Health Effects Research Laboratory Research Articles

Czech-U.S. Epa Health Study: Assessment of Personal and Ambient Air Exposures to Pah and Organic Mutagens in the Teplice District of Northern Bohemia

Abstract For over 40 years the Northern Bohemia area of the Czech Republic has been characterized by heavy industrialization, open pit mining, and utilization of high sulfur brown coal by industry and in residential home heating. These conditions have resulted in severe environmental pollution and concern over evidence of adverse health effects for residents in the region. Beginning in August 1991, Czech scientists from the Teplice District Institute of Hygiene and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency researchers from the Health Effects Research Laboratory and the Atmospheric Research and Exposure Assessment Laboratory cooperated in conducting pilot studies in the Teplice District, which is centrally located in the industrialized area. These studies determined ambient concentrations and personal exposures to airborne polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organic mutagens. Active personal air samplers were used in personal exposure studies of coal miners, policemen and other workers in the Teplice di...

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Ozone Epidemiology Research Program: a strategy for assessing the effects of ambient ozone exposure upon morbidity in exposed populations.

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 mandate a future reduction of ambient ozone levels in many areas of the country, the cost of which will be great. In order to assess the current public health burden of ambient ozone exposure and to provide information for assessment of potential health benefits of improved air quality, the Health Effects Research Laboratory of the U.S. EPA has undertaken an Ozone Epidemiology Research Program. The research strategy which will guide this scientific program is described in this paper. Criteria for selection of important research questions as well as issues which cut across all questions and study designs are discussed. In particular, this program emphasizes the study of effects which reflect morbidity in the population. The three questions identified as being of most immediate importance involve the relationship of short-term ambient ozone exposure to acute respiratory illness, the relationship of recurrent exposure to chronic respiratory disease, and the relationship of recurrent exposure to development of acute respiratory illness. Specific research approaches and initial projects to address these three questions are described.

Reply to “selective developmental toxicity: Misuse of the concept via mis‐application of a mis‐defined ‘A/D ratio”’

TeratologyVolume 46, Issue 2 p. 105-107 Letter to the Editor Reply to “selective developmental toxicity: Misuse of the concept via mis-application of a mis-defined ‘A/D ratio”’ J. M. Rogers PhD, J. M. Rogers PhD Perinatal Toxicology Branch, Developmental Toxicology Division, Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Reserch Triangle Park, NC 27711Search for more papers by this authorR. W. Setzer PhD, R. W. Setzer PhD Biostatistics Branch Research Support Division, Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711Search for more papers by this author J. M. Rogers PhD, J. M. Rogers PhD Perinatal Toxicology Branch, Developmental Toxicology Division, Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Reserch Triangle Park, NC 27711Search for more papers by this authorR. W. Setzer PhD, R. W. Setzer PhD Biostatistics Branch Research Support Division, Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711Search for more papers by this author First published: August 1992 https://doi.org/10.1002/tera.1420460203AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Volume46, Issue2August 1992Pages 105-107 RelatedInformation

Animal models for assessing the neurobehavioral impact of airborne pollutants.

Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesVolume 641, Issue 1 p. 294-303 Animal Models for Assessing the Neurobehavioral Impact of Airborne Pollutantsa R. C. MACPHAIL, R. C. MACPHAIL Neurotoxicology Division Health Effects Research Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 This paper is dedicated to the memory of my coauthor and friend Dr. David B. Peele (7 September 1953–21 October 1990).Search for more papers by this authorD. B. PEELE, D. B. PEELE NSI Technology Services, Inc. Environmental Sciences Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709Search for more papers by this author R. C. MACPHAIL, R. C. MACPHAIL Neurotoxicology Division Health Effects Research Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711 This paper is dedicated to the memory of my coauthor and friend Dr. David B. Peele (7 September 1953–21 October 1990).Search for more papers by this authorD. B. PEELE, D. B. PEELE NSI Technology Services, Inc. Environmental Sciences Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709Search for more papers by this author First published: April 1992 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1992.tb16550.xCitations: 5 a The research described in this article has been reviewed by the Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Agency nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume641, Issue1Sources of Indoor Air Contaminants: Characterizing Emissions and Health ImpactsApril 1992Pages 294-303 RelatedInformation

Local and global thermoregulatory responses to MRI fields.

