Study Guide Material Flashcards
Dx criteria for multiple chemical sensitivity? (6)
- sxs are reproducible w/repeated chemical exposures
- condition has persisted for significant period of time
- low levels of exposure results in manifestations of the syndrome
- sxs improve when the triggering chemicals are removed
- responses often occur to multiple chemically unrelated substances
- sxs involve multiple organ systems
what is sick building syndrome? ssxs? potential contributing factors?
sxs of ill health that seem to be linked to a building but no specific cause is identified
ssxs: fatigue, H/A, nausea, EENT irritation, chest tightness, asthma, poor concetration, memory loss
potential contributing factors: chemicals, mold, recirculation of air, poor ventilation
what is building related illness?
recognized diseases caused by being in a building
what is the main chemical in a Brazilian Blow-out?
formaldehyde
what is the maternal occupation with increased risk of cleft palate in their children?
preschool teacher
what is natural gas formed by? composition of natural gas?
formed when layers of buried plant and animal material is exposed to intense heat and pressure over thousands of years
composition: hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting mostly of methane and to a lesser degree carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide
health effects of exposure to hydrogen sulfide component of natural gas?
higher RBCs, Hct, Hgb, platelets, lower WBCs
respiratory sxs in ppl who used gas appliances
what can you potentially be exposed to if a compact fluorescent bulb breaks?
small amounts of mercury
what is the toxic component in teflon cookware?
polytetrafluoroethylene or PTFE
what is the proven method to accelerate clearance of PFCs (perfluorinated compounds)?
no proven method!
what are the bioaccumulation concerns of PTFE and PFCs?
reproductive, toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity
what is the migration level of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) into food?
low
what are MRLs?
maximum residue limits
EPA sets limits for how much pesticide can remain on food
these limits are known as tolerances (MRLs)
common chemical constituents in fabric softeners?
quaternary ammonium compounds
pthalates
synthetic musks
detrimental respiratory effects of exposure to chemical constituents in fabric softeners?
asthma
sensory irritation
pulmonary irritation
airflow limitation
what are you exposed to with dry cleaned clothes?
elevated levels of tetrachloroethylene (PERC)- a type of VOC
health effects of exposure to tetrachloroethylene (PERC)?
developmental
neurological
respiratory
what is the known additive in vaccines that is a concern?
aluminum (increases shelf life)
what does OSHA stand for?
Occupational Health and Safety
what does MSDS stand for?
Material Safety Data Sheets
what is the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals?
CDC report using data from National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey to assess levels of environmental chemicals in a U.S. subsample
utilizes blood and urinary markers
what are the main systems affected by VOCs?
hematological, nervous & immune systems
oncogenic in nature
where do you find benzene? health effects?
find in forest fires, volcanoes, part of crude oil, gasoline, exhaust, cigarette smoke
causes cells not to work effectively, marrow suppression, anemia, leukemia
where do we find toluene? who likes toluene? how much more potent than benzene?
find in smell of pain thinner, added to gasoline to improve octane ratings, used as a solvent
abused as an inhalant: this is what huffers are after (paint and glue)
25x more potent than benzene
where do you find xylene? main health effect? what can it penetrate?
used in histology labs, occurs naturally in coal, petroleum and wood tar
main effect: CNS depression
can penetrate most clothing
characteristics of phenol? what is it used in? what is it a precursor to?
white, volatile crystalline solid, produced from petroleum
used in conversion of precursors to plastics (used in plywood, construction, automative and appliance industries)
precursor to many drugs
oral anesthetic in chloraseptic/carmex but considered quite toxic PO
where might you find formaldehyde? health effects? URT vs LRT effects?
extremely common to find in adhesives, glues and dyes, pressed wood products, carpet, particle board, plywood, paper products, “wrinkle-free” clothing
health effects: mostly respiratory, mucous membrane, URT but not LRT (solubility prevents access to LRT)
where might you find vinyl chloride and PVCs?
health effects? what can it specifically cause?
