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Potential Exposure (potential + exposure)
Selected AbstractsContamination of fish in streams of the Mid-Atlantic Region: An approach to regional indicator selection and wildlife assessmentENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 3 2003James M. Lazorchak Abstract The extent of contamination of fish in the Mid-Atlantic Region was evaluated as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Monitoring and Assessment Program's regional assessment in 1993 through 1994. Fish assemblages from wadeable streams were dominated by small, short-lived fishes (e.g., minnows, darters, and sculpins) that were more widely distributed and abundant than large fishes typically chosen for tissue contaminant studies (e.g., trout, black bass, sunfish, common carp). Chemical concentrations in whole-fish homogenates exceeded detection limits for mercury, DDT, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in 75 to 100% of the stream length assessed using small fishes and 84 to 100% of the stream length assessed using large fishes. Wildlife values (WVs) representing a threshold for toxic effect were developed to allow examination of the spatial extent of potential risk to piscivorous wildlife. For mercury, DDT, dieldrin, and chlordane, estimates of the regional extent of streams where fish contaminant concentrations exceeded the WVs were greater when based on small fishes than on large fishes. However, within the distribution of stream lengths assessed using small and large fishes, the percentage of stream kilometers exceeding the WVs were quite similar. Our data demonstrate that the greater abundance and distribution of small, short-lived fishes provide greater estimates of regional extent of contamination for first- through third-order streams and can be used for regional assessments of potential exposure and effects in wildlife. [source] Developmental toxicity of UV filters and environmental exposure: a reviewINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 2 2008Margret Schlumpf Summary Several ultraviolet (UV) filters exhibit estrogenic, some also anti-androgenic activity. They are present in waste water treatment plants, surface waters and biosphere including human milk, suggesting potential exposure during development. Developmental toxicity was studied in rats for the UV filters 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC, 0.7, 7, 24, 47 mg/kg/day) and 3-benzylidene camphor (3-BC, 0.07, 0.24, 0.7, 2.4, 7 mg/kg/day) administered in chow to the parent generation before mating, during pregnancy and lactation, and to the offspring until adulthood. Neonates exhibited enhanced prostate growth after 4-MBC and altered uterine gene expression after both chemicals. 4-MBC and 3-BC delayed male puberty and affected reproductive organ weights of adult offspring. Effects on the thyroid axis were also noted. Expression and oestrogen sensitivity of oestrogen-regulated genes and nuclear receptor coregulator levels were altered at mRNA and protein levels in adult uterus, prostate and brain regions involved in gonadal control and sexual behaviour. Female sexual behaviour was impaired by both filters; 3-benzylidene camphor caused irregular cycles. Classical endpoints exhibited lowest observed adverse effect levels (LOAELs) and no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) of 7/0.7 mg/kg for 4-MBC and 0.24/0.07 mg/kg for 3-BC. Molecular endpoints were affected by the lowest doses studied. Our data indicate that the potential risk posed by endocrine active UV filters warrants further investigations. [source] Can the attorney-client and work-product privileges survive the annual audit?JOURNAL OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, Issue 4 2009Blaise M. Sonnier The IRS has been aggressively pursuing tax accrual workpapers in court. If the IRS prevails, corporate executives who rely on the legal advice of attorneys in making decisions may be providing litigation road maps to those who sue their companies. This potential exposure of tax accrual workpapers is a wake-up call for executives. They must review their procedures for seeking and securing legal advice. The authors reveal the vital steps management must take to protect privileged documents. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Mortality patterns in infectious salmon anaemia virus outbreaks in New Brunswick, CanadaJOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES, Issue 11 2005K L Hammell Abstract Mortality levels attributed to infectious salmon anaemia viral (ISAV) infections were examined at the net pen and site level in the 1996 smolt year class in three areas of New Brunswick, Canada. The year class in this region was the first known to have potential exposure to ISAV beginning at the time of seawater transfer. There was considerable variability in mortality patterns among net pen groups of fish. Net pen outbreak definitions were based on at least seven high mortality days in which there were at least 100 per 100 000 fish per day or >5% cumulative mortality for the study period. There were 106 net pen outbreaks in a study population consisting of 218 net pens. Although the number of new cases decreased as water temperature decreased, overall mortality levels at the study sites did not decrease noticeably. The median peak daily mortality rate during outbreaks was 492 per 100 000 fish per day, with 10% of cases experiencing >5200 mortalities per 100 000 fish per day. The median duration of outbreaks in net pens for which the fish were not slaughtered during the outbreak was 33 days and the median total