Uncovering global-scale risks from commercial chemicals in air.

Commercial chemicals are used extensively across urban centres worldwide1, posing a potential exposure risk to 4.2 billion people2. Harmful chemicals are often assessed on the basis of their environmental persistence, accumulation in biological organisms and toxic properties, under international and national initiatives such as the Stockholm Convention3. However, existing regulatory frameworks rely largely upon knowledge of the properties of the parent chemicals, with minimal consideration given to the products of their transformation in the atmosphere. This is mainly due to a dearth of experimental data, as identifying transformation products in complex mixtures of airborne chemicals is an immense analytical challenge4. Here we develop a new framework-combining laboratory and field experiments, advanced techniques for screening suspect chemicals, and in silico modelling-to assess the risks of airborne chemicals, while accounting for atmospheric chemical reactions. By applying this framework to organophosphate flame retardants, as representative chemicals of emerging concern5, we find that their transformation products are globally distributed across 18 megacities, representing a previously unrecognized exposure risk for the world's urban populations. More importantly, individual transformation products can be more toxic and up to an order-of-magnitude more persistent than the parent chemicals, such that the overall risks associated with the mixture of transformation products are also higher than those of the parent flame retardants. Together our results highlight the need to consider atmospheric transformations when assessing the risks of commercial chemicals.

AVAILABILITY AND STORAGE OF HAZARDOUS PRODUCTS IN HOUSEHOLDS IN THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF MANAUS: A POPULATION-BASED SURVEY, 2015.

OBJECTIVE: The availability of hazardous products in households increases the risks of poisoning. The present study aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of the availability and storage of hazardous products in residences in the metropolitan region of Manaus. METHODS: Population-based and cross-sectional study conducted in 2015 with adults selected with three-stage probabilistic sampling. Participants were interviewed face-to-face. Prevalence ratio (PR) of the presence of hazardous products (presence of chumbinho [illegal anti-cholinesterase rodenticide], artisanal cleaning products, and unsafe storage of these products and medications) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated with Poisson regression with robust variance, weighted by the complex sampling method adopted. RESULTS: A total of 4,001 participants was included, of which 53.0% (95%CI 51.5-54.6) reported presence of hazardous products in their households, 36.3% (95%CI 34.8-37.8) had unsafe storage, 16.2% (95%CI 15.1-17.4) had artisanal cleaning products, and 8.2% (95%CI 7.4-9.1) had chumbinho. Households with children ≤5 years old had safer storage (PR=0.78; 95%CI 0.71-0.86) and more artisanal products (PR=1.30; 95%CI 1.11-1.51). Presence of artisanal products was higher in lower educational levels (PR=2.20; 95%CI 1.36-3.57) and lower economic classifications (PR=1.63; 95%CI 1.25-2.13). CONCLUSIONS: Over half of the households in the metropolitan region of Manaus kept hazardous products; one-third stored them unsafely. Artisanal cleaning products and chumbinho were frequently present. Households with children had safer storage of products, and socioeconomic factors affected the availability of such hazardous products.

Toxicological exposures among the pediatric patients at a tertiary care center in Lebanon: the case for establishing a national poison center.

BACKGROUND: Despite its preventable nature, poisoning remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. In Lebanon, this population is poorly studied and there is no poison center to which healthcare providers and the public can refer in case of toxicological exposure, leading to unnecessary Emergency Department (ED) visits. This study describes the pediatric toxicological exposures seen at the largest tertiary care center in Lebanon. It also evaluates the appropriateness of ED visits among confirmed or suspected toxicological exposures in children, in order to assess the role of a national poison center in reducing unnecessary ED visits. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of a database for a telephonic medical toxicology service at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, the largest tertiary care center in Lebanon. Data relating to all pediatric patients aged 0-19 years of age were entered into the database by the medical toxicology team. The cases were independently reviewed by 2 medical toxicologists for the adequacy of referral to the ED and performance of invasive procedures. RESULTS: Two hundred and nine exposures were recorded between 15 April 2015 and 31 December 2019, of which 53.1% were females. Children aged less than 5 years were involved in 67.0% of cases while adolescents aged 13-19 years were involved in 21.1%. The most commonly involved substances were analgesics (14.8%) and cardiovascular drugs (10.0%). The majority had no (59.3%) or minor (26.3%) effects and were treated and discharged home (67.5%). More than a third of ED visits were deemed unnecessary by the toxicologists (Kappa = 0.705), and when including only unintentional cases, around 45% of the ED visits were deemed unnecessary (Kappa = 0.677). CONCLUSION: Our data show that 37% of all pediatric poisoning ED visits and 45% of ED visits due to unintentional pediatric poisonings were unnecessary. Additionally, more often than not lavage suctions were done unnecessarily. Future research investigating the possibility of preventing unnecessary visits by establishing a national poison center is needed.

