms of possible exposure to neurotoxins, and they should also pay attention to less-typical, rather-vague symptoms and signs in workers because the toxicologic characteristics of occupational neurologic diseases in Korea have changed from typical patterns to less-typical or equivocal patterns. This shift is likely to be due to several years of low-dose exposure, perhaps combined with the effects of aging, and new types of possibly toxicant-related neurodegenerative diseases. Close collaboration between neurologists and occupational physicians is needed to determine whether neurologic disorders are work-related.
"If Wayne Shaw can keep the historic University of Toronto's 11 and a half million square feet of hallways, office space, classrooms and labs clean using only green methods, there is no reason you can't do it in your own home. <snip> The problem with traditional cleaning supplies, Bradshaw said, is they are it detrimental to people's health, causing asthma, allergies and environmental sensitivities (ES)."
"A study that supports the controversial link between chronic fatigue syndrome and a new type of virus has been blocked from being published in a leading scientific journal even though it had been accepted for publication by its editors. The study, by virologists working for the US Government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is believed to support earlier findings published last October claiming that patients with the syndrome, also known as ME, are likely to be infected with a virus called XMRV, which some scientists believe may trigger the condition."
[Comment: A humorous look at the reality of chemical regulation.]
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
"An international food safety body set new rules on Tuesday on preparing bagged salads and said the chemical melamine that tainted Chinese milk is acceptable only in tiny amounts in infant formula and food."
"When former prison worker Freda Cobb developed sores on her arms, legs and back in 1997, she didn't connect them to an inmate work program that recycles computers and other electronic goods at the penal institution in the Florida Panhandle."
[Comment: There are many risk factors for asthma and many environmental contributors. Traffic and indoor air pollutino from cleaning products, air fresheners, and furnishings are two contributors.]
"The risk for developing asthma increases in children who are exposed to traffic-related air pollution at school. Children who breathe traffic-related air pollution at school are more likely to develop asthma, even after taking into account levels of air pollution at their homes, report researchers in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives."
"A review report published last Friday highlights that some research studies indicate that pesticide exposure either prior to conception, during pregnancy or during childhood appears to increase the risk of childhood cancer, with maternal pesticide exposure during pregnancy being most consistently associated with childhood cancer. Furthermore, the report notes that several studies indicate that farmers are at greater risk of developing certain cancers than the general population. In particular, several studies strongly suggest that pesticide exposures are associated with some cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), leukemia, prostate cancer and other hormone related cancers."
"Martin L. Pall, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University has uncovered an independent research group which has confirmed three clinical markers in people with multiple chemical sensitivity.
The Environmental Protection Agency defines multiple chemical sensitivity as "a diagnostic label for people who suffer multi-system illnesses as a result of contact with, or proximity to, a variety of airborne agents and other substances."
The three confirmed markers for multiple chemical sensitivity are elevated inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress.
This finding may provide future objective clinical diagnostic markers for MCS."
[Comment: This is a press release from Martin L. Pall regarding an independent research group that has confirmed elevated inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress in people with MCS. This supports Martin Palls theory of biochemical changes in MCS and may provides objective clinical diagnostic markers for MCS.]
Predictions of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Mechanism Confirmed by Roman Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, OR – July 5, 2010 - The physiological mechanism for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity proposed by biochemist Martin L. Pall has been confirmed with the recent findings of an independent research group in Rome.
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also known as chemical sensitivity and toxicant-induced loss of tolerance (TILT), is a disease initiated by toxic chemical exposure, leading to toxic brain injury that produces high level sensitivity to the same set of chemicals that are implicated in initiation of the disease.Sensitivity responses in other areas of the body are also often seen.
"Epidemiological studies show that MCS is a stunningly common disease, even more common than diabetes," said Pall, professor emeritus of biochemistry and basic medical sciences at Washington State University. "My review of the literature and other research I've conducted over the past eleven years shows the probable central mechanism of MCS is a biochemical vicious mechanism, known as the NO/ONOO- cycle."
