The Toxicologist - Society of Toxicology

1245 SEASONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HEALTH RISKS
DERIVED FROM EXPOSURE TO VOLATILE ORGANIC
COMPOUNDS AND BIOAEROSOLS FOR RESIDENTS
NEAR A WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITY.
L. Vilavert, J. L. Domingo, M. Schuhmacher and M. Nadal. Toxicology, Rovira i
Virgili University, Reus, Spain.
Ecoparc-2 is a large facility which is currently managing an important percentage of
the municipal waste organic fraction generated within the metropolitan area of
Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). Because of the concern of the local population and
authorities, an environmental surveillance program was recently initiated to control
the levels of 19 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols (bacteria,
fungi, and Aspergillus fumigatus) in the surroundings of that facility. Air samples
were collected at different distances and wind directions from the Ecoparc-2, in two
different campaigns (winter and summer). Mean VOC concentrations were found
to be 32.4 and 15.7 μg/m3 (p>0.05) in winter and summer, respectively, being
BTEX the most predominant VOCs. This is in agreement with previous results obtained
from the scientific literature, where an inverse correlation between VOC air
levels and temperature was reported. In contrast, higher concentrations of most microbiological
pollutants (total bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi at 37C)
were found in summer, with the only exception of fungi at 25C and Aspergillus fumigatus
at 37C. Anyhow, no statistically significant differences were observed between
both campaigns, including those related to distances and wind directions.
Moreover, “outdoor” levels were various orders of magnitude lower than those previously
observed in a recent “indoor” survey (same facility). The current concentrations
have been also used to assess exposure to chemical and biological agents for
the local population, as well as to evaluate human health risks. It was noted that the
levels of VOCs in the vicinity of the Ecoparc-2 should not mean either non-carcinogenic
or carcinogenic risks for the subjects living in the neighborhood. These
levels were clearly under the threshold values recommended by national and international
regulatory organisms.
1246 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE USE OF
ALTERNATIVE FUELS IN CEMENT PLANTS: BASELINE
STUDY IN TWO FACILITIES.
J. L. Domingo, J. Rovira, M. Mari, M. Schuhmacher and M. Nadal. Toxicology,
Rovira i Virgili University, Reus, Spain.
In Sant Feliu de Llobregat (SF) and Montcada i Reixac (MR) (Catalonia, Spain),
there are two cement plants whose current goal is replacing part of the traditional
(fossil) fuel by alternative fuels. We have carried out a six-monthly survey to determine
the baseline levels of heavy metals and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and
dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in soil, vegetation, and air samples collected near both
facilities. Pollutant concentrations were found to be slightly higher than those reported
in the vicinity of other cement plants of Catalonia, being especially close to
levels of urban zones. The influence of activity if the SF facility was found to be low
in comparison to other potential emission sources in the area, as a decrease of immission
concentrations was not registered when the facility ceased temporally its industrial
activity. The current results are basic to be used in future studies focused on
establishing potential changes in cement plants emissions, and hence to determine
the risks for the human health derived from the co-combustion of alternative fuels.
1247 ASBESTOS EXPOSURE ASSOCIATED WITH FIRE
SLEEVE MATERIALS.
C. L. Blake 1 , S. C. Harbison 2 , G. T. Johnson 2 and R. D. Harbison 2 . 1 Bureau
Veritas, Atlanta, GA and 2 Environmental and Occupational Health, University of
South Florida, Tampa, FL.
Asbestos containing fire sleeve has been used as a fire protection measure for aircraft
fluid hoses. Chrysotile asbestos fabric containing fire sleeves were utilized as a fire
protection measure for hose assemblies on aircraft and other high performance engine
applications. These asbestos-containing hose assemblies are sometimes removed
and installed during engine related work, and are thus manipulated by mechanics.
In certain instances chafing of hoses against metal objects has caused
erosion of the outer rubber covering, exposing the interior asbestos fabric. The fabrication
and subsequent use of fire sleeve protected hose assemblies poses a risk of
asbestos fiber exposure to persons involved in the fabrication process, and subsequent
aircraft and high performance engine maintenance activities. This investigation
was conducted to determine the level of airborne asbestos fiber exposure encountered
by mechanics that work with fire sleeve protected hoses. Duplicate
testing was performed inside a small-enclosed workroom during the fabrication of
hose assemblies. Personal air samples collected during this work showed detectable,
but low airborne asbestos fiber exposures. Analysis of personal samples (n=9) using
phase contrast microscopy (PCM) indicated task duration airborne fiber concentrations
ranging from 0.017 to 0.063 fibers per milliliter (f/ml) for sampling durations
of 167 to 198 minutes, and 0.022 to 0.14 f/ml for 30-minute samples. Airborne
chrysotile fibers were detected in 4 of these 9 personal samples, in concentrations
ranging from 0.014 to 0.025 f/ml. These results indicate that work with asbestos
fire sleeve and fire sleeve protected hose assemblies, does not produce harmful levels
of asbestos exposure for persons who handle, cut, and fit these asbestos-containing
materials.
