Toxicology Flashcards
What is te earliest effect of chronic cadmium poisoning?
Proteinuria
What is the test of choice for monitoring organophosphate insecticide exposure?
RBC cholinesterase
What is the probable mechanism of sudden death involving fluorocarbon exposure?
cardiac arrhythmia and simple asphyxia
Workers exposed to which of he following agents are required to participate in medical surveillance?
a. cadmium
b. Pb
c. asbestos
d. none of the above
d. none of the above
NB: employers are required to provide medical surveillance programs but workers are not required to participate. However, employers may make medical removal protection benefits contingent on participation in surveillance programs.
What is specifically required under OSHA benzene standard?
a. use of accredited laboratory only
b. spirometry training for non-physicians who perform PFTs.
c. medical exam within 1 year of initial assignment
d. a & b
d. a & b. Also, medical exam must be offered PRIOR to initial assignment.
Under OSHA Pb standard, the employer must provide up to ____ of medical removal protection (MRP) benefits to workers with blood Pb levels of 50 mcg.
a. 30 days
b. 3 months
c. 6 months
d. 18 months
d. 18 months. During this MRP, the employer must maintain earnings, benefits, seniority and other rights for workers removed due to Pb exposure.
Under the OSHA Pb standard for medical surveillance, the employer is required to provide biological monitoring and Pb exposure medical examination because of:
a. employee complaints
b. MSDS info
c. air monitoring results
d. EPA requirements
c. air monitoring results.
What Pb level of exposure triggers the need for employer to provide biological monitoring and medical surveillance?
When workplace inorganic Pb exposure exceeds 30 mcg/cubic meter per 8 hr TWA for 30 or more days annually.
Which of the following statements regarding arsenic are false?
a. causes both lung and skin cancer
b. shown to be a cause of hepatic angiosarcoma
c. associated with peripheral vascular disease
d. causes bladder cancer
d.
Which of the following can cause parkinsonian movement disorder?
a. trichloroethylene
b. MPTP
c. arsine
d. acrylamide
b. MPTP (a meperidine derivative)
Which of the ofllowin is associated with the developement of parkinsonian symptoms?
a. chromium
b. nickel
c. n-hexane
d. manganese
d. manganese (tremor, neurobehavioral dysfunction, dysarthria, gait disturbance)
Which of the following agents is a potent GI carcinogen and has properties of cyanide at high concentrations?
a. acrylic resins
b. amino resins
c. acrylonitrile
d. epoxy resins
c. acrylonitrile (generates cyanide when burned, linked to colon cancer with 20 year latency)
Which of the following is most likely to cause stomatitis, gingivitis and tremor?
a. beryllium
b. zinc
c. arsenic
d. elemental Hg
d. elemental mercury (“Mad Hatter” syndrome)
What is the best use of Maneb?
fungicide (aka mancozeb, metiram, EBDC)
Organ function testing (e.g. liver, renal function tests) is useful for surveillance monitoring of which of the following?
a. CO
b. cadmium
c. Pb
d. arsenic
e. organophosphate pesticides
b. cadmium
Which of the following symptoms are most consistent with chronic INORGANIC Hg poisoning?
a. erythism, distal neuropathy
b. irritability, tremor, ataxia
c. spasticity, visual constriction
d. stomatitis, melena
d. stomatitis, melena
Which of the following symptoms are most consistent with chronic ELEMENTAL Hg poisoning?
a. erythism, distal neuropathy
b. irritability, tremor, ataxia
c. spasticity, visual constriction
d. stomatitis, melena
a. erythism, distal neuropathy
Which of the following symptoms are most consistent with methy-mercury (ORGANIC) poisoning?