Pall's work is widely published in books and articles, the most recent of which is a chapter in the authoritative international reference manualfor professional toxicologists, General and Applied Toxicology, 3rd Edition, 2009.
The NO/ONOO- Cycle
The NO/ONOO- cycle, pronounced no-oh-no, is named for the chemical structures of nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). This biochemical vicious cycle mechanism predicts that each of the elements linked together in the cycle are elevated in patients suffering from MCS and related diseases. Most of the elements of the cycle have been shown to be elevated in such related diseases as chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia and also in animal models of MCS.However, several cycle elements have never been measured in MCS patients.
The recent study conducted by the research group in Rome is significant in regard to the NO/ONOO- cycle theory because it shows that three elements of the cycle are elevated in MCS patients (De Luca et al, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2010, April 27 Epub ahead of print). Those elements are the inflammatory cytokines, nitric oxide, and oxidative stress. Each of these measurements provides important confirmation of the disease mechanism proposed by Pall.
The inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide elevation have never before been measured in MCS patients, although they have been shown to be elevated in animal models of MCS. Oxidative stress has been reported in two earlier studies of MCS patients, but the data provided in the De Luca et al study are much more extensive than are the earlier data. Consequently, these new data all provide important confirmation of the NO/ONOO- cycle as the central disease mechanism in MCS.
The NO/ONOO- cycle also is useful in understanding the role of toxic chemicals in MCS and the role of treatment. Each of the seven classes of chemicals implicated in MCS are thought to act indirectly to increase the activity of the NMDA receptors, which are glutamate receptors for controlling synaptic plasticity and memory function. This activity, in turn, leads to rapid increases in intracellular calcium (Ca2+), nitric oxide and peroxynitrite (ONOO-), acting to greatly stimulate the NO/ONOO- cycle.
"Many of the agents used by environmental medicine physicians to treat MCS patients can be viewed as lowering different parts of the cycle, and thus are validated in part by this mechanism," Pall said."Consequently, the NO/ONOO- cycle mechanism can be viewed as validating therapeutic approaches used in environmental medicine in the U.S., in Germany and some other areas of Europe and in some other countries."
Contact:
Martin L. Pall, PhD
Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences
Chiara De Lucaa, Maria G. Scordob, Eleonora Cesareoa, Saveria Pastorea, Serena Mariania, Gianluca Maiania, Andrea Stancatoa, Beatrice Loretic, Giuseppe Valacchid, e, Carla Lubranoc, Desanka Raskovicf, Luigia De Padovac, Giuseppe Genovesic and Liudmila G. Korkinaa,
Abstract
Background
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a poorly clinically and biologically defined environment-associated syndrome. Although dysfunctions of phase I/phase II metabolizing enzymes and redox imbalance have been hypothesized, corresponding genetic and metabolic parameters in MCS have not been systematically examined.
Objectives We sought for genetic, immunological, and metabolic markers in MCS.
Methods We genotyped patients with diagnosis of MCS, suspected MCS and Italian healthy controls for allelic variants of cytochrome P450 isoforms (CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5), UDP-glucuronosyl transferase (UGT1A1), and glutathione S-transferases (GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1). Erythrocyte membrane fatty acids, antioxidant (catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD)) and glutathione metabolizing (GST, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx)) enzymes, whole blood chemiluminescence, total antioxidant capacity, levels of nitrites/nitrates, glutathione, HNE-protein adducts, and a wide spectrum of cytokines in the plasma were determined.
Results
Allele and genotype frequencies of CYPs, UGT, GSTM, GSTT, and GSTP were similar in the Italian MCS patients and in the control populations. The activities of erythrocyte catalase and GST were lower, whereas Gpx was higher than normal. Both reduced and oxidised glutathione were decreased, whereas nitrites/nitrates were increased in the MCS groups. The MCS fatty acid profile was shifted to saturated compartment and IFNgamma, IL-8, IL-10, MCP-1, PDGFbb, and VEGF were increased.
