Household Smoking Behavior: Effects on Indoor Air Quality and Health of Urban Children with Asthma

The goal of the study was to examine the association between biomarkers and environmental measures of second hand smoke (SHS) with caregiver, i.e. parent or legal guardian, report of household smoking behavior and morbidity measures among children with asthma. Baseline data were drawn from a longitudinal intervention for 126 inner city children with asthma, residing with a smoker. Most children met criteria for moderate to severe persistent asthma (63%) versus mild intermittent (20%) or mild persistent (17%). Household smoking behavior and asthma morbidity were compared with child urine cotinine and indoor measures of air quality including fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and air nicotine (AN). Kruskal–Wallis, Wilcoxon rank-sum and Spearman rho correlation tests were used to determine the level of association between biomarkers of SHS exposure and household smoking behavior and asthma morbidity. Most children had uncontrolled asthma (62%). The primary household smoker was the child’s caregiver (86/126, 68%) of which 66 (77%) were the child’s mother. Significantly higher mean PM_2.5, AN and cotinine concentrations were detected in households where the caregiver was the smoker (caregiver smoker: PM_2.5 μg/m³: 44.16, AN: 1.79 μg/m³, cotinine: 27.39 ng/ml; caregiver non-smoker: PM_2.5: 28.88 μg/m³, AN: 0.71 μg/m³, cotinine:10.78 ng/ml, all P ≤ 0.01). Urine cotinine concentrations trended higher in children who reported 5 or more symptom days within the past 2 weeks (>5 days/past 2 weeks, cotinine: 28.1 ng/ml vs. <5 days/past 2 weeks, cotinine: 16.2 ng/ml; P = 0.08). However, environmental measures of SHS exposures were not associated with asthma symptoms. Urban children with persistent asthma, residing with a smoker are exposed to high levels of SHS predominantly from their primary caregiver. Because cotinine was more strongly associated with asthma symptoms than environmental measures of SHS exposure and is independent of the site of exposure, it remains the gold standard for SHS exposure assessment in children with asthma.     

The Effect of Patient Navigation on Time to Diagnosis,Anxiety, and Satisfaction in Urban Minority Women with Abnormal Mammograms: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Delay in follow-up after an abnormal mammogram is associated with advanced disease stage, poorer survival, and increased anxiety. Despite the implementation of many patient navigator programs across the country, there are few published, peer-reviewed studies documenting its effectiveness. We tested the effectiveness of a patient navigator in improving timeliness to diagnosis, decreasing anxiety, and increasing satisfaction in urban minority women after an abnormal mammogram. Women with suspicious mammograms were randomly assigned to usual care (N = 50) or usual care plus intervention with a patient navigator (N = 55). There were no demographic differences between the two groups. Women in the intervention group had shorter times to diagnostic resolution (mean 25.0 vs. 42.7 days; p = .001), with 22% of women in the control group without a final diagnosis at 60 days vs. 6% in the intervention group. The intervention group also had lower mean anxiety scores (decrease of 8.0 in intervention vs. increase of 5.8 in control; p < .001), and higher mean satisfaction scores (4.3 vs. 2.9; p < .001). Patient navigation is an effective strategy to improve timely diagnostic resolution, significantly decrease anxiety, and increase patient satisfaction among urban minority women with abnormal mammograms.     

Marijuana Exposure Opportunity and Initiation during College: Parent and Peer Influences

Marijuana is the most prevalent illicit drug used by adolescents and young adults, yet marijuana initiation is rarely studied past adolescence. The present study sought to advance our understanding of parent and peer influences on marijuana exposure opportunity and incident use during college. A sample of 1,253 students was assessed annually for 4 years starting with the summer prior to college entry. More than one-third (38%_wt) of students had already used marijuana at least once prior to college entry; another 25%_wt initiated use after starting college. Of the 360 students who did not use marijuana prior to college, 74% were offered marijuana during college; of these individuals, 54% initiated marijuana use. Both low levels of parental monitoring during the last year of high school and a high percentage of marijuana-using peers independently predicted marijuana exposure opportunity during college, holding constant demographics and other factors (AOR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.88–0.96, p < .001 and AOR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.08–1.14, p < .001, respectively). Among individuals with exposure opportunity, peer marijuana use (AOR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.03–1.05, p < .001), but not parental monitoring, was associated with marijuana initiation. Results underscore that peer influences operate well into late adolescence and young adulthood and thus suggest the need for innovative peer-focused prevention strategies. Parental monitoring during high school appears to influence exposure opportunity in college; thus, parents should be encouraged to sustain rule-setting and communication about adolescent activities and friend selection throughout high school.     

