Bulletin BoardOctober 14, 2005

Public HealthExposure to benzene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an epidemiologic overview and an ongoing case-control study in Shanghai2005-09-27The interest in the relationship between benzene exposure and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) appears to were generated from a 1979 publication, which reported an increased risk of NHL among persons potentially exposed to benzene and/or coal tar fractions. More recently (1997), an increased risk of NHL was reported among 74,828 workers exposed to benzene and other chemicals in a variety of industries in China. On the contrary, no increased risk of NHL was reported in a cohort of 1,165 workers at 2 rubber hydrochloride plants in Ohio (US), who were exposed to extremely high levels of benzene and were found to have an increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia. In another large cohort of some 7,676 US workers exposed to benzene, no increased risk of NHL was reported. Similarly, no increased risk of NHL was reported in a combined cohort of 308,199 petroleum workers in the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy and Finland, who were exposed to benzene or benzene-containing petroleum products. The lack of an association between benzene exposure and NHL in cohort studies is supported by case-control studies from the US, Canada, Italy and the UK.Authors: Wong, Otto; Fu, HuaFull source: Chemico-Biological Interactions 2005, 153-154, 33-41 (Eng)Review of the literature on benzene exposure and leukemia subtypes2005-09-27The epidemiological literature on benzene exposure and leukemia in the MEDLINE and TOXNET databases was examined. Nine cohort and 13 case-control studies met inclusion criteria for this review. High and significant acute myeloid leukemia risks with positive dose response relationships were identified across study designs, particularly in the “well-conducted” cohort studies and especially in more highly exposed workers in rubber, shoe, and paint industries. Risks for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) tended to show elevations in nested case-control studies, with possible dose response relationships in at least 2 of the 3 studies. However, cohort studies on CLL show no such risks. Data for chronic myeloid leukemia and acute lymphocytic leukemia are sparse and inconclusive.Authors: Schnatter, A. Robert; Rosamilia, Kim; Wojcik, Nancy C.Full source: Chemico-Biological Interactions 2005, 153-154, 9-21 (Eng)Hygienic, health and environmental compatibility of cementitious construction products2005-09-27Construction projects are essential to satisfy the requirements of the modern industrial society. However, each building activity is associated with an interference with the nature. The protection of the immediate environment of structural works belongs to the six essential requirements of the European Construction Products Directive (CPD). The German cement industry has dealt for many years with the environmental compatibility of cement and cementitious building materials in all phases of the product life. Mortar and concrete may contain small amounts of trace elements as well as organic substances deriving from, e. g. additives and admixtures. All investigations have shown that the hardened cement paste is a good binding and encapsulating matrix for these components and that their leaching rates are on a very low level. While for trace elements the leaching behavior is important to be understood, for organic substances used in cementitious building materials also the release of volatile components must be taken into account. Investigations carried out so far have shown that cementitious materials, even when produced with organic additives or admixtures, cause only very slight emissions. Cement and cementitious construction products satisfy the fundamental requirements of the European Construction Products Directive and the corresponding national regulations.Authors: Schneider, M.; Spanka, G.Full source: International Congress on the Chemistry of Cement, 11th, Durban, South Africa, May 11-16, 2003 [online computer file] 2003 (Pub. 2003), 2188-2198 (Eng)Trace elements in nail polish as a source of contamination of nail clippings when used in epidemiological studies2005-09-27Trace elements were determined in 27 brands of nail polish using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) so as to estimate the impact of nail polish remainders when using (finger, toe) nail clippings as a bioindicator for epidemiological studies. Fe was found to be present up to almost 1.7% in one brand. No unambiguous correlation between trace elements and color was established, though transparent polish has the lowest trace element concentrations. An estimate of the maximum effect (no removal of the paint) indicates that over-estimates of some trace element levels in nail with more than 200.000% may occur. This study showed that