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Biomedical subjects

M A Fingerhut

Publications and source records attributed to M A Fingerhut.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

An evaluation of reports of dioxin exposure and soft tissue sarcoma pathology among chemical workers in the United States.

A review of employment records and tissue specimens of seven workers, reported previously as having occupational dioxin exposure and soft tissue sarcomas, confirms that four workers had employment of 2 to 19 years in the production of 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) or trichlorophenol, products contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, the most toxic dioxin isomer. Of these individuals, two have confirmed soft tissue sarcomas. In addition three individuals who worked for companies which made 2,4,5-T also have confirmed soft tissue sarcomas. Their employment records do not show specific assignment to 2,4,5-T or trichlorophenol departments; however, one individual worked for 10 d in the production of pentachlorophenol, which is contaminated with different isomers of dioxin. Methodological problems are discussed which must be addressed in the epidemiologic evaluation of the outcome of soft tissue sarcoma.

Chemical Industry↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of serum lipid concentrations among U.S. workers exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin alters lipid metabolism in animals; however, evidence for such an effect in humans is conflicting. This conflict was addressed using data from a cross-sectional medical study conducted between 1987 and 1988. The exposed participants had been employed at least 15 y earlier in the manufacture of 2,4,5-trichlorophenol or one of its derivatives at two chemical plants in the United States. A total of 281 workers and 260 unexposed referents participated. Workers had substantial exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, evidenced by a median serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin concentration of 406.6 femtograms/gram of serum (fg/g serum), compared with 36.9 fg/g serum among the referents. A slight association between triglyceride concentration and serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin concentration was found (p = .05). Over the range of observed 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin values (i.e., 37-19000 fg/g serum), triglyceride concentration increased only about 0.4 mmol/I. No association was found between an abnormally elevated triglyceride (i.e., > 2.82 mmol/I) concentration and serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin concentration. An association was also found between serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin concentration and an abnormal high-density lipoprotein concentration (p = .09). in summary, there was evidence of an effect on lipid metabolism in a group of workers with high serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin concentrations. The influence of serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on lipid concentrations, however, was small, compared with the influence of other factors.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hepatic and gastrointestinal effects in an occupational cohort exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of occupational exposure to substances contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD) on the liver and gastrointestinal system. DESIGN: A medical survey. PARTICIPANTS: The exposed participants were employed at two chemical plants more than 15 years earlier in the manufacture of sodium trichlorophenol and its derivatives. The reference group consisted of individuals with no occupational exposure to phenoxy herbicides and who lived within the communities of the workers. A total of 281 workers and 260 unexposed referents participated in the medical study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The workers had substantial exposure to substances contaminated with TCDD, as evidenced by a mean serum TCDD level, lipid adjusted, of 220 pg per gram of lipid compared with a mean of 7 pg per gram of lipid in the referents. Compared with the unexposed reference group, workers had a statistically significantly elevated risk for an out-of-range gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level (odds ratio, 2.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.17 to 4.39 [unadjusted for confounders]). In multivariate analyses run with logistic regression, a statistically significant interaction was found between TCDD exposure and lifetime alcohol consumption, indicating that the elevated risk for an out-of-range GGT was confined to those workers with a history of alcohol consumption and that the risk among the alcohol-consuming workers for an out-of-range GGT increased with increasing TCDD level. No difference was found between workers and referents for any of the other liver and gastrointestinal outcomes of interest. CONCLUSIONS: This study found no evidence of an elevated risk for clinical hepatic or gastrointestinal disease in a group of workers with high exposure to TCDD. However, TCDD-exposed workers with a history of sufficient alcohol consumption were found to have a statistically significantly elevated risk for an out-of-range GGT compared with referents.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytogenetic effects of formaldehyde exposure in students of mortuary science.

The effect of low-level exposure to formaldehyde on oral, nasal, and lymphoycte biological markers was studied prospectively in a group of 29 mortician students who were about to take a course in embalming. During the 85-day study period, the subjects performed an average of 6.9 embalmings and had average cumulative formaldehyde exposures of 14.8 ppm-h, with an average air concentration of 1.4 ppm during embalming. Since the average time spent embalming was 125 min, formaldehyde exposures calculated as an 8-h time-weighted average were 0.33 ppm on days when embalmings were done, which was less than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration permissible exposure limit of 0.75 ppm. Epithelial cells from the buccal area of the mouth showed a 12-fold increase in micronucleus frequency during the study period, from 0.046 +/- 0.17/1000 cells preexposure to 0.60 +/- 1.27/1000 cells at the end of the course (P < 0.05). Nasal epithelial micronuclei increased 22%, from 0.41 +/- 0.52/1000 cells to 0.50 +/- 0.67/1000 cells (P = 0.26). In blood cells, the frequency of micronucleated lymphocytes increased 28%, from 4.95 +/- 1.72/1000 cells to 6.36 +/- 2.03/1000 cells (P < 0.05), while sister chromatid exchanges decreased 7.5% (P < 0.05). A dose-response relationship was observed between cumulative exposure to formaldehyde and increases in buccal micronuclei in the 22 male subjects but not in the 7 female subjects. We conclude that low-level exposure to formaldehyde is associated with cytogenetic changes in epithelial cells of the mouth and in blood lymphocytes. These cytogenetic effects may be useful as markers of biologically effective dose.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Review and update of the results of the NIOSH medical study of workers exposed to chemicals contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin.

In 1987, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a cross-sectional medical study to examine the long-term health effects of occupational exposure to chemicals and materials contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). This study compared living workers employed more than 15 years earlier in the production of sodium trichlorophenol (NaTCP), and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic ester (2,4,5-T ester) with an unexposed comparison group. Health status of the worker and comparison populations was collected through a comprehensive set of standardized interviews and medical examinations. Lipid adjusted serum TCDD levels were also measured. Workers had a statistically significantly elevated mean serum lipid-adjusted TCDD level (workers = 220 pg per g of lipid [range = not detected-3,400 pg per g of lipid], and referents 7 pg per g of lipid [range not detected-20 pg per g of lipid], P < 0.001). Compared to a community-based referent population, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral neuropathy, depression, cardiovascular outcomes (myocardial infarction, angina, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, and abnormal peripheral arterial flow), abnormal porphyrin levels, and abnormal ventilatory function parameters FEV1.0, FVC, or FEV1.0/FVC% in workers, was not statistically significantly different. In contrast, relationships were observed between serum 2,3,7,8-TCDD levels and the enzyme gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), the reproductive hormones serum testosterone, luteinizing, and follicle-stimulating hormones, and abnormal high-density lipoprotein concentration, counts of CD3/Ta1 cells (helper lymphocytes), and fasting serum glucose levels. Current diagnosis of chloracne was associated with the highest levels of serum 2,3,7,8-TCDD. Analysis of other endpoints continues.

Blood Glucose↗