1248 CHARACTERIZATION OF AN ARS ANIMAL MODEL OF
WHOLE-BODY IRRADIATION IN THE MINIPIG.
S. Harbo 2 , L. Staska 2 , M. Murphy 1 , J. Lovaglio 2 and K. D. Thrall 1 . 1 Battelle,
Pacific Northwest Division, Richland, WA and 2 Biological Monitoring & Modeling,
Battelle Toxicology Northwest, Richland, WA.
In vivo efficacy studies are necessary to support development of medical countermeasures
against radiation injuries. The minipig is an attractive large animal model
with a number of physiological characteristics similar to humans. An LD50/30
study was conducted to characterize the dose-response survival and time-course
change in hematological and clinical chemistry parameters resulting from wholebody
radiation in the Göttingen minipig. Animals were exposed bilaterally to Co-
60 at a dose-rate of 0.08 Gy/min for doses of 1.5, 1.7, 1.9, 2.1 and 2.3 Gy.
Supportive medical management was not provided, although analgesics were provided.
Body weight and temperature were measured daily. Blood was collected from
animals daily for hematological analyses and twice a week for clinical chemistry
evaluations. Necropsy and histopathology was conducted on all animals at termination.
The expected decline in blood components was observed across all exposure
groups. Over the 30-day period post-irradiation, all animals at the lowest dose (1.5
Gy) were able to recover, whereas no animal survived whole-body irradiation at the
highest level (2.3 Gy). All mortalities occurred between post-irradiation days 17
and 22.
1249 THE ARCTIC DILEMMA: COMMUNITY-BASED
OUTREACH RELATED TO PISCIVORY AND MERCURY.
C. Lieske and T. O’Hara. University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK.
The “Arctic Dilemma” describes the conflict between the potential negative health
effects of contaminants present and the obvious health promoting nutritional benefits
of subsistence foods consumed by Arctic communities. Increased concern for
environmental contaminants may threaten the intake of these important traditional
foods. To address the Arctic Dilemma, our study balances the analysis of contaminants
by also evaluating important nutritional components. We utilize community
participatory research methods in order to sample foods (raw and cooked) that are
being consumed by the population of concern. Communication of our results to
the community is a critical part of the research project. However, this communication
is complicated by the presence of varying Federal and international criteria for
acceptable human exposure to mercury. For example, in our study 218 raw & 112
processed samples from 177 individual fish (representing approximately 12 species)
were analyzed for total mercury (THg) concentration. Wet weight THg ranged
from 0.006 ppm in raw capelin to 0.72 ppm in boiled sculpin muscle. All tissues
were below the FDA action level for mercury in fish of 1ppm, but some of the samples
would fall above the acceptable daily intake limit (ADIL) for mercury depending
on the size of the food portion and the weight of the consumer. The proportion
of the samples above the ADIL depends on which criteria are utilized. We have simplified
our presentation of results though using the recommendations set by Alaska
Scientific Advisory Committee for Fish Consumption for a 70 kg person consuming
100g in addition to balancing the risk of fish consumption with the nutritional
benefits (such as selenium and fatty acids). Utilizing this strategy facilitates communication,
but could lead to misunderstanding or misinterpretation when faced
with other consumption recommendations and is contrary to the advice of some
national and international guidelines. We face the communication dilemma in the
Arctic.
1250 IMPACT OF TOXICITY OF SELECTED PESTICIDES ON
SURVIVILITY AND EFFICACY OF AN
ENTOMOPATHOGENIC NEMATODE
HETERORHABDITIS MINUTUS.
R. Paul and C. Girish. Department of Post-Graduate Studies in Zoology, Gulbarga
University, Gulbarga, Karnataka, India. Sponsor: C. Chetty.
Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) including Rhabditida: Steinernematidae
and Heterorhabditidae which have insecticidal activity are successfully employed as
biocontrol agents against a broad range of insect pests. EPNs are often applied in
SOT 2011 ANNUAL MEETING 267