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Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Book of Abstracts
Edited by
Olavi Manninen
"Think globally and act locally for total environment in Takatsuki"
Tenth International ICCEF Conference on The Combined Actions and Combined Effects
of Environmental Factors is held in Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan, at the Citizen Hall
(Takatsuki Gendai Gekijo), on 28-31 August 2002, under the auspices of The International
Society for Complex Environmental Studies (ISCES) in cooperation with many
internationally honored experts, Japanese companies and organizations representing
different fields and activities. The practical arrangements are taking care of Department
of Hygiene and Public Health Osaka Medical College, Japan.
This Book of Abstracts consists of 37 reviewed, accepted, and edited abstracts involving
presentations at the conference and being published in the international periodical
Archives of Complex Environmental Studies ACES 14(3-4)2002 (CDROM).
_______________________________________________
Publishing Office S. Siuro, Tampere, Finland
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
PREFACE
On behalf of the Organizing Committee of the 10th International Conference on the
Combined Effects of Environmental Factors, I would like to express to delegates my hearty
welcome to Takatsuki, cultural city with clean water and rich greenery.
We are pleased to have the opportunity, during the conference to exchange scientific
thought and experiences with our colleagues and to review recent developments in
researches on the combined effects of environmental factors. Progress in this area of science
has been achieved through contributions from many scientific disciplines; from chemistry,
biochemistry and physiology to public health and ecology. Demands for knowledge in this
area are increasing in the work places as a result of new health issues related to new type of
chemicals and work conditions. Researches, through such interdisciplinary approaches,
are thus poised to make significant advances in the future. International co-operation in this
field is of the essence. There is no doubt that increased knowledge of the functional effects of
complex environmental factors on human health can help provide a clearer understanding
of their roles more broadly, in the environment as a whole.
The 10th International Conference on the Combined Effects of Environmental Factors
(ICCEF 2002) was organized under the auspices of the International Society of
Complex Environmental Studies (ISCES). The Conference was cooperated with the
Nakayama International Center for Medical Co-operation, and supported by WHO Kobe
Centre, Osaka Medical Association and the City of Takatsuki. I wish to thank them all for
their logical support, and also to express my gratitude to Osaka Pharmaceutical
Manufacturers Association and that of Tokyo, and other corporations for their financial
support.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Professor Olavi Manninen, the
President of ISCES, and Professors Guifan Sun and Ming-Ho Yu, International advisors
ICCEF2002, for their efforts, kind help and encouragement to us in organizing ICCEF 2002 in
Takatsuki. I also wish to express my cordial thanks to all the members of the organizing
committee for their great efforts.
Koichi Kono
Chairman of ICCEF 2002
Professor, Department of Hygiene and Public Health
Director, Nakayama International Center for Medical Coorporation
Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka, Japan
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Officers of ICCEF 2002 Conference
Conference President
Olavi Manninen
(Prof. of Institute for High Ability of Work Organizations, Business Research Centre,
University of Tampere, Finland)
Conference Chairman
Koichi Kono
(Prof. of Department of Hygiene and Public Health Osaka Medical College, Japan)
Co - Chairman
Masayuki Iki (Prof. of Department of Public Health, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Japan)
Honorary Chairman of the Conference
Tadahiro Tanaka (Chairman of Board of Directors, Osaka Medical College, Japan)
Honorary Advisory Members
Yuji Kawaguchi (Director of WHO Kobe Centre, Japan)
Masahisa Shirnada (President. of Osaka. Medical College, Japan)
Taro Nakayama (Member of House of Representatives, Former Foreign Minister, Japan)
Soichi Nishimura (Chairman of Board of Directors, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan)
Haruo Uematsu (President of Osaka Medical Association, Japan)
Tsutomu Okumoto (Mayor of the City of Takatsuki, Japan)
International Advisory Members
Guifan Sun (Director of School of Public Health, China Medical University, China)
Ming -- Ho Yu
(Prof. Emeritus at Huxley College of Environmental Studies, Western Washington University, USA)
Organizing Committee
Masahiko Chikuma
(Prof. of Department of Analytical Chemistry, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Japan)
Masashi Shimahara (Prof. of Department of Oral Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Japan)
Toshiro Maruyama (Former Director of Takatsuki Medical Association, Japan)
Yasuyuki Kuratani (Chief of Environment Office, Department of Environment, Takatsuki City, Japan)
Secretary General
Takemasa Watanabe
(Assoc. Prof. of Department of Hygiene and Public Health Osaka Medical College, Japan)
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS OF AUTOMOBILE TRANSPORT WORKERS AT CALCUTTA DUE TO COMBINED EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Chowdhury AR, Gangopadhyay PK, Mukherjee AK, Pradhan CK,
Chattopadhyay BP
Regional Occupational Health Centre (Indian Council of Medical Research),
Salt Lake City, Calcutta, India
The public transport workers of Calcutta including drivers, conductors,
mechanics are generally exposed to diesel exhaust in the form of diesel
particulate matter (DPM), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. benzene,
toluene, p-xylene, CO, NOx, SO2 along with heat, humidity and noise both
inside or outside the garage at work. The objective of this study is to assess
the environmental factors at transport depot and its impact on health of
automobile workers. The exposure of VOCs like benzene (drivers - 527.29
g/m3, conductors - 154.23 g/m3), toluene (drivers - 472.8 g/m3, conductors
- not detected) and p-xylene (drivers - 402.8 g/m3, conductors - 285.7 g/m3)
were much more in the case of drivers than conductors. Maximum noise (90
dB (A)-impulsive) and generator room (107.4 dB (A)) was recorded.
Numerous automobile workers are suffering from hearing problem (8.63 %).
Exposure to higher noise level may be the causative factor considering the
hearing loss which was supported by the audiometric analysis. Higher blood
pressure in the case of conductors (21.0 %) compared to drivers (10.8 %) and
mechanics (11.4 %) was also recorded and this may be due to their nature of
job at work. The effect of dust and VOCs in the garage condition may be
responsible for the PFT change. Pain and discomfort (71.42 %) in various
musculoskeletal functions were reported by the drivers. Therefore, physical
and chemical factors in the garage environment are responsible for the
health hazards of automobile transport workers.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
COMBINED EFFECTS OF OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS: THE IMPACT OF COMBINED STRESSORS ON WORK PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH
McNamara RL, Wellens BT, Smith AP
Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, School of Psychology,
Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
There exists a significant body of evidence regarding the effects of
occupational hazards. These effects are often considered in isolation, yet a
significant proportion of the workforce is exposed to several hazards at a
time. The purpose of this study was to investigate the combined impact of
workplace factors on mood, cognitive performance and physiology.
Participants completed a battery of objective measures before and after
work, as previous research has shown the difference between before and
after work measures to be a good indicator of workload demands during the
day. The test battery was performed on the first and last days of the working
week. Subjective information regarding chronic and acute (i.e. daily)
exposure to hazards was also collected. Mean composite 'total negative
factors' scores were created for exposure to chronic and acute stressors (e.g.
noise, exposure to hazardous substances, job demand): median splits of
these variables were then entered into a series of ANOVA where mood,
simple reaction time and physiology served as dependent measures.
Findings indicate that chronic exposure to negative factors results in
increased susceptibility to fatigue, over the course of the testing session,
working day and working week.
COMBINED EFFECTS OF SHIFT WORK AND OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE ON PERFORMANCE TASKS IN A SEAFARING POPULATION
Wellens BT, McNamara RL, Ellis N, Smith AP
Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, School of Psychology,
Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
This study was undertaken to compliment a cross-sectional survey of the
combined effects of self-reported workplace stressors.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Data were collected from seafarers on board support vessels for the North
Sea oilrigs as part of a project on offshore fatigue. These data could also be
used specifically to address whether there were any cognitive effects
associated with working in loud noise at night that were different to
working in loud noise during the day, low noise at night or low noise during
the day. The participants were 62 male workers from 3 different vessels.