Concentrations of Metals in Blood and Feathers of Nestling Ospreys (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pandion haliaetus</Emphasis>) in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays

In 2000, 2001, and 2002, blood and feather samples were collected from 40–45-day-old nestling ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) from Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay and River. Concentrations of 18 metals, metalloids, and other elements were determined in these samples by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy, and Hg concentrations were measured by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. When compared to concurrent reference areas (South, West, and Rhode Rivers), mean As and Hg concentrations in blood were greater (p < 0.05) in two of three Chesapeake Bay regions of concern (Baltimore Harbor [As: 1.18 vs. 0.548 μg/g dw], Anacostia River [Hg: 0.305 vs. 0.178 μg/g dw], and Elizabeth River [As: 0.876 vs. 0.663 μg/g dw; Hg: 0.260 vs. 0.180 μg/g dw]). Lead was detected more frequently in blood of nestlings from the highly industrialized Elizabeth River compared to the rural reference area. When compared to the concurrent reference area, mean Al, Ba, Hg, Mn, and Pb concentrations in feathers were substantially greater (p < 0.05) in one or more Chesapeake regions of concern (Anacostia River [Al: 206 vs. 62.1 μg/g dw; Ba: 3.31 vs. 0.823 μg/g dw; Mn: 65.4 vs. 22.9 μg/g dw] and Elizabeth River [Al: 165 vs. 63.5 μg/g dw; Hg: 1.24 vs. 0.599 μg/g dw; Pb 1.47 vs. 0.543 μg/g dw]). When compared to the coastal Inland Bays reference area, feathers of nestlings from northern Delaware Bay and River had greater concentrations (p < 0.05) of Ba (1.90 vs. 0.660 μg/g dw), Fe (258 vs. 109 μg/g dw), Mn (18.5 vs. 4.66 μg/g dw), Mo (0.130 vs. 0.040 μg/g dw), Pb (1.96 vs. 0.624 μg/g dw), and V (0.671 vs. 0.325 μg/g dw), presumably due to extensive metal-working and petroleum refinery activities. Concentrations of Hg in nestling feathers from Delaware were frequently greater than in the Chesapeake. The present findings and those of related reproductive studies suggest that concentrations of several heavy metals (e.g., Cd, Hg, Pb) in nestling blood and feathers from Chesapeake and Delaware Bays were below toxicity thresholds and do not seem to be affecting chick survival during the nestling period. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Urban air pollution: a representative survey of PM2.5 mass concentrations in six Brazilian cities

In urban areas of Brazil, vehicle emissions are the principal source of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5). The World Health Organization air quality guidelines state that the annual mean concentration of PM_2.5 should be below 10 μg m⁻³. In a collaboration of Brazilian institutions, coordinated by the University of S?o Paulo School of Medicine and conducted from June 2007 to August 2008, PM_2.5 mass was monitored at sites with high traffic volumes in six Brazilian state capitals. We employed gravimetry to determine PM_2.5 mass concentrations, reflectance to quantify black carbon concentrations, X-ray fluorescence to characterize elemental composition, and ion chromatography to determine the composition and concentrations of anions and cations. Mean PM_2.5 concentrations and proportions of black carbon (BC) in the cities of S?o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Curitiba, Recife, and Porto Alegre were 28.1 ± 13.6 μg m⁻³ (38% BC), 17.2 ± 11.2 μg m⁻³ (20% BC), 14.7 ± 7.7 μg m⁻³ (31% BC), 14.4 ± 9.5 μg m⁻³ (30% BC), 7.3 ± 3.1 μg m⁻³ (26% BC), and 13.4 ± 9.9 μg m⁻³ (26% BC), respectively. Sulfur and minerals (Al, Si, Ca, and Fe), derived from fuel combustion and soil resuspension, respectively, were the principal elements of the PM_2.5 mass. We discuss the long-term health effects for each metropolitan region in terms of excess mortality risk, which translates to greater health care expenditures. This information could prove useful to decision makers at local environmental agencies.     