if nail clippings will be used to study trace elements, very high demands have to be set to the efficiency and selectivity of the cleaning procedure.Authors: De Nadai Fernandes, E. A.Full source: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 2005, 264(1), 61-65 (Eng)Hair lead levels of children from two primary schools in urban district and suburban area of Xi’an2005-09-27This study examines the actual level of hair lead levels in children of Xi’an. The geometric mean of hair lead levels of children in urban area was 4.69 mug/g, while in suburban area it was 1.67 mug/g. There was a significant difference between them. The hair lead levels of the children living in urban districts are higher than that in the suburb area of Xi’an city. The rate of high hair lead of urban children was higher than that of the suburban children. The hair lead levels of children aged 7-13 years in Xi’an have showed a down trend with age. There is no significant difference between boys and girls in urban area, but the hair lead levels in suburban boys is higher than that of the suburban girls. Authors: Li, Yu-fei; Ren, Feng-ling; Huo, Dong-hongFull source: Huanjing Yu Jiankang Zazhi 2005, 22(2), 122-124 (Ch)Mercury levels in urine and hair of children in an Andean gold-mining settlement2005-09-27This field study investigated Hg levels in the urine and hair of Andean children of indigenous Saraguro and Metizo gold miners in the Nambija, Ecuador gold-mining settlement. The mean level of Hg in urine (HgU) was 10.9 mug/L, and the mean level in hair (HgH) was 6.0 mug/g. Regression analysis showed a significant association between matched HgU and HgH samples. Mean HgU and HgH levels tended to be higher for children aged 6-14 years than for a younger group. The wide range of Hg levels in the urine and hair of Andean children of gold miners may place them at risk for neurodevelopmental and learning disorders.Authors: Counter, S. Allen; Buchanan, Leo H.; Ortega, FernandoFull source: International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2005, 11(2), 132-137 (Eng)A pilot study of blood lead levels and neurobehavioral function in children living in Chennai, India2005-09-27The relation between blood lead level and neurodevelopment was assessed in a pilot cross-sectional study of 74 4-14-yr-old children in Chennai, India. Mean blood lead level was 11.1 mug/dL. The Binet-Kamath IQ test and the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Activity (WRAVMA) were administered to 58 children. Teachers completed the Connor’s Behavioral Rating Scale. Excluding 2 outliers, IQ and WRAVMA composite scores were inversely related to blood lead level, with an effect size of around 6 points decline for a 10-mug/dL increase in blood lead. Children in the highest and lowest blood lead quartiles had mean IQs of 95.6 ± 13.3 and 102.0 ± 22.5, respectively. Behavior ratings were not associated with blood lead level. Lead exposure is a significant problem among Indian children, with many having blood lead levels associated with increased neurodevelopmental risk.Authors: Bellinger, David C.; Hu, Howard; Kalaniti, Kartigeyan; Thomas, Naveen; Rajan, Pradeep; Sambandam, Sankar; Ramaswamy, Padmavathi; Balakrishnan, KalpanaFull source: International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health 2005, 11(2), 138-143 (Eng)Acute illnesses associated with pesticide exposure at schools2005-09-27Pesticides continue to be used on school property, and some schools are at risk of pesticide drift exposure from neighboring farms, which leads to pesticide exposure among students and school employees. However, information on the magnitude of illnesses and risk factors associated with these pesticide exposures is not available. This study estimates the magnitude of and associated risk factors for pesticide- related illnesses at schools. Incidence rates for 1998-2002 were 7.4 cases per million children and 27.3 cases per million school employee full-time equivalent. The incidence rates among children increased significantly from 1998 to 2002. Illness of high severity was found in 3 cases (0.1%), moderate severity in 275 cases (11%), and low severity in 2315 cases (89%). Most illnesses were associated with insecticides (n = 895, 35%), disinfectants (n = 830, 32%), repellents (n = 335,13%), or herbicides (n = 279,11%). Among 406 cases with detailed information on the source of pesticide exposure, 281 (69%) were associated with pesticides used at schools and 125 (31%) were associated with pesticide drift exposure from farmland. Pesticide exposure at schools produces acute illnesses among school employees and students. To prevent pesticide-related illnesses at schools, implementation of integrated pest management programs in schools, practices to reduce pesticide drift, and adoption of pesticide spray buffer zones around schools are recommended.Authors: Alarcon, Walter A.; Calvert, Geoffrey M.; Blondell, Jerome M.; Mehler, Louise