Their mean age was 40.3 years. Individuals were from a range of different
jobs onboard the vessels. There were two between-subjects factors
(day/night shift and noise exposure) and one within-subjects factor (test
session). Workers were asked to complete a battery of computer tests both
before (Pre-shift) and after (Post-shift) their shift on one day. Four tests were
presented using laptop computers. These tests were visual analogue mood
scales, a simple variable fore-period reaction time, and categoric search and
focused attention choice reaction time tasks. The mood scales were
presented at the beginning and end of the testing session. Occupational
noise exposure (Leq) was measured over a two-day period using a dosimeter.
Workers were categorized into day/night workers by their shift
pattern. Regression analyses distinguishing noise exposure, day/night shift
and their interaction were performed on the data from each test session and
the change score between the start and end of the shift. Noise exposure was
associated with a more positive mood but also with slower reaction times.
Those working night shifts showed a large drop in alertness over the course
of work and became slower at tasks requiring more difficult responses.
There were also a limited number of interactions between noise and shift,
such as more lapses of attention (very long response times) but fewer
incorrect responses in the noise/nightwork condition. The findings suggest
that these techniques may provide valuable information about the possible
combined effects of occupational stressors in situ. The present analyses are
based only on a small number of night workers and further consideration of
effects of potential confounding influences must also be undertaken.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
ADAPTATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH A HEIGHTENED STATE OF REACTIVITY TO COMBINED ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Fox R1, Joffres M1,2, Srinivas T1, Lawrence D1
1Nova Scotia Environmental Health Center, Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada 2Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie
University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is defined by heightened reactivity to
the environment and low levels of chemicals are thought to trigger
symptoms. Review of 100 patients who fulfilled MCS criteria reported
increased sense of smell (88 %), light sensitivity (74 %), and sound sensitivity
(74 %). The majority of patients demonstrate the characteristics of a Highly
Sensitive Personality and these findings are consistent with the hypothesis
that vulnerability to the environment is linked to this character trait. The
Highly Sensitive Personality appears to be a marker of high sensory
processing sensitivity in the nervous system. Very high levels of arousal are
disorganizing and may be linked to the symptoms that are experienced by
the patient with MCS. These observations were of great importance in
designing a study to investigate the impact of exposure to environmental
chemicals. The first step was to determine if patients with MCS could adapt
to the experimental environment. A Challenge Booth, made from inert
materials with no apparent odors, was constructed at the Nova Scotia
Environmental Health Centre, Canada, allowing introduction of materials
that release various chemicals into the environment. The ability to adapt or
habituate was determined by the patient's ability to achieve a stable baseline.
Subjects (MCS n=12, Controls n=7) were given time to be able to remain calm
and non-reactive to changes in exhaust fan, opening of cabinet door to allow
introduction of material, or wearing measuring equipment. The habituation
of each subject was determined by the constancy or stabilization of the
subject's physiological readings, skin conductance, skin temperature,
respiratory rate, surface EMG and heart rate, and from the selfreported
symptoms.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Eighty six per cent of controls (6) habituated in a single session while in the
MCS group, 25 % (3) required 4 sessions and 50 % (6) required 2 sessions to
habituate. Seventeen per cent (2) in the MCS group did not habituate to
baseline protocols within six sessions. Test re-test protocols showed that
while controls adapted to various stimuli or changing environmental
conditions, individuals with MCS did not. It is concluded that investigation
of individuals with MCS in an experimental environment requires a
habituation period to obtain meaningful data. It is postulated that this
difficulty in adapting to changing environmental conditions is linked to the
altered sensitivity we report in these patients with MCS and the high
sensory-processing sensitivity.
ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC CHANGES OF LOW BACK MUSCLE IN SUBJECTS WITH MANUAL HANDLING TASKS DURING DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
Inoue M, Harada N
Department of Hygiene, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine,
Minamikogushi, Ube City, Yamaguchi, Japan
To examine the effect of environmental temperature on the low back
conditions, changes in surface electromyographic data derived from the low
back muscles in healthy subjects with physically demanding jobs were
examined. The tasks were performed using three different weight materials
(5, 10, 20kg) during the different environmental temperature (5, 20, 35⁰C)
conditions. Median frequencies during the tasks significantly decreased
from 41.1±4.5 (mean±SD) to 36.1±5.0 Hz (p<0.01) with 20kg during 5⁰C
condition at the L2 right, and from 38.6±6.0 to 36.6±5.7 Hz (p<0.01) with 5 kg
during 35⁰C condition at the L2 left. It is suggested that environmental
temperature may influence the low back muscle condition during manual
handling tasks and that cold environment may induce muscle fatigue of
workers lifting heavy materials.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
EXPOSURE TO COMBINATIONS OF WORKPLACE STRESSORS AND INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF WORK-RELATED INJURIES
Wellens BT, Smith AP
Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, School of Psychology,
Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Consideration of factors associated with increased accident likelihood has
tended to concentrate on the influence of one specific factor (for example,
noise) and other influences are either not considered or are controlled for.
The aim here was to examine the influence of combinations of stressors on
the prevalence of workplace accidents using self-report measures of
exposure, health and work outcomes. Logistic regression analyses were
carried out, with "work-related/nonwork-related accident" as the dependent
variable. The main predictor was combinations of physical agents (noise,
fumes, hazardous substances) and temporal stressors (night and shift work,
long working hours). Additional predictors - the job demand-control-
support model and home-work interface (HWI) were also investigated.
Other measured predictors (i.e., age, sex and social class based on
occupation) were included in all analyses. There was some evidence for an
increased likelihood of work related accidents in those exposed to
combinations of stressors increased likelihood was largely due to
independent effects of stressors, particularly noise. Certain stressors were
also associated with a decreased risk of having a work-related accident (i.e.
unpredictable work hours). Job-demand-control-support did not have a
major impact on predicting work-/nonwork-related accident
likelihood. Prevalence of accidents at work largely reflected social class
based on occupation 'skilled manual workers' or 'partly skilled workers'
were most likely to have an accident. A much larger dataset is being
collected so (1) analyses may be stratified by occupation and (2) to increase
the number of individuals exposed to specific combinations of stressors.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF FATIGUE INDICATORS ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING IN THE OFFSHORE OIL INDUSTRY
McNamara RL, Smith AP
The Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, School of Psychology,
Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK
Offshore workers are exposed to a unique combination of factors that may
impact negatively on well-being. This paper describes results from a survey
of fatigue, health and injury amongst seafarers and installation personnel
working in the UK sector of the offshore oil industry. Potential stressors and
fatigue-related variables (e.g. noise, working hours, shift type) were
considered in terms of their combined effects on subjective outcome
measures. Median splits of these variables were summed to create a 'total
fatigue indicators' score. A quartile split of this variable was entered into a
series of ANCOVA, co-varying for age, education and socio-economic status
(SES) and stratifying for occupational group (i.e. seafarers or installation
personnel). Total fatigue indicators demonstrated a linear effect on
depression, cognitive failures, social functioning, lack of/poor quality sleep,
fatigue, and the home-work interface. Effects were more pronounced
amongst installation personnel than seafarers. This is possibly due to
fundamental differences in shift systems between the two groups of offshore
workers, as discussed. No significant effects were observed for injury
frequency, prescribed medication or smoking and alcohol consumption.
