[A case of oral chloropicrin poisoning].

Chloropicrin is a commonly used pesticide in agricultural production. The clinical manifestations of oral poisoning patients are complex, and the lesions involve multiple organs. At present, the specific pathogenic mechanism of such poisoning is not clear, and the treatment experience is insufficient, so there are certain difficulties in clinical diagnosis, treatment and treatment. In this paper, the data of a patient with oral chloropicrin poisoning treated in Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang City in April 2023 were summarized. The patient was admitted to our hospital for treatment in time, and his condition improved after Hemopurification, methylene blue reduction, organ support, infection prevention as well as other symptomatic support. Oral chlorophenol can cause lung damage, skin and mucous membrane damage, and may have certain effects on the nervous system and kidney. Early intervention, especially blood purification, is effective.

[Three cases of occupational chronic chloropropene poisoning].

Chronic chloropropene poisoning is a disease mainly caused by peripheral nerve damage due to close contact with chloropropene in industrial production, its clinical manifestations include varying degrees of sensory, motor, or tendon reflex disorders in the distal limbs, and neuromyography can show neurogenic damage. This article analyzed and summarized the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment methods of three patients with occupational chronic chloropropene poisoning, in order to enhance the clinical understanding of occupational chronic chloropropene poisoning and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Occupational solvent exposure and adult chronic lymphocytic leukemia: No risk in a population-based case-control study in four Nordic countries.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of occupational solvent exposure on the risk of adult chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The current case-control study was nested in the Nordic Occupational Cancer Study (NOCCA) cohort. 20,615 CLL cases diagnosed in 1961-2005 in Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, and 103,075 population-based controls matched by year of birth, sex, and country were included. Occupational histories for cases and controls were obtained from census records in 1960, 1970, 1980/1981, and 1990. Exposure to selected solvents was estimated by using the NOCCA job-exposure matrix (NOCCA-JEM). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated by using conditional logistic regression models. Overall, nonsignificant CLL risk elevations were observed for methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. Compared to unexposed, significantly increased risks were observed for cumulative perchloroethylene exposure ≤13.3 ppm-years (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.16-2.96) and average life-time perchloroethylene exposure ≤2.5 ppm (1.61, 95% CI 1.01-2.56) among women, and cumulative methylene chloride exposure ≤12.5 ppm-years (OR = 1.19, 95% CI 1.01-1.41) and 12.5-74.8 ppm-years (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.51) among men in an analysis with 5 years lag-time, though without dose-response pattern. Decreased CLL risk was observed for aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbon solvents and toluene. This study did not support associations for solvent exposure and CLL. Observed weak associations for methylene chloride, perchloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane exposures, aliphatic and alicyclic hydrocarbons and toluene were not consistent across sexes, and showed no gradient with amount of exposure.

[Effects of organochloride pesticides on dyslipidemias].

Dyslipidemias is one important risk factor associated with chronic diseases. Persistent organic pollutants are resistant to degradation and can be bio-accumulated and magnified through the food chain. Recently, the relation between dyslipidemias and organochlorine pesticides has attracted more attentions. In this review, we explored the distribution of organochloride pesticides in the environment and human body, as well as the possible underlying mechanisms of the association between dyslipidemias and organochloride pesticides, including accumulation and release of organochloride, simulation of estrogen, impact on PPARs, the metabolic fingerprint, and the inflammatory reaction.

Bayesian modeling of time-dependent vulnerability to environmental hazards: an example using autism and pesticide data.

BACKGROUND: Flexible modeling of time-dependent effects is required when vulnerability to hazards can be expected to vary over time, but the nature of this temporal dependency cannot be specified in advance. We present an analytic approach requiring minimal a priori assumptions about temporal parameters and producing measures of uncertainty for these parameters. METHODS: As a demonstration, we employ data describing autism spectrum disorders and applications of organochlorine pesticides in proximity to maternal residence before, during, and after pregnancy. We formulate a Bayesian model specifying temporal vulnerability as a flexible step function and constrain the dose-response relationship to be linear. We separately pooled information regarding hazard frequency and magnitude among cases and controls and used it as inputs for a Metropolis-within-Gibbs algorithm. To assess statistical significance, we conduct Monte Carlo simulations based on parameters calculated in the Gibbs portion of the algorithm. RESULTS: This method delineated two discrete periods of association between hazard and outcome. The first corresponded to a previously noted period of vulnerability with the added information of wide credible intervals, suggesting a high degree of uncertainty with respect to timing. Parameters for the second, previously unobserved period displayed slightly higher precision. Assessment of model fit favored the simultaneous inclusion of both these periods, and both periods appeared statistically significant on the basis of posterior distributions of specific parameters using Monte Carlo simulations. CONCLUSIONS: This method enabled a fuller accounting of time-dependent associations between hazards and outcomes without specifying temporal structure in advance.