Pathways from Parental Knowledge and Warmth to Adolescent Marijuana Use: An Extension to the Theory of Planned Behavior

Despite research indicating that effective parenting plays an important protective role in adolescent risk behaviors, few studies have applied theory to examine this link with marijuana use, especially with national data. In the current study (N = 2,141), we hypothesized that parental knowledge (of adolescent activities and whereabouts) and parental warmth are antecedents of adolescents’ marijuana beliefs—attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control—as posited by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen 1991). These three types of beliefs were hypothesized to predict marijuana intention, which in turn was hypothesized to predict marijuana consumption. Results of confirmatory factor analyses corroborated the psychometric properties of the two-factor parenting structure as well as the five-factor structure of the TPB. Further, the proposed integrative predictive framework, estimated with a latent structural equation model, was largely supported. Parental knowledge inversely predicted pro-marijuana attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control; parental warmth inversely predicted pro-marijuana attitudes and subjective norms, ps < .001. Marijuana intention (p < .001), but not perceived behavioral control, predicted marijuana use 1 year later. In households with high parental knowledge, parental warmth also was perceived to be high (r = .54, p < .001). Owing to the analysis of nationally representative data, results are generalizable to the United States population of adolescents 12–18 years of age.     

The study of TSP and PM10 concentration and their heavy metal content in central area of Tehran, Iran

Atmospheric particulate matter may exert serious health hazards because of its chemical characteristics. The main objective of this study is to assess the concentrations of total suspended particles (TSP), particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤10 μm (PM₁₀), and air-transmitted particulate trace metals in Tehran University (a central location in Tehran, capital of Iran) ambient air, for the period of 5 months viz. February–June 2007. Furthermore, the present work examines the daily levels of fine particles in comparison with the proposed limiting values from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (65 μg m⁻³ for PM₁₀). The sampling for TSP and PM₁₀ was performed using a high-volume sampler. The TSP and PM₁₀ levels were determined by gravimetry and the metals by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Arithmetic means of 151 ± 44 μg m⁻³ and 90 ± 38 μg m⁻³ were determined for TSP and PM₁₀, respectively. Comparing with EPA primary and secondary air quality standards, only PM₁₀ concentrations in 3 days were higher than the standard values. Heavy metal content of both TSP and PM₁₀, such as chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), were also analyzed separately during the same period using atomic absorption spectrometry. The average concentrations of heavy metal in TSP were Pb: 183.63 ± 147.81 ng m⁻³; Cr: 13.72 ± 2.40 ng m⁻³; and Cd: 6.80 ± 1.97 ng m⁻³ and for PM₁₀ were: 150.36 ± 157.01 ng m⁻³; Cr: 9.12 ± 2.14 ng m⁻³ and Cd: 6.87 ± 2.22 ng m⁻³.

Dust exposure in Munich public transportation: a comprehensive 4-year survey in buses and trams

