Solvent-based paint and varnish removers: a focused toxicologic review of existing and alternative constituents.

Paint and varnish removers constitute a major potential source of organic solvent exposure to contractors and home improvement enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the leading paint remover formulations have traditionally contained, as major ingredients, chemicals classified as probable human carcinogens (eg, methylene chloride) or reproductive toxicants (eg, N-methylpyrrolidone). In addition, because of its unique toxicology (ie, hepatic conversion to carbon monoxide compounding generic solvent narcosis and arrythmogenesis), high volatility, and rigorous requirements for personal protective equipment, methylene chloride exposures from paint removers have been linked to numerous deaths involving both occupational and consumer usage. The aim of this review is to summarize the known toxicology of solvent-based paint remover constituents (including those found in substitute formulations) in order to provide health risk information to regulators, chemical formulators, and end-users of this class of products, and to highlight any data gaps that may exist.

Diabetes and Driving: A Statement of the American Diabetes Association.

Many people with diabetes in the U.S. will seek or currently hold a license to drive. For many, a driver's license is essential for everyday life. Considerable discussion has focused on whether, and the extent to which, diabetes may be a relevant factor in determining driver ability and eligibility for a license. This statement addresses such issues in relation to current scientific and medical evidence. A diagnosis of diabetes on its own is not sufficient to make judgments about an individual driver's ability or safety. This statement provides an overview of existing licensing rules for people with diabetes in the U.S., addresses the factors that affect driving ability, identifies general guidelines for assessing driver fitness and determining appropriately tailored licensing restrictions, and provides practical guidance for health care professionals regarding clinical interventions and education for people with diabetes.

Unintentional pediatric exposures to household cleaning products: a cross-sectional analysis of the National Poison Data System (2000-2015).

BACKGROUND: Household cleaning products are the second most common cause of unintentional poisoning in children < 6 years old in the United States. The aim of this study is to characterize exposures to household cleaning substances in this age group from data collected from the Nation's Poison Control Centers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed all household cleaner calls classified as age < 6 years old made to the American Association of Poison Control Centers between January 1st 2000 and December 31th 2015. RESULTS: Significant clinical effects or injury was low, making up only 2.6% of cases with a known medical outcome. Alkali-based cleaning products accounted for the third highest frequency of overall exposures and the highest number of all exposure outcomes determined to have a significant clinical effect or injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated particular danger of adverse outcomes after exposure to alkali-based cleaning products, specifically alkali-based oven and drain cleaners. Both of which are readily accessible in many households. This study may be a good starting point for further study and poison prevention efforts.

Evaluating Effectiveness of Online Learning Modules in Pediatric Environmental Health Education.

OBJECTIVE: Content and training about pediatric environmental health are lacking in healthcare professionals' education. In an initiative to improve pediatric environmental health education, the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) program offers free, interactive, web-based ("eLearning") modules on environmental health topics. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of PEHSU eLearning modules in increasing knowledge about pediatric and reproductive environmental health. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 994 users who had completed at least one of the 12 PEHSU eLearning modules and its associated pre-test and post-test scores between March 2016 and November 2018. Users who completed modules between March 2016 and April 2018 received a 6-month follow-up survey to assess the impact of the knowledge gained on their clinical practice. RESULTS: A wide range of clinical professionals and nonclinical professionals utilized and completed the PEHSU eLearning modules. For all users, post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores, with an increase of 30.55% ± 22.37 (paired t-test, p < 0.0001), after completion of eLearning modules. CONCLUSION: PEHSU eLearning modules are effective at increasing environmental health knowledge of clinical and nonclinical professionals. Further studies are needed to determine long-term knowledge retention and clinical impact.

Do we know how best to disinfect child care sites in the United States? A review of available disinfectant efficacy data and health risks of the major disinfectant classes.

BACKGROUND: Children in child care settings have a high infectious burden. They are frequently exposed to sanitizing and disinfecting agents, whose toxicities have not been studied in these settings. Current guidance on the preferred disinfection agents for child care is vague. METHODS: This article combines 2 different sources of information: the Environmental Protection Agency registration data on the efficacy of hospital-grade disinfectants and a review of the research on the toxicities of the most common of these disinfectants to summarize information that could be used for more evidence-based early care and education disinfection regulations and guidelines. RESULTS: Coverage of these organisms varied both between disinfectant classes (defined by active ingredient), as well as within classes. The 3 most common active ingredients in the database-quaternary ammonias, bleaches, and hydrogen peroxides-had 251, 63, and 31 products, respectively. Quaternary ammonias and bleaches are both known asthmagens, with the potential for toxic gas release when mixed. Quaternary ammonias may also cause reproductive toxicity. Disinfectant-grade peroxides have relatively low inhalational toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: A clear rationale is needed to establish policies for determining preferable disinfection products for use in child care settings, based on efficacy against relevant pathogens, toxicity, ease of use, and cost. When other factors are equal, the use of peroxide-based disinfectant products is recommended to minimize inhalational toxicity.