loss in those outbreaks was 6600 per 100 000 fish. [source] US3 Allergy in dental practiceORAL DISEASES, Issue 2006D Bio, ina-Lukenda Allergy reactions of the oral mucosa comprise an array of clinical manifestations, some of them difficult to differentiate from toxic reactions. Type-I reactions are most frequently seen related to application of polymers in the oral cavity, such as orthodontic bonding and fissure sealant materials. There may also be systemic manifestations such as urticaria. Type-IV reactions may be seen related to most dental materials used, from amalgam and gold to polymers. These reactions appear as chronic reddening and/or ulceration of the oral mucosa. Lichenoid reactions have histopathological characteristics compatible with type-IV allergy reactions and are the most prevalent material-adverse reactions seen in the oral cavity. Recent advances have been made in characterizing the more prevalent allergens on oral mucosa, such as methacrylates, natural rubber latex (NRL) proteins, rubber glove chemicals and disinfectants. This improved understanding has clearly enhanced the success, particularly for type I NRL allergies. Skin patch tests, applying a series of dental materials in non-toxic concentrations on the skin, have been used to identify sensitization. However, the value of those tests can be questioned. Although obvious advances have been made in characterizing dental allergens and understanding potential exposure, improved diagnostic and management techniques are still needed. Corticosteroid therapy is all too often the only treatment. Drug allergy including local anaesthetics, and systemic antibiotics and NSAIDs, may also present in the dental environment, causing life-threatening emergencies specially in 'at risk patients'. The GDP has to know the principles of prevention, diagnosis and management of these situations. [source] Strategies for improving transition to adult cystic fibrosis care, based on patient and parent views,PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 6 2001Michael P. Boyle MD Abstract Although general principles guiding the transition of individuals with chronic illness from pediatric to adult care have been established, guidelines specific for the transition of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) have not. To aid in the development of CF-specific transition guidelines, an anonymous pretransition questionnaire and posttransition interview were used to assess the concerns and expectations of 60 CF patients and their parents as they went through the transition from pediatric to adult care. Along with demographic and clinical information, respondents were asked to rate on a scale of 1,5 their general attitude toward, or level of concern on 22 questions involving transition concerns, adult program expectations, and general view of transition. The two most important concerns identified by patients prior to transition to adult care were potential exposure to infection (3.4,±,1.3) and having to leave their previous caregivers (3.4,±,1.0). Introduction to the adult CF team prior to transition was associated with significantly lower levels of concern in all areas, particularly about having to leave previous caregivers (3.9,±,0.7 vs. 2.5,±,0.6, P,<,0.004). Age, gender, severity of lung disease, and age at diagnosis were not predictive of level of concern for any area. Parents' most significant concern was ability of their child to care for their CF independently, a concern their children did not share (4.0,±,1.1 vs. 1.5,±,0.5, P,<,0.0001). As their most important expectations for the adult program, patients identified ready phone access to a nurse (4.9,±,0.6) and education about adult CF issues (4.6,±,0.7). The overall attitude toward the development of an adult CF program was overwhelmingly positive for both patients (4.9,±,0.7) and parents (4.9,±,0.3). By allowing patients to interact with the adult team prior to transition and developing transition protocols which address CF-specific issues like infection control and fertility, successful transition from pediatric to adult cystic fibrosis care can be accomplished. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2001; 32:428,436. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupational exposure to blood and body fluids among health care workers in a general hospital, ChinaAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2009Min Zhang BM Abstract Objectives To understand current status of occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF), and awareness of knowledge about occupational bloodborne pathogen exposures and universal precaution among hospital-based health care workers (HCWs). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted during April to May 2004 to study incidence of occupational exposure to BBF among 1,144 hospital-based HCWs. Results The total incidence and the average number of episodes exposure to BBF was 66.3/100 HCWs per year and 7.5 per person per year in the past year, respectively. The incidence (per 100/HCWs per year) and the average number of episodes (per HCW per year) of percutaneous injury (PCI), mucous-membrane exposure (MME), and exposure to BBF by damaged skin was 50.3 and 1.8; 34.4 and 1.7; and 37.9 and 4.0, respectively. The leading incidence and the average number of episodes of PCI occurred in delivery room (82.6 and 1.8). The highest percentage of PCI's that occurred during the previous 2 weeks occurred during a surgical operation (22.8%). Of all sharp instruments, the suture needle contributed the highest percentage of PCI's (24.7%) among HCWs in the last 2 weeks. Over