Objectives: Published data obtained from outdoor stationary sampling stations cannot be applied directly to the exposure situation in vehicles. The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the dust exposure relevant to passengers and drivers in public buses and trams. Method: In the years 1993 to 1996, PM₁₀ samples were taken during 201 journeys of typically 4 h duration on 14 routes (nine bus routes, five tramways) which were representative for the overall Munich transportation system with respect to area characteristics and traffic density. The concentrations of the samples were compared with those collected at the same time at sampling stations of the Bavarian State Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). Dust exposure was continuously and synchronously recorded by means of a tyndallometric device. Traffic and passenger density, weather conditions, special events, etc. were noted by our personnel, travelling on every journey. Results: The average PM₁₀ dust concentration for all rides was 155 μg/m³ (single journey max. 686 μg/m³, min. 13 μg/m³). Interior concentrations were 1.7 to 4.0 times above those collected at the static outdoor stations. We found only minor associations between dust concentrations and traffic density or time of day. During several journeys continuous recording disclosed anomalies, dependence on weather conditions and cyclic track characteristics. Conclusions: Interior PM₁₀ particulate concentrations were comparable to those found elsewhere in truck drivers' cabs and are in the region of German regulative limits established for the general population's long term outdoor exposure. Indoor concentrations were well above the values found at stationary outdoor stations. Additional continuous recording of dust concentrations proved to be helpful in unveiling anomalies and dependencies on external effectors. Received: 10 August 1999 / Accepted: 20 November 1999     

Measurement and modeling of respirable particulate (PM10) and lead pollution over Madurai, India

Samples of particulate matter less than or equal to 10 μm (PM₁₀) were collected round the clock duration by using a respirable dust sampler (APM 460 BL) in Madurai, the second largest and most densely populated city of Tamil Nadu, India. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-recommended standard methods were adopted not only for sample collection but also for subsequent analysis of respirable particulate pollutants. The observed PM₁₀ concentrations varied from 88.1 to 226.9 μg/m³, and lead concentrations ranged between 0.21 to 1.18 μg/m³. The annual averages of the concentrations of the pollutants of current concern manifested that they were mostly below the Indian air quality standards and were generally comparable with those concentrations observed in most other Indian urban areas. The AERMOD model was validated simultaneously by comparing the predicted levels with the estimated levels of PM₁₀. The generated database of the present investigation on the degree of pollution may be used for further research investigation and pollution abatement in the city.     

Assessment of biological chromium among stainless steel and mild steel welders in relation to welding processes

Air and biological monitoring were used for assessing external and internal chromium exposure among 116 stainless steel welders (SS welders) using manual metal arc (MMA), metal inert gas (MIG) and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding processes (MMA: n = 57; MIG: n = 37; TIG: n = 22) and 30 mild steel welders (MS welders) using MMA and MIG welding processes (MMA: n = 14; MIG: n = 16). The levels of atmospheric total chromium were evaluated after personal air monitoring. The mean values for the different groups of SS welders were 201 μg/m³ (MMA) and 185 μg/m³ (MIG), 52 μg/m³ (TIG) and for MS welders 8.1 μg/m³ (MMA) and 7.3 μg/m³ (MIG). The curve of cumulative frequency distribution from biological monitoring among SS welders showed chromium geometric mean concentrations in whole blood of 3.6 μg/l (95th percentile = 19.9), in plasma of 3.3 μg/l (95th percentile = 21.0) and in urine samples of 6.2 μg/l (95th percentile = 58.0). Among MS welders, mean values in whole blood and plasma were rather more scattered (1.8 μg/l, 95th percentile = 9.3 and 1.3 μg/l, 95th percentile = 8.4, respectively) and in urine the value was 2.4 μg/l (95th percentile = 13.3). The analysis of variance of chromium concentrations in plasma previously showed a metal effect (F = 29.7, P < 0.001), a process effect (F = 22.2, P < 0.0001) but no metal–process interaction (F = 1.3, P = 0.25). Concerning urinary chromium concentration, the analysis of variance also showed a metal effect (F = 30, P < 0.0001), a process effect (F = 72, P < 0.0001) as well as a metal–process interaction (F = 13.2, P = 0.0004). Throughout the study we noted any significant differences between smokers and non-smokers among welders. Taking in account the relationships between chromium concentrations in whole, plasma or urine and the different welding processes, MMA-SS is definitely different from other processes because the biological values are clearly higher. These higher levels are due to the very significant concentrations of total soluble chromium, mainly hexa- valent chromium, in welding fumes. Received: 9 May 1996 / Accepted: 14 March 1997     