Annals of the New York Academy of SciencesVolume 649, Issue 1 p. 273-284 Local and Global Thermoregulatory Responses to MRI Fieldsa CHRISTOPHER J. GORDON, CHRISTOPHER J. GORDON Neurotoxicology Division Health Effects Research Laboratory United States Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711Search for more papers by this author CHRISTOPHER J. GORDON, CHRISTOPHER J. GORDON Neurotoxicology Division Health Effects Research Laboratory United States Environmental Protection Agency Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711Search for more papers by this author First published: March 1992 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1992.tb49616.xCitations: 3 a This report has been reviewed by the Health Effects Research Laboratory, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and has been approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume649, Issue1Biological Effects and Safety Aspects of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging and SpectroscopyMarch 1992Pages 273-284 RelatedInformation

Controlling Microbes Versus Disinfection By‐products

Jennifer Orme, who coordinates development of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA's) maximum contaminant level goals for drinking water disinfectants and their by‐products, talked with Journal Editor Nancy Zeilig in Orlando, Fla., Nov. 11, 1991, about the toxicologic aspects of the upcoming Disinfection—Disinfection By‐products (D—DBP) Rule as well as the tradeoffs inherent in trying to control microbial risks and the risks posed by DBPs. Currently chief of the drinking water health assessment section in the human risk assessment branch of the Health and Ecological Criteria Division in USEPA's recently formed Office of Science and Technology, Orme has been with the agency for 10 years and has worked in the area of drinking water for six and a half years. She joined USEPA's Health Effects Research Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio, then moved to the agency's Office of Toxic Substances in Washington, D.C. She received her bachelor's degree from Ohio Wesleyan University (Delaware, Ohio) and her master's degree from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio).

Assessing indoor air pollution exposure and lung cancer risk in Xuan Wei, China : Chapman RS, Mumford JL, He X, Harris DB, Yang R, Jiang W. Human Studies Division, Health Effects Research Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. J Am Coll Toxicol 1989;8:941-8

Assessing indoor air pollution exposure and lung cancer risk in Xuan Wei, China : Chapman RS, Mumford JL, He X, Harris DB, Yang R, Jiang W. Human Studies Division, Health Effects Research Laboratory, Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. J Am Coll Toxicol 1989;8:941-8

The development of the U.S. EPA health effects research laboratory frozen blood cell repository program

We have suggested that proper blood-cell freezing and storage is necessary in longitudinal studies with reduced between tests error, for specimen sharing between laboratories and for convenient scheduling of assays. Our present purpose is to describe the design and use of a prototype computer program, Cryovial, for data-based management of frozen cell repositories. We are pleased to provide, free of charge upon request, a 5.25″ (specify 0.36 or 1.2 MB) disk containing all files required to run Cryovial.

Interdisciplinary Approach to Assessing the Health Risk of Air Toxic Chemicals: An Overview

To assist the regulatory branch of the Environmental Protection Agency in addressing the risk assessment of air toxics, the Health Effects Research Laboratory initiated a comprehensive inhalation toxicology program to provide key health effects data missing from the current data base. A priority ranking of chemicals based on the potential for substantial human exposure and the need for health effects data was developed to identify candidate chemicals for toxicological research. The major goal of the program is to evaluate the concentration-response from acute, intermittent and subchronic inhalation exposures to developmental, genetic, hepatic, immunologic, neurologic, pulmonary and reproductive toxicity in a manner that provides data for the regulatory health assessment of air toxic chemicals. Extrapolation and dosimetry research is also conducted to improve the basis for human risk assessment. Determination of biological endpoints to be examined will be decided on a compound-by-compound basis, depending on the physical, chemical and structural characteristics of the chemical and evaluation of the existing health data base. Although the main emphasis is on inhalation as the primary route of exposure, some of the laboratories will compare inhalation to other routes, such as oral, to better understand the influence of route of exposure and hence the potential applicability of existing health data. Acute and intermittent exposures will be done for all compounds. Upon evaluation of the acute results, a decision will be made as to whether subchronic studies are needed. Endpoints that show unusual sensitivity may be investigated in greater detail. The total length of exposure will vary from 1 to 21 days. The daily length of exposure will range from 1 to 8 hr. If adverse effects are observed at ambient levels, the time to recovery after exposure will be investigated.

An introduction to a series of U.S. environmental protection agency special committee reports on testing approaches for the detection of chemically induced aneuploidy

A committee of scientists was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ∗ ∗ This committee was directed by the Reproductive Effects Assessment Group and the Health Effects Research Laboratory within the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. to appraise the current state of aneuploidy test methodology, to compile and analyze published data on the chemical induction of aneuploidy, and to provide guidance for additional test development and validation. The reports that follow in this special issue of Mutation Research, document the urgent need for test method development and validation in this important area of environmental mutagenesis, and provide directions for further research.