Conclusions Altered redox and cytokine patterns suggest inhibition of expression/activity of metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes in MCS. Metabolic parameters indicating accelerated lipid oxidation, increased nitric oxide production and glutathione depletion in combination with increased plasma inflammatory cytokines should be considered in biological definition and diagnosis of MCS.
[Comment: Toluene is found in paints, gasoline, synthetic fragrances, nail polish, cigarette smoke, glue, and automobile exhaust. It is also used to make benzene. For more on the health effects and exposure risks of toluene, see the EPA toluene page at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/toluene.html]
Neurotoxicity of toluene
Tin-Tin-Win-Shwea and Hidekazu Fujimaki, a,
Toxicology Letters. doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.06.022 a Research Center for Environmental Risk, National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8506, Japan
Abstract Chemical susceptibility is triggered by a large range of chemicals present both indoors and outdoors including pesticides, cleaning products, perfumes, scented products and cigarette smoke. Health risk after chemical exposure depends on age, sex, genetic factors, socioeconomic status, nutritional status, and environmental factors. Toluene is one of volatile organic chemicals that causes different sensitivity in individuals. Although neurotoxic and immunotoxic effects of toluene has been studied extensively, the underlying mechanism remains obscure. This review highlights the possible neuroimmune factors influencing toluene sensitivity and neurotoxicity in a mouse model.
"A battery factory in Jiangsu Province has been forced to close after at least four children in a neighboring village were found to have excessive levels of lead in their blood."
The BP spill is the perfect opportunity to see and understand how toxic chemical poisoning leads health problems that are either dismissed or totally ignored to reduce the financial losses of responsible parties.
It happened with 9/11 responders and Gulf War Veterans. It continues to happen every day to civilians exposed to sick buildings, molds, fragrances, pesticides, and chemicals in the environment.
The result is always an initial set of symptoms that never seems to resolve. It’s followed by declining health. Along the way, the perks are various combinations of respiratory diseases, autoimmune problems, muscular degeneration, pain, fatigue, and disability.
Another episode of this toxic chemical poisoning is unfolding in the Gulf. Seven men cleaning up the BP spill were brought to the hospital and many others are complaining of symptoms.
BP’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward initially announced that it was just food poisoning. Everything is fine… nothing to worry about. The air is safe.
But the symptoms continue.
BP’s second response to the toxic chemical poisoning was heat exhaustion. Everything is fine… nothing to worry about. The air is safe.
But the symptoms continue.
An insider speaking at the Gulf Emergency Summit on June 19, Kindra Arnesen, says that in early June a representative from OSHA “informed me that all four boats took Pine Sol, sprayed it all over their boats, and then sat and breathed in the fumes all day long. And that’s what caused the chemical poisoning.”
But the symptoms continue.
The air is not safe and nothing is being done about it! BP is not even requiring respiratory protection for spill workers.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 1910.134(c) says that workers have a right to wear a voluntary respirator. Arnesen says that in order to obtain a respirator, “Number 1, they have to fill out an OSHA questionnaire. Number 2, they have to have a physical evaluation by a medical professional.”
“But, BP is taking over our Gulf… BP’s rules are they have to be properly trained to wear a respirator… But, everything’s OK! So, they don’t need to be trained and they don’t need a respirator. And as far as the right to wear a volunteer respiration? Guess what? If you don’t follow BP’s rules, you don’t have a job. And that’s what they told me.”
She says that BP is already talking about how to cut costs while oil is still gushing oil into the ocean. Part of this cost cutting is achieved by what she terms “ponies and balloons”.