“new car smell,” pipes, insulation, siding, shower curtains
off-gasing and leaching can cause hepatotoxicity, specifically causes hepatic angiosarcoma
what is vinyl chloride disease?
Raynaud’s (vasospasm of distal extremities)
acroosteolysis (dissolution of terminal phalanges and SI joint)
scleroderma-like skin changes (tightening)
what are PAHs? what are they made up of (physical make-up as well as byproduct of what)?
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
multiple conjoined benzene rings
from combustion of carbon based fuel
two classes of toxic PAHs? make up of each? sources of each? health effects of each?
low molecular weight: 2-3 rings, exposure from home-based combustion, mothballs; can cause hemolytic anemia, heightened concern for people with known anemic conditions
high molecule weight: 4-7 rings, by-product of carbon combustion, major component of tar- from charred/grilled food, most carcinogenic substance in tobacco smoke
what was the first carcinogen to be discovered?
bezno(a)pyrene
what do benzo(a)pyrenes form?
heterocyclic amines
what are 5 ways to protect against exposure to PAHs?
- quit smoking
- don’t grill meat
- eat more brassicas (indole-3-carbinol, isothiocyanate)
- antioxidants
- marinade meats you want to grill in an acidic base such as vinegar or lemon
what is continine? how to test for it?
metabolite you can use to test for 2nd or 3rd hand smoke
used to measure tobacco consumption
test in the urine most commonly but can also use blood, saliva and hai r
where do you find asbestos? characteristics? 3 adverse health effects?
found in fire-proofing, insulation, friction products, tile
size of particulate matter is extremely fine: 0.01 millimeter thick, 3-20 millimeter long fibers, component of PM10 and 2.5
3 adverse health effects: asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung CA
what are the safest plastics? safer? un-safe?
safest plastics: #2, 4- no leeching or detection in humans
safer: #1, 5-some leeching, no detected health effects
un-safe: #3, 6, 7- known leeching, known health effects
what # is PVC? where do you find it? what can it contain? health effects?
polyvinyl chloride is a #3 plastic
find in plastic pipes, insulation, vinyl siding, IV bags and tubing
some contain pthalate
health effects: statistically significant increased risk of CV and nervous sys dz
what # plastic is in transvaginal mesh and diapers?
polypropylene (#5)
what are phthalates? concern? health effects?
used as a plasticizer (to soften)
concern is that it leeches easily
health concern: endocrine disruptor
LD50 (lethal dose) of polystyrene? what can acute and chronic exposure cause? other health concerns with polystyrene?
styrene itself is a weak toxin
LD50= 500-1000mg/kg
acute exposure can effect mucous membranes and respiratory irritation
chronic exposure can cause dizziness, fatigue, N/V, cognitive and perceptual loss, neural toxicity, possibly renal and hepatic toxicity
possibly/potentially a human carcinogen
oral exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles can affect iron absorption
where can you find bisphenol A (BPA)? health concern?
find in food packaging, metal can coating
endocrine disruptor b/c it is a xenoestrogen
species of black mold?
stachybotrys chartarum
air quality index- how does the EPA grade it?
color-coded and numeric scale (6 levels)
green–> maroon; 0-500
major sources of air pollution? smaller sources?
major sources: power plants, refineries, transportation
smaller sources: nail salons, dry cleaners, auto body shops
classification system of particulate matter?
PM10: all particles are less than or equal to 10 microns, anything bigger will not usu be deposited in the lungs
sources of PM2.5 particles; where can they go? main cause of what?
PM2.5: fine fraction particles
directly from combustion sources and formed secondarily from gaseous precursors of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, organic compounds
remain in atmosphere days to wks and travels through atmosphere hundreds and thousands of kms
main cause of reduced visibility (haze) in the US!!!
sources of PM10-2.5; where can it travel to?
PM10-2.5= coarse fraction particles
tend to deposit to the earth w/in mins to hrs and w/in tens of kms from emission source