Yohimbine attenuates the delayed lethality induced in mice by amitraz, a formamidine pesticide

We have found that a single dose of amitraz, a formamidine pesticide, produces death in mice 2–5 days after dosing. To further examine this phenomenon, adult albino mice of both sexes were treated with either yohimbine (10 mg kg , i.p.) or deionized water (6 ml kg , i.p.), immediately before an injection of amitraz (600 mg kg , i.p.) and twice daily thereafter for 8 days. Male mice treated with water were more susceptible than water-treated females to the lethal effects of amitraz. In addition, yohimbine treatment significantly decreased the number of deaths in both sexes. These data suggest that an α2-adrenergic mechanism is involved in the delayed lethality produced by amitraz. This manuscript has been reviewed by the Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication. Mention of trade names and commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

Metabolism and DNA binding of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) in human and animal bladder and tracheobronchial tissues. : F. Bernard Daniel, Herman A.J. Schut and Gary D. Stoner. Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268 and Department of Pathology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio 43614, USA

Metabolism and DNA binding of aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF) in human and animal bladder and tracheobronchial tissues. : F. Bernard Daniel, Herman A.J. Schut and Gary D. Stoner. Health Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268 and Department of Pathology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio 43614, USA

A rapid technique for estimating DNA binding, used to evaluate 1-nitropyrene adduct formation.

A simple and rapid procedure for estimating binding of radio-labelled material to DNA and protein is described. Protein was extracted from lysed rabbit alveolar macrophages with chloroform: iso-amyl-alcohol:phenol extraction. Nucleic acids were precipitated from the lysate, and hydrolysed with protease and NaOH to remove residual protein and RNA respectively. Bound radioactivity was quantitated by precipitation of DNA onto glass fiber filters. Protein labelled with 3H-leucine and DNA and RNA adducts formed from 1-nitro[14C]pyrene by xanthine oxidase were used to define this procedure. 14C was shown to be bound to endogeneous protein and DNA isolated from rabbit alveolar macrophages that had been incubated with 1-nitro[14C]pyrene.

Rat Liver Foci Bioassay

This article is a review of the rat liver foci bioassay which is an initiation/promotion assay that utilizes preneoplastic foci of hepatocytes possessing altered enzymatic activity and altered cellular constituents as indicators of carcinogenesis. Rat liver tumor promoters that have been employed in the assay include: (1) a low level of 2-acetylaminofluorene in the diet, (2) phenobarbital in the diet and drinking water and (3) a choline deficient diet. Camma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive, and adenosine triphosphatase, and glucose-6-phosphatase-defi-cient foci are used to indicate the initiation of cancer and are reviewed with respect to their relationship to cancer. Partial hepatectomy at the time of initiation increases the sensitivity of the assay to dialkylnitrosamines and chemicals which are otherwise negative in rat liver. The protocols being developed by the Health Effects Research Laboratory in Cincinnati include: (1) partial hepatectomy either 18 hours prior to or 14 days after administering the chemical under test, (2) phenobarbital promotion and (3) using gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase-positive foci as the indicator of carcinogenesis. The article also reviews the rat liver foci bioassay as a component of the Carcinogenesis Testing Matrix for tier II where it will be employed to confirm the carcinogenic hazard associated with environmental samples containing complex mixtures.

Outbreaks of waterborne disease in the United States: 1971–1978

Since 1971 a cooperative effort has existed between the Health Effects Research Laboratory, US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga., for the purposes of investigating, documenting, and reporting waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Local and state health departments investigate waterborne disease outbreaks and, at times, request assistance from CDC and USEPA. As part of the reporting system, state epidemiologists and engineers in state water supply organizations cooperate in providing data on waterborne outbreaks to these two agencies annually. This report summarizes data reported to USEPA and CDC on waterborne disease outbreaks during 1971–1978.

Facilities for diesel exhaust studies

It is the major intent of this report to examine the animal inhalation facilities at the EPA Health Effects Research Laboratory in Cincinnati, Ohio, associated with the exposure to the exhaust of diesel-powered equipment. The facility serves as a center for toxicologic evaluation, in relevant animal models, of potentially hazardous environmental pollutants from diesel engine exhaust. Briefly, the entire engine exhaust is mixed with filtered and conditioned air in a dilution tube. That diluted exhaust enters a large volume mixing chamber and a portion passes through dynamic flow irradiation chambers (to simulate sunlight) and is then conducted to animal exposure chambers. The system provides nonirradiated exhaust in the same concentration (directly from the mixing chamber) and also filtered, conditioned ambient air for control animal exposure. The major physical components of the diesel emission system include: air purifiers, animal exposure chambers, engine-dynamometers, irradiation chambers, monitoring instrumentation and data acquisition systems.