“Ponies and balloons means that every time an official is headed anywhere near here (the spill site), they get a heads up. All assets are deployed into the hardest hit areas. The official comes in, flies over, “good job, fellas” (waves), pats ‘em on the back. When that official disappears out of the hardest hit area, so does 75%-80% of the response… It’s happening. It’s happening every day. I’m watching it. I’ve seen it. I don’t agree with it… We are expendable to these people. We do not matter... This is unacceptable! They’re not cleaning it up! They’re covering it up!”
Volunteers with various methods of sealing the well and dispersing the oil which are far less toxic have been denied access to assist BP in the clean-up. In light of the magnitude of this disaster, it makes no sense as to why anyone would deny assistance unless there is a cover-up.
As escalating health problems are reported, concerns continue to mount over the toxicity of both the crude oil and chemical dispersants being used in the Gulf. People on land are also reporting health effects as the oil and dispersant reaches the shoreline.
If being sick is not enough, responsible parties have historically shifted the blame to mental health. As health concerns arise, they have been traditionally dismissed as ‘fear of chemicals’. If the group is large, it’s often called ‘mass hysteria’. The toxic chemical poisoning of the BP spill is no exception.
The Louisiana health department is already deciding how to get health services to injured people. But the health services are not what would be expected to treat toxic chemical poisoning. Instead, they have called on BP to fund mental health services!
This is absolutely unacceptable! Treating toxic chemical poisoning as a mental health problem delays appropriate care and leads to needless deterioration of health.
The situation is the Gulf is largely being ignored. In an apparent media blackout, the news reaching our media has been censored to downplay the devastation and calm the public.
Arnesen says she invited Fox news onto her boat to tape the lack of response as the oil drifted to shore. She says the video feed was never published and could not be found anywhere. She was hopeful when Sydney Australia’s 60 minutes did a story on the BP spill and posted it on their website, but 24 hours later it disappeared without a trace.
The clear message these people are giving us is that workers, citizens, and the environment are expendable and do not matter! All that matters is profits.
Enough is enough!
Truthful information about the toxicity of the crude oil and dispersants needs to be disbursed.
Workers need respirators and proper medical treatment for chemical poisoning.
Civilians need to be evacuated from affected shoreline communities and properly treated for chemical poisoning.
The oil well needs to be plugged.
BP must deploy all assets into the Gulf and allow outsiders to volunteer their assistance.
As we sit at home and watch, group after group is being poisoned with toxic chemicals and left to die a slow painful death. It’s easy to ignore when it’s not in our neck of the woods. Nevertheless, what happens when the next event strikes right at home?
Kindra Arnesen: Gulf Emergency Summit 19 June 2010
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical, BP, oil spill, oil leak, oil, gulf oil spill, gulf, disbursant
[Comment: This study shows that taking chlorella nearly doubles excretion of mercury at a dose of 100 mg for a mouse. With the average mouse weighing just under a pound, bear in mind that the equivalent dose of chlorella in a 150 pound human would be quite large... roughly 15,000 mg or 15 grams. The other factor to consider is that the study administered the mercury with the chlorella, so it doesn't speak for how chlorella would act in terms of stored body burden of pre-existing mercury. The full text of the study can be downloaded at http://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jts/35/1/101/_pdf/-char/ja.]
The influence of Parachlorella beyerinckii CK-5 on the absorption and excretion of methylmercury (MeHg) in mice.
Uchikawa T, Yasutake A, Kumamoto Y, Maruyama I, Kumamoto S, Ando Y.
J Toxicol Sci. 2010;35(1):101-5.
