Chronic Health Effects Research Articles

Determination of Pesticide Residues in Food Premises Using QuECHERS Method in Bench-Sheko Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Pesticides are risk factors in human life causing chronic human health effects. They are commonly used across the globe to enhance human endeavors. In Ethiopia, pesticides are widely used by local farmers and governmental organizations for pest control purpose. Pesticide residues in food items have been a concern to the consumers and environment they live in. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining the amount of organochlorine and organophosphate pesticide residues in cereal crops in Bench-Sheko Zone, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional laboratory-based study design was employed to determine the amount of pesticide residues. The samples were extracted using a Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERS) extraction and clean up method. Finally, the extracted samples were injected into gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometer and the types and concentrations of pesticide residues were analyzed. The highest concentration of endosulfan sulfate (0.076 mgkg−1) was detected in rice, followed by dimethoate (0.068 mgkg−1) and p,p′-DDE (0.087 mgkg−1) in sorghum and common millet, respectively, in the samples obtained from the Gurafarda site.The highest concentration of p,p′-DDT (0.133 mgkg−1) was detected in common millet, followed by aldrin (0.082 mgkg−1) and dimethoate (0.077 mgkg−1) in sorghum and common millet, respectively, in the samples obtained from the North Bench site. In addition, aldrin detected in rice, sorghum, and common millet obtained from the three sites was a residue of above the maximum residual limits set by Codex Alimentarius regulations and European Union. The finding shows that an indication of the widespread use of pesticides in cereal crops.

Inhalation health risk assessment of occupational exposure to cypermethrin in farmers

ABSTRACT Exposure to cypermethrin is common and can lead to acute and chronic health effects. This study aimed to determine the quantitative inhalation risk ofcypermethrinamong the farmers. This cross-sectional study was conducted in nine areas of Shiraz, Iran. Sampling of the respiratory zone was performed by OSHA PV-2063 method using XAD-2 adsorbent andquestionnaire was used to collect the required demographic characteristics and occupational information. Finally, the inhalation risk assessment for exposure to cypermethrin was performed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) method.The mean time-weighted average (TWA) and hazard quotients (HQ) ranged from 0.21 ± 0.1 to 1.68 ± 0.65 and 0.58 ± 0.11 to 1.68 ± 0.46, respectively. 55.6% and 15.2% of the tree spraying and field spraying of the exposed group had HQ more than 1, respectively. Investigation shows that there is no significant relationship between demographic characteristics and HQ values (except height). Exposure frequency (EF), TWA and exposure hour per day had the strongest relationship with HQ.This study showed that the kind of spraying is effective in the amount of risk exposure. The most focus to reduce the health effects associated with inhalation exposure to cypermethrin should be on lowering TWA and exposure hour per day.Due to the high risk of exposure in farmers, it is necessary to identify other effective factors by conducting further studies and presenting their related practical plans.

Reducing space radiation cancer risk with magnetic shielding

Interplanetary space radiation presents significant hazards to astronaut health and survival because it can cause both acute and chronic health effects including carcinogenesis. Mitigation of space radiation risks remains critical for enabling human missions beyond Earth orbit. Currently available options for space radiation shielding, such as water shielding, may not be sufficient at reducing space radiation dose and cancer risk to within current regulatory limits. Active magnetic shielding using superconductors has consistently been identified for further study due to its high potential benefit. In response, we have developed Monte Carlo models to determine the effectiveness of several of the latest magnetic shielding concepts, along with current passive shielding techniques, in terms of risk of exposure induced death. This was done for various Mars flyby mission profiles according to current space agency risk tolerance limits. Our study found that few shielding options were able to meet current risk tolerance limits without relying on astronauts of advanced age (>60 years). However, all of the magnetic shielding configurations provided substantial benefit in reducing space radiation cancer risk given high magnetic field strength (7 Tesla). With this information, space agencies can move towards engineering assessments of magnetic shielding technology and begin to advance the concept into a solution enabling interplanetary travel.

The Perfect Storm Relationship Between Vaccination-induced Disorders and Illness Manifested by Post Covid-19 Long Haulers

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), has not only created an acute worldwide pandemic but also chronic adverse health effects in a substantial percentage of survivors. Hopefully, vaccines for Covid-19 will result in far fewer long haulers cases by reducing the severity of Covid-19 exposures. Acute and chronic vaccination-induced disorders attributable to Covid-19 immunizations need to be carefully assessed over intervals of several weeks because of the potential latency in mechanisms of disease causation that transcend anaphylaxis and allergic reactions.

