Metals & Occupational Hazards

Question 1

Lead
binding & outcome
where it's found
who is at risk 
what happens
clinical presentations

Answer 1

binds to: sulfhydryl groups –> interferes w calcium
found in: flaking lead paint & soil contamination
occupation exposure: battery manifucatring, pigments, car radiator & tin cans
children: brain damage, intellect, behavioral problems, hyperactivity
adults: peripheral neuropathy
lead lines (deposits in metaphyses and gums), hypochromic microcytic anemia, basophilic stippling and ring sideroblasts

Question 2

Mercury
binding & outcome
source
associated clinical

Answer 2

binds to sulfyhyral groups–> damage CNS
source: contaminated fish, mercury vapors
Minamata disease: cerebral palsy, deafness, blindness, mental retardation and major CNS defects

Question 3

Arsenic

Answer 3

cellular metabolism inteference–> GI tract, nervous system, skin & heart
source: soil and water naturally, wood perservatives, herbicides, herbal medicines
GI, CV, and CNS toxicities
sensorimotor neuropathy, parathesias, numbness, pain
hyperpigmentation & hyperkeratosis
increases risk for lung, bladder and skin cancer

Question 4

Cadmium

Answer 4

toxic to kidneys & lungs via uncertain mechanisms that may involve increasd ROS
source: nickel-cadmium batteries, soil, plants= food
obstructive lung disease, renal tubular damage, skeletal abnormalities w calcium loss
itai-itai: osteoporosis and osteomalacia
increased risk for lung cancer

Question 5

organic solvents: chloroform & carbon tetrachloride

Answer 5

source: Degreasing, dry cleaning agents, and paint removers

acutely–> dizziness and confusion–> CNS depression & Coma

Question 6

benzene & 1,3- butadiene

Answer 6

increased risk of leukemia –> dose dependent marrow aplasia and increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia

Question 7

polycyclic hydorcarbons

Answer 7

combustion of fossil fuels, scrotal cancers in chimney sweeps
lung and bladder cancer

Question 8

organochlorines

Answer 8

pesticides (DDT), PCBs and dioxin–> disrupt hormonal balance
chloracne: acne, cyst formation, hyperpigmentation, hyperkaratosis

Question 9

mineral dusts (coal dust, silicia, asbestos, beryllium)

Answer 9

penumonoconioses
source: mining, house/ship building
asbestos–> mesothelioma (ferruginous bodies–> asbestos coatedin iron)

Question 10

vinyl chloride

Answer 10

angiosarcomas of the liver

Question 11

BPA

Answer 11

endocrine disrupter