Biomonitoring of manganese in blood, urine and axillary hair following low-dose exposure during the manufacture of dry cell batteries

Objectives: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 workers from three different workplace areas in a dry cell battery manufacturing plant and on 17 currently nonexposed referents, to examine the relationship between the external exposure to manganese dioxide (MnO₂) and the body burden of manganese in blood, urine and hair. Methods: Inhalable dust was measured gravimetrically after stationary active sampling. Manganese was analyzed in dust samples, blood, urine and axillary hair by atomic absorption spectro- metry. Results: The average air concentrations of manganese in the three workplace areas were 4 μg/m³ (range: 1–12 μg/m³), 40 μg/m³ (12–64 μg/m³) and 400 μg/m³ (137–794 μg/m³). Manganese in blood and axillary hair correlated with airborne manganese in group-based calculations but not on an individual level. The manganese concentrations varied between 3.2 μg/l and 25.8 μg/l in the blood (mean: 12.2 ± 4.8 μg/l) and between 0.4 μg/g and 49.6 μg/g in hair (mean: 6.2 ± 6.2 μg/g in the proximal sequence), respectively. The results for the nonexposed referents were 7.5 ± 2.7 μg/l (mean) in the blood (range: 2.6–15.1 μg/l) and 2.2 ± 1.8 μg/g (mean) in axillary hair (range: 0.4–6.2 μg/g). In these matrices, manganese differed significantly between the highly exposed workers and both the reference and the low-exposure group. Manganese in blood revealed the lowest background variance. No differences for manganese in urine were observed between workers (mean: 0.36 ± 0.42 μg/l, range: 0.1–2.2 μg/l) and referents (mean: 0.46 ± 0.47 μg/l, range: 0.1–1.7 μg/l). Conclusions: Manganese in blood is a specific and suitable parameter for the biomonitoring of MnO₂ exposure, although its validity is limited to group-based calculations. Urinary manganese failed to allow a differentiation between exposed workers and referents. The suitability of manganese analysis in hair for biomonitoring purposes suffers from a relatively great background variation as well as from analytical problems. Received: 11 December 1998 / Accepted: 17 July 1999     

Exposure to particles and nitrogen dioxide among taxi, bus and lorry drivers

Aim: The aims of this study have been to investigate the occurrence of systematic differences in the personal exposure to motor exhaust between different groups of taxi, bus and lorry drivers, and to study if these are influenced by the choice of exposure indicator. Methods: We used one indicator of the gaseous phase, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and one of the particle phase (measured by DataRAM), of the exhausts. A total of 121 drivers were included in the study: 39 taxi drivers, 42 bus drivers and 40 lorry drivers. Personal measurements were performed during one working day. Nitrogen dioxide was measured with passive diffusive samplers and particles with Data-RAM, a logging instrument using nephelometric monitoring. The instrument measures particles between 0.1 and 10 μm in size. Results: The average exposure to NO₂ for lorry drivers was 68 μg/m³; for bus drivers 60 μg/m³ and for taxi drivers 48 μg/m³. For particles the exposure was 57 μg/m³ for lorry drivers, 44 μg/m³ for bus drivers and 26 μg/m³ for taxi drivers. The result remained unchanged when exposures were adjusted for variation in urban background levels of NO₂ and particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <10 μm (PM₁₀). Conclusion: Lorry drivers experienced the highest exposure and taxi drivers the lowest with bus drivers in an intermediate position, regardless of whether NO₂ or particles were used as exposure indicator. The levels of both NO₂ and particles were higher for bus drivers in the city than for them driving in the suburbs. Using diesel or petrol as a fuel for taxis had no influence on the exposure for the drivers, indicating that the taxi drivers’ exposure mainly depends on exhaust from surrounding traffic.     