N.; Sievert, Jennifer; Propeck, Maria; Tibbetts, Dorothy S.; Becker, Alan; Lackovic, Michelle; Soileau, Shannon B.; Das, Rupali; Beckman, John; Male, Dorilee P.; Thomsen, Catherine L.; Stanbury, MarthaFull source: JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association 2005, 294(4), 455-465 (Eng)Thermal processing contaminants in foodstuffs and potential strategies of control2005-09-27Over the past decades, researchers from academia, industry, and national authorities and enforcement laboratories, have gained increasing insight in understanding the presence, formation and potential risk to public health posed by the compounds formed during the domestic cooking and heat-processing of different foods. Compounds already intensively studied are the heterocyclic aromatic amines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and chloropropanols. Concrete measures were introduced by the food industry to control certain contaminants, exemplified by the introduction of enzymic hydrolysis of plant proteins or over-neutralization to reduce concentrations of chloropropanols in savory flavors. The recent discovery of acrylamide in cooked foods has raised much concern, and sparked intensive scientific studies into the occurrence, anal., exposure, mechanisms of formation, possible measures of control, and toxicology of the compound. However, since acrylamide formation is directly linked to the desired Maillard reaction that generates important flavor and aroma compounds - as well as chemicals with potentially beneficial health effects - any measures taken must assess the impact on overall quality and consumer acceptance of the food product. In addition, mitigation must be devised in such a way as not to increase the risks for other possibly more severe short and medium to long-term health risks. In this context, understanding the impact of changes in processing on the safety of foods will be of paramount importance. In May 2004 the US FDA published findings of trace levels of furan in different foods, corroborating older data and raising some concerns, albeit without reference to any health risks. Particularly canned and jarred foods that are subject to thermal treatment are apparently affected, as the volatile furan is essentially “trapped” in the food container. Finally, a concern that needs to be addressed is the lack of knowledge about the effects of final preparation in food service and domestic situations on the formation of processing contaminants. In essence, consumers should follow sound dietary and health advice by choosing diets based on balance, variety and moderation.Authors: Studer, A.; Blank, I.; Stadler, R. H.Full source: Czech Journal of Food Sciences 2004, 22(Spec. Iss.), 1-10 (Eng)Effect of irradiation on microbial safety and nutritional quality of minimally processed bitter gourd (Momordica charantia)2005-09-27The feasibility of gamma radiation in combination with low temperature was studied to ensure microbiological safety and maintaining physicochemical and sensory characteristics of minimally processed bitter gourd. Results showed that an irradiation dose of 2.0 kGy significantly reduced the microbial count to keep the samples microbiologically safe for 7d. Sensory evaluation revealed that the samples received maximum scores for appearance and flavor (7.8 and 7.9, respectively) with radiation dose of 2.0 kGy and minimum score for control (6.5). Firmness and ascorbic acid content decreased significantly with increase in storage time and irradiationn dose. All the samples were discarded during the 2nd week of storage due to high bio-burden.Authors: Khattak, Misal Khan; Bibi, Nizakat; Khattak, Amal Badshah; Chaudry, Muhammad AshrafFull source: Journal of Food Science 2005, 70(5), M255-M259 (Eng)SafetyIrinotecan combined or alternated with bolus 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid versus the Mayo Clinic regimen in the first-line therapy of advanced colorectal cancer2005-09-27The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of two regimens of irinotecan, combined or alternated with bolus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA), and the Mayo Clinic regimen as first-line therapy for colorectal cancer (CRC). In conclusion, both regimens containing irinotecan were active and well tolerated in patients with advanced CRC.Authors: Graeven, Ullrich; Ridwelski, Karsten; Artandi, Maja; Espana, Pilar; Schoelmerich, Juergen; Rosales, Adolfo M.; Carlsson, Goeran; Borner, Markus; Boussard, Blandine; Schmiegel, WolffFull source: Oncology Reports 2005, 13(4), 681-688 (Eng)Safety of dobutamine stress real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography2005-09-27This study determines the safety of dobutamine stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) obtained by real-time contrast echocardiography (RTCE) and i.v. ultrasound contrast in a large cohort of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD). Dobutamine