Availability and storage of hazardous products in households in the metropolitan region of manaus: a population-based survey, 2015 / Disponibilidade e armazenamento de produtos perigosos em domicílios da região metropolitana de manaus: estudo de base populacional, 2015

ABSTRACT Objective: The availability of hazardous products in households increases the risks of poisoning. The present study aimed to assess the frequency and associated factors of the availability and storage of hazardous products in residences in the metropolitan region of Manaus. Methods: Population-based and cross-sectional study conducted in 2015 with adults selected with three-stage probabilistic sampling. Participants were interviewed face-to-face. Prevalence ratio (PR) of the presence of hazardous products (presence of chumbinho [illegal anti-cholinesterase rodenticide], artisanal cleaning products, and unsafe storage of these products and medications) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated with Poisson regression with robust variance, weighted by the complex sampling method adopted. Results: A total of 4,001 participants was included, of which 53.0% (95%CI 51.5-54.6) reported presence of hazardous products in their households, 36.3% (95%CI 34.8-37.8) had unsafe storage, 16.2% (95%CI 15.1-17.4) had artisanal cleaning products, and 8.2% (95%CI 7.4-9.1) had chumbinho. Households with children ≤5 years old had safer storage (PR=0.78; 95%CI 0.71-0.86) and more artisanal products (PR=1.30; 95%CI 1.11-1.51). Presence of artisanal products was higher in lower educational levels (PR=2.20; 95%CI 1.36-3.57) and lower economic classifications (PR=1.63; 95%CI 1.25-2.13). Conclusions: Over half of the households in the metropolitan region of Manaus kept hazardous products; one-third stored them unsafely. Artisanal cleaning products and chumbinho were frequently present. Households with children had safer storage of products, and socioeconomic factors affected the availability of such hazardous products.

RESUMO Objetivo: A disponibilidade de produtos perigosos em domicílios aumenta os riscos de intoxicações. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a frequência e os fatores associados à disponibilidade e armazenamento de produtos perigosos em residências da Região Metropolitana de Manaus. Métodos: Estudo transversal de base populacional realizado em 2015 com adultos selecionados por amostragem probabilística em três estágios. Os participantes foram entrevistados pessoalmente. A razão de prevalência (RP) da presença de produtos perigosos (presença de chumbinho [rodenticida anticolinesterase ilegal], produtos de limpeza artesanais e armazenamento inseguro desses produtos e de medicamentos) e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) foram calculados por regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, ponderada pela amostragem complexa adotada. Resultados: 4.001 participantes foram incluídos, dos quais 53,0% (IC95% 51,5-54,6) reportaram a presença de produtos perigosos em seus domicílios, 36,3% (IC95% 34,8-37,8) apresentaram armazenamento inseguro, 16,2% (IC95% 15,1-17,4) possuíam produtos de limpeza artesanais e 8,2% (IC95% 7,4-9,1) possuíam chumbinho. Os domicílios com crianças menores de 5 anos apresentaram armazenamento mais seguro (RP=0,78; IC95% 0,71-0,86) e mais produtos artesanais (RP=1,30; IC95% 1,11-1,51). Presença de produtos artesanais foi maior em menores níveis de escolaridade (RP=2,20; IC95% 1,36-3,57) e menores classificações econômicas (RP=1,63; IC95% 1,25-2,13). Conclusões: Mais da metade dos domicílios da Região Metropolitana de Manaus possuía produtos perigosos; um terço os armazenava sem segurança. Produtos de limpeza artesanais e chumbinho estavam frequentemente presentes. Os domicílios com crianças apresentaram armazenamento mais seguro de produtos e fatores socioeconômicos afetaram a disponibilidade de tais produtos perigosos.

Commercial and Industrial Chemical Hazards for Ruminants: An Update.

Livestock can be exposed to a wide variety of commercial or industrial chemicals that have variable toxicity. Adverse effects can be due to acute or chronic illnesses and deaths or due to contamination of meat or milk intended for human consumption. A diagnosis can be challenging in the absence of a known exposure. It is critical that a complete evaluation be conducted and appropriate samples be collected for possible analysis. Appropriate experts and regulatory agencies should be consulted as soon as possible to avoid potential contaminated animal products reaching consumers.

Water Quality for Grazing Livestock I.

Water is the most important nutrient for rangeland livestock. However, competition with municipalities, industry, and other water users often results in grazing livestock being forced to use water supplies that are less than perfect. Surface water in western rangleands are often contaminated by mineral extraction, irrigation runoff and other human activities. Mineral contaminants in drinking water are additive with similar contaminants in feedstuffs. The goal of this and the subsequent article is to provide producers and veterinarians with the basic background to make informed decisions about whether a given water supply is "safe" for livestock.

