Human exposure assessment and relief from neuropsychiatric symptoms: case study of a hairdresser.
(9/84)
Human exposure assessment and the results of implementing 'precautionary avoidance' suggested a relationship between a hairdresser's neuropsychiatric symptoms and occupational exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals. A variety of investigations in response to patient complaints of depression, emotional instability and various physical symptoms revealed no objective abnormality; the CH2OPD2 mnemonic (community, home, hobbies, occupation, personal habits, diet and drugs) recommended by the Ontario College of Family Physicians was used as a first-line screening tool to assess potential environmental exposure to toxins. After occupational leave of absence, the patient reported cessation of symptoms. Environmental causes for familiar medical problems are frequently undiagnosed; it is recommended that, where appropriate, a screening tool for evaluation of environmental exposure to toxics be incorporated into primary care assessment and management of patients. (+info)
Mycobacterium cosmeticum sp. nov., a novel rapidly growing species isolated from a cosmetic infection and from a nail salon.
(10/84)
Four isolates of a rapidly growing Mycobacterium species had a mycolic acid pattern similar to that of Mycobacterium smegmatis, as determined by HPLC analyses. Three of the isolates were from footbath drains and a sink at a nail salon located in Atlanta, GA, USA; the fourth was obtained from a granulomatous subdermal lesion of a female patient in Venezuela who was undergoing mesotherapy. By random amplified polymorphic DNA electrophoresis and PFGE of large restriction fragments, the three isolates from the nail salon were shown to be the same strain but different from the strain from the patient in Venezuela. Polymorphisms in regions of the rpoB, hsp65 and 16S rRNA genes that were shown to be useful for species identification matched for the two strains but were different from those of other Mycobacterium species. The 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the strains in a taxonomic group along with Mycobacterium frederiksbergense, Mycobacterium hodleri, Mycobacterium diernhoferi and Mycobacterium neoaurum. The strains produced a pale-yellow pigment when grown in the dark at the optimal temperature of 35 degrees C. Biochemical testing showed that the strains were positive for iron uptake, nitrate reduction and utilization of d-mannitol, d-xylose, iso-myo-inositol, l-arabinose, citrate and d-trehalose. The strains were negative for d-sorbitol utilization and production of niacin and 3-day arylsulfatase, although arylsulfatase activity was observed after 14 days. The isolates grew on MacConkey agar without crystal violet but not on media containing 5 % (w/v) NaCl or at 45 degrees C. They were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, amikacin, tobramycin, cefoxitin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole and imipenem. The name Mycobacterium cosmeticum sp. nov. is proposed for this novel species; two strains, LTA-388(T) (=ATCC BAA-878(T)=CIP 108170(T)) (the type strain) and 2003-11-06 (=ATCC BAA-879=CIP 108169) have been designated, respectively, for the strains of the patient in Venezuela and from the nail salon in Atlanta, GA, USA. (+info)
"Asian yuppies...are always looking for something new and different": creating a tobacco culture among young Asians.
(11/84)
OBJECTIVE: To identify and analyse the themes employed by the Asian based transnational tobacco companies to construct a tobacco culture among Asian young men and women. METHODS: Systematic review of relevant tobacco industry documents made public through the Master Settlement Agreement. RESULTS: The industry utilised six vehicles and themes to construct a tobacco culture in Asia: music, entertainment (including nightclubs, discos, and movies), adventure, sport (including motorsports, soccer, and tennis), glamour (beauty and fashion), and independence. CONCLUSIONS: The tobacco industry set about constructing a tobacco culture that sought to make smoking desirable, even normal, for young men and women. Understanding the way industry constructed this culture provides insights into ways that culture might now be challenged. Countering the transnational nature of many activities will require coordinated effort at the international, regional, and national levels. Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) will be a powerful tool in this process. All nations throughout Asia are encouraged to support the FCTC and its broad protocols addressing advertising and sponsorship. Measures are also required to disassociate smoking from progress in sex equality. (+info)
Mycobacteria in nail salon whirlpool footbaths, California.
(12/84)
In 2000, an outbreak of Mycobacterium fortuitum furunculosis affected customers using whirlpool footbaths at a nail salon. We swabbed 30 footbaths in 18 nail salons from 5 California counties and found mycobacteria in 29 (97%); M. fortuitum was the most common. Mycobacteria may pose an infectious risk for pedicure customers. (+info)
Reproductive outcomes among hairdressers.
(13/84)
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at examining the possible risk of working as a hairdresser during pregnancy in relation to reproductive outcomes. METHODS: The Swedish Medical Birth Register, which includes almost every infant born in Sweden, has, since 1983, collected information prospectively about occupation in early pregnancy. This information is given at the first visit to a prenatal center. During the period 1983-2001, 12 046 infants were born to female hairdressers working either full- or part-time during early pregnancy. For comparison, all other deliveries during the same period were used in which the mother had worked either part-time or full-time. RESULTS: The full-time hairdressers more often had intrauterine growth-retarded infants (ie, small for gestational age) as compared with referents with a corresponding worktime [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.20, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-1.36]. The pattern was similar for part-time hairdressers (adjusted OR 1.16, 95% 0.93-1.46). The fraction of malformations did not differ from those among the referents. The gender ratio for the infants of hairdressers was similar to that for the overall Swedish population. CONCLUSIONS: The findings concerning infants small for their gestational age in the present study is in accordance with previous findings. The reason for these findings remains unknown. Studies with more-specific exposure information during pregnancy are needed. (+info)
Occupational dermal exposure to permanent hair dyes among hairdressers.
