ECG alteration due to prolong exposure to natural gas leakage containing sulfur compounds in polluted areas of Masjid-I-Sulaiman (south of Iran)

This study was performed on 89 female healthy students with mean age 17 years who have lived in sulfur compounds contaminated areas of Masjid-I-Sulaiman (MIS). In order to determine the effects of sour gas containing sulfur compounds on some electrical activity of the heart, electrocardiogram was recorded. QT(c) interval, PR interval, QRS complex and total sum of bipolar limb leads amplitude of R waves were analyzed and compared to standard values by using one sample t-test at P<0.05 as the significant level. The results showed that PR interval and R amplitude were less than those of standard values. However, QT(c) interval and QRS complex were not significantly different from their normal values. It can be concluded that chronic exposure to sour gas containing hydrogen sulfide contaminated air may provoke alterations of electrical activity of the heart.     

Hematological changes in hospital workers due to chronic exposure to low levels of ethylene oxide

We conducted a cross-sectional study to determine whether occupational exposure to low levels of ethylene oxide can cause hematological abnormalities. Blood samples were collected from a group of 47 hospital workers who were exposed to ethylene oxide during a mean period of 6.6 years (standard error, 1.1). Ethylene oxide range levels measured were < 0.01 to 0.06 ppm. The control group, individually matched by age, sex, and smoking habits, consisted of 88 workers from the administrative sector. We found significant differences between the exposed and the control group in the frequency of workers with white blood cells lower than the normal range. Although there was no significant difference in the absolute mean number of the total white blood cells, we found an elevation in the absolute mean number of monocytes and eosinophils (P < 0.01) and a decrease (P < 0.01) in the absolute mean number of lymphocytes in the exposed group compared with the control group. We also found an elevation (P < 0.01) in the percentage of hematocrit and the mean absolute number of the red blood cells, and a decrease (P < 0.01) in the mean absolute number of platelets, in the exposed group compared with the control group. The mean absolute number of eosinophils, red blood cells, and percentage of hematocrit was significantly higher, and the mean absolute number of lymphocytes and platelets was significantly lower, in the subgroups with a higher cumulative dose of exposure. A positive dose-response was found between cumulative dose exposure and the absolute mean number of eosinophils. In view of our findings, we suggest that the use of complete blood cells with differential in routine medical surveillance and for early detection of hygiene problems should be reexamined with special attention to the eosinophils count.     

Hematological, immunological, and cardiovascular changes in individuals residing in a polluted city of India: a study in Delhi

Exposure to poor air quality is associated with a multitude of hematological and immunological alterations. Cardio vascular diseases, rather than respiratory ailments, are the most important cause of death from air pollution exposure. Thus, hematological, immunological and cardiovascular alterations in healthy individuals exposed to vehicular pollution (one of the leading source of air pollution in growing metropolitan cities) are investigated in this study. A total number of 2218 (21-65 years old) adults residing in Delhi participated in this study. As control, 642 age and sex matched healthy subjects from the rural areas of Uttaranchal were enrolled. Arterial blood pressure (BP) was measured by a sphygmomanometer. Blood samples were collected and routine hematology was done. Lymphocyte subset analysis and platelet P-selectin expression was measured by flow cytometry. Air quality data was collected from Central and State Pollution Control Boards and was also measured onsite by portable, battery-operated laser photometer. The prevalence of hypertension was nearly 4-times higher in Delhi when compared to the control. Platelet P-selectin was remarkably upregulated in residents of Delhi. They had depleted number of CD4+ T-helper cells and CD19+ B cells but elevated level of CD56+ natural killer cells. Altered lymphocyte subtypes and increased number of P-selectin-positive platelets suggest altered immunity (that may compromise body's defense against infections) and hypercoagulable state, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The current study has identified poor air quality of Delhi as a key contributor to several adverse health conditions experienced by the general population of the city, which not only makes the quality of life compromised but also put them at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular ailments later in life.     

Evaluation of workers' exposure to dust, ammonia and endotoxin in poultry industries at the province of Isfahan, Iran

This study was conducted to assess various environmental exposure measurements (total dust, ammonia and endotoxin) of poultry workers at the province of Isfahan, Iran. The results show that the workers who worked in enclosed systems of parent stock barns have the highest exposure to total and respirable dust: 21.3 +/- 3.2 and 4.6 +/- 0.9 mg/m3, respectively. In comparison with different ages of chicken, the highest concentration of total and respirable dust were 5.4 +/- 0.7 and 3.3 +/- 0.7 mg/m3 in the 45th day. In the above mentioned situation, the results of endotoxin concentrations were 20.6 +/- 1.1, 23.6 +/- 2.2, 21.3 +/- 1.2 and 26.8 +/- 1.8 ng/m3, respectively. Ammonia concentrations had the highest rate in enclosed systems of laying hens in winter and the 45th day of chicken age, measuring 33.2 +/- 5.2 and 20.2 +/- 3.0 mg/m3, respectively.     

