Study on biological monitoring of fenpropathrin exposure in application by utilizing urinary 3-phenoxybenzoic acid level

To estimate pesticide exposure faced by applicators, an investigation of exposure-absorption was conducted on two applicators under routine working conditions and using regular procedures during pesticide spraying of greenhouse strawberries with fenpropathrin. The authors hypothesized that 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) is a urinary excreted metabolite of fenpropathrin, a synthetic pyrethroid pesticide with 3-phenoxybenzyl moiety, and its determination would help to improve the assessment of fenpropathrin exposure-absorption in applicators. The extent of exposure-absorption was evaluated by the determination of urinary level of 3-PBA (biological monitoring), the amount of the chemical adhered to clothes and permeated to the skin surface, and its concentration in the air of the greenhouse. The results showed that the fenpropathrin concentration in the air was less than 0.1 μg/m(3). The amount of adhesion was less than 0.001 to 10.25 μg/cm(2), and there was very little permeation. However, the urinary 3-PBA concentration by biological monitoring appeared to be approximately twice that of pre-exposure levels in both applicators. This finding demonstrates that the applicators were exposed to fenpropathrin and absorbed it during spraying. We conclude that the fenpropathrin exposure-absorption in application could be estimated by the determination of urinary 3-PBA. This method of biological monitoring may be more useful indicator to accurately evaluate the working conditions in application.

Migration of surrogate contaminants in paper and paperboard into water through polyethylene coating layer

The migration of five surrogate contaminants, anthracene, benzophenone, dimethyl phthalate, methyl stearate and pentachlorophenol, from paper and paperboard into water through a polyethylene (PE) coating layer was investigated. Virgin paper and paperboard coated with PE films of 0.012 and 0.030 mm thickness were spiked evenly with standard 1-ml solutions containing 5mg of each surrogate. The spiked papers were placed in contact with the PE coating layer at 10 and 24 degrees C for 21 days. The resulting surrogate migration through the PE layer into 100ml water was measured by an analytical method developed here that used gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector. Non-polar surrogates of anthracene and methyl stearate did not show any significant migration. In the case of the thin layer coating of 0.012 mm, polar water-soluble contaminants of benzophenone, dimethyl phthalate and pentachlorophenol showed an equilibrated or maximized migration after 1 day, even at a refrigerated temperature of 10 degrees C. A thick PE coating of 0.030 mm thickness delayed the progress of contaminant migration, which was also slower at lower temperature. Our results indicate that polyethylene coatings should not be seen as a complete barrier against possible contaminants in paper packaging materials under chilled or ambient conditions. Several variables such as coating thickness, temperature and suspected contaminants need to be considered to control the possible contamination risk from recycled or printed paper.

Analysis of beta3 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism using noninvasive samples obtained at scheduled infant health checkups

Obesity is a risk factor for life-style-related diseases, and is based on three factors: genetic, environmental, and life-style. In adults, it is difficult to achieve and maintain normal body weight, so it is more effective to intervene from infancy to establish weight control. Legally required health checkups in infants of 18 and 36 months present important opportunities for obesity prevention. We consider genetic analysis to be a very important factor for obesity prevention in infancy. However, since health checkups don't involve the collection of blood, genetic analysis is considered difficult. In this study, we attempted the typing of beta3 adrenergic receptor gene polymorphism as a genetic factor from non-invasively obtained samples, buccal mucosa, hair and cerumen in 96 infants at their 18- and 36-month health checkups. Sampling buccal mucosa, hair and cerumen instead of blood caused almost no anxiety to the child or parent, so 94.1% cooperation with sampling was obtained. From buccal mucosa, about 76% of the samples could be used for the typing of polymorphism (81% by enzyme method, 59% by kit method). From hair, about 44% of the samples permitted typing of polymorphism, but from cerumen only about 4% of the samples could be used. Results from buccal mucosa and hair typed about 90% of infant polymorphism. These results suggest that this method would be practical at periodic health checkups, and would probably be applicable to mass screenings for genetic factor analysis for other diseases.