Exposure to Environmental Toxicants and Early Language Development for Children Reared in Low-Income Households.

Considerable evidence has highlighted the heightened susceptibility of developmental delay in children from low-income homes; consequently, this study explored whether environmental toxicant exposure may be a contributing factor to disruption in language and cognitive development for children reared in poverty. Using a sample of 190 low-income mothers and their young children, mothers completed questionnaires on toxicant exposure in the home environment. Exposure to toxicants, especially pesticides, was reported by about 20% of mothers at or around pregnancy, and 30% when their children were between 1 and 2 years of age. Toxicant exposure was significantly associated with lags in language and cognition even when controlling for socioeconomic factors. Study findings highlight the importance of the American Academy of Pediatrics' policy statements arguing for pediatricians to take a strong anticipatory guidance role in counseling parents to limit chemical exposure in the home and engage in safe storage practices.

Mercuric chloride poisoning: symptoms, analysis, therapies, and autoptic findings. A review of the literature.

Among mercury-related intoxications, the re-emerging of mercuric chloride poisoning has been recently described in literature. Only sparse data, reporting the clinical symptoms, the anatomo-pathological findings, the analytical procedures or the treatment have been published and no exhaustive analysis of all these factors exists in literature. The classic symptoms associated with toxicity of mercuric chloride is a combination of renal, gastrointestinal (GI) and central nervous system (CNS) damages, eventually leading to death. Fatalities related to exposure to mercuric chloride have been reported since the nineteenth century. To date, there have been 45 published cases in the medical literature in which the intoxication or the death is attributed to mercuric chloride. In this review, we will describe the modern medical treatments, with particular attenztion to the developments of the lasts two decades, in order to provide an exhaustive description of the clinical symptoms, the post-mortem findings, and the analytical procedures to act out when mercuric chloride intoxication occurs. The analysis of the data obtained permitted us to accurately describe all the organs and apparatus involved in mercuric chloride intoxication. The target organs were the kidneys, the GI tract and the CNS. A description of the analytical procedures for the determination of mercuric chloride in biological materials, to carry out in vivo and in post-mortem samples has also been described.

[Occupational acute mixed gas poisoning due to improper disposal of hazardous waste].

Objective: To investigate an occupational hazardous gas poisoning incident caused by gas leakage in the process of hazardous waste treatment. Methods: An investigation was conducted on a case of occupational acute hazardous gas poisoning caused by waste treatment gas leakage in Shandong province in December 2017. Meanwhile, the clinical data of 5 cases of poisoning patients were analyzed, and the accident related poison test report and other relevant data were analyzed. Results: The incident was caused by the toxic waste did not do labeling work, the workers' protection measures were not in place, the illegal operation and the blind rescue, resulting in a total of 5 people died on the spot, 12 people were hospitalized with poisoning. Among them, 5 patients admitted to our hospital showed varying degrees of damage to the nervous system and respiratory system. After active treatment, they all got better and were discharged. Conclusion: The poisoning is mainly caused by hydrogen sulfide dichloromethane hydrogen cyanide gas leakage serious production liability accident, clinical main performance for the nervous system circulatory system respiratory system and other system damage.

Substances Involved in Suicidal Poisonings in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated specific substances most commonly involved in suicidal poisonings, causing severe clinical effects, and leading to intensive treatments. METHOD: Suicidal poisoning cases for individuals ≥13 years old were obtained from the National Poison Data System for 2011-2015. The most common products involved in single and multiple-product poisonings were identified. Single product cases were used to calculate substances causing the largest numbers of serious clinical effects and leading to intensive treatments. RESULTS: More than half of reported cases involved only a single product (54.4%), but this frequency was higher at the extremes of age (66.7% in adolescents 13-19 years old and 70.5% in individuals ≥90 years old) and among pregnant women (65.8%). The top three substances involved in single-product poisonings were over-the-counter (OTC) medications, while alcohol and prescription sedatives were most common in multiple-product poisonings. One OTC medication, diphenhydramine, was a frequent cause of several serious clinical effects and intensive treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Single product suicidal poisonings were more frequent with extremes of age and in pregnancy. OTC products were more frequently used in single product attempts. Products causing serious clinical effects can be targeted for suicide prevention efforts as well as education of health care providers.

Poisoning, Overdoses, Toxic Exposures.

The national poison center movement originated in the Midwest with actions of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Chicago, Illinois, in 1972. The Missouri Poison Center (MPC) was established in 1974. The MPC and other regional poison centers are essential to the public health locally and nationally. Trends in serious poisoning outbreaks such as the release of synthetic cannabinoids have been detected by real-time electronic surveillance by specialists in poison information and medical toxicologists.