Improving the Indoor Air Quality of Residential Buildings during Bushfire Smoke Events

Exposure to bushfire smoke is associated with acute and chronic health effects such as respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Residential buildings are important places of refuge from bushfire smoke, however the air quality within these locations can become heavily polluted by smoke infiltration. Consequently, some residential buildings may offer limited protection from exposure to poor air quality, especially during extended smoke events. This paper evaluates the impact of bushfire smoke on indoor air quality within residential buildings and proposes strategies and guidance to reduce indoor levels of particulates and other pollutants. The paper explores the different monitoring techniques used to measure air pollutants and assesses the influence of the building envelope, filtration technologies, and portable air cleaners used to improve indoor air quality. The evaluation found that bushfire smoke can substantially increase the levels of pollutants within residential buildings. Notably, some studies reported indoor levels of PM2.5 of approximately 500µg/m3 during bushfire smoke events. Many Australian homes are very leaky (i.e., >15 ACH) compared to those in countries such as the USA. Strategies such as improving the building envelope will help reduce smoke infiltration, however even in airtight homes pollutant levels will eventually increase over time. Therefore, the appropriate design, selection, and operation of household ventilation systems that include particle filtration will be critical to reduce indoor exposures during prolonged smoke events. Future studies of bushfire smoke intrusion in residences could also focus on filtration technologies that can remove gaseous pollutants.

Musculoskeletal Disorder Symptoms among Workers at an Informal Electronic-Waste Recycling Site in Agbogbloshie, Ghana.

Informal recycling of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has myriad environmental and occupational health consequences, though information about the chronic musculoskeletal health effects on workers is limited. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and intensity of self-reported musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) symptoms among e-waste workers at Agbogbloshie in Ghana—the largest informal e-waste dumpsite in West Africa—relative to workers not engaged in e-waste recycling. A standardized musculoskeletal discomfort questionnaire was administered to 176 e-waste workers (73 collectors, 82 dismantlers, and 21 burners) and 41 workers in a reference group. The number of body parts with musculoskeletal discomfort were 1.62 and 1.39 times higher for collectors and dismantlers than burners, respectively. A 1-week discomfort prevalence was highest for collectors (91.8%) followed by dismantlers (89%), burners (81%), and the reference group (70.7%). The discomfort prevalence for e-waste workers was highest in the lower back (65.9%), shoulders (37.5%), and knees (37.5%). Whole-body pain scores (mean ± SE) were higher for collectors (83.7 ± 10.6) than dismantlers (45.5 ± 7.6), burners (34.0 ± 9.1), and the reference group (26.4 ± 5.9). Differences in prevalence, location, and intensity of MSD symptoms by the e-waste job category suggest specific work-related morbidity. Symptom prevalence and intensity call attention to the high risk for MSDs and work disability among informal e-waste workers, particularly collectors and dismantlers.

Sun Exposure and Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is generally accepted in its importance on the regulation of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Moreover, further health effects due to vitamin D are under discussion. In its effect, vitamin D is more like a hormone. In the classic view, a vitamin is an essential nutrient, which cannot be synthesized independently in the body. Besides nutrition, vitamin D will be produced in the body itself. The skin contains the provitamin D3 7-dehydrocholesterol, a precursor of vitamin D. Provitamin D3 will be photoconverted to previtamin D3 by UVB radiation that penetrates the skin superficially. In this way, the vitamin D metabolism will be started independent of the nutrition. In everyday life, this photosynthesis will be carried out due to the solar UVB radiation penetrating the uncovered skin. In the same spectral waveband range of UVB radiation, which causes the beneficial health effect of starting the vitamin D metabolism, the UVB radiation causes simultaneously acute and chronic harmful health effects as UV erythema (sunburn), skin aging and skin cancer. There is no vitamin D production in the skin without simultaneous DNA damage in the skin. Against this background, risks and benefits have to be balanced carefully.