[Factors associated with participation in chest X-ray screening by young and middle aged residents]

We investigated the factors that affect participation rates in chest X-ray mass screenings among 20-59 year-old residents in A city, Kagawa prefecture. 1) Participation rates in employees and non-employees were 78.3% and 33.9% respectively. In the employees whose firms do not provide health check-ups, participation rate was 15.9%. 2) Among participants, about 90% of the employees whose firms do not provide health check-ups and about 60% of non-employees utilized mass screenings provided by the local government. 3) Among non-participants, 53.7% of the employees whose firms do not provide health check-ups and 70% of the others (employees whose firms provide health check-ups and non-employees) were aware of the screening system. Most of the young did not know of the system. 4) Principal reasons for nonparticipation were "inconvenient" and "unnecessary because healthy" in job holders and "unnecessary because healthy" in non-job holders. 5) Participants had better health practices than non-participants. Participation rates of chest X-ray mass screenings were high in employees and low in non-employees. Local governments are expected to supplement the existing mass screening system at work-sites by providing accessibility screening. In tuberculosis prevention, nonparticipation in mass screenings is one of the main issues. The association between participation and health practice suggests that methods for linking with primary prevention activities are necessary for stimulating interest and promoting participation in mass screenings.

[A study of health behavior of the elderly without occupation--correlation between participation in health examinations and health behavior]

A survey on the health behavior of inhabitants without occupations, aged 60 or over who lived in city A in Kagawa prefecture (400 people), was performed. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The rates of participation in the general health checkup and the screening for colon cancer were high. In females, significant correlations were observed between the rates of participation in health examinations/screenings and age, but they were not significant in males. 2. The rates of good health practices were high in the items "Taking breakfast", "No change of body weight", "Sleeping adequately" and "Drinking moderately or no drinking". The rate of "Exercise" for males was higher than for females, and the rate of "No smoking" was lower for males than for females. For females, a correlation was observed between the score of good health practices and age, and this score decreased with age, but in males there was no significant difference. 3. The rate of participation in health education or health consultation was about 40 percent, and the rate of participation was larger for female inhabitants than for male inhabitants. 4. Persons who participated in the health examinations/screenings had more healthful practices than who did not participate. A correlation was observed between the rates of participation in health examinations/screenings and "Exercise." 5. Persons who participated in health education or health consultation had more healthful practices than who did not participate. 6. Correlations were observed between the rates of participation in health examinations/screenings and the rate of participation in the health education, or health itself. In this analyzed sample population, the health behavior of primary prevention and secondary prevention were related to each other, and the existence of common factors among health behavior for primary prevention and secondary prevention was estimated. Differences were observed between males and females concerning correlations between health behavior and age. It is thus necessary to improve health behavior via a continuous approach to the lifestyle for women. We think that good health behavior which continues over a long period of time can be instilled by approaching the lifestyle at the time of retirement for men.

A study on urine cotinine for the evaluation of smoking cessation

Two branch offices of enterprise T in the same city engaged in service and sales were selected at random for this study on the evaluation of smoking cessation education using the urine cotinine concentration (U-Cot) measured by ion pair reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (IP-R-HPLC). Branch A conducted a smoking cessation education program; branch B did not. By comparison of the results obtained from questionnaires and U-Cot analyses at both the offices, we investigated the validity of evaluation by U-Cot. The results were as follows: I. Smokers 1. At branch A, a self-reported 20-year-old female non-smoker was confirmed to smoke about 5 cigarettes per day by her high concentration (292.8) of U-Cot at pre-education. 2. At branch A, the self-reported average number of cigarettes smoked daily (ANCSD) at 6 months post-education showed a significant decrease in comparison with that at pre-education. 3. At branch A, U-Cot at post-education showed a significant decrease in comparison with those at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months pre-education in descending order. 4. Two male subjects who were strongly suspected to have submitted a false number of cigarettes smoked prior to urine sampling (NCSPU)/ANCSD self-reports at 6 months post-education were confirmed to have done so by the U-Cot values at the fourth period, which were in excess of 500, and the discrepancy between the ratio ([value at post-education in 6 months] divided by [value at pre-education]) of U-Cot (1.52, 1.47, respectively) and that of NCSPU/ANCSD, (0.00)/0.00). 5. At branch A, discrepancies between the success rate of quitting smoking in self-reported NCSPU/ANCSD at 6 months (17.0%) and in U-Cot (12.2%) were observed. At branch B, no such discrepancies were observed. 6. At branch A, office workers at 6 months post-education who had, but not those who had not, previously considered the health damage caused by smoking showed a significant decrease in NCSPU/ANCSD, and also in U-Cot at 2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months post-education. At branch B, no such differences were observed. 7. At branch A, office workers at 6 months post-education who had previously considered quitting smoking showed a significant decrease in NCSPU/ANCSD, and also in U-Cot at 2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months post-education. Those who had not previously considered quitting showed a significant decrease in ANCSD, but not in NCSPU or U-Cot.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Chlordane accumulations in adipose tissue of mice chronically exposed to chlordanes in indoor air]

