Respiratory morbidity in a coffee processing workplace with sentinel obliterative bronchiolitis cases.

RATIONALE: Obliterative bronchiolitis in former coffee workers prompted a cross-sectional study of current workers. Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione levels were highest in areas for flavoring and grinding/packaging unflavored coffee. METHODS: We interviewed 75 (88%) workers, measured lung function, and created exposure groups based on work history. We calculated standardized morbidity ratios (SMRs) for symptoms and spirometric abnormalities. We examined health outcomes by exposure groups. RESULTS: SMRs were elevated 1.6-fold for dyspnea and 2.7-fold for obstruction. The exposure group working in both coffee flavoring and grinding/packaging of unflavored coffee areas had significantly lower mean ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity and percent predicted mid-expiratory flow than workers without such exposure. CONCLUSION: Current workers have occupational lung morbidity associated with high diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione exposures, which were not limited to flavoring areas.

Activity of the botanical aphicides 1,5-diphenyl-1-pentanone and 1,5-diphenyl-2-penten-1-one on two species of Aphididnae.

1,5-Diphenyl-1-pentanone (A) and 1,5-diphenyl-2-penten-1-one (B) are natural products extracted for the first time from Stellera chamaejasme. Laboratory bioassay showed that the two products have strong contact activity and very good anti-feedant activity against Aphis gossypii and Schizaphis graminum. Both products showed dose-dependent relationships for both forms of activity against the two aphids, the contact activity of B being about twice that of A. Both products were inferior to methomyl in contact activity but superior in anti-feedant activity against the two aphids. This is the first report of aphicidal activity in these two compounds, which may represent a new class of aphicide.

Systemic toxicity from repeated cutaneous contact with 2,4-pentanedione.

2,4-Pentanedione (2,4 PD; CAS Number 123-54-6) is an industrial chemical with potential for skin contact. Repeated exposure studies by peroral and inhalation routes have shown central neurotoxicity and possible effects on the immune system. To determine the likelihood for systemic toxicity by cutaneous contact with 2,4-PD, a short-term repeated skin contact study was conducted in New Zealand white rabbits. The planned protocol was for dosing, with 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 ml undiluted 2,4-PD by 6 h occlusive contact/d for 9 d; these were equivalent to dosages of 244, 975 and 1463 mg/kg/d. A dosage-related skin irritation was seen macroscopically and by light microscopy, which was minimal at the low dosage. Mortalities occurred at the mid (1/6 males, 3/6 females) and high dosages (5/12 males, 7/12 females), with deaths between the 2nd and 5th dosing day. In view of these mortalities and signs, dosing of the mid and high dose animals was discontinued, and survivors were kept to the end of the dosing period. Signs at the mid and high dosage included hypoactivity, tremors, convulsions, uncoordinated movements and prostration, and appeared between the 2nd and 4th dose. Body weight gain and food consumption were reduced for the mid and high dosage groups. Increased hemoglobin, hematocrit and erythrocyte counts may have been associated with dehydration, and increased heterophil count with cutaneous inflammation. Several serum biochemical changes reflected cutaneous irritation, and high creatine kinase activity was probably a consequence of convulsions. Immune effects included decreased lymphocyte counts and lymphoid necrosis in spleen and thymus. Central neuropathology in the mid and high dosages was seen as hemorrhages and neuronal degeneration, the latter principally in piriform cortex, globus pallidus and hippocampus. No peripheral neuropathy was present. 244 mg/kg/d was the no-effects dosage for systemic toxicity. This study confirmed a potential for systemic toxicity, principally central neurotoxicity, from percutaneous absorption of 2,4-PD.