(14/84)
Skin exposure to permanent hair dye compounds was assessed in 33 hairdressers using a previously evaluated hand rinse method. Hand rinse samples were collected from each hand before the start of hair dyeing, after application of the dye and after cutting the newly-dyed hair. Sixteen of the hairdressers did not use gloves during dye application, and none used gloves while cutting the dyed hair. The samples were analysed for pertinent aromatic amines and resorcinol (RES) using an HPLC method. 10 of 54 hair dye mixtures contained 1,4-phenylenediamine (PPD), 40 toluene-2,5-diaminesulphate (TDS), and 44 RES. After application of the hair dye, PPD was found in samples from 4 hairdressers, TDS in 12 and RES in 21. PPD was found in samples from 3 of the 17 hairdressers that used gloves during application of the hair dye, TDS in 5 and RES in 11. In the group that did not use gloves during the application of hair dye (n = 16) PPD was found in samples from 1 hairdresser, TDS in 7 and RES in 11. After cutting the dyed hair, PPD was found in samples from 5 hairdressers, TDS in 14 and RES in 20. Analysis of samples of newly-dyed hair cuttings revealed the presence of aromatic amines and/or RES in 11/12 samples. Our conclusion is that hairdressers' skin is exposed to allergenic compounds during hair dyeing. Exposure occurs from dye application, from cutting newly-dyed hair and from background exposure. The exposure loadings are in the level, where there is a risk of sensitization and/or elicitation of contact allergy (i.e. for PPD 22-939 nmol per hand). The glove use observed in this study was often improper, and was insufficient to prevent exposure. To reduce exposure, improved skin protection and work routines are important. (+info)
Contact burns from hair straighteners: a new hazard in the home.
(15/84)
This series highlights a previously unreported hazard for children within the home, hair straightening irons. Thermal injury is a common reason for presentation at the emergency department. Contact burns from domestic irons and hair curling tongs are well documented in the literature. We have become aware of this new hazard in the home, which has resulted in several presentations to our department with deep partial thickness or full thickness burns. (+info)
Sun protection practices among offspring of women with personal or family history of skin cancer.
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OBJECTIVE: Family history of skin cancer is an important determinant of skin cancer risk for offspring. No previous study of the effect of personal or family history of skin cancer on the sun protection behaviors of the offspring has been published. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of the sun protection behaviors of the adolescent participants in the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS), who were offspring of mothers from the Nurses Health Study II. Adolescents' surveys were matched with their mothers' reports of a personal or family history of skin cancer and compared with adolescents whose mothers did not report a personal or family history of skin cancer. The outcome measures were (1) occurrence of frequent sunburns during the past summer, (2) use of a tanning bed during the past year, and (3) routine use of sunscreen. Frequent sunburns were defined as the report of > or = 3 sunburns during the past summer. We compared those who reported having used a tanning bed in the past year at least once with those who reported no tanning bed use in the past year. Routine use of sunscreen was defined as a respondent who replied that he or she "always" or "often" used sunscreen with sun protection factor of 15 or more when he or she was outside for > 15 minutes on a sunny day during the past summer. General estimating equations were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals adjusted for gender, age, color of untanned skin, and number of friends who were tanned. We also conducted an additional analysis restricted to children whose mothers had received a diagnosis of skin cancer in which we assessed sun protection behaviors according to the child's age and mother's age at the time of the mother's diagnosis and the number of years that had passed since the diagnosis of the mother's skin cancer. RESULTS: In 1999, 9943 children reported their sun protection behaviors; 8697 of their mothers had not received a diagnosis of skin cancer or reported a family history of melanoma, 463 participants' mothers had received a diagnosis of skin cancer, and 783 participants' mothers reported a family history of melanoma. Between 1989 and 1999, 371 mothers of GUTS participants received a diagnosis of skin cancer: melanoma (n = 44), squamous cell (n = 39), and basal cell cancer (n = 311); 23 mothers received a diagnosis of > 1 type of skin cancer. Because GUTS includes siblings from the same family, the 371 mothers with skin cancer had 463 offspring in GUTS. Offspring of mothers with skin cancer were slightly more likely to report frequent sunburns in the past year compared with those with neither maternal diagnosis nor family history (39% vs 36%). Tanning bed use was not significantly different among those with either a maternal diagnosis of skin cancer or family history of melanoma as compared with nonaffected adolescents (8% vs 9% vs 10%). Sunscreen use among offspring of mothers with skin cancer was higher than among those whose mothers had a family history of melanoma or mothers with no personal history of skin cancer (42% vs 33% vs 34%). Tan-promoting attitudes were also similar across all groups. Only 25% thought that a natural skin color was most attractive, and on average, 25% in each group agreed that it was worth burning to get a tan. Children of mothers who had received a diagnosis > 2 years in the past were less likely to use sunscreen, more likely to sunburn, and more likely to use tanning beds than children of mothers with a more recent diagnosis, although the results did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Frequent sunburns, suboptimal sunscreen use, and high rates of tanning bed use are commonplace even among the children of health professionals who are at risk for developing skin cancer themselves as a result of personal or family history. With new information on family risk, pediatricians can use the potential of a teachable moment to ensure optimal sun protection for children who are at risk. (+info)