Metalworking fluid exposure and cancer risk in a retrospective cohort of female autoworkers.

OBJECTIVES: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) have been associated with cancer of several sites, but the risks have been primarily examined in men or in studies that adjusted for gender in analyses. To evaluate whether risks were similar in women, we report cancer mortality risk among 4,825 female autoworkers within the united autoworkers-general motors autoworkers cohort. METHODS: Standardized mortality rates (SMRs) were calculated based on Michigan death rates (1980-2004). Internal comparisons (1941-2004) were examined using Cox regression for straight, soluble, and synthetic MWFs, and their corresponding oil- and water-based fractions. RESULTS: MWF exposure levels in the female cohort were generally less than two-third the MWF levels in the male cohort. Female autoworkers had an excess of cancer from all sites (SMR, 1.10; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.98-1.22) and lung cancer (SMR, 2.08; 95 % CI, 1.71-2.52). Colon cancer risk increased with straight (mineral oil) MWF exposure (exposure > median; hazard ratio = 3.1; 95 % CI, 1.2-8.0). A protective effect was observed for ovarian cancer with the soluble MWFs and water-based MWF metrics. Although bladder, rectal, and laryngeal cancers and malignant melanoma have been associated with straight MWF exposure and pancreatic cancer with synthetic MWF in men, there were too few deaths in this female subcohort to examine exposure-response relations for these sites. Results were null for lung and breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support an association between colon cancer and straight MWFs, but we found limited evidence of risk for other tumor sites at the lower exposure levels experienced by the female autoworkers.

Protective effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) upon dieldrin-induced toxicity in male rat.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effects of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) upon dieldrin-induced perturbations of haematological parameters and damages to liver and kidney of male Wistar rats. Under our experimental conditions, dieldrin poisoning resulted in 1) an alteration of several haematological parameters, 2) an oxidative stress evidenced by an increase of lipids peroxidation level associated with an increase of superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease of glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in hepatic and renal tissues, 3) increased levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, urea, uric acid and proteins in blood, 4) increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases in blood. Previous administration of fenugreek was found to hinder these dieldrin-induced damages: all hematological, renal and hepatic biomarkers, level of lipids peroxidation and activities of catalase and glutathione-peroxidase in liver and kidney were kept close to control values. This protective effect is mainly attributed to antioxidant properties of fenugreek.

Organochlorine pesticides, oxidative stress biomarkers, and leukemia: a case-control study.

Exposure to pesticides has been linked to an elevated risk of leukemia. The present research aimed to evaluate the relationship between organochlorine (OC) pesticides and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with leukemia. This work was conducted on 109 patients with leukemia and 109 healthy controls. The serum concentrations of seven derivatives of OCs including alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), beta-HCH, gamma-HCH, 2,4-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 4,4-DDT, 2,4-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and 4,4-DDE along with acetylcholinesterase (AChE), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and catalase (CAT) activities as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), protein carbonyl (PC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in all the subjects. Levels of OCs were remarkably higher in patients with leukemia compared with the controls (p<0.05). In addition, levels of SOD, AChE, GPx, PON1, and TAC were remarkably lower in patients with leukemia compared with controls (p<0.05). In contrast, MDA, NO, and PC concentrations were higher in patients with leukemia than in the controls (p<0.05). Moreover, the serum level of 4,4-DDE was negatively associated with GPx activity (p=0.038). Our findings suggest that OCs may play a role in the development of leukemia by disrupting the oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Health effects of persistent organic pollutants: the challenge for the Pacific Basin and for the world.