a. erythism, distal neuropathy
b. irritability, tremor, ataxia
c. spasticity, visual constriction
d. stomatitis, melena
c. spasticity, visual constriction (mnemonic: DCATS)
Solvent associated with “coasting” (continued decrement after exposure ceases)
a. n-hexane
b. formaldehyde
c. trichloroethanol
d. methyl-n-butyl ketone
a. n-hexane
Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) has been associated with all of the following except:
a. rhinitis
b. hemorrhagic pneumonitis
c. lung cancer
d. hemolytic anemia
c. lung cancer
Chronic elemental Hg effects
“Mad Hatter”-tremor, paresthesia, hyperexcitability, memory loss, erethism, sensory neuropathy, acrodynia
Methyl-Hg effects
“DCATS”-deafness, cognitive/visual constriction, ataxia, tremor, spasticity
Inorganic Hg effects
GI mucosal necrosis, stomatitis, ATN (acute tubular necrosis)
Thallium exposure associated with:
hair loss, tremor, peripheral neuropathy, CN neuropathy
Trichloroethylene associated with:
trigeminal neuralgia, optic neuropathy
Skin cancer is associated with exposure to:
arsenic, UV radiation, ionizing radiation, PAH
Bladder cancer is associated with:
smoking, napthylamine, benzidine, 4-amino-biphenyl, aniline derivative dyess, methylene dianiline
Hemangiosarcoma is associated with:
vinyl chloride, arsenic
Hepatocellular cancer is associated with:
aflatoxin, Hep C, Hep B
Regarding methyl mercury poisoning, all of the following are possible except:
a. fulminant chemical pneumonitis
b. ferrotoxicity
c. speech disturbance
d. hemiparesis
d. hemiparesis has NOT been linked to methyl mercury poisoning.
A refinery worker presents for an “emergency” medical surveillance evaluation a reported overexposure to benzene during tank maintenance. Which substance would likely be elevated in his urine?
a. creatinine
b. phenol
c. methyl hippuric acid
d. beta 2 microglobulin
b. phenol
A print assembly worker presents with numbness in his feet and hands. The most likely cause is:
a. methy-n-butyl ketone
b. formaldehyde
c. trichloroethanol
d. methyl ethyl ketone
a. methyl-n-butyl ketone
A chemical plant worker liquid end-product is shipped to a company that makes ‘plastic’ pipes for the construction industry is more likely to develop:
a. acro-osteolysis
b. peripheral neuropathy
c. lung cancer
d. bladder cancer
a. acro-osteolysis
Which of the following agents has not been associated with peripheral neuropathy?
a. N-hexane
b. arsenic
c. toluene diisocyanate (TDI)
d. Pb
c. toluene diisocyanate
What wavelength UV light is of greatest health concern?
280-320 nm can cause skin cancer, photokeratosis, erythema
What agents are associated with urologic cancers?
aniline dyes; benzidine; 4-amino biphenyl; beta naphthalene
Why are slow acetylators at higher risk of bladder cancer?
N-acetylation reduces carcinogenicity
IARC Category 1 means:
carcinogenic
IARC Category 2 means:
probable, possible carcinogenic
IARC Category 3 means:
not classifiable with regard to humans
IARC Category 4 means:
probably not carcinogenic
Name the single agent in IARC Category 4
caprolactam
What is the major route of exposure for solvents?
respiratory
How are solvents metabolized?
Primarily metabolized by P450 in liver
Solvents that are poorly metabolized such as tetrachloroethylene are excreted primarily by?
exhalation
BEI for benzene?
urine phenol or end exhaled air
BEI for xylene?
urine methyl hippuric acid
BEI for toluene?
urine hippuric acid
BEI for styrene?
urine mandelic acid or phenylglycolic acid, blood styrene
BEI for trichloroethylene?
urine trichlorethanol or trichloracetic acid
BEI for N-hexane?
urine 2,5 hexanedione
Symptoms of acute solvent syndrome?
headache, confusion, dizziness, malaise, seizures
acute solvent exposure acts like what on the brain?
alcohol; reversible encephalopathy
Chronic Solvent Syndrome is AKA?