Results suggest that exposure to a combination of stressors has a significantly
greater negative effect on health than any of these factors in isolation.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
THE INTEGRATION OF COMPUTER MODELING AND EXPERIMENTAL TOXICOLOGY FOR THE STUDY OF CHEMICAL MIXTURES AND MULTIPLE STRESSORS
Yang RSH, Liao KH, Reisfeld B
Quantitative and Computational Toxicology Group, Center for
Environmental Toxicology and Technology, Colorado State University,
Foothills Campus, Fort Collins, USA
Human exposure to chemicals is rarely, if ever, confined to a single
compound. Therefore, the study of chemical mixture toxicology has gained a
great deal of momentum in recent years. Since the Persian Gulf War in 1991
and the ensuing Gulf War Syndrome in about 10 % of the Gulf War veterans
in the U.S., there has been a heightened awareness that "Multiple Stressors",
not chemical alone, are responsible for adverse health effects. Considering
chemicals and chemical mixtures alone is already an extremely complex
issue because of the astronomical number of possible chemical
mixtures. How are we able to face the infinite combinations of "Multiple
Stressors" which may include chemical, physical, biological agents, as well
as nutritional, environmental and psychological factors? Such immense
complexities certainly preclude any systematic experimental assessment of
toxicology of all potentially troublesome multiple stressors. However, if we
were to concentrate on the biological processes affected by the multiple
stressors, we would then be dealing with a "finite system" and the potential
for success would be much greater. Thus, we believe that the utilization of
computer modeling and focused mechanistic studies may be the only
promising approach to dealing with this problem, and to offer a ray of hope
for developing a predictive tool. In the past 15 years or so, physiologically
based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PBPK/PD) modeling has been
applied to the toxicologic interactions of chemical mixtures. This approach
is promising for relatively simple chemical mixtures. Unfortunately, there
have been few attempts to develop paradigms to consider the risks posed by
very complex chemical mixtures and very complex systems.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Recent collaboration between our laboratory at Colorado State University
and engineers at Rutgers University attempting to apply "Reaction Network
Modeling" to biomedical research has created a possible development of a
modeling approach with the potential of simulating the behavior of complex
biological systems. Once "Virtual Cells", "Virtual Organs", and "Virtual
Humans" becomes a reality, predicting the outcome of toxicological
consequences of complex chemical mixtures and multiple stressors may
merely be considered as perturbations of the normal cells, normal organs
and average humans.
COMBINED EFFECT OF VIBRATION, NOISE AND COLD EXPOSURE ON PATHOGENESIS OF HAND-ARM VIBRATION SYNDROME
Harada N1, Iwamoto M2, Yoneda J2, Nakamoto M1, Inoue M1, Fujimura T1,
Morita H1, Inagaki J1, Suizu K1
1Department of Hygiene, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube,
Japan 2Faculty of Health Sciences, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube,
Japan
Combined effect of vibration, noise and cold exposure, especially autonomic
nervous effect, on pathogenesis of the hand-arm vibration syndrome is
discussed. Acute exposure experiment involving healthy subjects indicated
that noise and cold exposures potentiated the effects of vibration exposure
for 10 min on plasma norepinephrine level. Whole-body cooling test for 30
min involving workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration indicated that
workers with vibration induced white finger (VWF) symptom, followed by
workers without VWF, had a significantly greater increase of plasma
norepinephrine level than the healthy control subjects. Previous reports of
animal experiment pointed out that short-term vibration exposure induced
relaxing effect on smooth muscle. It may be hypothesized that hand-
transmitted vibration has directly vasodilatation effects on local vessels and
indirect effect through the sympathetic nervous system is vasoconstriction;
the sympathetic reactivity induced by vibration, noise and cold exposures,
may be stressed by antagonistic effect to the vasodilatation.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SOUNDS UNDER COMBINED ENVIRONMENT OF TEMPERATURE AND COLOR
Matsubara N1, Gassho A2, Kurazumi Y1, Herai Y1
1Department of Environmental Design, Kyoto Prefectural University, Hangi-
cho, Shimogamo, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan, 2Faculty of Regional Studies, Gifu University, Yanagido, Gifu, Japan
The purpose of this study is to clarify the combined effects of environmental
sound, temperature, and color on the evaluation of an indoor environment.
The subjects were 12 male students. Six kinds of environmental sound were
used as presentation sounds. The walls of a chamber were covered with
curtains, and the color stimulus was shown by the color of these curtains.
The illumination was 1150 lux in light blue (2.5PB9/6) and 1200 lux in orange
(2.5YR6/16). The temperature conditions were 20.5, 24.5, and 28.5oC (RH=50
%). Thermal sensation and the thermal comfort vote were measured using a
7-point scale. These scales were prepared to evaluate the thermal
environment specifically. We prepared 23 SD scales to rate the impression of
the whole room as a nonspecific evaluation. The skin temperature of each
subject was measured by a four-point method using T type thermocouples.
The measurement interval was 15 seconds. The most remarkable results were
shown in the impression of "warm-cool". The results of ANOVA showed that
the main effects of temperature and color were significant, and that the
interactions between each factor were also significant.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
APPLICATION OF THE COMBINED EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES ON THE HUMAN RESPONSES TO SOUNDSCAPE DESIGN FOR UNIVERSAL COMFORT
Nagano K1, Matsubara N2, Kurazumi Y2, Narumi D3, Horikoshi T4
1Department of Industrial Design, Kyushu Institute of Design, Fukuoka,
Japan 2Department of Environmental Design, Kyoto Prefectural University, Kyoto,
Japan 3Department of Environmental Engineering, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan 4Department of Environmental Technology & Urban Planning, Graduate
School of Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan
The purpose of this study is to clarify what sound is pleasant in human
environment and what circumstance is pleasant for the humans. Twenty-one
male students were exposed to the 32 combined conditions of temperature
levels (19, 24⁰C (SET*)), illumination levels (5, 530 lux) and environmental
sound sources ("air conditioning noise", "wind-bell", "insects in autumn",
"wavelet on sandy beach", "train", "chirping birds", "robust cicada", "heavy
rain"). The subjects reported the impression and sensation of the exposed
environment on the ballot after presenting the sound stimuli every 150
seconds during 60 seconds exposure. The results showed that natural
sounds of chirping birds, insects in autumn and wavelet on sandy beach
improved the uncomfortable evaluation in 19⁰C-5 lux condition. However,
the same stimuli were found not always to have the similar effect on neutral
feelings resulting from another thermal and lighting condition. It is
concluded that the soundscape design is only effective in improving
environmental assessment under moderate uncomfortable conditions.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS RELATED WITH PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY: HEALTH IMPACTS OF CHILDREN LIVING IN THE VICINITY
Popov T, Lyubomirova K
Department of Toxicology, National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology
and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria
An epidemiological study was conducted in the vicinity of the biggest
petrochemical plant on the Balkans. 713 children (1-15 years old) living in a
downwind village were chosen for the investigations compared with 633
children from two control villages. Monitoring of the ambient air with OPSIS
system registered benzene in concentration above TLV constantly during the
period. Questionnaire (used in ISAAC) was filled for all the children.
Spirometry, skin testing, blood counting, determination of serum
concentration of total IgE, Eosinophil Cation Protein (ECP) and Clara Cell
Protein (CC16) were performed. The questionnaire showed 3-7 times higher
prevalence of symptoms of respiratory system. Positive prick tests were
registered to house dust and feather in 17,3 % of exposed children and 5,2 %
of controls. Decreased lung indices (FVC, FEV1) were registered in 42 % of
the exposed children and 20 % of controls (p<0,05). 26,2 % of exposed
children had increased concentration of tIgE and 10,4 % of the controls.
Serum CC16 was decreased in 20,0 % of exposed and in 9,5 % of controls.