Persistent organic pollutants include some organo-metals, such as methylmercury; lipophilic halogenated organics, such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, chlorinated pesticides, and polybrominated flame retardants; and perfluorinated compounds used as repellants. These compounds are resistant to degradation both in the environment and in the human body and tend to bioaccumulate within the food chain. Persistent organic pollutants cause a variety of adverse health effects, including cancer, immune system suppression, decrements in cognitive and neurobehavioral function, disruption of sex steroid and thyroid function, and at least some of them increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Some compounds are byproducts of industry and combustion. Although the manufacture and use of most man-made chemicals has been reduced in recent years, the levels currently present in the population are still associated with an elevated risk of human disease. Others are still manufactured and used. These are dangerous chemicals that have contaminated even areas remote from the industrialized world, such as the polar regions.

Chloropicrin-induced toxicity in the respiratory system.

Chloropicrin is a volatile and reactive chemical that has been utilized as a warfare agent and a pesticide to fumigate soil against insects, fungi and nematodes. It poses a health risk to humans and animals if inhaled. The main source of chloropicrin exposure is occupational and occurs during its manufacture, transport and fumigation. Chloropicrin is toxic via all routes of exposure but the main route of systemic exposure is inhalation of the ambient air. Thus, the toxicity mainly affects the respiratory system. After a low level exposure, the first sign is irritation of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. Irritation is mediated by the sensory nerve fibers, which coordinate further activation of various protective reflexes. Chloropicrin-induced irritation is generally reversible but can alter airway responsiveness to other inhalation toxicants. Severe exposures cause injuries in the respiratory tract, inflammation, and even life-threatening edema. Much of the chloropicrin-caused symptoms and toxicity in the respiratory system displays similarities with those evoked by chlorine, which is also a breakdown product of chloropicrin. This review summarizes the latest information on chloropicrin with emphasis on the toxicity in the respiratory system. The data indicates that oxidative stress, modification of macromolecules, mutations, dysfunctions of cell organelles and cell death are involved in acute chloropicrin-induced toxicity in the respiratory system.

Organophosphate and carbamate intoxication in La Paz, Bolivia.

Intoxication with organophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CM) compounds is a common reason for presentation to the Emergency Department (ED) in La Paz, Bolivia. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, presenting symptoms, and hospital course of patients presenting with OP or CM intoxication to the ED of the Hospital de Clinicas, La Paz, Bolivia, with the aim of determining which factors might predict a complicated hospital course. This was a retrospective chart review, using predefined criteria, of 300 patients who presented from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003. The intoxications were all oral, mostly intentional (97%), and in young patients (mean age 23.9 years, range 13-62 years). Females outnumbered males almost 2:1. The most common symptoms on presentation were abdominal pain (83%), nausea/vomiting (79%), miosis (72%), bronchorrhea (44%), diarrhea (41%), and fasciculations (31%). The most frequent complications were aspiration (18%), cardiopulmonary arrest (9%), and seizure (7%); mortality was 6%. Treatments included gastric lavage in 96% of patients, and atropine (median 5 mg per patient, range 0-48 mg). Miosis, bronchorrhea, diarrhea, and fasciculations at presentation were associated with a higher rate of complications. Although almost all intoxications were suicide attempts, less than half of patients received a psychiatric consultation. OP intoxication is a common cause of self-inflicted morbidity and mortality among young people in La Paz, Bolivia. Presence of miosis, bronchorrhea, diarrhea, and fasciculations at presentation suggest a higher likelihood of complications.

Pesticide-related dermatitis in Saku district, Japan, 1975-2000.

Cases of dermatitis caused by pesticide exposures (n = 394), tabulated by the Division of Dermatology, Saku Central Hospital, Japan, from 1975 to 2000 are described. Dermatitis cases gradually decreased from 1975 to 2000, presumably accelerated by the phase-out of dermatitis-causing pesticides, including difolatan fungicide and salithion, an organophosphorous insecticide. Cases of chronic and solar dermatitides gradually decreased, which may be explained by reductions in the use of allergenic or photosensitive sulfur agents and organophosphates. However, the ratios of chemical burns from irritant pesticides--calcium polysulfide, dazomet, methyl bromide, chlorpicrin, paraqat/diquat, organophosphorus, quintozene, and glyphosate--rose in those years. Chemical burns from calcium polysulfide were responsible for most of the severe cases.

