Biomedical subjects

Hannu Kiviranta

Publications and source records attributed to Hannu Kiviranta.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Soft-tissue sarcoma and dioxin: A case-control study.

Soft-tissue sarcoma has been proposed to be a candidate for a dioxin-induced cancer. However, previous epidemiologic studies have suffered from poor exposure data and mixed exposures. We studied the association between sarcoma risk and individually estimated dioxin exposure in a general population exposed to relatively low levels of dioxin via food. A multicenter prospective case-control study was conducted in 4 university hospitals and 12 other hospitals in southern Finland. Participants included 110 patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (cases) and 227 area- and age-matched controls. Controls were patients operated for appendicitis. Individual dioxin concentrations were analyzed from subcutaneous fat samples by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The average (range) dioxin concentration was 33.4 (4.4-145.5) ng/kg (toxic equivalencies in fat according to WHO). No increased risk associated with increased dioxin concentration was observed. In contrast, the highest risk of sarcoma was found at low levels of dioxin. Odds ratios for different quintiles as compared with the lowest quintile of dioxins (median, 11.5 ng/kg) varied from 0.43 (95% CI = 0.18-1.05) to 0.65 (95% CI = 0.22-1.95). The result was little affected by studied confounders and the findings were similar for different sarcoma subtypes, age groups and study areas. The results imply that dioxin does not increase the risk of soft-tissue sarcoma at the present population levels.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

PCDD/Fs and PCBs in Baltic herring during the 1990s.

Baltic herring samples caught from the Baltic Sea during the spring periods of 1993-1994 and 1999 were analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). For analyses, 1570 individual herring were combined to 120 pools. Correlations between concentrations of congeners 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD, 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF, 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF, and 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF, and age of herring were the strongest (r>0.8) followed by correlations between PCB congeners PCB 105, 118, 126, 156, 169 and 180 (r>0.7), and age of herring. Due to higher fat percentage in herring in the Gulf of Bothnia the concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs on fresh weight (fw) basis were higher than in herring in the Gulf of Finland. The concentrations of WHO(PCDD/F)-TEQs ranged from 1 to 27 pg/g fw, depending on the age and catchment area of herring, and concentrations of WHO(PCB)-TEQs reached 32 pg/g fw. Between the two studied time points no clear downward trend in concentrations was observed.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed2002

Spatial distibution and temporal accumulation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in the Gulf of Finland.

Dated sediment cores and surface sediments were analyzed from the Gulf of Finland, a part of the Baltic Sea, to study the sources, levels, distribution, and total amounts of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The gulf was found to be severely polluted, with PCDD/F sum concentrations as high as 101000 ng/kg and 479 ng/kg WHO-TEQ in dry weight. The source of pollution was the former manufacturing and use of a chlorophenol based wood preservative along the Kymijoki River. It was estimated thatthe impacted sedimentary area stretched a distance of 75 km away out from the coast and that the PCDD/F sum load attributed to the wood preservative source was 1770 kg of PCDD/Fs or 12.4 (+/-2.8) kg WHO-TEQ. The surface sediments contained 24-66% of the maximum concentrations present in the 1960-1970s, showing that the river still acts as a significant PCDD/F source and may contribute to the high levels in fish. Moreover, the reduced PCDD/F and PCB concentrations were partly due to the dilution by increased dry matter deposition. PCBs were uniformly distributed over the gulf, and the PCB load in the polluted area was 2020 kg or 0.14 kg WHO-TEG.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Natal and neonatal teeth in relation to environmental toxicants.