Odds ratios of the investigated criteria were determined. The results
obtained allow suggesting a hypothesis for the potential of p-benzoquinone
and hydroquinone- sensitizing metabolites of benzene, locally
biotransformed by Clara cells rich of cyt P450- to affect lung tissue. It could
explain the registered increase bronchi sensitivity to common aeroallergens
and the obstruction of terminal bronchi, the decreased of serum CC16
concentration and its anti-inflammatory and protective effects.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
ASSAY OF MIXTURES OF WIDELY USED IN UKRAINE PESTICIDES FOR PROMOTING ACTIVITY AND GENOTOXIC EFFECTS
Nedopytanska N, Kravchuk A, Kornuta N, Bagley E
Medved's Institute of Ecohygiene and Toxicology, Kiev, Ukraine
Pesticides are the high biological-active compounds that are specially
disseminated in environmental. It is evident that to prevent negative effect
of pesticides, especially carcinogenic effects are very important for public
health. The mixtures of 3 pesticides commonly found in the Ukraine have
been assayed in rat liver carcinogenesis. Composition of the pesticide
mixture was: Decis, Polyram and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on
the level of residues that contaminate foodstuffs. To determine promoting
activity we evaluated induction of preneoplastic foci in diethylnitrosamine-
initiated hepatocytes, by positive gammaglutamyl-transpeptidase (GGTase)
staining in liver slides. No significant increases in number and area (mm2)
per slide unit area (cm2) of GGTase-positive foci could be observed in
pesticides-treated rats with respect to controls only initiated with
diethylnitrosamine. The organotropic genotoxic effects this mixture and each
of pesticide separate studied by means of alkaline unwinding assay DNA in
cells of liver, kidney, lung, spleen and bone marrow. No increases single-
stranded breaks (SSB DNA) could be observed in testing organs after
mixture administration. The studies of genotoxic effects of each of pesticide
separately show weak increasing SSB DNA in cells of liver, kidney and bone
marrow, but on the level of higher doses. Therefore the widely used
complex pesticides, which may penetrate to human organism on the level of
residues, are not the potential carcinogenic risk.
ANOTHER VIEW FOR TWA OF CARBON DISULFIDE BASED ON CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF EXPOSED WORKERS
Popov T, Nikolova V, Mihailova A, Panev T, Chohadjieva D
National Center of Hygiene, Medical Ecology and Nutrition, Sofia, Bulgaria
TLV-TWA values of CS2 vary for the particular countries from 1 mg/m3 to 30
mg/m3. The epidemiological studies show increase health risk of chronic
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
exposure to CS2. 110 volunteer–workers from a viscose rayon factory were
enrolled. They were divided into 5 groups in dependence of CS2
concentrations of exposure. 28 health volunteers without professional
exposure to CS2 were selected as a control group. A significant correlation
(r=0.996; p<0.001) was found between external exposure and excretion of 2-
thiothiazolidine-4- carboxylic acid (TTCA) in urine. The iodine-azide test
showed high linear correlation with CS2 concentration in the air exceeding
30 mg/m3. The correlation between excretion of thiocarbamate (thiourea) and
CS2 values in the air was (r=0.49; p>0,05). Determination of exposure-
response relationship showed that the increasing of the exposure lead to the
increased number of workers with high cholesterol level and LDL, and
decreased levels of HDL and ceruloplasmine. An enlarged thyroid gland
was registered in 14.4 % of workers of the group with the highest CS2
concentration. The frequency among the women of the same group was
more than 30 %. Analysis of the results gave a base to propose TLV-TWA for
CS2 exposure 10 mg/m3 (3,2 ppm). The corresponding concentration of
TTCA in urine is 1,7 mg/g or 1,2 mmol/mol creatinine.
PILOT STUDY OF CHALLENGE BOOTH TESTING IN INDIVIDUALS WITH MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES
Joffres M1,2, Fox R1, Srinivas T1, Lawrence D1
1Nova Scotia Environmental Health Center, Fall River, Nova Scotia, Canada 2Community Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie
University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The effects of exposure to low level chemical mixtures derived from
common household materials on patients with Environmental Sensitivities
(ES)/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and control subjects was
investigated in a single-blinded, randomized, controlled pilot study
conducted in a challenge booth at the Nova Scotia Environmental Health
Centre (NSEHC), Canada. A total of 10 patients with ES and 7 control
subjects participated in the pilot study. Subjects rated symptoms (eye
irritation, fatigue, headache, nausea) and environmental attributes
(temperature, lighting, and noise level in the booth) before and after a booth
session.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Measures of cognitive function, contrast sensitivity, and peak flow were
taken before and after each session. During each exposure session,
physiological readings of heart rate variability, skin temperature, skin
conductance, EMG activity at the upper trapezius, and respiratory rate were
measured. All subjects had nose plugs and could not smell the substances.
Cases and controls had reached stability in their measurements or
habituated to the baseline protocols of the study before being challenged by
the test or control substance. ES patients only showed a distinct variation in
physiological response to exposures to the irritants in comparison to the
control group; 90 % had changes in skin conductance; 50 % in surface EMG
to glue; 50 % showed changes in skin conductance, 30 % in their surface
EMG, 20 % in respiratory patterns, and 20 % in skin temperature to a body
wash solution; 100 % showed changes in skin conductance and 30 % in
surface EMG to dryer sheet. Only one control showed a change in skin
conductance from exposure to body wash solution. Test- retest showed
consistency in the ES responses and in controls. ES patients had a higher rate
of self-reported symptoms to the test substances than the controls. This pilot
study demonstrated the importance of a habituation period in this type of
experimental design and showed for the first time differences in reactivity to
common chemicals among people with ES.
PURIFICATION EFFECTS OF PLANTS FOR INDOOR AIR-POLLUTION IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Sawada A1, Yoshida T1, Oyabu T2, Okada A2, Takenaka K3, Manninen O4
1School of Knowledege Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and
Technology, Asahidai, Tatsunokuchi, Ishikawa, Japan 2Graduate School of Regional Economic Systems, Kanazawa Seiryo
University, Ushi, Gosyo-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan 3Takenaka Garden Afforestation, Inc., Funabori, Edogawa, Japan 4Institute of High Ability of Work Organizations, Business Research Centre,
University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
Plants have purification capabilities for indoor air pollutants and offensive
odors. In this study, plants were set in a university hospital. Total Volatile
Organic Compounds (TVOC) and odors were measured to examine
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
purification effects of plants. The temperature of the plant leaves of each pot,
soil surface and each room temperature were also measured. As for the
results, the purification capability became higher as an amount of installed
plants was higher. It was understood that plants had the high purification
capability after several days from when those plants were installed. It was
confirmed that the concentration of indoor air pollutants could be lower
than outside air level with the use of plants. There was a strong correlation
between outputs of a TVOC sensor and an odor sensor. It was, however,
recognized that these sensors had somewhat different characteristics in the
lower concentration range. The leaf temperature and the soil surface
temperature were expressed as a function of room temperature. It was
recognized that the increasing rate for leaf temperatures was higher than the
soil temperatures as room temperatures were higher.