Painters’ syndrome
Symptoms of Painters syndrome?
psychomotor slowing, decreased memory, dementia, fatigue, irritability, headaches
2,5 hexanedione is responsible for what?
neurotoxicity
Toluene can cause what cardiac condition?
arrhythmias
Fetal Solvent Syndrome is associated with?
toluene
What is Blackfoot Disease? Agent?
peripheral vasospasm and gangrene; arsenic
What cardiac condition is associated with acute arsenic exposure?
prolonged QT
Symptoms of acute inorganic arsenic toxicity?
GI
Symptoms of subacute inorganic arsenic toxicity?
blackfoot, PN, Mees lines, hyperkeratosis
Symptoms of chronic arsenic toxicity?
PN, anemia, skin cancer (squamous), brown hyperpigmentation
Symptoms of Thallium toxicity?
PN, CN neuropathy,tremor, chorea, gait abnl.
Agent associated with Mad Hatter?
elemental Hg
Symptoms of acute elemental Hg toxicity?
cough, stomatitis, GI, pneumonia, bronchitis
Symptoms of chronic elemental Hg toxicity?
Triad: tremor, gingivitis, erethism; acrodynia
Health effects of acute inorganic Hg?
GI mucosal necrosis (bloody emesis and diarrhea); ATN
Exposure index for elemental Hg?
urine
Exposure index for inorganic Hg?
urine
Exposure index for Organic Hg (Methyl Mercury)
blood, hair
Chronic Inorganic Pb toxicity?
fatigue, apathy, vague GI, arthalgias, myalgias, distal motor neuropathy, lead lines (in gums), HTN, CRF, gout.
Another name for organic Pb?
Alkyl Pb.
Parkinsonism is associated with which exposures?
manganese; CO; carbon disulfide; MPTP; Hg.
What neurotoxicant is associated with blindness?
methanol
What neurotoxicants are associated with chronic toxic encephalopathy?
Pb, solvents, carbon disulfide
NCS: Amplitude
reflects number of conducting fibers (reduced in axonal loss)
NCS: Latency
reflects stimulus to response; prolonged in demyelination
NCS; Conduction velocity
reduced in demyelinating disorders
EMG:
used to investigate weakness
Prior to 1950, the most common cause of toxic aplastic anemia was?
benzene exposure
Biomarker for benzene?
urine phenol
What are the metabolites of benzene and what do they cause?
hydroquinone, benzoquinone; cause marrow toxicity
How do benzene metabolites cause marrow toxicity?
by destroying pluripotent stem cells
Agents associated with aplastic anemia?
benzene; arsenic; pesticides; ionizing radiation; chemotherapy agents; antibiotics (chloramphenicol)
What syndrome is associated with solvent nephropathy?
Goodpasture Syndrome (pulmonary hemorrhage and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis)
What syndrome is associated with Pb nephropathy?
Fanconi Syndrome (amino aciduria, hyperphosphaturia, hypercalcemia)
Chronic renal failure, hypertension and gout may represent exposure to
Pb.