Chlordane concentrations were analyzed in the adipose tissue of mice after prolonged inhalation of low levels of chlordanes in indoor air. After inhalation of 4.22-11.36 micrograms/m3 chlordanes (total of 5 compounds) in air for 1-6 months, high levels of chlordanes (4.19-11.63 ppm, total of 5 compounds and 2 metabolites) were found in the adipose tissue. Transnanochlor, which accounted for only 14% of the total chlordane in the inhaled air, showed a high percentage (50%) in the adipose tissue, followed by 2 metabolites, i.e., oxychlordane (25%) and heptachlorepoxide (22%). Little transchlordane, cis-chlordane, or heptachlor, which accounted for high percentages of the total chlordane inhaled, was detected in the adipose tissue. A low level of cis-nonachlor was observed in the adipose tissue, and its percentage was similar to that in the air (2%). The level of chlordane exposure and the adipose tissue chlordane concentration was closely correlated (r = 0.9077, p < 0.01), showed a dose-effect relationship. These findings suggest that chlordanes such as trans-nonachlor, oxychlordane, and heptachlorepoxide may accumulate in the adipose tissue of people living in an environment containing even low levels of chlordanes and that there is a risk from indoor air contamination by chlordanes.

[Measurement of ethylene oxide at a medical sterilization site]

Although ethylene oxide gas is widely used as a sterilizing agent for medical instruments because of its disinfection property, the effects of its use in medical settings have not been clarified. In the present study, we measured the ethylene oxide gas concentration (EOGC) within a hospital sterilization unit and in the ambient air near the unit. Before the sterilizer was turned on (about 9:00), the ambient air EOGC was below the detection limit (0.1 ppm). When the door was opened to place the instruments in the sterilizer, the maximum EOGC near the door of the sterilizer was 1.71 ppm. Before the sterilizer door was opened, the residual EOGC within the sterilizer was 0.10-24.56 ppm. During the operation of the sterilizer (9:00-17:00), ethylene oxide gas could not be detected in the air near the unit. When the sterilizer door was opened at the end of the routine operation of the sterilizer (about 17:00), EOGC near the door was 2.10-2.73 ppm. After the door was closed, the ambient air EOGC level was 0.5-0.57 ppm. These findings indicate that the personnel near the unit were exposed to ethylene oxide gas for about 15 min during the transfer. However, no ethylene gas could be detected by the ethylene oxide gas monitor (3M Co., #3551). The finding that EOGC in sterilized medical instruments after 24 h of aeration was about 2 ppm also suggests that the personnel using these instruments were exposed to ethylene oxide gas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Assessment of cadmium and lead released from cigarette smoke]

Cigarette smoke, which contains many harmful compounds, affects not only the smoker's health but also indoor air quality. To evaluate indoor air contamination by cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), we measured Cd and Pb contained in the mainstream and sidestream smoke exhaled by experimental smoking of Japanese cigarettes and also determined urinary and blood Cd and Pb levels in smokers and non-smokers and air Cd and Pb levels in smoky environments. 1. One cigarette of each of 7 Japanese brands contained about 1 microgram each of Cd and Pb, of which about 50 ng each was released to the mainstream and 250 ng of Cd and 50 ng of Pb to the sidestream by smoking. 2. The blood Cd level in the smokers was significantly higher than that in the non-smokers. The urinary Cd level in the smokers was slightly higher than that in the non-smokers. The blood Cd level was related to the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Blood and urinary Pb levels did not differ between the smokers and non-smokers, but the blood Pb level was also related to the number of cigarettes smoked daily. 3. The air Cd levels in smoky places such as the smoking car of the special express train, an office, and a pachinko parlor were markedly higher than that in outdoor air. The air Cd concentration was well correlated with the environmental tobacco smoke concentration. On the other hand, the air Pb level was slightly higher in the above smoky places than outdoors. The mean air Pb concentration was not correlated with the environmental tobacco smoke concentration but was higher at higher environmental tobacco smoke concentration in each place.

[Investigation of where schizophrenic patients receive treatment]

Schizophrenic patients receiving treatment in Kagawa Prefecture were studied as to where treatment was obtained. Analysis showed that there was a tendency by schizophrenic patients to seek treatment in institutions distant from their place of residence. The direction in which a patient proceeded to seek treatment varied and showed no pattern. Analysis by age groups showed that patients in the 15 to 39 years age group were most likely to seek treatment in locations other than where they lived and traveled the longest distance. The tendency to seek treatment away from their place of residence decreased with increasing age. However even among the elderly there were patients who traveled long distances for treatment. Factors associated with geographical or social relationships between the cities/towns could not explain the tendency observed. Neither was there a relationship to specialized medical care. Factors such as the related to the mental health care system, including prejudice and lack of societal understanding were inferred to be associated to this problem. Results of this study indicate a need to organize the community mental health system to serve districts with wider areas than that established for other diseases. However in the future there should be a gradual narrowing of the district area, a broadening of services offered, and a removal of societal prejudice against psychiatric patients.

