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B J Larcom

Publications and source records attributed to B J Larcom.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Estimation of the health risks associated with polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentrations found onboard older U.S. Navy vessels.

PCBs have been identified on surfaces and in component materials and equipment from inactive U.S. Navy nuclear submarines commissioned prior to 1970. Health risks associated with PCBs present onboard submarines were estimated for hypothetical crew members and shipyard workers. Median non-cancer hazard quotients for shipyard workers and submarine crew ranged between 0.4-54.6, with the highest quotients estimated for unprotected shipyard workers. Median cancer risk estimates ranged from 7.3 x 10(-6) to 1.1 x 10(-3) with the highest estimated risk calculated for unprotected shipyard workers. Our findings suggest that PCB surface concentrations found onboard inactive nuclear submarines commissioned prior to 1970 may be high enough to constitute a possible risk to the health of persons involved in dismantling of Navy submarines if PCB exposure is not minimized. Potential sources of uncertainty in our risk assessment include the correlation between PCB contamination levels on inactive versus active nuclear submarine vessels, the relationship between wipe sample concentrations and human exposure, dermal contact frequency with PCB-contaminated surfaces, carcinogenicity of PCBs in humans, and uncertainties inherent with the PCB cancer slope factor and oral RfD. Our findings support Navy policy that shipyard workers should wear personal protective equipment when PCB contamination is suspected or has been identified and that IH surveys should continue to identify sources of PCB contamination onboard vessels and reduce PCB contamination to concentrations that are reasonably achievable.

Carcinogens, Environmental↗
PubMed1997

Combustion products from advanced composite materials.

Recent advances in armament and materials applications are beginning to outpace the development of adequate safety characterizations. To avoid unnecessary and restrictive regulations implemented to protect individuals from potential toxic consequences resulting from exposure to combustion products of advanced composite materials (ACM); this laboratory has begun an investigation of combustion characteristics. In this preliminary investigation we have assessed the production of particulate matter and the production of organic compounds contained in both the combustion vapor phase or associated with the particulate matter. The results of these investigations have revealed that a substantial fraction of the particulates appear to be in the respirable range and that a high number of organic compounds and potential toxicants are associated with particulate matter. These findings are the first to describe the production of potentially toxic atmospheres from the combustion of advanced composite materials and indicate the usefulness of further investigations to quantify the risk of exposure to humans. These and forthcoming data will be useful in determining proper protective equipment and precautions required to protect human health during exposures to products from the combustion of advanced composite materials.

Aniline Compounds↗
PubMed1980

Mass spectrometry of chlorambucil, its degradation products, and its metabolite in biological samples.

A sensitive and specific method for the determination of chlorambucil and its metabolite in biological fluids is reported. The method is based on selected-ion monitoring detection following simple extraction of the parent compound, its metabolite, and an internal standard (chlorambucil-d8) from plasma and urine samples. The precision (reproducibility) of the method was 94.3 +/- 1.3% with 200 ng of chlorambucil added to 1 ml of plasma. Chlorambucil degradation or alkylation of plasma proteins was minimal with plasma incubated at 24 degrees for 4 hr. However, chlorambucil recovery decreased to 56% after plasma incubation at 37 degrees for 4 hr. Three chlorambucil degradation products in ethyl acetate solution were found, and their structures were studied by mass spectrometry.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Comparative pharmacokinetics of chlorambucil and melphalan in man.

We have studied the pharmacokinetics of orally administered chlorambucil and melphalan in patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. With a standard oral dose of 0.6 mg/kg, chlorambucil showed much more rapid systemic appearance than did melphalan and had a mean peak plasma concentration and area under the plasma disappearance curve which was 3-4 times greater than that observed in patients receiving melphalan. Melphalan had extremely variable systemic availability which was not observed with chlorambucil, and was not related to problems in tablet formulation. Chlorambucil undergoes extensive active metabolism to phenylacetic acid mustard, whereas melphalan undergoes rapid chemical degradation and has little, if any, active metabolism. On a pharmacokinetic basis, chlorambucil's greater in vitro stability, its more rapid and predictable systemic availability after oral dosing, and its extremely low urinary excretion make it a more predictable alkylating agent for clinical use than melphalan, especially for patients with reduced renal function.

Biotransformation↗