Glomerulonephritis is associated with exposure to
mercury, organic solvents
Acute tubular necrosis is associated with exposure to
Pb, Cd, Hg, arsenic, solvent
Solvent induced liver damage is associated with exposure to
carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, hydroflurocarbons, halothane
Hepatic cancer (angiosarcoma) is associated with
vinyl chloride, arsenic, anabolic steroids, thorotrast
Hepatic cancer (hepatocellular) is associated with
Hep B, Hep C, aflatoxin exposure
Hepatic necrosis is associated with
TNT, carbon tet, chloroform, APAP, heat stroke, arsenic, halothane, yellow phosphorus
Hepatic Steatosis is associated with
halogenated hydrocarbons, DDT, kepone, TNT, dimethyl formamide
Halogenated hydrocarbons include
carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethane
Occupational causes of squamous cell cancer include
sunlight, arsenic, PAH, phenolic compounds, ionizing radiation
PAH includes
asphalt, shale oils, coal and oil products
Cancers associated with PAH include
lung, renal, bladder, skin
Chloracne is associated with
hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons
Hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons include
dioxin, PCB, herbicides, Agent Orange
Associated with toxic porphyrias
hexachlorobenzene, vinyl chloride, Pb, Aluminum, Dioxin, chloramphenicol
Fetal solvent syndrome is associated with
toluene
Sensorimotor axonal degeneration and hyperhydrosis is associated with
acrylamide
Associated with hemolytic anemia
stibine gas; lead; arsine gas; copper sulfate “slacs”
Associated with aplastic anemia
benzene; arsenic; pesticide; ionizing radiation; chemotherapy; antibiotics (chloramphenicol)
Associated with Parkinson’s
manganese, carbon disulfide, MPTP, carbon monoxide, mercury C2M3
Mee’s lines, blackfoot disease, anemia, neuropathy associated with
arsenic
Agents associated with lung cancer
asbestos, radon, arsenic, chromium, chloromethyl ether, PAH, nickle
Nickle compounds can cause all of the following except:
a. lung cancer
b. peripheral neuropathy
c. ARDS
d. contact dermatitis
b. peripheral neuropathy
Agents associated with nasal cancer
hardwood dust, nickle, chromates, radium
Associated with toxic porphyrias
Hexachlorobenzene, vinyl chloride, lead, aluminum, dioxin, chloramphenicol.
Fetal solvent syndrome is associated with __?
toluene
What is another name for toxic encephalopathy?
“white matter disease”
What exposure affects CN5?
trichlorethylene
“Degreaser’s flush” is associated with which exposure?
trichlorothylene
Trichloroethylene is potentieted by ?
etOH
What is the normal level of blood mercury?
Carbon disulfide is used in which industry?
viscose rayon fiber; cellophane film manufacture
What is the prevalence of OSA in general?
3-7%
Treatment of OSA is recommended at ?
AHI greater than or equal to 15
Metabolite(s) of benzene?
hydroquinone and benzoquinone
Health effects of benzene metabolite(s)?
hydroquinone and benzoquinone are bone marrow toxic; destroys pluripotent stem cells.
Occ med exposures related to aplastic anemia?
BAPICA
RBC basophilic stippling is related to___ toxicity?
Pb
What is”level of concern” for Pb re: children?
5 mcg/dL
What organ is affected in acquired porphyrias?
liver (impaired heme synthesis)
Heinz bodies are associated with ?
MetHgb
Myelodysplastic Syndrome is associated with?
Benzene, Ionizing radiation
Degreaser’s flush is similar to what kind of reaction?
antabuse
Solvents tend to distribute to ____-rich tissue?
lipid-rich
Toluene is found in?
gasoline, thinner, benzene substitute
Causes of hemolytic anemia include?
stibine gas, arsine gas
what % of cancer occurs secondary to occ exposures?
2-8%
IARC Category 1:
human carcinogen
IARC Category 2:
2A: probable human carcinoger; 2B possible human carcinogen
IARC Category 3:
insufficient data; not classifiable
IARC Category 4:
not a human carcinogen
What form of arsenic is associated with skin cancer?
Inorganic
BEI for benzene:
urine S-phenylmercapturic acid, urine t,t-muconic acid
BEI for xylene:
urine methyl hippuric acid
BEI for toluene:
urine hippuric acid
BEI for styrene
urine mandelic acid or phenylglycoxylic acid
BEI for N-hexane
urine 2,5 hexanedione
What exposure potentiates hearing loss?
styrene
What exposure affects color vision?
styrene
What exposure is associated with psychosis?
carbon disulfide
what exposure is uniquely associated with autonomic dysfunction?
acrylamide monomer
Does carbon disulfide have cardiovascular effects?
Yes, it is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis.
Mee’s lines are associated with?
arsenic
Alkyl lead is also known as?
organic lead
What kind of Pb is added to gasoline?
organic/alkyl lead
Which neurotoxin is associated with opsoclonus?
chlordecone (aka Kepone)
What exposure is associated with bladder neuropathy?
