Coordinated response to reports of possible anthrax contamination, Idaho, 2001.
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In 2001, the intentional release of anthrax spores in the eastern United States increased concern about exposure to anthrax nationwide, and residents of Idaho sought assistance. Response from state and local agencies was required, increasing the strain on epidemiologists, laboratorians, and communications personnel. In late 2001, Idaho's public health communications system handled 133 calls about suspicious powders. For each call, a multiagency bridge call was established, and participants (public health officials, epidemiologists, police, Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel, hazardous materials officials, and others) determined which samples would be tested by the state public health laboratory. A triage system for calls helped relieve the burden on public safety and health systems. (+info)
Investigation of the aerosols produced by a high-speed, hand-held grinder using various substrates.
(66/726)
Mechanical processes such as grinding are classically thought to form micrometer scale aerosols through abrasion and attrition. High-speed grinding has been used as the basis for testing the hypothesis that ultrafine particles do not form a substantial component of mechanically generated aerosols. A wide variety of grinding substrates were selected for evaluation to represent the broad spectrum of materials available. To characterize the particle size distribution over particle sizes ranging from 4.2 nm to 20.5 microm, the aerosol-laden air collected from an enclosed chamber was split and directed to three aerosol instruments operated in parallel. Transmission electron microscope samples of the various grinding substrates were also collected. The results demonstrate that ultrafine particles do have the potential to form a significant component of a grinding aerosol for a number of substrates. It appears that the ultrafine aerosols were formed by the following processes: (i) from within the grinding motor, (ii) from the combustion of amenable grinding substrates and (iii) from volatilization of amenable grinding materials at the grinding wheel/substrate interface. (+info)
Activation of JNK by vanadate induces a Fas-associated death domain (FADD)-dependent death of cerebellar granule progenitors in vitro.
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Apoptosis is a highly regulated process that plays a critical role in neuronal development as well as the homeostasis of the adult nervous system. Vanadate, an environmental toxicant, causes developmental defects in the central nervous system. Here, we demonstrated that vanadate induced apoptosis in cultured cerebellar granule progenitors (CGPs). Treatment of cultured CGPs with vanadate activated ERKs and JNKs but not p38 MAPK and also induced c-Jun phosphorylation. In addition, vanadate induced FasL production, Fas (CD95) aggregation, and its association with the Fas-associated death domain (FADD), as well as the activation of caspase-8. Furthermore, vanadate generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in CGPs; however, ROS was not involved in vanadate-mediated MAPK activation. Vanadate-induced FasL expression was ROS-dependent but JNK-independent. In contrast, vanadate-elicited Fas aggregation and Fas-FADD association, as well as caspase-8 activation, were dependent on JNK activation but were minimally regulated by ROS generation. The hydrogen peroxide scavenger, catalase, blocked vanadate-induced FasL expression and partially mitigated vanadate-induced cell death. On the other hand, dominant negative FADD and caspase-8 inhibitor completely eliminated vanadate-induced apoptosis. Thus, JNK signaling plays a major role in vanadate-mediated activation of the Fas-FADD-caspase-8 pathway that accounts for vanadate-induced apoptosis of CGPs. (+info)
Is home renovation or repair a risk factor for exposure to lead among children residing in New York City?
(68/726)
Children can be lead poisoned when leaded paint is disturbed during home renovation or repair. We conducted a case-control study to assess the association between elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children younger than 5 years of age and renovation or repair of homes built before 1950 in New York City. In 1998, we interviewed parents of 106 case children (BLLs >/= 10 micro g/dL) and 159 control children (BLLs +info)
Chemical safety in animal care, use, and research.
(69/726)
Chemical safety is an essential element of an effective occupational health and safety program. Controlling exposures to chemical agents requires a careful process of hazard recognition, risk assessment, development of control measures, communication of the risks and control measures, and training to ensure that the indicated controls will be utilized. Managing chemical safety in animal care and use presents a unique challenge, in part because research is frequently conducted in two very different environments--the research laboratory and the animal care facility. The chemical agents specific to each of these environments are typically well understood by the employees working there; however, the extent of understanding may not be adequate when these individuals, or chemicals, cross over into the other environment. In addition, many chemicals utilized in animal research are not typically used in the research laboratory, and therefore the level of employee knowledge and proficiency may be less compared with more routinely used materials. Finally, the research protocol may involve the exposure of laboratory animals to either toxic chemicals or chemicals with unknown hazards. Such animal protocols require careful review to minimize the potential for unanticipated exposures of the research staff or animal care personnel. Numerous guidelines and regulations are cited, which define the standard of practice for the safe use of chemicals. Key chemical safety issues relevant to personnel involved in the care and use of research animals are discussed. (+info)
Occupational medicine programs for animal research facilities.
(70/726)
Occupational medicine is a key component of a comprehensive occupational health and safety program in support of laboratory animal research and production facilities. The mission of the department is to maximize employee health and productivity utilizing a population health management approach, which includes measurement and analysis of health benefits utilization. The department works in close cooperation with other institutional health and safety professionals to identify potential risks from exposure to physical, chemical, and biological hazards in the workplace. As soon as exposures are identified, the department is responsible for formulating and providing appropriate medical surveillance programs. Occupational medicine is also responsible for targeted delivery of preventive and wellness services; management of injury, disease, and disability; maintenance of medical information; and other clinic services required by the institution. Recommendations are provided for the organization and content of occupational medicine programs for animal research facilities. (+info)
Blood lead concentrations in children: new ranges.
(71/726)
BACKGROUND: Lead exposure in young children may have adverse neurodevelopmental effects. Currently, an increased blood lead concentration is defined as >or=10 microg/dl for males and females of all ages, including children younger than 6 years. Using a large hospital population (n=11145), we define more specific ranges for pediatric blood lead concentrations. METHODS: Pediatric blood lead concentrations were determined (atomic absorption spectrophotometry) on patient samples accrued from January 2001 to June 2002, and the data was analyzed employing the Hoffman approach. RESULTS: For lead, the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for subjects aged 0 to 12 months were 2.3 to 4.7 microg/dl for females and 1.8 to 4.9 microg/dl for males. The 97.5th percentiles increased for the 1-2 years age group both for females (5.2 microg/dl) and males (5.6 microg/dl). There was a significant decrease in blood lead concentrations after age 10 years, the 97.5th percentile being 4.4 microg/dl in both female and male subjects. The values in all corresponding age groups were similar for females and for males. The medians of all age groups were similar for females and for male subjects. CONCLUSION: The blood lead concentrations are much lower compared to previously published data. (+info)
Increased medication use in a community environmentally exposed to chemicals.
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An epidemiological health study compared the health status of residents of a town exposed to an accidental Catacarb chemical release from an adjacent oil refinery, with the health status of demographically similar residents of an unexposed town in the region. Few studies of Catacarb's effects on humans exist; however, animal studies have shown it to be a respiratory, gastro-intestinal, dermatological and visual irritant. As part of the study, health questionnaires assessing pre- and post exposure symptoms, illnesses and medication use were mailed to residents in both towns. Medication use is sometimes reported to be a more objective and reliable measure of health outcomes. The current paper compared medication use of exposed and unexposed residents. Significant increases after exposure were found in the use of the following medications: antacid, asthma medication, cough and cold medication, eye medication, headache medication and sleep medication. These increases were consistent with reported symptoms, albeit of greater magnitude; no increase in medication use for other illnesses was reported. Medication use in this sample was consistent with patients' report of symptoms and may be a better measure of outcome. (+info)