Infants born to mothers heavily exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) have earlier been reported to have increased prevalences of natal and neonatal teeth. Some tendency toward higher prevalence figures of natal and neonatal teeth can be seen in the literature in normal child populations during the last 40 y. We therefore decided to determine the present prevalence of these teeth in a Finnish population and to evaluate whether infants with natal and neonatal teeth are more exposed to PCBs, PCDFs, and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) than infants on average. A total of 34,457 infants born in 1997-2000 in four hospitals in southern Finland were examined for natal and neonatal teeth. The exposure of the infant to PCBs and PCDD/Fs was evaluated by measuring the levels of 17 most toxic PCDD/F and 36 PCB congeners in his or her mother's milk sample when the child was 4-8 wk old. A total of 34 infants had one or two natal (29 infants) or neonatal teeth (five infants). The milk analyses showed that the median level of PCDD/Fs as toxic equivalent (World Health Organization-recommended 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent quantity for PCDD/Fs in fat) was 11.9 pg/g in fat, and that of PCBs (World Health Organization-recommended 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalent quantity for PCBs) was 7.24 pg/g in fat. These levels corresponded to the prevailing levels. The results showed that the prevalence of natal and neonatal teeth was 1:1000. No association was found between pollutant levels and occurrence of natal and neonatal teeth, indicating that the prevailing levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs are likely to be below the threshold to cause perinatal eruption of teeth.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans, and biphenyls in fishermen in Finland.

We measured plasma concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in fishermen from the Finnish Baltic Sea area and fishermen fishing in inland lakes. The concentrations clearly correlated with the frequency of fish meals and consumption of Baltic fatty fish. The body burden of PCDD/Fs reached the median level of 170 pg/g toxic equivalents (I-TEq) in fat for Baltic Sea fishermen, with the maximum being 420 pg/g. Results for 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (range = 4.9-110 pg/g fat) showed that lifetime exposure in a population consuming much Baltic fatty fish can reach the levels of exposures seen in Seveso, Italy, in 1976. After we summed the PCB-TEqs, the total median exposure of Baltic Sea fishermen increased to 290 pg/g TEq in fat, and the highest concentration was 880 pg/g. There was a noted individual variation in fishermen's PCDD/F congener patterns, and it was possible to associate this variation with congener patterns of PCDD/Fs in the fish species that the fisherman reported they had consumed. Linear regression models for ln WHO(PCDD/F)-TEq, ln WHO(PCB)-TEq, and ln total WHO-TEq, from the World Health Organization, explained 48%, 60%, and 53% of the variability, respectively. Age was the only significant predictor of ln WHO(PCDD/F)-TEq, whereas age, amount of fish eaten, and place of residence were significant predictors of ln WHO(PCB)-TEq, and ln total WHO-TEq.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Control of workers' exposure to airborne endotoxins and formaldehyde during the use of metalworking fluids.

The study evaluated the effects of triazine use and machine enclosure on workers' exposure to bacteria, endotoxins, and formaldehyde in the use of metalworking fluids (MWF). Concentrations of triazine and bacterial contaminants were monitored in bulk samples of MWF from two machines in one workplace. One of the machines was used normally; triazine was added to the other when needed. Air sampling was used to estimate workers' exposure to endotoxins at 18 workplaces near enclosed and open machines. Concentrations of triazine in MWF and formaldehyde in the air were measured. Some recirculating local exhaust ventilation systems were also tested. The endotoxin and bacteria concentrations in the biocide test of MWF rapidly increased when the biocide levels decreased below 500 ppm. Airborne concentrations of endotoxins were substantially lower near enclosed machines than near open ones. Concentrations of airborne formaldehyde were below the Finnish occupational exposure limit at the existing levels of triazine in MWF. Concentrations of triazine in MWF correlated well with those of formaldehyde in the air near the machines (correlation coefficient r=.69). The results showed that the triazine levels in MWF should continuously be kept high enough (>500 ppm) to prevent workers' exposure to endotoxins and bacteria. Overdosing with triazine, however, should be avoided, so that the levels of airborne formaldehyde remain low. Triazine levels in MWF can be followed by the method described in this article. Workers' exposure to contaminants of MWF can be reduced substantially by enclosing the machines and equipping them with local exhausts.

Aerosols↗