Health Status of Bank Employees in Belagavi City of Karnataka– A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Recent decades have witnessed tremendous advancements in health and survival throughout the world. The major risk factors of non communicable diseases attributed to mortality are well prevalent among bank employees, affecting across all social and income groups. Hence this specific occupational group of bank employees who represent the subset of population at risk to develop chronic diseases and stress related adverse health effects was selected for the study. The objective of the study was to assess the health status of bank employees and to know lifestyle factors affecting the health of bank employees.
 Methodology: The study was conducted among 410 bank employees from the banks which were selected using random number technique in Belgaum district. The data on socio demographic variables, risk factors, physical measurement were done followed by estimation of Haemoglobin and Random blood sugar.
 Results: In this study, 72.7% of the subjects had three or more risk factors for non communicable diseases. The prevalence of Anaemia in this study was 34.15%. Prevalence of hypertension and diabetes was 32.9% and 17.32% respectively.
 Conclusions: Majority of the bank employees were apparently healthy and most of them were having work related risk factors.

Occupational Lead Exposures among University Police Officers and Instructors at an Outdoor Shooting Range in Southcentral Kentucky

There is a potentially high risk of lead exposure among police officers and instructors at an outdoor firing range. In the United States, occupational lead exposure remains an important and significant public health problem. Lead causes both acute and chronic adverse health effects in multiple human organ systems. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has promulgated a Permissible Exposure Limit and Action Level of 50 µg/m3 and 30 µg/m3 for lead averaged over an 8-hour period, respectively (general industry standards). Excessive lead exposures have been previously reported in several studies that evaluated groups of firearm shooters and instructors at firing ranges. Many of those studies focused mainly on personal lead exposures at either indoor or covered outdoor firing ranges. The present study was conducted with a sample of 17 university police officers (14 shooters and 3 instructors) to assess their occupational lead exposures at an uncovered outdoor firing range in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The study occurred over a period of three days during the months of June and July. The results showed that personal exposures to lead ranged from a concentration of 5.5 to 146 µg/m3. In addition, personal exposures reported for some police officers significantly exceeded OSHA’s general industry lead standards, without consideration of the use of personal protective equipment. The use of copper-jacketed ammunition and personal protective equipment combined with adequate work practices are highly recommended for this group of police officers and instructors. The effective implementation of proactive control measures is necessary to reduce airborne lead levels and invariably minimize potential inhalation and absorption of lead by police officers at firing ranges.

Exposure to domoic acid is an ecological driver of cardiac disease in southern sea otters✰

Harmful algal blooms produce toxins that bioaccumulate in the food web and adversely affect humans, animals, and entire marine ecosystems. Blooms of the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia can produce domoic acid (DA), a toxin that most commonly causes neurological disease in endothermic animals, with cardiovascular effects that were first recognized in southern sea otters. Over the last 20 years, DA toxicosis has caused significant morbidity and mortality in marine mammals and seabirds along the west coast of the USA. Identifying DA exposure has been limited to toxin detection in biological fluids using biochemical assays, yet measurement of systemic toxin levels is an unreliable indicator of exposure dose or timing. Furthermore, there is little information regarding repeated DA exposure in marine wildlife. Here, the association between long-term environmental DA exposure and fatal cardiac disease was investigated in a longitudinal study of 186 free-ranging sea otters in California from 2001 – 2017, highlighting the chronic health effects of a marine toxin. A novel Bayesian spatiotemporal approach was used to characterize environmental DA exposure by combining several DA surveillance datasets and integrating this with life history data from radio-tagged otters in a time-dependent survival model. In this study, a sea otter with high DA exposure had a 1.7-fold increased hazard of fatal cardiomyopathy compared to an otter with low exposure. Otters that consumed a high proportion of crab and clam had a 2.5- and 1.2-times greater hazard of death due to cardiomyopathy than otters that consumed low proportions. Increasing age is a well-established predictor of cardiac disease, but this study is the first to identify that DA exposure affects the risk of cardiomyopathy more substantially in prime-age adults than aged adults. A 4-year-old otter with high DA exposure had 2.3 times greater risk of fatal cardiomyopathy than an otter with low exposure, while a 10-year old otter with high DA exposure had just 1.2 times greater risk. High Toxoplasma gondii titers also increased the hazard of death due to heart disease 2.4-fold. Domoic acid exposure was most detrimental for prime-age adults, whose survival and reproduction are vital for population growth, suggesting that persistent DA exposure will likely impact long-term viability of this threatened species. These results offer insight into the pervasiveness of DA in the food web and raise awareness of under-recognized chronic health effects of DA for wildlife at a time when toxic blooms are on the rise.

