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Environmental Medicine > Indoor Pollution > Flashcards

Indoor Pollution Flashcards

1
Q

which is worse: indoor air quality or outdoor?

A

INDOOR

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2
Q

5 sources of indoor pollution?

A 
natural gas
VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons)
smoke
asbestos
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3
Q

where can you find VOCs?

A

most used as solvents
paint thinners, varnishes, adhesives, glues, plastic, dyes, inks, particle board, plywood, cosmetics, detergents, drugs, pesticides, tobacco smoke, petroleum fuels
typically small molecules, ubiquitous in indoor settings

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4
Q

4 routes of VOC exposure?

A

inhalation
ingestion
absorption

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5
Q

VOC exposure sxs?

A 
aplastic anemia
B-cell malignancies
blood dyscrasias
bone marrow damage
CA
leukemia
paresthesias
BIG TAKE AWAY: mostly hematological, nervous and immune system- often are oncogenic
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6
Q

6 VOCs?

A 
benzene
toluene
xylene
phenol
formaldehyde
vinyl chloride and PVC
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7
Q

where can you find benzenes outdoors? indoors?

A

outdoors: volcanoes, forest fires, natural part of crude oil, gasoline, cigarette smoke, refinery emissions, motor vehicle exhaust
indoor: glues, paints, furniture wax, detergents

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8
Q

health effects of VOC exposure?

A 
bone marrow suppression
anemia
immune suppression
lower levels of antibodies
leukemia
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9
Q

characteristics of toluene?

A

clear, water-insoluble liquid
smell of paint thinner
used in paints, coatings, synthetic fragrances, adhesives, inks, cleaning agents
25x more reactive than benzene!!

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10
Q

where are you exposed to toluene?

A

highest in indoor air from common household products, cigarette smoke

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11
Q

health effects of toluene?

A

CNS is the primary target for toxicity

ssxs: fatigue, sleepiness, H/A, nausea, chronic inhalation, developmental effects in children of PG women

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12
Q

characteristics of xylene?

A

aromatic hydrocarbon aka dimethylbenzene
used in histology labs for tissue processing
colorless
sweet-smelling
occurs naturally in petroleum, cool and wood tar
used as a solvent

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13
Q

how can you be exposed to toluene?

A

occupational, leaking underground storage tanks, can occur through inhalation, ingestion, eye or skin contact

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14
Q

health effects of toluene exposure?

A

H/A, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, HEENT irritation, irritation to lungs that can cause chest pain and SOB, liver and KD damage, dermatitis and skin irritation

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15
Q

characteristics of phenol exposure?

A

white volatile crystalline solid, produced from petroleum, used in conversion to precursors of plastics
includes bisphenol-A, phenolic resins, precursor to many drugs (aspirin, herbicides, oral anesthetic)

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16
Q

toxicity ssxs of phenol exposure?

A

corrosive to eyes, skin and respiratory tract, dermatitis, lung edema, seizures, coma, toxic via oral exposure

17
Q

characteristics of formaldehyde?

A

colorless, highly toxic, flammable, pungent, irritating odor, easily detectable

18
Q

uses of formaldehyde?

A 
extremely common
adhesives, glues, dyes
pressed wood products
carpet, particle board, plywood
paper
germicide, embalming fluid
fertilizer and food production
wrinkle-free clothing
cosmetics
carbon combustion by-product
19
Q

exposure/health effects of formaldehyde?

A

primarily respiratory: respiratory and mucous membranes
bronchitis, pulmonary edema, asthma, URT but not LRT
sinonasal and nasopharyngeal carcinoma
leukemia

20
Q

health concerns of exposure to PVCs come from what 3 sources?

A

off-gassing
leeching of phthalates
combustion products

21
Q

health concerns and ssxs of vinyl chloride?

A

demyelinating neuro-toxin
dizziness, fatigue, neurasthenia, ataxia
respiratory and mucous membrane irritation
highly hepatotoxic/carcinogenic

22
Q

characteristics of polyvinyl chloride?

A

ubiquitous in industry
cheap, durable, light-weight
can be softened with phthalates

23
Q

mechanism of toxicity of polyvinyl chloride?

A

toxic hepatic metabolites
binding to hepatocellular DNA
pro-oncogenic and tumor suppressor action

24
Q

what is vinyl chloride disease?

A

raynaud’s phenomenon
acroosteolysis
scleroderma-like skin changes

25
Q

characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons?

A

multiple conjoined benzene rings

combustion of carbon-based fuels

26
Q

two classes of PAHs?

A

low molecular weight

high molecular weight

27
Q

describe low molecular weight PAHs?

A 
2-3 rings
low molecular weight
white solid
flammable
volatile aromatic
ingredient of mothballs
unstable molecule
does not linger in environment
produced as by-product of coal processing 
napthalene
28
Q

describe high molecular weight PAHs? health effects?

A 
4-7 rings
by-product of carbon combustion 
first carcinogen discovered
most carcinogenic substance in tobacco
charred/grilled food
also form heterocyclic amines
one of most prevalent carcinogens 
known CAs: lungs, prostate, pancreas, stomach, colon, rectum, digestive tract and then prostate and lungs
29
Q

health effects of low molecular weight PAHs?

A

hemolytic anemia
heightened concern for people with known anemia conditions
large dose exposure can cause: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hematuria, jaundice, renal failure
respiratory failure

30
Q

how do high molecular weight PAHs cause cancer?

A

intercalation, inhibits p52 tumor suppression gene

31
Q

foods to avoid so you don’t get PAH exposure?

A

grilled meats

breads, grains, cereals

32
Q

what protects you from PAHs?

A 
don't smoke tobacco
don't grill meat
eat brassicas
eat other antioxidants
marinade meats before grilling them
33
Q

what can second hand smoke cause?

A

lung CA, bronchitis, asthma, SOB, CVS, OM, decreased immune fxn, increased infxn rate

34
Q

what is a substance that can be measured to assess tobacco exposure?

A

cotinine- metabolite of nicotine
urine test most common
test for those who are in an environment where exposure is still going on

35
Q

what is 3rd hand smoke?

A

chemical deposit into objects that come into contact w/tobacco smoke: furniture, clothing, fabrics, carpet, etc
going outside is not enough, should use a smoking jacket

36
Q

characteristics of asbestos?

A 
naturally occurring
non-flammable
insulation
friction products
tile
37
Q

current asbestos risk?

A

often can be sealed and safely avoided

only if material shows wear does removal of asbestos need to occur

38
Q

three major health effects of asbestos exposure?

A

asbestosis (diffuse, dry rales, cyanosis, no fever b/c not infectious process)
mesothelioma (PATHOGONOMIC FOR ASBESTOS EXPOSURE)
lung cancer (mostly adenocarcinoma)

39
Q

mesothelioma ssxs?

A 
dyspnea, SOB
pleuritic pain
cough, wheezing
fatigue
cachexia, hemoptysis

Environmental Medicine (9 decks)

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