THE PRODUCTIVE WORK FORCE ISSUE CALLS FOR NEW COMBINED ACTIONS
Manninen O
Institute for High Ability of Work Organizations, Business Research Centre,
University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
Because of the prospective reduction in the availability of labor it is a wise
policy to take good care of the present employees. The correct utilization
and well-being of labor requires taking many simultaneous measures in the
work organizations. Our latest experiences and knowledge indicate that the
main point here is how to combine the work ability of employees with
economic productivity in a new way. This way is based on the notion that
the business goals of a company can be achieved most reliably by healthy,
motivated and satisfied personnel. This is a very topical multidisciplinary
task for which a new research, education and development institute was
founded at the University of Tampere. Together with Finnish and foreign
experts the institute creates three types of new products to promote people's
work ability (and lifetime learning), knowledge management, and incentive
activities, motivation and rewarding systems.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON IMMUNOLOGICAL EFFECT OF NOISE EXPOSURE IN MICE—PRELIMINARY HYPOTHESIS OF INFLUENCE OF NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEM
Ariizumi M, Zheng K-C, Fong K
Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of the
Ryukyus, Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
The immune responses of mice exposed to noise stress 12 hours daily for 18
days were investigated. Immune responses were estimated by antibody
production to sheep red blood cell (SRBC), lymphoproliferation response
and relative change of lymphocyte subsets in the thymus and spleen, with
reference to plasma corticosteroid and catecholamine levels. A decrease in
antibody response to SRBC, with an increase of plasma corticosteroid levels
and a decrease in total number of thymocyte, were observed in mice
challenged with SRBC on the 7th day of noise exposure. The antibody
response, however, was enhanced over control levels in mice challenged on
the 18th day, with a decrease in corticosteroid levels and an increase in
thymocyte number. The catecholamine level increased considerably after
onset of the noise stress. A decrease of CD4/CD8 double negative cells, with
a relative increase of CD4/CD8 double positive cells, was also observed in
the thymus on day 3. Both CD4+ and CD8+ single positive cells also
decreased significantly in the thymus. These results suggest that depression
of T-cell differentiation lineage in the thymus occurred in the stressed mice.
The relative number of CD4+/CD8- (helper type) lymphocytes decreased in
the spleen of mice on the 3rd day of the noise stress. Changes in the relative
population of the lymphocyte subset, however, recovered to nearly normal
levels on the 18th day of the experiment. These results indicate that the noise
stress has an essentially enhancing effect on the immune system, although a
transient suppression of the immune response was observed in the acute
period of noise stress. The effects of noise stress on the immune system were
clearly related to the neuroendocrine system.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
BLOOD CARBOXYHEMOGLOBIN AFTER EXPOSURE TO DICHLOROMETHANE AND CARBON MONOXIDE IN RATS
Teramoto K, Kiyota I, Endo G
Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, Osaka City
University Medical School, Asahimachi, Abeno, Osaka, Japan
Dichloromethane (DCM) a widely used industrial chemical can be
metabolized to CO and observed as COHb. In occupational and general
environments, COHb is produced from CO due to incomplete combustion.
The aim of this study was to compare the changes in COHb after exposure to
DCM with exposure CO and after single exposure to DCM or to CO using
rats. Male SD rats were divided into 7 groups, and 3 groups were exposed
to 500, 200 or 50 ppm of DCM for 4 hours, one group to 300 ppm CO for 30
minutes and the remaining 3 groups were exposed to 500, 200 or 50 ppm of
DCM for 4 hours and then to 300 ppm CO for 30 minutes. Both DCM in
blood after exposure to DCM and after exposure to DCM with subsequent
exposure to CO decreased exponentially, with a half-life of 13 minutes. The
half-life of COHb after 4-hour exposure to DCM was 58 minutes, that after
30-minute exposure to CO was about 37 minutes and that after 4-hour
exposure to DCM with subsequent 30-minute exposure to CO was about 50
minutes. Further analysis showed that the COHb decrease after exposure to
DCM with subsequent exposure to CO could be expressed as a sum of an
exponential formula, and the concentration of COHb increased
additively. DCM-derived blood COHb and CO-derived blood COHb
showed additive increases on exposure to DCM with subsequent exposure
to CO.
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SYNERGIC EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO CHLORINATED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS ON RAT HEPATOTOXICITY
Honma T, Suda M, Miyagawa M
Department of Health Effects Research, National Institute of Industrial
Health, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
We investigated changes in the liver and in markers of tissue injury in rats
exposed to chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. Changes in plasma
lipoproteins were very sensitive compared with traditional hepatotoxicity
markers such as GOT (ALT) and GPT (AST). Plasma lipoproteins seemed to
be useful biomarkers of hepatotoxicity induced by chlorinated organic
chemicals. We estimated liver damage according to liver weight, lipid
accumulation and lipid peroxide levels in rats that had inhaled both
chemicals simultaneously for six hours. Increases in GOT, GPT, and LDH
activity and decreases in plasma lipoproteins were measured as
hepatotoxicity markers. Liver damage and changes in markers were
significantly more serious than after exposure to either chemical alone. We
found that simple criteria can discriminate synergistic from additive effects
of inhalation exposure.
CONCENTRATION-RESPONSE CURVE SLOPE ANALYSIS IN CHEMICAL MIXTURE TOXICITY
Dawson D1, Pöch G2
1Department of Biology/Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, USA 2Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Graz, Austria
Concentration-response curve data for single-chemicals and mixtures from
four selected two-chemical combinations were examined in order to
evaluate the relationship between the slopes of the curves and the combined
effect of the toxicants. The toxicity test data had been previously generated
using a 96-h frog embryo assay examining chemical-induced microcephaly
or osteolathyrism. For each combination, concentration-response curve data
for each chemical alone (A and B) and for each mixture represented a
minimum of five treatments with at least 50 embryos per treatment.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
ALLFIT was used for curve-fitting to generate slope values for statistical
comparison using the F-test, with significance at P<0.05. The combinations
selected included two pairs of osteolathyrogens previously shown to have
either dose-additive or greater-than dose-additive osteolathyritic effects in
combination and two pairs of carboxylic acids previously shown to have
less-than dose-additive or dose-additive toxicity, using the O2 goodness-of-
fit test. Mixtures with dose-additive toxicity had single-chemical and
mixture response-curve slopes that were similar, indicating a common
molecular site of action, while non-dose-additive mixtures had both single-
chemical and mixture response-curve slopes that were significantly
different, indicating either different molecular sites of action or an additional
site of action for one of the agents. The results suggest that evaluation of
concentration-response curve slopes in conjunction with combined effects
determination will provide information relevant to the molecular site of
action of the agents.
COMBINED CAUSATIVE FACTORS IN ENDEMIC FLUOROSIS
Dote T1, Usuda K1, Shimizu H1, Kawasaki T1, Mitsui T1, Kawamura K1,
Kono K1, Nagisa N2, Hashiguchi N2, Shimahara M2
1Department of Hygiene and Public Health, 2Department of Oral Surgery,
Osaka Medical College, Daigakumachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan
An outbreak of endemic fluorosis depends on oral intake dose of fluoride
(F), gastrointestinal absorption, and renal excretion capacity. All of these
factors should be investigated comprehensively, not simply the
concentration of F in drinking water. The first causative factor, oral intake is
influenced by environmental and occupational conditions, e. g., increased
water consumption avoid or relieve dehydration. The second factor,
gastrointestinal absorption, reflects dietary and physical factors. Fasting
empties the stomach, increasing concentrations gastric acid. High gastric
acidity promotes absorption of F. In turn, increased of F intake reportedly
stimulates H+ ion secretion by the gastric mucosa. The third factor,
excretion, depends on metabolic and renal factors.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Chronically low calcium intake promotes parathyroid hormone secretion,
resulting in serum acidification: This acidosis decreases F excretion. Further
hypoproteinemia caused by malnutrition decreases osmolarity, blood
volume, renal plasma flow, and ultimately glomerular filtration rate, which
decreases F excretion.