Domestic violence detection amid the COVID-19 pandemic: the value of the WHO questionnaire in emergency medicine

SummaryBackgroundGender-based violence affects 35–45% of women worldwide, mostly coming from domestic violence. A good screening procedure in clinical practice is useful, but WHO does not advise universal screening, recommending further research.Aim(i) To report the frequency of domestic violence cases among admissions to the Emergency Room of a major Italian Hospital in 2020, including during complete ‘Lockdown’ period; (ii) to document acute and chronic health effects of domestic violence and (iii) to asses usefulness of the WHO screening as a tool for uncovering cases which would otherwise remain hidden.Design and methodsA database containing all the information recorded for each of 19 160 patients in the Emergency Room was constructed by a keyword search (‘violence’, ‘assault’, ‘trauma’) to filter the data and retrieve cases of violence in the period between 1 January and 2 June 2020. The self-administered questionnaire of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence against Women was used in women referred to the emergency room for any cause, excluding trauma.ResultsA recent history of domestic violence was disclosed by 22.67%, after completing the WHO questionnaire. Of those not participating in the survey, diagnosis of domestic violence was only 0.6% (128/19 160).ConclusionPower of detection of domestic violence by the WHO questionnaire is very high, while the frequency of occurrence of these events in this population was considerable. Seemingly, it elicits the responsiveness to the topic of the volunteer interviewees. Its use should be firmly recommended, reasonably, while Covid-19 pandemic is affecting health, rights and response.

Pesticide active substances in infant food in Serbia and risk assessment.

ABSTRACT Risks posed by pesticide residues in infant food urge for protection of the most vulnerable part of our population. In the current study a total of 54 samples of infant food (juice and purée) were collected on the Serbian market. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization method detected 18 out of 69 analyzed pesticide active substances in 55.6% of the samples, most frequently carbendazim and acetamiprid. Domestic products as opposed to the imported ones showed a substantially higher proportion of positive (85% vs 38%) and noncompliant (10% vs 0%) samples, a number of pesticides detected (15 vs 8), the proportion of the samples with multiple residues (85% vs 15%), the maximum number of residues in an individual sample (7 vs 2). Risk assessment was performed for the present pesticide active substances, which was estimated to remain below the level of concern for both acute and chronic adverse health effects.

Diet as an Exposure Source and Mediator of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) Toxicity.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitously found in the environment due to their widespread commercial use and high chemical stability. Humans are exposed primarily through ingestion of contaminated water and food and epidemiological studies over the last several decades have shown that PFAS levels are associated with adverse chronic health effects, including cardiometabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Perhaps the most well-established effects, as demonstrated in animal studies and human epidemiological studies, are the metabolic alterations PFAS exposure can lead to, especially on lipid homeostasis and signaling. This altered lipid metabolism has often been linked to conditions such as dyslipidemia, leading to fatty liver disease and steatosis. Western diets enriched in high fat and high cholesterol containing foods may be an important human exposure route of PFAS and may also act as an important modulator of associated toxicities. In fact, the chemical structure of PFAS resemble fatty acids and may activate some of the same signaling cascades critical for endogenous metabolism. In this review we aim to outline known dietary exposure sources of PFAS, describe the detrimental metabolic health effects associated with PFAS exposure, and focus on studies examining emerging interaction of dietary effects with PFAS exposure that further alter the dysregulated metabolic state.

Subtoxic cell responses to silica particles with different size and shape

Health risks from particles are a priority challenge to health protection at work. Despite the ubiquitous exposure to a wide range of particles and the many years of research in this field, there are fundamental unresolved questions regarding the prevention of particle-related respiratory diseases. Here, the highly relevant particulate material silicon dioxide was analyzed with emphasis on defined size and shape. Silica particles were prepared with different size and shape: Spheres (NS nanospheres 60 nm; SMS submicrospheres 230 nm; MS microspheres 430 nm) and rods (SMR submicrorods with d = 125 nm, L = 230 nm; aspect ratio 1:1.8; MR microrods with d = 100 nm, L = 600 nm; aspect ratio 1:6). After an in-depth physicochemical characterization, their effects on NR8383 alveolar macrophages were investigated. The particles were X-ray amorphous, well dispersed, and not agglomerated. Toxic effects were only observed at high concentrations, i.e. ≥ 200 µg mL−1, with the microparticles showing a stronger significant effect on toxicity (MS≈MR > SMR≈SMS≈NS) than the nanoparticles. Special attention was directed to effects in the subtoxic range (less than 50% cell death compared to untreated cells), i.e. below 100 µg mL−1 where chronic health effects may be expected. All particles were readily taken up by NR8383 cells within a few hours and mainly found associated with endolysosomes. At subtoxic levels, neither particle type induced strongly adverse effects, as probed by viability tests, detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS), protein microarrays, and cytokine release (IL-1β, GDF-15, TNF-α, CXCL1). In the particle-induced cell migration assay (PICMA) with leukocytes (dHL-60 cells) and in cytokine release assays, only small effects were seen. In conclusion, at subtoxic concentrations, where chronic health effects may be expected, neither size and nor shape of the synthesized chemically identical silica particles showed harmful cell-biological effects.