Abstract
Chlorella (Parachlorella beyerinckii CK-5), previously identified as Chlorella vulgaris CK-5, is a unicellular green algae that has for many years been used as a nutritional supplement. In order to investigate the effects of methylmercury (MeHg) detoxification by Chlorella, we examined the absorption and excretion of MeHg in mice. Female C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into three groups of five, and were housed in metabolism cages. Mice were orally administered MeHg chloride at doses of 5 mg (4 mg Hg)/kg body weight with or without 100 mg/mouse of P. beyerinckii powder (BP), and were assigned to either a MeHg group or MeHg + BP group, accordingly. Twenty-four hr after oral administration, feces and urine were collected, and blood, liver, and kidney samples were obtained. Total mercury contents in the samples obtained were determined using an atomic absorption method. The amounts of Hg excreted in feces and urine of the MeHg + BP group were increased nearly 1.9 and 2.2-fold compared with those of the MeHg group. On the other hand, blood and organ Hg levels were not significantly different between two groups. These results suggest that the intake of BP may induce the excretion of Hg both in feces and urine, although it does not affect MeHg absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. The effect of BP on the tissue mercury accumulation may become evident in a long-term experiment.
PMID: 20118630 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Free Article
[Quote: "These findings suggest that low-level exposure to GB/GF can have deleterious effects on brain structure and brain function more than decade later."]
Effects of low-level exposure to sarin and cyclosarin during the 1991 Gulf War on brain function and brain structure in US veterans.
Chao LL, Rothlind JC, Cardenas VA, Meyerhoff DJ, Weiner MW.
Neurotoxicology. 2010 May 21. [Epub ahead of print]
Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Potentially more than 100,000 US troops may have been exposed to the organophosphate chemical warfare agents sarin (GB) and cyclosarin (GF) when a munitions dump at Khamisiyah, Iraq was destroyed during the Gulf War (GW) in 1991. Although little is known about the long-term neurobehavioral or neurophysiological effects of low-dose exposure to GB/GF in humans, recent studies of GW veterans from the Devens Cohort suggest decrements in certain cognitive domains and atrophy in brain white matter occur individuals with higher estimated levels of presumed GB/GF exposure. The goal of the current study is to determine the generalizability of these findings in another cohort of GW veterans with suspected GB/GF exposure.
METHODS: Neurobehavioral and imaging data collected in a study on Gulf War Illness between 2002-2007 were used in this study. We focused on the data of 40 GW-deployed veterans categorized as having been exposed to GB/GF at Khamisiyah, Iraq and 40 matched controls. Magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the brain were analyzed using automated and semi-automated image processing techniques that produced volumetric measurements of gray matter (GM), white matter (WM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and hippocampus.
RESULTS: GW veterans with suspected GB/GF exposure had reduced total GM and hippocampal volumes compared to their unexposed peers (p<0.01). Although there were no group differences in measures of cognitive function or total WM volume, there were significant, positive correlations between total WM volume and measures of executive function and visuospatial abilities in veterans with suspected GB/GF exposure.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that low-level exposure to GB/GF can have deleterious effects on brain structure and brain function more than decade later.
PMID: 20580739 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
[Quote: "Fragrance allergens in toys may pose a risk to children since considerable amounts of compound might be absorbed by lung tissue via breathing of contaminated air."]
Investigations on the emission of fragrance allergens from scented toys by means of headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Masuck I, Hutzler C, Luch A.
J Chromatogr A. 2010 Apr 30;1217(18):3136-43. Epub 2010 Mar 4.
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department of Product Safety, Thielallee 88-92, 14195 Berlin, Germany. Ines.Masuck@bfr.bund.de
Abstract
In the revised European toy safety directive 2009/48/EC the application of fragrance allergens in children's toys is restricted. The focus of the present work lies on the instrumental analytics of 13 banned fragrance allergens, as well as on 11 fragrance allergens that require declaration when concentrations surpass 100 microg per gram material. Applying a mixture of ethyl acetate and toluene solid/liquid extraction was performed prior to quantitative analysis of mass contents of fragrances in scented toys. In addition, an easy-to-perform method for the determination of emitted fragrances at 23 degrees C (handling conditions) or at 40 degrees C (worst case scenario) has been worked out to allow for the evaluation of potential risks originating from inhalation of these compounds during handling of or playing with toys. For this purpose a headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) technique was developed and coupled to subsequent gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Fragrance allergens were adsorbed (extracted) from the gas phase onto an 85 microm polyacrylate fiber while incubating pieces of the scented toys in sealed headspace vials at 23 degrees C and 40 degrees C. Quantification of compounds was performed via external calibration. The newly developed headspace method was subsequently applied to five perfumed toys. As expected, the emission of fragrance allergens from scented toys depends on the temperature and on the content of fragrance allergens present in those samples. In particular at conditions mimicking worst case (40 degrees C), fragrance allergens in toys may pose a risk to children since considerable amounts of compound might be absorbed by lung tissue via breathing of contaminated air.