Urinary N -acetyl-β-glucosaminidase as an indicator of renal dysfunction in electroplating workers

Objectives: To investigate chromium-induced renal dysfunction in electroplating workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate four biochemical markers of renal function. A total of 178 workers were divided into 3 comparable groups consisting of 34 hard-chrome plating workers, 98 nickel-chrome electroplating workers, and 46 aluminum anode-oxidation workers, who represented the reference group. Ambient and biological monitoring of urinary chromium were performed to measure exposure concentrations. Results: Overall, urinary chromium concentrations were highest among hard-chrome plating workers (geometric mean 2.44 μg/g creatinine), followed by nickel-chrome electroplating workers (0.31 μg/g creatinine) and aluminum workers (0.09 μg/g creatinine). Airborne chromium concentrations were also highest in the hard-chrome plating area (geometric mean 4.20 μg/m³), followed by the nickel-chrome electroplating area (0.58 μg/m³) and the aluminum area (0.43 μg/m³). A positive correlation was found between urinary chromium and airborne concentrations (r = 0.54, P < 0.01). Urinary concentrations of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) were also highest among hard-chrome plating workers (geometric mean 4.9 IU/g creatinine), followed by nickel-chrome workers (3.4 IU/g creatinine) and aluminum workers (2.9 IU/g creatinine). The prevalence of “elevated” NAG (>7 IU/g creatinine) was significantly highest among hard-chrome plating workers (23.5%), then among nickel-chrome workers (7.1%) and aluminum workers (8.7%). Differences in β₂-microglobulin, total protein, and microalbumin were not significant. Conclusion: The author's evidence indicates that NAG is an early indicator of renal dysfunction in hard-chrome plating workers.     

Acidic Anions in PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> Particle Fraction in Zagreb Air,Croatia

This paper presents the results of 7 years continuous measurement of acidic anions chlorides, nitrates, and sulphates in PM₁₀ particle fraction in the city of Zagreb, Croatia. The mean annual mass concentrations of the investigated anions in PM₁₀ particle fraction varied from 0.28 to 0.95 μg/m³ for chlorides, from 3.21 to 7.87 μg/m³ for nitrates and from 3.98 to 9.71 μg/m³ for sulphates. The concentration levels of all measured anions showed significant seasonal differences. The most contributing to the PM₁₀ mass were sulphates, then nitrates, and then chlorides. The mobile source emission was an important contributor to particle mass.     

Rodent Allergen in Los Angeles Inner City Homes of Children with Asthma

Recent studies have examined the presence of mouse allergen in inner city children with asthma. Researchers have found high levels of rodent allergen in homes sampled in the northeast and midwest United States, but there has been considerable variation between cities, and there have been few studies conducted in western states. We evaluated the frequency of rodent sightings and detectable mouse allergen and the housing conditions associated with these outcomes in inner city homes in Los Angeles. Two hundred and two families of school children, ages 6–16 living in inner city neighborhoods, participated in the study. Families were predominantly Latino (94%), and Spanish speaking (92%). At study entry, parents completed a home assessment questionnaire, and staff conducted a home evaluation and collected kitchen dust, which was analyzed for the presence of mouse allergen. Fifty-one percent of homes had detectable allergen in kitchen dust. All 33 families who reported the presence of rodents had detectable allergen in the home and were also more likely to have increased levels of allergen compared to those who did not report rodents. Unwashed dishes or food crumbs, lack of a working vacuum, and a caretaker report of a smoker in the home were all significantly associated with a greater risk of rodent sightings or detectable allergen (P < 0.05). Detached homes were significantly more likely to have detectable allergen. The prevalence of allergen is common enough that it may have public health implications for asthmatic children, and detectable allergen was not routinely identified based on rodent sightings. Many of the predictors of rodent allergen are amenable to low-cost interventions that can be integrated with other measures to reduce exposure to indoor allergens. Berg, Kotlerman, and Lewis are with the School of Nursing at the University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; McConnell, Milam, Galvan, Jones, Ferdman, Peters, and Richardson are with the Departments of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Thorne is with the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA; Eggleston and Rand are with the Departments of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA     

Thyroid function in lead smelter workers: absence of subacute or cumulative effects with moderate lead burdens