Pulmonary function study in the identified critically polluted areas of Talcher (Orissa)

Angul-Talcher area of Orissa is an industrial complex of diversities of industries, which released large number of pollutants into the environment causing environmental pollution and affect the community people as well as the workers working there. Considering the magnitude of the problem pulmonary function study had been carried out in to the community people of this polluted area. The pulmonary function tests (PFT) were carried out in 1099 male and 1072 female subjects except the children below the age of 10 years. Vital capacity (VC) and Forced vital capacity (FVC) were recorded in standing posture. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and its percentage (FEV1%) were calculated. The PFT results indicated that in male and female subjects of 10-19 year age group the FVC values were significantly lowered in exposed villagers in comparison to control subjects. In all other age ranges some of the differences have been found to be significant at various levels. The mean values of FVC and FEV1 were higher in control villagers of most of the age groups than that of the exposed villagers PFT values were also presented according to smoking habit. Restrictive type of PFT impairment were noticed more. The male villagers of Gurjunguli showed the maximum - 40.9% followed by Digghi-39.1%, Kulad-35%, Tentuli- 23.4%, Bonda - 16.3%, Gadarkhai-15.4% and Balanda-13.5%. In females the sequence of having higher incidence rate of restrictive diseases were Digghi-37.0%, Tentuli-29.0%, Gurjunguli-25.3%, Kulad - 21.5%, Gadarkhai - 15.3%, Balanda - 15.3% and Bonda - 13.7%. In control village restrictive impairment were 10.7% in male and 7.4% in females. Obstructive types of impairments are comparatively less than restrictive type of impairments. Control male and female subjects had 7.1% and 5.7% of obstructive impairments and they are mostly belonged to higher age groups. In exposed villages obstructive impairments were found in Godarkhai - 6.4%, Kulad - 5.0%, Digghi - 4.2%, Tentuli - 2.6% and Balanda - 1.8% in males and the corresponding figures 5.0%, Digghi - 4.2%, Tentuli - 2.6% and Balanda - 1.8% in males and the corresponding figures in the females were Gadarkhai - 3.0%, Kulad - 2.6%, Digghi - 3.7% Tentuli - 3.0%) and Balanda - 4.0% respectively. The combined types of impairments were more in exposed subjects and they were belonged to higher age groups. The higher prevalence's might be due to the pollution effects of industries situated in and around the concerned villages. Categorically mild type of obstructive impairments was more in control subjects and they belonged to 50 and above year's age group. It is well known that the higher age accounted for lowering PFT values, which might be in the form of mild obstruction.     

Murine immunological and histological changes in response to chronic silica exposure

The relationship between immunological and histological changes was studied in mice exposed to silica dust over a period of 39 weeks. The response of these mice to Escherichia coli antigens given as an aerosol was suppressed in the spleen at all times tested, while in the mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) an initial enhancement at 9 weeks was followed by suppression of responses at all subsequent times.The development of silica-induced lesions also was studied using histological methods. With polarized light, silica-laden aggregations of macrophages were observed in the lungs after 24, 33, 36, and 39 weeks. Using scanning electron microscopy, numerous macrophages were frequently present in respiratory airways of silica-exposed animals. Typical silicotic lesions were observed in lungs and adjacent lymph nodes after 39 weeks of exposure.     

Ultrastructural changes in the liver after chronic exposure to methylmercury.

Adult male rats were injected daily with 1.0 mg/kg methylmercuric chloride for 5 weeks. Tissue samples from the liver were obtained at time intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 11 weeks for electron microscopic examination. A moderate accumulation of glycogen and proliferation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum was found in many hepatocytes after 1–2 weeks of intoxication. Swelling, pleomorphic, and degenerative changes of the hepatic mitochondria could be observed after the second week of methylmercury administration. After 3–5 weeks of intoxication, increased peribiliary accumulation of lysosomes, and large areas of focal cytoplasmic degradation were prominent pathological findings. Moderate accumulation of lipoprotein granules within dilated cisternae of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi vesicle was observed in some hepatocytes after 5 weeks of continuous exposure to methylmercury. Large cytosegresomes containing various degenerating organelles were a frequent observation throughout the experimental period. Many of these cytosegresomes were being extruded into the sinusoidal spaces and engulfed by the Kupffer cells. At the eleventh week (6 weeks of recovery), various degenerative changes still could be found in some hepatocytes. Such long-lasting pathological changes in the liver are believed to be due to the effects of the residual and the recirculating mercury.     

