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Environmental Medicine > Occupational/Indoor Exposures > Flashcards

Occupational/Indoor Exposures Flashcards

1
Q

Dx criteria for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

A
  • Sx are reproducible with repeated chemical exposures.
  • Condition has persisted for significant period of time.
  • Low levels of exposure result in manifestations of the syndrome (inc. sensitivity).
  • Sx improve when the triggering chemicals are removed.
  • Responses often occur to multiple chemically unrelated substances.
  • Symptoms involve multiple-organ symptoms
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2
Q

What are the sx of and potential contributing factors to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?

A

Sx: Fatigue, H/A, Nausea, EENT irritation, Chest tightness, Asthma, Poor concentration, Memory loss
Factors: chemicals (i.e. Formaldehyde), mold, recirculation of air, poor ventilation

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3
Q

What is the difference between Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building-Related Illness?

A

SBS: Sx of ill health that seem linked to a building but no specific cause is identified
B-RI: Recognized diseases caused by being in a building

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4
Q

Main chemical in Brazilian Blow-outs?

A

Formaldehyde

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5
Q

Maternal occupation with increased risk of cleft palate in their children?

A

Preschool teachers

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6
Q

What you can potentially be exposed to if a Compact Fluorescent bulb breaks?

A

Small amounts of mercury

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7
Q

What is in Teflon cookware?

A

Polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE

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8
Q

What is MRLs?

A

Maximum Residue Limits = limit set by the EPA, for how much pesticide can remain on food.

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9
Q

Main systems affected by VOCs?

A

Hematological, Nervous & Immune Systems

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10
Q

Benzene: how are we exposed and what does it cause?

A

Exposed via forest fires, volcanoes, part of crude oil, gasoline, exhaust, cigarette smoke
Causes cells to not work effectively: marrow suppression, anemia, leukemia

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11
Q

Notable characteristics of Toluene?

A
  • Smell of paint thinner
  • Added to gasoline to improve octane ratings, used as a solvent
  • Abused as an inhalant: this is what huffers are after (paint + glue)
  • 25x more potent than benzene
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12
Q

Notable characteristics of Xylene?

A
  • Used in histology labs, occurs naturally in coal, petroleum and wood tar
  • Main effect: CNS depression
  • Can penetrate most clothing
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13
Q

Notable characteristics of Phenol?

A
  • White, volatile crystalline solid, produced from petroleum
  • Used in the conversion to precursors of plastics; used in plywood, construction, automotive and appliance industries
  • Precursor to many drugs; oral anesthetic in Chloraseptic / Carmex but considered quite toxic p.o.
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14
Q

Notable characteristics of Formaldehyde?

A
  • Extremely common in use; Adhesives, glues and dyes, pressed wood products, carpet, particle board, plywood, paper products, “wrinkle-free” clothing
  • Health Effects: mostly resp. and mucous membrane; URT but not LRT: solubility prevents access to LRT
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15
Q

Notable characteristics of Vinyl Chloride and PVC?

A
  • One source of “new car smell”, found in pipes, insulation, siding, shower curtains
  • Health effects from off-gassing and leaching
  • Highly hepatotoxic: Hepatic Angiosarcoma
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16
Q

What is Vinyl Chloride Disease?

A
  • Raynaud’s- Vasospasm of distal extremities

- Acroosteolysis - Dissolution of terminal phalanges & SI Joint, Scleroderma-like skin changes(tightening)

17
Q

First carcinogen discovered?

A

Benzo(a)pyrene - forms Heterocyclic Amines (HCA)

18
Q

Prevention strategies to protect against Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)?

A
  • Tobacco cessation, Non-grilled meat
  • Eat brassicas (Indole-3-carbinol, Isothiocyanate)
  • Antioxidants
  • Marinade in Acidic base - Vinegar/Lemon is best
19
Q

What metabolite can you test for in the case of 2nd and 3rd hand smoke, and how do you test for it?

A

Cotinine. Urine test most common.
Used to measure tobacco consumption
Primary metabolite of nicotine (80%)
Blood, Saliva, Hair tests also possible, all are highly correlated.

20
Q

Where is asbestos found and what health risks are associated with it?

A

Found in: fire-proofing, Insulation (Heat, Electrical, Sound), Friction products (Car brakes, clutch), Tile (Roofing, Ceiling, Floors, etc…)
Size of particulate matter is extremely fine
Health risks: Asbestosis, Mesotheolioma, Lung CA

21
Q

What numbers are the safest plastics?

A

2, 4: No leeching, no detection in humans

22
Q

What numbers are somewhat safe plastics?

A

1, 5: Some leeching, no detected health effects

23
Q

What numbers are known to be un-safe plastics?

A

3, 6, some 7: Known leeching + health effects

24
Q

Notable characteristics of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)?

A
  • SPI #3: Plastic pipes, Insulation, Vinyl siding (Houses), IV bags and tubing
    Some contain plasticizers (pthalate softeners)
  • Health Effects: Statistically significant increased risk of CV + nervous disease
25
Q

What plastic # is in transvaginal mesh and diapers?

A

Polypropylene (#5)

26
Q

Notable characteristics of phthalates?

A
  • “plasticizer”
  • Leeches easily
  • Health effects: Endocrine disruption
27
Q

Polystyrene health effects: acute exposure?

A

Styrene = Weak toxin, LD50 = 500-1000mg/kg

Mucous membranes & respiratory irritation

28
Q

Polystyrene health effects: chronic exposure?

A

Styrene = Weak toxin, LD50 = 500-1000mg/kg
Dizziness, Fatigue, N/V, Cognitive & perceptual loss, Neural toxicity, possibly renal/hepatic
Possible/Potential Human Carcinogen
Oral exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles can affect iron absorption

29
Q

Notable characteristics of Bisphenol A (BPA)?

A 
Used in food packaging, metal can coating
Endocrine disruptor (xenoestrogen)
30
Q

What is the species name for Black Mold?

A

Stachybotrys chartarum

31
Q

What is PAHs?

A

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons = multiple conjoined benzene rings (Semi-volatile organic compounds, SVOCs), from combustion of carbon-based fuel
2 toxic classes: Low Molecular Weight(LMW) and High Molecular Weight(HMW)

32
Q

Notable characteristics of LMW PAHs?

A
  • 2-3 rings (e.g. Naphthalene)
  • exposure from home-based combustion (Wood, Propane) or mothballs
  • Causes hemolytic anemia: heightened concern for people w/ known anemia conditions (Sickle cell, G6PD)
33
Q

Notable characteristics of HMW PAHs?

A
  • 4-7 rings (e.g. Benzo(a)pyrene)
  • By-product of carbon combustion; major component of tar, from charred/grilled food
  • Most carcinogenic substance in tobacco smoke
34
Q

What are some concerns about fabric softener use?

A
  • Common chemical constituents: Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats, considered asthmagenic), Pthlates, Synthetic musks
  • Detrimental respiratory effects, sensory irritation, pulmonary irritation + airflow limitation in mice
35
Q

What is the concern of chemical exposure from conventional dry cleaned clothes?

A
  • Off-gassing: elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene (PERC), a VOC.
  • Health Effects: Developmental, Neurological, Respiratory
36
Q

What additive in childhood vaccines is concerning?

A

Some contain aluminum to increase shelf life

Environmental Medicine (5 decks)

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