Integrity of disposable nitrile exam gloves exposed to simulated movement

Every year, millions of health care, first responder, and industry workers are exposed to chemical and biological hazards. Disposable nitrile gloves are a common choice as both a chemical and physical barrier to these hazards, especially as an alternative to natural latex gloves. However, glove selection is complicated by the availability of several types or formulations of nitrile gloves, such as low-modulus, medical grade, low filler, and cleanroom products. This study evaluated the influence of simulated movement on the physical integrity (i.e., holes) of different nitrile exam glove brands and types. Thirty glove products were evaluated out-of-box and after exposure to simulated whole-glove movement for 2 hr. In lieu of the traditional 1 L water-leak test, a modified water-leak test, standardized to detect a 0.15 ± 0.05 mm hole in different regions of the glove, was developed. A specialized air inflation method simulated bidirectional stretching and whole-glove movement. A worst-case scenario with maximum stretching was evaluated. On average, movement did not have a significant effect on glove integrity (chi-square; p=0.068). The average effect was less than 1% between no movement (1.5%) and movement (2.1%) exposures. However, there was significant variability in glove integrity between different glove types (p≤0.05). Cleanroom gloves, on average, had the highest percentage of leaks, and 50% failed the water-leak test. Low-modulus and medical grade gloves had the lowest percentages of leaks, and no products failed the water-leak test. Variability in polymer formulation was suspected to account for the observed discrepancies, as well as the inability of the traditional 1 L water-leak test to detect holes in finger/thumb regions. Unexpectedly, greater than 80% of the glove defects were observed in the finger and thumb regions. It is recommended that existing water-leak tests be re-evaluated and standardized to account for product variability.     

Exposure-response relations among laboratory animal workers exposed to rats

Aim: To explore exposure-response relations in a cohort of laboratory animal workers.     

Urinary mutagenicity in chemical laboratory workers exposed to solvents

Solvents represent an important group of environmental pollutants to which people are exposed daily in the workplace. The physico chemical properties of solvents may result in disturbances to cellular structures, including damage to DNA. However, the effects of mixtures of solvents are not well known. Mutations caused by environmental agents are related to cancer development and other degenerative diseases. The work in a research laboratory that uses several types of solvents is equally predisposed to these hazards. In this study, we evaluated the mutagenicity of urine from 29 subjects exposed occupationally to solvents in a chemistry research laboratory and 29 subjects without occupational exposure (controls). Urine samples were collected in polyethylene containers at the end of the work shift. For the concentration and extraction of urine samples the XAD-2 resin was used with acetone as an eluting agent. Several strains of Salmonella typhimurium (TA100, TA98, TA97a, TA1535, YG1024) should be used to assess mutagenic susceptibilities among workers exposed to organic solvents. Different doses of extract (1.5; 3.0; 6.0 and 12.0 ml equivalents of urine per plate) were tested on S. typhimurium strains TA100 and YG1024, with and without metabolic activation. The mutagenic activity, measured in Salmonella typhimurium YG1024 with S9 mix, was significantly greater in urine from workers than from controls (p相似文献   

Discomforts and laboratory findings in workers exposed to sulfur dioxide

Summary In a broom manufacturing factory the authors performed microclimatic measurements, measurements of sulfur dioxide concentration and dust content. Workers (n = 190) were polled regarding discomforts characteristic of sulfur dioxide effects. Sulfates were determined in urine of 56 subjects, and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin were determined in blood. Sulfates were determined in 43 controls and methemoglobin and sulfhemoglobin were determined in 39 controls. Sulfur dioxide concentration in work environment ranged from 17.1 to 149.4 mg/m³ in winter and from 0 to 0.75 mg/m³ in summer. The exposed workers complained most often of coughing (94.2%), dyspnea (91.0%), burning in nose, eyes and throat (from 74.7 to 83.7%), substernal pain (75.3%), sore throat (74.7%), tearing (64.7%), etc. Sulfate concentrations were found to be statistically significantly higher (P < 0.01) in urine of workers exposed to sulfur dioxide than in the controls. Methemoglobin concentrations were also significantly higher in blood of the exposed workers, whereas no difference was found in concentrations of sulfhemoglobin.     

Potential health hazards for students exposed to formaldehyde in the gross anatomy laboratory

Formaldehyde, which has been a well-established preservative for cadavers in the anatomy laboratory for years, has an odor that many anatomy students find unpleasant. Anatomy faculty and students, embalmers in funeral homes, histopathology laboratory workers, and other biological researchers are continually exposed to the toxic vapors of formaldehyde. The immediate effects of that agent are nausea, headache, and ocular irritation that causes tear overflow and a burning sensation in the throat. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde can cause contact dermatitis, congenital defects, and cancer. This article discusses the adverse effects of continual exposure to formaldehyde and formalin and suggests various measures that can eliminate or minimize that danger to staff and students in gross anatomy laboratories.     

Incidence of allergy and allergy symptoms among workers exposed to laboratory animals

Background and Aims: Few studies have described relations between exposure to laboratory animals and the incidence of laboratory animal allergy (LAA). Studies that have found exposure-response relations have been cross sectional in design or have focused on exposure to rats and mice. This study used longitudinal data collected over a 12 year period to describe the relations between indices of exposure to laboratory animals and the development of LAA and LAA symptoms. Methods: Data were obtained from questionnaires and serological laboratory results from a dynamic cohort of workers exposed to a variety of laboratory animals in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Poisson regression was used to model the incidence rate ratios of species specific and general LAA and LAA symptoms at different levels of exposure. Results: The 12 year incidence rates of LAA symptoms and LAA for all workers were 2.26 (95% CI 1.61 to 2.91) and 1.32 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.87) per 100 person-years, respectively. Higher rate ratios were seen with increasing reported hours of exposure to tasks that required working with animal cages or with many animals at one time. The most common symptoms were related to rhinitis rather than to asthma. Conclusions: This study suggests that the risk of LAA increases with duration of exposure to animals and work in animal related tasks. Incidence might be reduced by limiting hours per week of exposure to laboratory animals.     