COMBINED EFFECTS ON OSTEOSCLEROSIS IN ENDEMIC SKELETAL FLUOROSIS
Dote T1, Yoshida Y1, Hayashi S1, Watanabe M1, Kono K1, Tanaka Y2,
Hashiguchi H2, Shimahara M2
1Department of Hygiene and Public health, 2Department of Oral Surgery,
Osaka Medical College, Daigakumachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan
Various bone lesions such as osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and osteosclerosis
may occur in skeletal fluorosis. Of these osteosclerotic change is relatively
unusual in other acquired diseases. Although fluoride exposure is the main
cause malnutrition aggravates fluorosis, and patients with fluorosis typically
show hyperparathyroidism. Four mechanisms of osteosclerosis in fluorosis
are hypothesized in this study. First, intermittent secretion of parathyroid
hormone (PTH) accelerates bone formation. Second, various changes in
circulating of PTH occur nutritional conditions are aggravating factor in
developing countries with many causes of fluorosis. Chronically low serum
ionized calcium (Ca2+) raises the serum Ca2+ concentration required for 50%
reduction in PTH secretion: set point. A decrease in activated vitamin D
leads to decreases in receptors in kidney and intestine for PTH and also
makes bone more resistant to PTH. Various metabolic states can improve or
aggravate these changes. Third, PTH secretion continues to be high after
normalization of Ca2+. Forth, PTH secretion is prolonged despite sufficient
Ca2+ supply, resulting from a high set point of PTH for serum Ca2+. Thus,
intermittently high serum concentrations of PTH accelerate bone formation.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
COMBINED EFFECTS OF GENETIC AND BEHAVIORAL FACTORS ON BONE DENSITY AND ITS CHANGE OVER THREE YEARS IN REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES OF THE JAPANESE WOMEN
Iki M1, Morita A1, Dohi Y2, Ikeda Y1, Kagamimori S3, Kagawa Y4 and
Yoneshima H5 for JPOS Study Group
1Department of Public Health, Kinki University School of Medicine,
Oono-higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan 2Department of Public Health, Nara Medical University, Nara, Japan 3Department of Welfare Promotion and Epidemiology, Toyama Medical and
Pharmaceutical University, Toyama City, Toyama, Japan 4Kagawa Nutrition University, Sakado, Saitama, Japan 5Kasukabe Shuuwa Hospital, Kasukabe, Saitama, Japan
The effect of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism on bone
mineral density (BMD) is still controversial. Possible causes of this
difference in the results may include confounding due to environmental or
behavioral factors. In a large-scale population-based study, we evaluated a
sole effect of VDR genotype on BMD as well as its combined effects with
behavioral factors. The subjects analyzed were 778 premenopausal and 604
postmenopausal women randomly selected from 3 municipalities in Japan.
The VDR gene polymorphisms at the start codon in the exon 2 detected by
FokI restriction endonuclease digestion, at the ApaI and TaqI restriction sites
in the intron 8 and exon 9, respectively, and at the caudal-related
homeodomein protein binding site in the promoter region of the VDR gene
were analyzed. Behavioral factors were obtained by detailed interviews.
BMD at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN) and distal 1/3 site of the
radius (DR) was measured by the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.
Annual change in BMD ( BMD) was determined three years after the
baseline. Significant differences in BMD or BMD over the genotypes were
observed in some of the VDR polymorphisms. However, such associations
were not consistent over the skeletal sites. In premenopausal women, we
found a significant interaction between the FokI genotype and having had
milk every day or having participated in a sport club in junior high school
age to affect BMD at LS or LS and FN, respectively, after controlling for the
effects of age, height and weight.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
The subjects with daily milk consumption or with sport club participation
showed significantly greater BMD than in the other subjects in those with a
particular allele. Similarly, significant interaction between ApaI genotype
and intake of milk at baseline on BMD was found in postmenopausal
women. Greater intake of milk at baseline was related to smaller loss of
BMD at every skeletal site in the heterozygotic subjects. We conclude that
the VDR polymorphisms examined here do not exert a significant
independent effect on BMD at baseline and on its change over time in
Japanese women but may interact with certain behavioral factors to affect
BMD.
INTERACTIONS OF VITAMINS C AND E, b-CAROTENE, AND SELENIUM WITH TOXIC METALS
Yu MH
Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University,
Bellingham, Washington, USA
One of the several factors that can influence the toxicity of metals is their
interaction with essential mineral elements and vitamins. This paper reviews
the health and toxicological effects of the three heavy metals Pb, Cd, and Hg,
and a nonmetal As, and their interactions with vitamins E and C, b-carotene,
and selenium (Se). The three metals and As are all potent environmental
toxicants, and their exposure can lead to damage in various organs and
tissues. Additionally, Cd and As are designated as carcinogens. The metals
and As share close similarities among themselves with respect to their
biochemical and toxicological characteristics, including their ability to
oxidize glutathione (GSH), a major antioxidant in the cell, and interact with
sulfhydryl (SH) groups on proteins and enzymes. Furthermore, they can
induce lipid peroxidation and increase oxidative stress. Both vitamins E and
C and b-carotene are well-recognized antioxidants, and can react with lipid
free radicals, lowering lipid peroxidation and membrane damage. As part of
the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, Se plays an important role in mitigating
tissue damages induced by Pb, Cd, Hg, and As. Growing evidence suggests
that oxidative stress induced by these toxicants may be an important
mechanism involved in their manifested toxic effects.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
CYTOKINE EXPRESSION IN MURINE MODEL OF RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY INDUCED BY TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE
Zheng KC, Yamamoto H, Ariizumi M
Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of the
Ryukyus, Uehara, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan
The aim of this study was to investigate the cytokine status and their gene
expressions in airway of asthmatic mouse induced by toluene diisocyanate
(TDI). The mice were exposed to TDI vapor for 5 consecutive days, then
bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed and the cellular contents in
the BAL fluid were analysed. Lung was histologically examined to
determine the inflammatory status in the airways. Total serum IgE and IL-4
and IL-5 concentrations in the BAL fluid were quantified with ELISA kits.
IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA from BAL cells were analysed by RT-PCR. The
histological examination and airway cell counting revealed that TDI
exposure caused airway inflammation characterized by marked infiltration
of eosinophils in both central and peripheral airways. Total serum IgE was
significantly enhanced in the mice exposed to TDI. Although IL-4 and IL-5
concentrations in the BAL fluid were significantly increased in the TDI-
exposed mice, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNA from BAL cells were not significantly
increased. The results indicated that Th2 cytokines are predominantly
secreted in TDI-induced airway hypersensitivity. However, it could not be
determined from our data whether the secretion of cytokine in the airway is
controlled by gene transcription level.
THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF GLUTATHIONE, BRANCHED-CHAIN AMINO ACID SOLUTION AND MANNITOL OF LETHAL TOXICITY OF MONOCHLOROACETIC ACID
Iwai J, Dote T, Shimizu H, Koizumi C, Watanabe M, Kono K
Department of Hygiene and Public Health, Osaka Medical College,
Daigakumachi, Takatsuki City, Osaka, Japan
There have been many reports about fatal systemic poisonings after skin
exposure to monochloroacetic acid (MCA). They suggested that acute lethal
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
damage is mainly caused by such as cardio-respiratory disorders and
anomalies of the central nerve system, for example. As there are no specific
and effective treatments, it is necessary to start detoxification of MCA as the
first therapeutic step. It is also important to prevent and improve brain
edema for cerebral protection. Glutathione (GSH), branched-chain amino
acid solution (BCAA) and mannitol were experimentally administered to
detect the therapeutic effects. They were not considerably effective for lethal
toxicity in acute phase after MCA exposure from the survival rates.
Although GSH slightly detoxified MCA from the laboratory data of
decreased lactate and pyruvate, nephro-hepatic injury was not apparently
reduced. BCAA was inappropriate under complications of hyperlactemia
and hyperammonemia. Although mannitol resulted in a decrease in intra-
cranial pressure, concentrated mannitol would aggravate dehydration
caused after MCA exposure. Serum hyperosmolality aggravated cerebral
and general condition in the mannitol group. These treatments were
ineffectual for acute lethal phase after MCA exposure. Therefore, it is
necessary to progressively investigate the mechanism of toxic effects and
main target organs leading to direct mortality.