Chemistry Review of Vaping Products and Respiratory Injury

Background: While the Public Health Agency of Canada notes 19 cases from May 2019 to February 2020 relating to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) in Canada, there are likely many more unreported cases, including non-hospitalized and asymptomatic cases. E-cigarette use or vaping exposes users to numerous aerosolized chemical species, some of which have proven to be deleterious to health. These chemical species can include vitamin E acetate (VEA), flavourants, base / solvents (propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin), psychoactive substances, pesticides, endotoxins, metals, and pyrolysis by-products from e-cigarette heating coils. Objectives: We aim to review current findings related to EVALI from the standpoint of known chemical species currently used in vaping products. We specifically examine the toxicological profiles of these chemical species and the mechanisms through which they cause lung injury. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed with MEDLINE for EVALI-related human studies that were published between January 1, 2010, and May 15, 2020. This search strategy identified 832 case reports, case series, clinical trials, and in-vitro laboratory studies. From this group, 71 records were examined in greater detail. Results and Conclusions: Although the chemical composition and toxicology of vaping products have largely been characterized, the physiological effects of the chemical interactions between various constituents of vaping products and the generation of new species remain inconclusive. Given the rapid increase in the popularity of vaping and e-cigarettes, there is a need for further research. Developing a comprehensive understanding of the chronic health effects of vaping through randomized controlled trials and physiological studies is prudent and necessary to reduce the long-term impacts on users and the health care system.

Incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with occupation, industry, and workplace exposures in the Health and Retirement Study.

Chronic health effects from accumulated occupational exposures manifest as the workforce ages. The Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a panel survey of U.S. adults nearing/in retirement, allows assessment of associations among industry and occupation (I/O), workplace exposures, and incident chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study population comprised respondents from the 1992 HRS cohort employed in 1972 or later and not diagnosed with COPD as of initial interview. We examined associations with incident COPD through 2016 and: (1) broad and selected detailed I/O, (2) workplace exposures, and (3) exposures within I/O. Given the cohort's baseline age (50-62), we calculated subhazard ratios (SHRs) for COPD accounting for competing risk of death. SHRs for COPD were significantly elevated for several industries: mining; blast furnaces, steelworks, rolling and finishing mills; groceries and related products; and automotive repair shops. Occupations with significantly elevated SHRs were maids and housemen; farmworkers; vehicle/mobile equipment mechanics and repair workers; material moving equipment operators; and nonconstruction laborers. Significantly elevated COPD SHRs were observed for specific I/O-exposure pairs: blast furnace/steelworks/rolling/finishing mills and asbestos; automotive repair shops and aerosol paints; farmworkers and pesticide exposures; and both material moving equipment operators and nonconstruction laborers exposed to dust and ash. Certain jobs and occupational exposures are associated with increased risk for developing COPD in late preretirement and during retirement. Given the disability and economic costs of COPD, these findings support focusing exposure prevention and medical monitoring resources on groups of workers at increased risk.

Assessment of Long-term Fine Particulate Matter Exposure and Its Effect on Cardiovascular Disease in China

Background Investigations on chronic health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in China are hindered by the lack of continuous ground monitoring. With satellite-driven models to generate spatiotemporally resolved PM2.5 levels, we aimed to estimate long-term PM2.5 concentrations at high spatial resolution (1 km) and assess the risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with long-term exposure to PM2.5 in China. Methods Monthly PM2.5 concentrations in China from 2000 to 2016 were estimated using machine-learning approaches, with the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) aerosol optical depth (AOD) as a major predictor. A longitudinal cohort study, the project of Prediction for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in China was used, with 116,972 adults included. Follow-up information from 2000 to 2015 was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model with time-varying exposures. Results Machine-learning models for PM2.5 estimation performed good with a random cross-validation R2 of 0.93 at the monthly level. For the time period without ground monitoring, prediction R2 were 0.67 at the monthly and 0.80 at the annual levels. For an increase of 10 μg/m3 in annual PM2.5 exposures, the estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for incidence and mortality of cardiovascular disease were 1.251 (95% CI: 1.220-1.283) and 1.164 (95% CI: 1.117-1.213), respectively. Steeper slopes were observed when the concentration-response functions tended to high PM2.5 levels. Conclusions Satellite-based techniques provide a strong support for environmental health studies. Our findings on the chronic health effect of PM2.5 exposure on cardiovascular diseases expand the current knowledge on adverse health effects of severe air pollution and highlight the potential cardiovascular benefits of air quality improvement in highly polluted regions.