[Variations in blood cholinesterase activity and exposure to chlorpyrifos in termite-control workers]

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphate insecticide, has often been used as a termite-control agent since the advent of regulatory measures against the use of chlordanes in September 1986. A current concern is hazards such as organophosphorus poisoning among termite-control workers. In this study, the blood cholinesterase activity, the number of hours engaged in termite-control work, general conditions, and various test values were examined regularly in eight workers at a termite-control office. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The plasma cholinesterase level was within the normal range from October 1986 until April 1987 in all workers, but started decreasing after May following the initiation of the full-scale termite-control season. It remained lower than the normal range (0.6 pH) from June until August in five of the six termite-control workers. The lowest level observed during this period was less than 50% of the mean value for each worker prior to the busy season in the six termite-control workers and was less than 10% of the pre-season values in three of them. In two workers, engaged mainly in sales, the plasma cholinesterase activity remained higher than in termite-control workers throughout the season. The lowest level in this minimally-exposed group during this period was not less than 50% of the mean value for each worker before the busy season. With the arrival of the off season, the level began to recover and returned to normal in all workers in January 1988. 2. The red cell cholinesterase activity remained within the normal range throughout the observation period, but it was generally low during the busy season from June to September and relatively high during the off season from December 1987 to January 1988. On the average, the red cell cholinesterase activity during the season was about 30% lower than that in the off season. 3. No marked subjective or objective abnormalities were seen in the workers. The results of other tests were generally normal, although a slight decrease in the red cell and white cell counts as well as abnormalities in serum lipid and lipase were noted in some workers. Further observations are necessary. 4. A significant negative correlation was noted between the number of hours engaged in termite-control work and variations in the plasma cholinesterase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Determination of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol levels in the urine of termite control workers using chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus insecticide, has been used to control termites since regulatory measures against the use of chlordanes were taken in September, 1986. We developed an improved gas chromatographic (GC) method for the assay of 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP) in the urine to use in the biological monitoring of exposure to chlorpyrifos. Urinary TCP was separated and determined accurately (C.V., 4%) with high sensitivity (detection limit, 10 ng/ml) and recovery (recovery greater than 90%) using a wide bore capillary column (WBC column). The accuracy and precision of the present GC method are satisfactory. The time course of urinary excretion of TCP was followed in workers. The urinary TCP level was low in the off-season and high in the busy season. Variation in the urinary TCP level corresponded to the termite control season and the length of the working period. The urinary TCP level showed a change reciprocal to the variations in the plasma cholinesterase activity. From these results, it is surmised that the urinary TCP level represents the extent of exposure to chlorpyrifos. The decrease in the level of cholinesterase activity is suggested to be due to exposure to chlorpyrifos. Determination of the urinary TCP level by GC using a WBC column is useful in the biological monitoring of chlorpyrifos in termite control workers and potentially has practical application to health care.

[The actual state of occupational exposure to chlorpyrifos of termite control workers]

Chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus insecticide, has been used as a termite control agent since regulatory measures against the use of chlordane were taken in September, 1986. In this study the actual state of occupational exposure to chlorpyrifos of termite control workers was investigated. The findings obtained were as follows. The concentration of chlorpyrifos in the air (near the mouth) was about 10 times higher (1.7-2.3 mg/m3) under the floor than the threshold-limit value (0.2 mg/m3) proposed by the ACGIH and rose close to the threshold-limit value even above the floor. Regarding the performance of the absorption can of the mask, generally satisfactory results were obtained. The adhesion of this compound to the work outfit was conspicuous during the spraying work under the floor, and it was often noted on the right forearm (12 micrograms/cm2), on the left knee (10 micrograms/cm2), on the right knee (9 micrograms/cm2) and on the face (5 micrograms/cm2). The rate of this compound penetrating through the work outfit amounted to an average of 40 percent, making it clear that a considerable amount of the compound penetrated the work outfit. Furthermore, direct adhesion of the compound to the neck was considered. These results suggested the dermal-exposure to chlorpyrifos of termite control workers. This compound was detected, though the quantity was very small, in blood after work, which was definitely indicative of exposure at the time of termite control work. The plasma cholinesterase activity in the termite control workers was within the normal range before the busy termite control season but fell off markedly when the full-scale termite control season set in. It is suggested that a decrease in plasma cholinesterase activity occurs due to chlorpyrifos exposure.