ENHANCEMENT OF MUTAGENIC ACTIVITY OF CISPLATIN BY CO-EXPOSURE TO 50 HZ ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
Miyakoshi Y, Suzuki Y, Shimizu H
Department of Public Health and Environmental Medicine, The Jikei
University School of Medicine, Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
The machines (nuclear magnetic resonance systems NMR, magnetic
resonance imaging system MRI, personal computer, cellular phone, and so
on) that generate electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been recently
developed, and we have an increased chance of exposure to EMFs. Some
studies in environmentally and occupationally exposed to EMFs have
suggested an increased risk of brain tumors and leukemia. We investigated
the mutagenicity of co-exposure to 50 Hz EMFs and cisplatin using in vivo
new-born rat astrocytes micronucleus assay.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
Three day-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were co-exposed to EMFs (50
Hz, 6.7 mT) and cisplatin for 72 h. The brain cells were dissociated into
single cells and cultured for 96 h, and the cells were stained with anti-glial
fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody and acridine orange. The frequency
of micronucleated astrocytes was counted under fluorescent microscope. No
significant increased frequency of micronuclei was observed in rat astrocytes
exposed to EMFs. Cisplatin significantly induced micronuclei in astrocytes
(P<0.01), and furthermore significant increased frequency of micronuclei was
observed in the co-exposure to cisplatin and EMFs (P<0.01).We showed that
co-exposure to 50 Hz EMFs enhanced the mutagenic activity of cisplatin.
DO MICROWAVES PRODUCE OTHER EFFECTS THAN THERMAL ACTIONS ON UTEROPLACENTAL FUNCTIONS IN PREGNANT RATS?
Nakamura H1, Ogino K1, Nobukuni Y1, Kambayashi Y1, Matsuzaki I2,
Okada A3
1Department of Environmental and Preventive Medicine, Graduate School of
Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Takara-machi, Kanazawa, Japan 2Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tsukuba,Tennodai, Japan 3Kanazawa Seiryo University, Gosha-machi, Kanazawa, Japan
Exposure to microwaves with high densities can cause detrimental effects on
testis and eye and induce significant biological changes as their thermal
actions. To examine whether specific non-thermal effect of microwaves
different from heat exists, we compared the effects of microwaves with those
of heat on the endocrine and immune functions during pregnancy. Twenty-
four pregnant rats were assigned to four groups; rats exposed to microwaves
at 2 mW/cm2 incident power density (CW) at 2450 MHz, rats bathed at water
of 38⁰C which induces about the same increase in colonic temperature by 1.0 ⁰C as the microwaves of 2 mW/cm2, rats bathed at water of 34⁰C which is
considered to be thermoneutral, and control rats. All the treated durations
were 90 min. We could recognize significant differences in the change of
blood estradiol and progesterone as well as prolactin and splenic NKCA
between pregnant rats bathed at 34⁰C and 38 ⁰C, but not between rats bathed
at 38⁰C and exposed to microwaves at 2 mW/cm2.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
These results suggest no specific non-thermal effects of microwaves at 2
mW/cm2 incident power density at 2450 MHz equal to the SAR of 0.40 W/kg,
which is the maximum permissible exposure level recommended by the
American National Institute (ANSI), more than action of heat on
uteroplacental functions. Whether microwaves much above the maximum
permissible level exert specific non-thermal effects on pregnancy should be
examined in the future studies.
THE ROLE OF RISK FACTORS IN NOISE- INDUCED HEARING LOSS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF SOPHISTIGATED HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Starck J1, Toppila E1, Pyykkö I2
1Department of Physics, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki,
Finland 2Department of Otolaryngology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
Hearing conservation programs (HCP) focus on occupational noise in work
life and also to a wide range of environmental noise which all should be
included in the evaluation of the total noise exposure. The exposure of the
inner ear to noise is also dependent on the use of hearing protectors. The
highest risk exists in occupations in which workers are exposed to impulsive
noise. Properly selected HPDs decrease the noise levels at ear below the risk
limit in industrial environments. However, according to our experience the
usage rate of hearing protectors in industry is often low varying from 55 %
in paper mill to 90 % in forestry work providing 3-10 dB protection
efficiency over the whole exposure period. Contributing factors like
smoking, use of painkiller, high blood pressure and cholesterol explain the
large variation in the hearing loss. The risk factors seem to have an additive
effect with each other and even with noise. Smoking increased the level of
hearing loss only in combination with other risk factors. Moreover there
seems to be a dependency of the age. Elderly workers are more susceptible
to noise trauma than younger workers.
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ACES 14(3-4) 2002
In risk analysis the contributing factors partly masked the effects of noise in
the development of hearing loss (HL). For subjects with less than two
contributing factors, occupational noise exposure determined the
development of NIHL. As the number of contributing factors increased, the
noise exposure was overruled by these factors in the development of hearing
loss. Factors independently but causally related to age, were important in
the development of NIHL among workers exposed to noise levels below 98
dB (A). Our results indicate that HCP actions can be improved if we can
improve the risk assessment and the validity of exposure evaluation. The
urgent task is to develop expert programs and models, which include all risk
factors i.e. individual susceptibility and life time exposure evaluation
including leisure time and military service exposure. Effective HCP focuses
on prediction of the development of NIHL at individual level.
HEALTH EFFECT COMBINED WITH WHOLE-BODY VIBRATION EXPOSURE
Uchikune M
Department of Precision Machinery Engineering, College of Science and
Technology, Nihon University, Narashinodai, Funabashi-shi, Chiba, Japan
The purpose of this study is to clarify physiological and psychological effects
of feet vibration on subjects and the seasonal effects with special reference to
differences in the effects between them. Moreover, it is under planning to
evaluate the autonomic nervous system in the future. Heart rate, respiratory
rate, salivation, and subjective symptoms were measured before the time of
starting and at the time of 15 minutes at the acceleration ranging from 0.0348
to 3.77 m/s2(rms). Frequency and acceleration of the experiment were
simultaneously determined. The acceleration at which the variations of
physiological indications to the baseline reached peak was proved to be 3.77
m/s2(rms). In December, the evaluation words of "great, active, strong,
violent" were shown to be bigger than in August. From the measurements,
these changes caused a frequency, acceleration, and a feet vibration of
human-body by the involving exposure vibration and could get it in all
season.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
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VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SOLUBLE SILICA AND Na+ IN THE SOIL IN A SALINE AREA, XINJIANG, N.W. CHINA, AND ITS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS
Tanaka M1, Takahashi K2
1Tokyo University of Fisheries, Konan, Minato, Tokyo, Japan 2RIKEN, Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama, Japan
As salinization of soil in arid land is very difficult to de-alkalinize (recover
the quality of) soil which has undergone alkalization, it is important to know
the first step of the alkalization of soil to prevent soil alkalization. The
distribution of water-soluble alkaline, alkaline earth ions and silica
contained was measured in soil samples from saline area. The concentration
of silica was used as one kind of the tracer in natural waters, which are
mostly made of sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2)
solutions, because the concentration of silica is due to the concentration of
NaCl and CaCl2 solutions in vitro system. The content of water-soluble silica
in the salinized soil decreased with increasing sodium ion (Na+)
concentration, because salting-out effect of silica occurs even at low
concentrations of Na+. The distribution of the silica content shows a
significantly large variation. This implies that the variety of distribution of
silica is subject to the environmental condition more than that of the Na+. As
the distribution pattern of silica is complementary to that of Na+, it would
show the possibility of monitoring the degree of alkalization of soil. It is
important to measure the distribution of soluble silica as well as the soluble
Na+ in the soil in order to obtain the information about the primary step of
alkalization of soil.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