Objective: To evaluate the effect of low to moderate occupational lead exposure on thyroid function we conducted a cross-sectional study of 151 male lead smelter workers. Methods: Parameters of thyroid function were assessed in relation to both subacute and cumulative lead exposure over a 10-year employment period. Blood lead levels, obtained from plant surveillance records, were used to establish four ordinal levels of current and cumulative exposure (<15, 15–24, 25–39, and ≥40 μ g/dl). Results: Mean values for the lowest as compared with the highest current exposure group were similar for thyroxine (T₄: 6.8 versus 6.1 μ g/dl), estimated free thyroxine (EFT₄: 1.6 ng/dl in both groups), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH: 1.8 versus 1.7 mIU/l); there was no evidence of a significant trend for diminished thyroid function associated with increasing current lead exposure. Similarly, no significant difference was observed for T₄, EFT₄, or TSH in relation to the 10-year cumulative exposure or for adjusted analyses controlling for potential confounders, including age and alcohol use. Conclusion: In contrast to studies observing thyroid dysfunction in the setting of high lead exposure and related clinical poisoning, our findings weigh against a significant physiologic effect on thyroid function at lower levels (<60 μ g/dl) of occupational lead exposure. Received: 3 August 1997 / Accepted: 8 July 1998     

Occupational chronic exposure to metals

Summary Stainless steel welders (n = 103) were examined. To estimate external exposure, personal air sampling was used. Internal exposure was quantified by the determination of nickel levels in erythrocytes, plasma and urine. Men and women (n = 123) were examined for control purposes. In the plasma and erythrocytes of the controls the nickel concentration was below the level of detection (< 1.81 μg/l). The element concentrations in urine were between < 0.1 and 13.3 μg/l. Of the controls 95% showed nickel levels in urine below 2.2 μg/l (reference value). The average concentration of nickel in the air was 93 ± 81 μg/m³. The average concentration of nickel in the plasma samples was 4.9 ± 4.0 μg/l (95th percentile 12.8 μg/L). In erythrocytes nickel could not be detected. The nickel concentrations in the urine of the welders were 18.5 ± 28.5 μg/l on average (95th percentile 52.5 μg/l). Only a weak correlation between the nickel levels of plasma and urine could be detected (C_urine = 2.07 + 8.45 C_plasma; r = 0.294; p < 0.01). Based on our results and on the reported literature a future limit value for the nickel concentration in urine should lay between 30 and 50 μg/l. This value corresponds to an external exposure of 500 μg nickel per cubic metre.     

Rock-Shells (Thais clavigera) as an Indicator of As, Cu, and Zn Contamination on the Putai Coast of the Black-Foot Disease Area in Taiwan

This study presents the distribution of arsenic (As), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in various seafoods—oysters (Crassostrea gigas), false fusus (Hemifuscus tuba), venus clams (Cyclina sineasis), green mussels (Perna viridis), blood clams (Arca granosa), flounders (Psettodes erumei), and rock-shells (Thais clavigera) collected from the Putai coast of the black-foot disease (BFD) area in Taiwan. Special attention is paid to evaluate the relationships among As, Cu, and Zn and effect of body size on metal concentration in Thais clavigera. Maximum Zn and Cu geometric mean (GM) concentrations (GM = 615 and 376 μg/g, dry wt, respectively) are found in oysters (Crassostrea gigas), and the values are much higher than those of the other organisms by about 1.7–208 and 1.8–375 times, respectively. Similarly, Thais clavigera has a high capacity for accumulating Cu and Zn collected from the same location. One interesting point is that relatively high As concentrations (GM = 65.7 μg/g, dry wt) in Thais clavigera are found as compared with those in other organisms (range from GM = 2.37 to 40.2 μg/g, dry wt). The As concentrations are significantly higher in Thais clavigera (1.62–27.7 times) than those in other organisms (p < 0.05), except for the false fusus (Hamifuscus tuba). A linear regression analysis shows a significant increase in Zn concentration with increasing Cu concentration in Thais clavigera. On the other hand, the As concentration is correlated with Cu and Zn concentrations (r = 0.77 and 0.77, respectively; p < 0.05) in Thais clavigera. Double logarithmic plots of metal content and concentration against dry-body weight and shell length show linear relationships. The result indicates that large individuals have higher contents of Cu, Zn and As, and have slopes of 1.58, 1.38, and 1.34, respectively. In addition, metal concentrations against shell length for all animal sizes also indicate that Cu, Zn and As have slopes of 1.92, 1.18, and 1.11, respectively. In conclusion, Thais clavigera has a high capactiy for accumulating As, Cu, and Zn and is a potential bioindicator for monitoring As, Cu and Zn. Received: 8 February 1996/Revised: 15 June 1996     