Childhood physical abnormalities following paternal exposure to sulfur mustard gas in Iran: a case-control study

Background

Mustard gas, a known chemical weapon, was used during the Iran-Iraq war of 1980-1988. We aimed to determine if exposure to mustard gas among men was significantly associated with abnormalities and disorders among progenies.

Methods

Using a case-control design, we identified all progenies of Sardasht men (exposed group, n = 498), who were born at least nine months after the exposure, compared to age-matched controls in Rabat, a nearby city (non-exposed group, n = 689). We conducted a thorough medical history, physical examination, and appropriate paraclinical studies to detect any physical abnormality and/or disorder. Given the presence of correlated data, we applied Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) multivariable models to determine associations.

Results

The overall frequency of detected physical abnormalities and disorders was significantly higher in the exposed group (19% vs. 11%, Odds Ratio [OR] 1.93, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.37-2.72, P = 0.0002). This was consistent across sexes. Congenital anomalies (OR 3.54, 95% CI, 1.58-7.93, P = 0.002) and asthma (OR, 3.12, 95% CI, 1.43-6.80, P = 0.004) were most commonly associated with exposure. No single abnormality was associated with paternal exposure to mustard gas.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates a generational effect of exposure to mustard gas. The lasting effects of mustard gas exposure in parents effects fertility and may impact child health and development in the long-term.     

Acute and chronic health effects due to green tobacco exposure in agricultural workers

BACKGROUND: An epidemiological study was undertaken in Gujarat, India to study the acute and chronic health effects of occupational exposure to green tobacco. METHODS: Non-Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) tobacco is the main crop in many districts of Central Gujarat. Three villages were selected from Anand district for the study and a random sample of 685 exposed workers were examined. Six hundred and fifty-five control workers with the same socio-economic status were examined from two villages where tobacco was not cultivated. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of green tobacco sickness (GTS) was 47.0% among tobacco workers. The prevalence in women workers was 55.7% while in men workers it was 42.66%. To detect the chronic health effects prevalence of hypertension, electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities, and eye problems in all the workers and reproductive abnormalities in women workers, all subjects received a medical examination. The data were compared in exposed and control group but they were non-significant statistically. No case of tobacco amblyopia was detected. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of GTS among non-FCV tobacco workers is high. However, from viewpoint of severity it can be considered as mild acute nicotine toxicity, which is relieved without medication. No significant difference is observed as regards to chronic health effects among tobacco workers and control workers.     

Association between nutritional status and arsenicosis due to chronic arsenic exposure in Bangladesh

The role of nutritional factors in arsenic metabolism and toxicity is not clear. Provision of certain low protein diets resulted in decreased excretion of DMA and increased tissue retention of arsenic in experimental studies. This paper reports a prevalence comparison study conducted in Bangladesh to assess the nutritional status among the chronic arsenic exposed and unexposed population. 138 exposed individuals diagnosed as arsenicosis patients were selected from three known arsenic endemic villages of Bangladesh and age, sex matched 144 unexposed subjects were randomly selected from three arsenic free villages. The mean arsenic concentration in drinking water for the exposed and unexposed population was 641.15 and 13.5 microg L(-1) respectively. Body Mass Index was found to be lower than 18.5, the cut off point for malnutrition, in 57 (41.31%) out of 138 exposed arsenicosis cases and 31 (21.53%) out of 144 unexposed individuals. The crude prevalence ratio (or risk) was 1.92 (95% CI = 1.33-2.78) for poor nutritional status among the arsenicosis cases compared to the unexposed population. The findings of this study add to the evidence that poor nutritional status may increase an individual's susceptibility to chronic arsenic toxicity, or alternatively that arsenicosis may contribute to poor nutritional status.     

Respiratory effects from work-related exposure to welding fumes in Hamadan, Iran

The authors studied respiratory symptoms and lung function among welders at welding workshops, and among nonwelders, in Hamadan, Iran. They used a questionnaire to record demographic data, smoking habits, and respiratory symptoms. The authors measured pulmonary functions with subjects standing upright. They collected metal fume samples from the respiratory zone of workers and analyzed the samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of iron and manganese were higher than threshold limit values. The prevalence of asthma and clinical symptoms was higher in welders than nonwelders. Also, bronchitis was more common among welders (17.45%) than among nonwelders (2.56%). The average respiratory function values of welders were lower than those of nonwelders, with a significant difference between the means (p < 0.001 for all terms). The results of this study also strongly suggest a synergistic relationship between the effects of smoking and welding exposure.