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THE ENACTMENT OF THE FUKUSHIMA PREFECTURAL ORDINANCE RELATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL WATER QUALITY CONSERVATION OF LAKE INAWASHIRO AND THE LAKES OF URABANDAI DISTRICT
Tsunoda M1, Gotou K2, Nakamura M3
1Department of Public Health, Fukushima Medical University, Japan 2Fukushima Prefectural Government, Environmental Regulation Division,
Japan 3Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Nihon University,
Japan
Lake Inawashiro is located in Fukushima Prefecture in the northern part of
Japan. The water quality of Lake Inawashiro has been kept high quality
level for COD, SS, DO and the coliform group. The class of Lake Inawashiro
according to Japanese environmental water quality standards is A (COD 75
% value is 3 mg/l or less), and the measured value has been about 0.5
mg/l. The class of Lake Inawashiro according to environmental water quality
standards with regard to the eutrophication is U (total phosphorus is 0.01
mg/l or less), and the measured value has been about 0.003 mg/l. However,
some signs of water pollution have been observed recently. To prevent
further pollution, new regulations were required which considered the
combined effects of environmental factors. The Fukushima prefectural
assembly agreed upon a prefectural ordinance to ensure water quality
conservation of Lake Inawashiro and the lakes of Urabandai district. The
ordinance is intended to keep the water quality in these districts as its
present level. The effluent standards specified are the strictest in Japan. The
enactment of such an ordinance to prevent water pollution sets a precedent
in Japan.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
COMBINED EFFECT OF THE EXPOSURE TO FRUIT-TREE POLLEN ALLERGEN AND THE OTHER POLLEN ALLERGENS AMONG JAPANESE PEAR FARMERS
Teranishi H1, Uchida M1, Katoh T1, Hayashi S2
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Toyama Medical and
Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan 2Department of Agriculture Technology, Toyama Prefectural University,
Toyama, Japan
Occupational pollinosis to pear pollen has been described among the
Japanese pear farmers. In the literature, pear pollen allergen using in
artificial pollination was emphasized as a causative agent. However several
other allergens were suspected to be causative agents such as allergenic
grass pollens and agricultural chemicals. We conducted epidemiological
studies to clarify the true causative agents. We performed airborne pollen
survey using volumetric personal sampler (Personal Volumetric Air
Sampler, Burkard, England) during the pollination season of Japanese pear
in 2001. As a result, we found that abundant pear pollen grains (8,300/m3)
were wafting in the air of pollen preparation room. We found also that more
quantity of spores of Lycopodium clavatum was contaminated in the room
when they were used as additives. In an orchard during the artificial
pollination, the concentration of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L., a major
species in the undergrowth of orchard) pollen was found to be higher than
that of pear pollen (5,200/m3 vs. 610/m3). Among 178 farmers, 29 persons
(16.3 %) complained work-related allergic symptoms by questionnaire
survey. Among ten pollinosis cases, six patients showed positive RAST to
Japanese pear. Positive rate of IgE antibody to bluegrass pollen was also
higher than that of Japanese pear pollen among ten pollinosis
patients. However more cases showed positive RAST to annual bluegrass.
Some cases showed positive to Lycopodium. These results suggest that the
environmental allergic pollens and/or spores have important roles combined
with the pear pollen allergen to induce the allergic symptoms among
Japanese pear farmers.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
CEDAR POLLEN FORECASTING IN THE KANTO REGION
Delaunay JJ1, Fedra K2, Kubat M2
1NTT Lifestyle and Environmental Technology Laboratories, Morinosato
Wakamiya, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan, 2Environmental Software & Services, GmbH, Kalkgewerk,
Gumpoldskirchen, Austria
In Japan, airborne cedar pollen is known as a major source of allergens in the
ambient air and is reported to be the main cause of pollinosis. We have
developed a pollen forecasting system that simulates the time-varying three-
dimensional pollen concentration. The system includes all the major
processes involved in pollen transport such as flowerage, emission,
advection and dispersion. The model uses a land cover dataset, a digital
elevation model, and meteorological observation and forecast data.
Furthermore, the system uses real-time pollen concentrations obtained from
the NTT sensing network to correct the pollen forecasts. The system
generated pollen concentration maps that were published in real-time on
our web/WAP sites. Maps for 10 cities were derived on a larger scale from a
regional model covering the Kanto area. For dissemination and analysis
purposes, we applied a 4-level classification index to the computed pollen
concentration: low, moderate, high and very high concentration. We
reported results for the Kanto region. The system forecast produced the
correct classification in more than 50 % of cases. Our web pollen forecast site
offered an improved understanding of the spatiotemporal variations in the
pollen concentration in the air, by providing maps and interactive
animations of forecasts. The forecast was displayed in real-time using the
latest information technologies such as an interactive web animation tool
and color animation on a mobile phone. An analysis of our site log files
revealed that web users preferred detailed city-level information with a
good spatiotemporal resolution to regional results.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
LESSONS LEARNT FROM MINAMATA DISEASE - AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
Tamashiro H1, Kinjo Y2, Sakamoto M3
1Department of Health for Senior Citizens, Division of Preventive Medicine,
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-ku, Sapporo,
Hokkaido, Japan 2Department of and Health Information and Epidemiology, Okinawa
Prefectural College of Nursing, Yogi, Naha, Okinawa, Japan 3Department of Epidemiology, The National Institute for Minamata Disease,
Hama, Minamata, Kumamoto, Japan
Minamata disease is a neurological disorder caused by ingestion of large
quantities of fish and/or shellfish contaminated with methylmercury in the
wastewater. The disease was officially reported in Minamata city in May
1956, followed by the outbreak in Niigata in 1965. Already at the end of
1956, heavy metal intoxication and pollution of fish and/or shellfish were
suspected as a cause of this peculiar disease by Kumamoto University
Research Group. The Research Group under the Ministry also reported in
March 1957 that the disease was most likely caused by poisoning due to the
intake of fish and/or shellfish in Minamata Bay. In September 1968, the
Government officially acknowledged that these diseases (Minamata and
Niigata) were caused by methylmercury compound, which was a byproduct
of the industrial process. It took for 12 years from the first official case
reporting to the announcement of the Government's unified view. How did
each stakeholder do during these years and beyond? How were the
decisions made under the uncertainties where scientific evidences were
insufficient? There are many other questions to be critically evaluated. These
evaluations will provide us with the valuable lessons on the prevention of
unforeseeable risks in the future.
Book of Abstracts: ICCEF 2002
ACES 14(3-4) 2002
NEW LEGISLATION FOR GEO-ENVIROMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURE SYSTEM
Fujioka S, Matsuzaka S, Sasaki T, Okazaki Y, Buntara S, Gan I, Ueno S
Member of Working Group for Global network, Corporate Planning
Committee, Geo-Environmental Protection Center (GEPC),
Kojimachi, Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan
New legislation for geo-environmental protection measure system was
proclamated on 29th of May at the Diet and is to be enforced from 1st of
January 2003. Related governmental and ministerial ordinances are now
under review by Ministry of Environment and relevant authorities, and will
be announced before then. The objective of this legislation is the prevention
from hazardous influence caused by soil and groundwater contamination to
human health and to ecological systems and the recovery of economic value
of the land as a result. Those who own /manage/ govern the land
(hereinafter "the land owner…") should survey the contamination when they
close down their business and should report the result of the survey to the
concerned municipality. The municipality should register the land as "risk
controlled land…" in the official inventory and notify to the public. The
landowner should take appropriate measures for reduction of
environmental risk in consideration of current and/or future land-use, etc.
Government should specify the objective technical standard for risk
reduction plan and municipality should give the guidance, advice and / or
orders to inappropriate plan and should conduct on-the-spot inspection and
the corrective actions, if necessary. Support system for the liable party to
execute measures for risk reduction shall be required, low-interest lows, tax
system, and / or fund system.