[Comment: Just a few days ago, I wrote an article entitled ?Gulf Oil Syndrome is on the Horizon http://thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com/2010/06/gulf-oil-spill-syndrome-is-on-horizon.html I dicussed how they will liikely name the toxic illnesses the Gulf Oil workers are experiencing something like "Gulf Oil Syndrome" and blame it on mental health just like they did MCS, Gulf War Syndrome, and 9/11 workers. I'm sorry to say that I was correct. It's an abomination! These workers need protective gear and treatment for toxic injuries so they can get well... not mental health programs!]
Warning of Looming Crisis, Louisiana Calls on BP to Fund Mental Health Programs
"Saul Hernandez, an oil skimming boat worker, walks past idle boats after they were forced to port because of Hurricane Alex on June 30, 2010 in Port Fourchon, Louisiana. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) As Louisiana officials warn of a possible mental health crisis in communities affected by the oil spill, BP has yet to respond to a month-old request from the Louisiana health department to fund emergency mental health programs [1]. The impasse has prompted Louisiana to make an argument with significant implications for disputes over BP's liability: that BP is responsible for mental health problems believed to be caused by the spill."
"BP has been trying to shut down an internal safety watchdog agency it set up under congressional pressure four years ago, according to sources close to the office and a leading congressman."
"The Toxin-Free Babies and Toddlers Act, introduced in 2009, received enough votes Thursday to advance. A spokesman said the governor had not taken a position on the bill."
"A recent study by Seong Park, Ph.D., published in the Agronomy Journal, demonstrates that manure generates higher economic returns than anhydrous ammonia, a synthetic fertilizer. Dr. Park, a research economist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service found no significant difference in yield between organic and chemical nutrient sources."
"A study by researchers from Washington State University (WSU) and the University of Georgia suggests that a balanced mix of insects and fungi in organic fields provides for both better pest control and larger plants than in conventional agriculture. The study, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and published in the July 1 edition of the journal Nature, shows that organic farming practices lead to many equally-common beneficial species, and that this reduces pest problems."
"At June 15, the local press in Trier reported that the public prosecutor has brought a charge against the German neurologist Dr. Binz, who helped a lot of patients with work related illnesses. He is one of the few in environmental medicine who insist on their findings of toxic injuries. For that they treat him like the messenger who is to be shot."
[Comment: Kindra reveals the truth about the handling of the Gulf Oil spill. It's a must see and she's quite a good speaker! Special thanks to Susie Collins at the Canary Report for finding this video.]
Kindra Arnesen: Gulf Emergency Summit 19 June 2010
"Kindra Arnesen, a young mother of two 8 and 5 year-old children, and the wife of a commercial fisherman in Louisiana, became extremely concerned about the lack of progress of the relief operations of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.
She had the opportunity to investigate on the spot by participating in a number of meetings with authorities, and in on-site 'clean-up' visits.
She vividly and powerfully describes, at the Gulf Emergency Summit in New Orleans, the harsh reality of what's really going in the area - and the need to prepare for evacuation of populations. You go, girl."
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
Key Words: multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivity, chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivities, MCS, EI, environmental illness, sick building syndrome, idiopathic environmental intolerance, fibromyalgia, chronic fatiuge, FM, CFS, mold illness, clinical ecology, alternative medicine, environmental medicine, neuropathy, encephalopathy, toxic, chemical
doi:10.1016/j.toxlet.2010.06.022