two-thirds (68.3%) of respondents were immunized with Hepatitis B vaccine; less than one-half (47%) of HCWs wore gloves while doing procedures on patients. The respondents demonstrated a lack of knowledge regarding transmission of bloodborne diseases and universal precautions. Conclusions Risk for potential exposure to BBF appears high in HCWs, and almost all of episodes are not reported. It is urgent to establish the Guideline for Prevention and Control of Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens among HCWs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:89,98, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Occupation and breast cancer risk in Polish women: A population-based case-control studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 2 2007Beata Peplonska MD Abstract Background The etiology of breast cancer is not well understood and the role of occupational exposures in breast carcinogenesis is still uncertain. Methods The population-based case-control study included 2,386 incident breast cancer cases diagnosed in 2000,2003, and 2,502 controls. Lifetime occupational histories and information on other potential breast cancer risk factors were obtained through personal interviews. Conditional logistic regression analyses calculated odds ratios (ORs) associated with various occupations and industries after control for potential confounders. Results We found statistically significant excesses of breast cancer among engineers (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.0,3.8), economists (2.1; 1.1,3.8), sales occupations-retail (1.2; 1.0,1.5), and other sales occupations (1.2; 1.0,1.5). Industries showing significantly elevated risks included special trade contractors (2.2; 1.2,4.3), electronic and electric equipment manufacturers (1.7; 1.1,2.7); and public administration/general government n.e.c. (2.7; 1.3,5.7). Each of these findings was supported by a statistically significant positive trend for duration of employment (P<0.05). A decreased breast cancer risk was observed in janitors and cleaners (0.7; 0.5,0.8). Conclusions In this study, we found few associations for breast cancer and occupations or industries. The suggestive findings for the electronic and electric equipment manufacturing industry and for the occupations with potential exposure to magnetic fields deserve further evaluation. Am. J. Ind. Med. 50:97,111, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The effects of different regulation systems on television food advertising to childrenAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 4 2007Bridget Kelly Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to model children's potential exposure to television food advertisements under different regulatory scenarios to demonstrate the policy implications of regulatory change in Australia. Methods: Television advertising data was collected from Sydney commercial television channels from 14,20 May 2006. Extrapolating from these data, the patterns of food advertising under four regulatory scenarios were examined, including arrangements restricting the content, volume and timing of advertisements. Results: Each scenario resulted in a reduction of total and non-core food advertisements. The scenario to restrict non-core food advertisements during the major viewing period (7:00-20:30) led to the largest reduction in total and non-core food advertisements (79.2% reduction), with no change in the frequency of core food advertisements. Conclusions: The results illustrate the potential for reducing children's exposure to food advertising through simple regulatory restrictions. Implications: This research contributes to future debates on the regulation of television food advertising. It is particularly relevant as Australian regulations will be under review in 2007. [source] The influence of sociodemographic characteristics on agreement between self-reports and expert exposure assessments,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 10 2010Grace Sembajwe ScD Abstract Background Often in exposure assessment for epidemiology, there are no highly accurate exposure data and different measurement methods are considered. The objective of this study was to use various statistical techniques to explore agreement between individual reports and expert ratings of workplace exposures in several industries and investigate the sociodemographic influences on this agreement. Methods A cohort of 1,282 employees at 4 industries/14 worksites answered questions on workplace physical, chemical, and psychosocial exposures over the past 12 months. Occupational hygienists constructed job exposure matrices (JEMs) based on worksite walkthrough exposure evaluations. Worker self-reports were compared with the JEMs using multivariable analyses to explore discord. Results There was poor agreement between the self-reported and expert exposure assessments, but there was evidence that agreement was modified by sociodemographic characteristics. Several characteristics including gender, age, race/ethnicity, hourly wage and nativity strongly affected the degree of discord between self-reports and expert raters across a wide array of different exposures. Conclusions Agreement between exposure assessment tools may be affected by sociodemographic characteristics. This study is cross-sectional and therefore, a snapshot of potential exposures in the workplace. Nevertheless, future studies should take into account the social contexts within which workplace exposures occur. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1019,1031, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||