Albumin, transferrin and α2-macroglobulin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid following exposure to organic dust in healthy subjects

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to investigate leakage of plasma proteins in connection with the inflammatory airway reaction following exposure to dust in a pig house. Inhalation of swine-house dust causes intense inflammation with influx of inflammatory cells, predominantly neutrophils, into the airways. The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of three different proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid as markers for the inflammation. Methods: In twenty healthy, non-allergic, non-smokers, not previously exposed to farm dust, BAL was performed ≈2 weeks before and 24 h after 3 h of exposure to swine dust in a swine-confinement building. Differential cell count and protein concentration were assessed in BAL fluid. Albumin (66.5 kDa) and α₂-macroglobulin (720 kDa) were quantified by the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques, and transferrin (80 kDa) by zone immunoelectrophoresis assay. The coefficient of variation for repeated protein measurements was <9%. Results: α₂-Macroglobulin concentration increased six-fold, from 68.0 (36.1–99.9) μg/l, mean (95% CI) before exposure to 411.2 (254.0–568.4) μg/l after exposure (P < 0.001). Transferrin and albumin increased from 19.7 (16.2–23.1) mg/l and 1.8 (1.4–2.2) mg/l, 2.6 and 1.9 times, respectively (P < 0.001). There was significant correlation between the exposure-induced increased protein levels in BAL fluid, although α₂-macroglobulin was a better discriminator of pre- and post-exposure concentrations than were albumin and transferrin. There was a significant correlation between the exposure-induced BAL-fluid neutrophilia and the increase in α₂-macroglobulin and transferrin, but not for albumin. This correlation was found only when pre- and post- differences, but not ratios, of plasma proteins were compared. Conclusions: The levels of plasma proteins increased in BAL fluid following exposure to swine-house dust. α₂-Macroglobulin was a better marker of this plasma leakage than were albumin and transferrin. Received: 25 July 2000 / Accepted: 10 November 2000     

Effects of biomass burning on pulmonary functions in tribal women in northeastern India

Wood smoke causes adverse effects on pulmonary function (PF) in women in developing countries. This study compared PF among rural tribal women in northeastern India among 266 wood users and 82 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) users, all healthy nonsmoking women from April to July, 2014. PF measurements included FVC, FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, PEF, and FEF_25–75%. Information on participants’ health status, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics were collected by questionnaire. Multiple linear regressions were performed to compare PF between the two groups, adjusting for potential confounders. Wood users had significantly lower pulmonary values than LPG users: FVC (2.65 vs. 2.85 L, p < .001), FEV₁ (1.46 vs. 1.92 L, p < .001), PEF (1.89 vs. 2.56 L/s, p < .001), and FEF_25–75% (1.12 vs. 1.68 L/s, p < .001) except for FEV₁/FVC (76.5 vs. 75.5 percent, p = .27). Wood use was associated with 7 percent lower FVC, 24 percent lower FEV₁, 1.3 percent lower FEV₁/FVC, 26 percent lower PEF, and 33 percent lower FEEF_25–75% compared to LPG use. Wood use was associated with a 0.27-L decrease in FEV₁, adjusted for covariates. Women cooking with wood had lower PF and more respiratory symptoms and gastritis than those using LPG. Thus, reducing indoor air pollution from biomass burning is needed to protect tribal women’s health.