Lead Exposure in the Special Operations Shooter How to Prevent Cognitive Decline and Permanent Disability.

Lead toxicity is an important environmental disease and its effects on the human body can be devastating. Unique exposures to Special Operations Forces personnel may include use of firing ranges, use of automotive fuels, production of ammunition, and bodily retention of bullets. Toxicity may degrade physical and psychological fitness, and cause long-term negative health outcomes. Specific effects on fine motor movements, reaction times, and global function could negatively affect shooting skills and decision-making. Biologic monitoring and chelation treatment are poor solutions for protecting this population. Through primary prevention, Special Operations Forces personnel can be protected, in any environment, from the devastating effects of lead exposure. This article offers tools to physicians, environmental service officers, and Special Operations Medics for primary prevention of lead poisoning in the conventional and the austere or forward deployed environments.

Exposures to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals in Consumer Products-A Guide for Pediatricians.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals, a group of exogenous chemicals that can interfere with hormone action in the body, have been implicated in disrupting endocrine function, which negatively affects human health and development. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are ubiquitously detected in consumer products, foods, beverages, personal care products, and household cleaning products. Due to concerns about their negative effects on human health, several professional health provider societies have recommended the reduction of common endocrine disrupting chemical exposures. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of common endocrine disrupting chemicals (bisphenol A, phthalates, triclosan, polybrominated ethers, and parabens) and potential effects on child development and health. In addition, we aim to provide guidance and resources for pediatricians and other health care providers with counseling strategies to help patients to minimize exposures to common endocrine disrupting chemicals.

When Is "Pseudo-Ludwig's Angina" Associated With Coagulopathy Also a "Pseudo" Hemorrhage?

Sublingual hematoma secondary to short-acting anticoagulants such as warfarin has been labeled "pseudo-Ludwig's angina" to distinguish it from the classic syndrome of localized infection and swelling involving the upper airway. Sublingual hematoma with airway compromise secondary to brodifacoum, a common long-acting anticoagulant rodenticide, has only been reported in the veterinary literature. We report a case of massive tongue swelling and impending airway compromise in the context of an intentional long-acting anticoagulant ingestion leading to coagulopathy. The swelling was initially presumed to be due either to infection or hemorrhage, but this was not supported by computed tomography scan imaging. Instead, the patient's clinical course was consistent with corticosteroid-responsive angioedema, temporally associated with the ingested brodifacoum.

Is early postoperative duplex scan surveillance of leg bypass grafts clinically important?

PURPOSE: The typical leg bypass surveillance program begins with a duplex scan evaluation of the vein graft 3 months after surgery; studies are repeated every 3 months during the first year of follow-up and are fully reimbursed by our Medicare carrier. Some authors have recommended early (before discharge or first postoperative visit) duplex scanning to identify high-risk grafts. However, the natural history of velocity disturbances detected with early scans is unclear, and furthermore, such studies are not reimbursed by Medicare. METHODS: We reviewed all infrainguinal vein bypass grafts prospectively entered into a surveillance protocol that included an early (<6 weeks) duplex scan study. Routine completion angiography was performed at the initial operation in all patients. Early duplex scan results, the need for graft revision, and detailed follow-up of these bypass grafts were analyzed. RESULTS: Early duplex scans were performed in 224 bypass grafts placed in 204 patients. Early scans were abnormal (peak systolic velocity [PSV], >200 cm/s) in 58 grafts (26%). Six grafts of the 58 (10.3%; 2.7%) with an early abnormal duplex scan and unrepaired defects occluded during the follow-up period. Thirty grafts were revised on the basis of the initial early scan; 23 of these revisions were performed for critical or rapidly progressive lesions in the first 3 postoperative months. Seven lesions progressed more slowly and were repaired at a mean of 8 months after surgery. Interestingly, 22 flow abnormalities (37%) resolved or stabilized despite a PSV of more than 300 cm/s in six cases (27%). Clear duplex scan evidence of regression or progression of these early flow abnormalities occurred within 3 months in 51/58 cases (88%). A total of 68 grafts (30%) were revised during the entire study period; 30 of these (44%) were on the basis of the early abnormal scan. CONCLUSION: Despite normal completion arteriography, early graft velocity abnormalities are strikingly common and were detected in 26% of the 224 infrainguinal vein grafts in this series. These lesions were clinically important because 52% necessitated revision. Surprisingly, however, 38% of these early flow disturbances resolved, despite a PSV of more than 300 cm/s in 27% of cases. Early duplex scan surveillance singularly detects a clinically significant subgroup of grafts that need revision. The possible origin of these early lesions deserves further inquiry, but on the basis of its clinical yield, we recommend that early duplex scan surveillance of infrainguinal bypass grafts should be routine and should be considered for Medicare reimbursement.