stress RTCE appears to be a safe and feasible technique for evaluating patients with known or suspected CAD.Authors: Tsutsui, Jeane M.; Elhendy, Abdou; Xie, Feng; O’Leary, Edward L.; McGrain, Anna C.; Porter, Thomas R.Full source: Journal of the American College of Cardiology 2005, 45(8), 1235-1242 (Eng)Decontamination of strawberries using batch and continuous chlorine dioxide gas treatments2005-09-27Efficacy of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas in reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes on strawberries was determined using batch and continuous flow ClO2 gas treatment systems. Effects of continuous ClO2 gas treatment on total aerobic plate count, color, and residual ClO2 and chlorite on strawberries were also evaluated. Increased ClO2 gas concentrations resulted in increased log reductions of each pathogen for both the batch and continuous systems. A batch treatment of strawberries with 4 mg/L ClO2 for 30 min and continuous treatment with 3 mg/L ClO2 for 10 min achieved greater than a 5-log reduction for both E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. After continuous exposure to 3.0 mg/L ClO2 gas for 10 min followed by 1 week of storage at 4∞C, no aerobic microorganisms were detected and the color of the strawberry surface did not change significantly. Residues of ClO2 and chlorite on strawberries after the treatment were 0.19 ± 0.33 mg ClO2 per kg and 1.17 ± 2.02 mg Cl2 per kg, respectively, whereas after 1 week of storage no ClO2 residues were detected and residual chlorite levels were down to 0.07 ± 0.12 mg Cl2 per kg. These results suggest that ClO2 gas treatment is an effective decontamination technique for improving the safety of strawberries while extending shelf life.Authors: Han, Y.; Selby, T. L.; Schultze, K. K.; Nelson, P. E.; Linton, R. H.Full source: Journal of Food Protection 2004, 67(11), 2450-2455 (Eng)Evaluation and prevention of electrostatic hazards in chemical plants2005-09-27Nowadays, electrostatic theories are usefully applied to various industries. However, static electricity cause ESD (electrostatic discharge) problem in high technology industries or fire and explosion in chemical industries. To prevent incidents caused by electrostatic discharge, it is important that operators or staffs working in chemical plants find electrostatic potential hazards and have consultations with safety experts. Electrostatic charge and discharge phenomena, countermeasures against static electricity and some methods for evaluating electrostatic hazards are described. Authors: Ota, KiyoshiFull source: Sumitomo Kagaku (Osaka, Japan) 2004, (2), 55-64 (Japan)Plasma-treated textile surfaces for adsorptive filter materials2005-09-27An adsorption filter material which protects against chemical poisons, e.g., chemical warfare agents, comprises preferably a multi-layer film on a laminar support such as synthetic fibers or thermoplastic fibers. The film may be a polymerizable material such as silicone oils or organopolysiloxanes. The textile may also be impregnated with catalytic materials such as Cu, Ag, Cd, Pt, Pd, Zn, or Hg ions. The plasma treatment adjusts the surface properties, in particular the surface finish and surface reactivity, to optimize performance. The textiles are suitable for use in protective clothing, gloves, and coverings.Authors: Boehringer, Bertram; Heinrich, Peter; Stoll, Thomas; Moskopp, MichaelFull source: Ger. Offen. DE 10,356,776 (Cl. A62D5/00), 7 Jul 2005, Appl. 10,356,776, 2 Dec 2003; 14 pp. (Ger)Is solifenacin succinate a safe and effective treatment for overactive bladder syndrome?2005-09-27The research and results of Cardozo et al. entitled “Randomized, double-blind placebo controlled trial of the once daily antimuscarinic agent solifenacin succinate in patients with overactive bladder” is reviewed with commentary by Roger Dmochowski. The study of Cardozo et al. (2004) showed that solifenacin succinate is well tolerated and improves several symptoms of overactive bladder syndrome (OABS). It is the first antimuscarinic agent shown to improve nocturia. Roger Dmochowski confirms this result within the constraints of clinical trials.Authors: Dmochowski, RogerFull source: Nature Clinical Practice Urology 2005, 2(2), 82-83 (Eng)Role of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in postoperative pain management2005-09-27The article focuses on the efficacy and safety of currently available coxibs (celecoxib and valdecoxib) as well as parecoxib, which is an injectable prodrug of valdecoxib that has yet to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)-specific inhibitors, which selectively target COX-2 while sparing COX-1, were developed to obtain the therapeutic benefits of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while overcoming their limitations. Authors: Gajraj, Noor M.; Joshi, Girish P.Full source: Anesthesiology Clinics of North America 2005, 23(1), 49-72 (Eng)