Incidences of mortality of Indian peafowl Pavo cristatus due to pesticide poisoning in India and accumulation pattern of chlorinated pesticides in tissues of the same species collected from Ahmedabad and Coimbatore.

Incidences of mortality of Indian peafowl Pavo cristatus, the national bird (Schedule I Indian Wild Life Protection Act 1972), are rampant in India. Between January 2011 and March 2017, around 550 peafowl in 35 incidences were reported dead across the country. Due to the non-availability of fresh carcases, poisoning could not be confirmed. Birds which died due to kite string injuries in Ahmedabad (15) and accidents in Coimbatore (5) were tested for residues of chlorinated pesticides, namely hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), endosulfan, heptachlor, dicofol, dieldrin and cholipyrifos. The liver, kidney and muscle were the tissues considered to document pesticide load. Total load ranged from BDL to 388.2 ng/g. DDT (95%) and HCH (80%) were detected more frequently. DDT (40%) and endosulfan (26%) contributed maximum to the total pesticide load followed by HCH (21%). Pesticide accumulation pattern among the organs was in the order of liver (123.9 ng/g) > kidney (91.9 ng/g) > muscle (19.5 ng/g) with significant difference (p < 0.05). Peafowl from Ahmedabad had significantly (p < 0.05) higher level of total pesticide (149.0 ng/g) than birds from Coimbatore (47.8 ng/g). Although varying levels of chlorinated pesticide were detected, they were below reported toxic limits. Nevertheless, persistence of chlorinated pesticides and poisoning due to modern pesticides across the entire distribution range of Peafowl in India is a cause for concern.

Concentrations of organochlorine pollutants in mothers who gave birth to neonates with congenital hypothyroidism.

We have investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to dioxin-like compounds (PCDDs, PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs), PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (DDT, HCH, chlordane, HCB and their metabolites) on the incidence of congenital hypothyroidism and/or cretinism in Fukuoka, Japan from 2001 to 2004. Thirty-four positive neonates of the mass-screening for cretinism were classified into three groups by the pediatrician after the reevaluation of the serum TSH level, that is, negative in reevaluation group, hyper thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) emia group and cretinism group. One-hundred and two negative neonates of the mass-screening were classified into the normal group. Concentrations of these organochlorine compounds in the breast milk of mothers, which were considered as the indicator of prenatal exposures to them, were gradually increased from the normal group to the cretinism group in the four groups and were around two times higher in the cretinism group than in the normal group. According to the case-control study adjusted for the parity and mother's age, odds ratios of PCBs, DDT and HCB were 10 (p=0.003), 10 (p=0.003) and 22 (p=0.004), respectively and in dioxin-like compounds, PCDFs showed the highest odds ratio, 9.8 (p=0.005). Based upon those findings, these compounds seemed play an important role in the incidence and/or causation of the cretinism.

Necropsy findings in American alligator late-stage embryos and hatchlings from northcentral Florida lakes contaminated with organochlorine pesticides.

Increased American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) embryo and neonatal mortality has been reported from several northcentral Florida lakes contaminated with old-use organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). However, a clear relationship among these contaminants and egg viability has not been established, suggesting the involvement of additional factors in these mortalities. Thus, the main objective of this study was to determine the ultimate cause of mortality of American alligator late-stage embryos and hatchlings through the conduction of detailed pathological examinations, and to evaluate better the role of OCPs in these mortalities. Between 2000 and 2001, 236 dead alligators were necropsied at or near hatching (after approximately 65 days of artificial incubation and up to 1 mo of age posthatch). Dead animals were collected from 18 clutches ranging in viability from 0% to 95%. Total OCP concentrations in yolk ranged from approximately 100 to 52,000 microg/kg, wet weight. The most common gross findings were generalized edema (34%) and organ hyperemia (29%), followed by severe emaciation (14%) and gross deformities (3%). Histopathologic examination revealed lesions in 35% of the animals, with over half of the cases being pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and atelectasis. Within and across clutches, dead embryos and hatchlings compared with their live cohorts were significantly smaller and lighter. Although alterations in growth and development were not related to yolk OCPs, there was an increase in prevalence of histologic lesions in clutches with high OCPs. Overall, these results indicate that general growth retardation and respiratory abnormalities were a major contributing factor in observed mortalities and that contaminants may increase the susceptibility of animals to developing certain pathologic conditions.