DMAPN (dimethyl amino propio nitrile)
Name exposures associated with nasal cancer:
hardwood dust, chromates, nickel, radium, formaldehyde
Name exposures associated with lung cancer:
asbestos, radon, arsenic, chromium, PAH, nickel, silica, bis-chloromethyl ether.
Name exposures associated with mesothelioma:
asbestos
Name exposures associated with bladder cancer:
smoking, aniline, methylene dianiline
Name exposures associated scrotal cancer:
coal tar
Name occupations associated with PAH exposures:
petrochemical, firefighting, coke oven
Are coke oven workers covered under OSHA standard?
Yes; requires history, skin exam, CXR, PFT, urine studies
Is Vinyl Chloride monomer under OSHA standard?
Yes; requires LFT annually x 10 years then q6mo
Match:
a. B-napthalene 1. hepatic angiosarcoma
b. vinyl chloride 2. microsteatosis
c. methylene dianiline (MDA) 3. cholestatis
d. trichlorethylene 4. degreasers flush
e. dimethylforamide 5. bladder cancer
a 5 b 1 c 3 d 4 e 2
Disorder associated with cadmium?
metallotheionein complex
Disorder associated with mercury?
membranous glomerulonephritis
Disorder associated with solvent?
Goodpastures’s syndrome
Disorder associated with lead?
gout
Disorder associated with B-naphthalene?
bladder cancer
Disorder associated with vinyl chloride?
hepatic angiosarcoma
Disorder associated with methylene dianiline (MDA)?
cholestasis
Disorder associated with trichloroethylene?
degreaser’s flush
Disorder associated with dimethylforamide
microsteatosis
T or F: ADA includes pregnancy.
False. Specifically excludes pregnancy.
What are reproductive effects of Pb exposure?
SA, stillbirths, preterm, delayed cognitive development, LBW
Why may Pb levels increase after exposure in pregnancy?
lead stored in bones, mobilized for fetal skeleton in 2nd and 3rd trimester.
Chemical properties of breast milk contaminants?
LMW, non-polar, lipophylic
T or F: Solvents can cross placenta?
True.
T or F: Exposure to anesthetic gases shows reproductive effects?
2003 study: no associations
Decreased sperm production or motility due to?
Pb, heat, ion rad, etOH, cannabis, pesticides
What are the two leading causes of occupational death?
MVA, homicide respectively.
What is “Epping jaundice” and what is exposure?
cholestatic jaundice due to MDA
Methylene dianiline is a what?
epoxy resin hardener
Cirrhosis and fibrotic response due to what exposures?
carbon tetrachloride, arsenic, TNT, etOH, schistosomiasis, viral hepatides
Hepatic angiosarcomas due to?
VCM, arsenic, anabolic steroids, thorotrast
Hepatocellular carcinoma exposures?
aflatoxin, HBV, HCV
Exposures associated with ATN?
cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, solvents
Exposure associated with renal tubular acidosis?
cadmium
Beta-2-microglobulin is a marker for?
cadmium exposure
Examples of LMW proteinuria?
Beta-2-microglobulin, retinol binding protein
Examples of HMW proteinuria? Indicative of?
albumin, glomerulonephritis
Name the disorder associated with low altitude agricultural workers?
Central America Chronic Kidney Disease
Analgiesics can cause what type of renal effects?
interstitial nephritis
“Light hydrocarbon nephropathy” exposures?
gasoline, glue sniffers (no sustained RF or decreased GFR)
combination of hemoptysis and glomerulonephritis should make one thing of?
Goodpastures’s syndrome
What is OSHA standard for Beta-2-microglobulin?
300 mcg/g Cr or less
What is OSHA standard for blood cadmium?
5 mcg/l or less
What is OSHA standard for urine cadmium?
3 mcg/g Cr or less
Beta-2-microglobulin is an early indicator of?
cadmium nephrotoxicity