The Policy Role of National Academy of Medicine and Presumptive Conditions related to Agent Orange

Background:The Veterans Administration (VA) is responsible for providing medical and disability support to those who served their country. Deciding if an illness or disability is service related when it manifests years later can bring about much debate and controversary. How the National Academies of Medicine (NAM) came to the forefront and aided the VA in their decision-making process linking illness or disability to service after the Vietnam War has had significant impact on current policies related to military service. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on the policy role of NAM and the VA concerning Agent Orange (AO) exposure.Methods:We conducted a literature review to characterize the history and interaction of the VA, NAM, and the chronic health effects related to AO exposure.Results:Budgetary allowances for all veteran’s compensation benefits are estimated to total $115.8 billion by 2021. Vietnam veterans comprise 33.5% of the compensation obligation. NAM links AO exposure with the following diseases: ischemic heart disease, lung and trachea cancers, prostate cancer, multiple myeloma, Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutanea tarda, soft tissue sarcomas, and chloracne. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that some of these conditions such as, prostate cancer, diabetes, and ischemic heart disease, are linked with aging and thus may not be strongly associated with AO. Failure to properly adjust for such confounding variables by age may undermine the association of exposure to disease. Given the high cost of compensation for Vietnam era service, it may be prudent to re-examine the current policy.

Effect of the Meteorological Parameters on the Indoor PM2.5 and PM10 Concentrations in a Hospital

Exposure to the particulate matter is related to a variety of acute and chronic health effects. Also, it is an important factor in the indoor air quality in hospitals. The present study aimed to determine the effect of meteorological parameters on the indoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the operation room, pediatric, and intensive care unit wards in the hospital in Kashan, Iran. The PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were measured at two indoor sites and one outdoor site in each one of the wards from March to May 2015. Also, the wind rose was drawn for determining the Prevailing wind. The mean indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations increased during the study period. The results obtained of wind rose showed that the prevailing wind (4.5% of the entire winds) was the direction of the west-southwest. Also, the highest mean outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations were related to the ambient wind directions of the east-northeast, the west, and the north-northwest in the operation room, pediatric and intensive care unit wards, respectively. According to the findings, there was a positive association between the indoor and outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in the wards. Also, the meteorological parameters played an important role in the indoor particle mass concentrations in the study wards in the hospital. The effective meteorological parameters on the particle concentrations were the ambient temperature, wind speed, relative humidity, and rainfall in the hospital. It is asking for improving the indoor air quality of managers and officials to protect the patients and staff against transferred diseases by the particles in the wards in the hospital.

1,1-Difluoroethane Detection Time in Blood after Inhalation Abuse Estimated by Monte Carlo PBPK Modeling.

(1) Background: Inhalant abuse and misuse are still widespread problems. 1,1-Difluoroethane abuse is reported to be potentially fatal and to cause acute and chronic adverse health effects. Lab testing for difluoroethane is seldom done, partly because the maximum detection time (MDT) is unknown. We sought to reliably estimate the MDT of difluoroethane in blood after inhalation abuse; (2) Methods: MDT were estimated for the adult male American population using a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model and abuse patterns detailed by two individuals. Based on sensitivity analyses, variability in huffing pattern and body mass index was introduced in the model by Monte Carlo simulation; (3) Results: With a detection limit of 0.14 mg/L, the median MDT was estimated to be 10.5 h (5th–95th percentile 7.8–12.8 h) after the 2-h abuse scenario and 13.5 h (10.5–15.8 h) after the 6-h scenario. The ranges reflect variability in body mass index and hence amount of body fat; (4) Conclusions: Our simulations suggest that the MDT of difluoroethane in blood after abuse ranges from 7.8 to 15.8 h. Although shorter compared to many other drugs, these MDT are sufficient to allow for testing several hours after suspected intoxication in a patient.