Endocrine Disruptors in Mediterranean top marine predators.

BACKGROUND, AIMS AND SCOPE: Man-made Endocrine Disruptors (EDs) range across all continents and oceans. Some geographic areas are potentially more threatened than others: one of these is the Mediterranean Sea. Levels of some xenobiotics are much higher here than in other seas and oceans. In this paper we review the final results of a project in which the hypothesis that Mediterranean top predator species (such as large pelagic fish and marine mammals) are potentially at risk due to EDs was investigated. METHODS: In a four-year survey on the Mediterranean population of swordfish (Xiphias gladius), the potential toxicological effects of organochlorine compounds (OCs) on specimens of swordfish and tuna fish (Thunnus thynnus thynnus), caught in the spawning seasons from 1999 to 2002 in the Straits of Messina, Sicily (Italy), were investigated using vitellogenin (Vtg), Zona radiata proteins (Zrp), and cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) activities (EROD, BPMO). Tissues (skin and blubber) were obtained from Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis and Balaenoptera physalus from the western Ligurian Sea, between Corsica and the French-Italian coast, and Ionic Sea using biopsy darts launched with a crossbow. Benzo(alpha)pyrene monoxigenase (BPMO) activity was mesured in biopsies and cholrinated hydrocarbon levels were detected. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We illustrate the need to develop and apply sensitive methodological tools, such as biomarkers (Vitellogenin, Zona Radiata proteins and CYP1A activities) for evaluation of toxicological risk in Xiphias gladius and Thunnus thynnus thynnus), and nondestructive biomarkers (CYP1A activities and fibroblast cell culture in skin biopsy), for the hazard assessment of threatened marine mammals species (Stenella coeruleoalba, Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis and Balaenoptera physalus) exposed to EDs. CONCLUSION: The present research shows that: a) Vtg and Zrp can be used as diagnostic tools for fish stocks hazard assessment in the Mediterranean Sea; b) that CYP1A1 (BPMO) induction in cetaceans skin biopsy may be an early sign of exposure to EDs such as OCs and a potential alert for transgenerational effects. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: This research represents a warning signal of the potential reproductive alterations in marine top predators and suggest the need for continuous monitoring to avoid reductions in population and biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea.

Does high organochlorine (OC) exposure impair the resistance to infection in polar bears (Ursus maritimus)? Part II: Possible effect of OCs on mitogen- and antigen-induced lymphocyte proliferation.

Previous studies have reported alarmingly high levels of organochlorines (OCs), particularly polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in free-ranging polar bears (Ursus maritimus). In this study plasma concentration of PCBs ranged from 14.8 to 200 ng/g wet weight. The aim of the study was to investigate associations between OCs and lymphocyte proliferation after in vitro stimulation with different mitogens and antigens. In 1998 and 1999, 26 and 30 free-ranging polar bears from Svalbard and Churchill, Canada, respectively, were recaptured 32-40 d following immunization with inactivated tetanus toxoid and hemocyanin from keyhole limpets (KLH) to sensitize lymphocytes. At recapture, blood was sampled for determination of plasma levels of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and lymphocyte proliferation after in vitro stimulation with specific mitogens--phytohemagglutinin (PHA), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), concanavalin A (Con A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and purified protein derivative of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (PPD)--and antigens: tetanus toxoid and KLH. The combinations of sum(PCBs) (sum of 12 individual PCB congeners), sum(OCPs) (sum of 6 OCPs), and their interactions contributed up to 15% of the variations in the lymphocyte responses. By using multiple regression analyses, followed by classical mathematic function analyses, thresholds for immunomodulation were estimated. Depending on the lymphocyte proliferation response studied, the estimated thresholds for significant immunomodulation were within the concentration ranges 32-89 ng/g wet weight (ww) and 7.8-14 ng/g ww for sum(PCBs) and sum(OCPs), respectively. Thus, this study demonstrated that OC exposure significantly influences specific lymphocyte proliferation responses and part of the cell-mediated immunity, which also is associated with impaired ability to produce antibodies (Lie et al., 2004).