Plasma vitamin D3 response in cattle and sheep exposed to ultraviolet radiation

Plasma levels of vitamin D3 were determined in a group of 10 cows housed indoors and exposed during the winter to ultraviolet irradiation (UVR). Exposure to UVR was associated with marked rises in plasma vitamin D3 concentrations. The pattern and magnitude of the plasma vitamin D3 response to UVR exposure in sheep raised in total confinement was also investigated. Exposure to sun lamps produced a significant increase in sheep plasma vitamin D3 concentrations. There was no significant difference in the plasma levels of vitamin D3 due to length of time of exposure to UVR.     

彗星试验检测紫外线暴露后人淋巴细胞DNA修复能力

目的　用彗星试验评价人紫外线暴露后淋巴细胞DNA修复能力。方法　男女各 6名供血者 (2 6岁 )的淋巴细胞分成 3组 :紫外线 (UVC)组、UVC加新生霉素 (NOV)组、UVC加阿非迪霉素(APC)组。UVC波长 2 5 4nm ,照射剂量为 1.5J m2 ,于照射前和照射后 30、6 0、90、12 0、180、2 4 0min用彗星试验检测上述 3组DNA单链断裂 (SSB) ,计算DNA修复率 (DRR) ,用DRR评价 3组样本的修复能力。结果　 3组样本彗星平均尾长 (MTL)最大值主要出现于UVC照射后 90min。UVC组DRR范围为6 2 .84 %～ 98.71% ,平均为 81.84 % ,男女性别差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 )。NOV和APC组的平均DRR分别为 5 2 .98%和 39.5 7% ,明显低于UVC组 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　彗星试验是一种快速、简便测定DNA修复能力的方法 ,DRR可反映个体DNA修复能力。     

六硝基六氮异伍兹烷的紫外分光光度检测方法

目的建立作业场所空气中六硝基六氮异伍兹烷（CL-20）的测定方法。方法空气中六硝基六氮杂戊异兹烷经滤料采集，甲醇洗脱，在波长226nm处用紫外分光光度法定量。结果CL-20在0．0～16．0μg/ml浓度范围内线性关系良好，相对标准偏差（RSD）低于7．02％，检出限为0．31μg／ml，最低检出浓度为0．010mg／m^3。加标回收率95．10％～108．25％，经中国疾病预防中心验证和实验室模拟试验证明，该方法可用于工作场所空气中CL-20的检测分析。结论该方法操作简单，灵敏度和选择性高，准确度、精密度良好，易于推广使用。     

Olfactory sensitivity in medical laboratory workers occupationally exposed to organic solvent mixtures

BACKGROUND: Published epidemiological information relating the effects of occupational exposure to organic solvents (OS) to olfaction is limited. AIMS: The objectives of this pilot study were to measure the chemosensory abilities of medical laboratory employees occupationally exposed to OS mixtures, to compare these with control workers employed within the same occupational setting and to correlate chemosensory performance with OS exposure history and with employees' hedonic (pleasantness) perceptions about workplace OS odors. METHODS: Twenty-four medical laboratory employees (OS-exposed technicians plus control workers minimally exposed to OS) completed a health-related questionnaire, a test of pyridine odor detection threshold, along with a gustatory detection threshold test involving aqueous quinine solutions. Estimates of cumulative hours of OS exposure (CSI) were calculated from self-reports. RESULTS: OS-exposed laboratory technicians detected weaker concentrations of pyridine odor. Positive correlations were detected between CSI estimates to both pyridine detection and the degree that participants reported that OS odors were present in the workplace. However, no association was detected between pyridine detection and how unpleasant workplace OS odors were perceived. The OS-exposed participants were able to detect weaker concentrations of quinine. Compared to controls, OS-exposed workers complained more of experiencing several symptoms while working, including headaches, nasal irritation and mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this cross-sectional pilot study indicated that, compared to controls, medical laboratory technicians exposed to low-level OS mixtures displayed evidence of elevated olfactory sensitivity (hyperosmia) to pyridine odor. The relation of this study's results to chemical intolerance warrants further investigation.     

Determination of catechol and quinol in the urine of workers exposed to benzene

Time weighted average concentrations of benzene in breathing zone air (measured by diffusive sampling coupled with FID gas chromatography) and concentrations of catechol and quinol in the urine (collected at about 1500 in the second half of a working week and analysed by high performance liquid chromatography) were compared in 152 workers who were exposed to benzene (64 men, 88 women). The concentration of urinary metabolites was also determined in 131 non-exposed subjects (43 men, 88 women). There was a linear relation between the benzene concentrations in the breathing zone and the urinary concentrations of catechol and quinol (with or without correction for urine density) in both sexes. Neither catechol nor quinol concentration was able to separate those exposed to benzene at 10 ppm from those without exposure. The data indicated that when workers were exposed to benzene at 100 ppm about 25% of benzene absorbed was excreted into the urine as phenolic metabolites, of which 13.2%, 1.6%, and 10.2% are phenol, catechol, and quinol, respectively.