Toxicologic data--sorry, wrong number.
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Burns, Chemical↗
Biomedical subjects
M J Hodgson
Publications and source records attributed to M J Hodgson.
Delay in P300 latency in patients with organic solvent exposure.
Event-related potentials were examined in 12 individuals with a history of organic solvent exposure and in 19 nonexposed controls. The latencies of the N250 and P300 components of the auditory event-related potential were significantly delayed in the solvent-exposed patients compared with those in normal controls. Amplitudes of the N100, P200, and N250 components were larger in the solvent-exposed group, but the P300 amplitude did not differentiate between groups. A comparison with data from clinically stable outpatient schizophrenics indicated that P300 latencies were longer in the solvent-exposed group. Within the exposed group, P300 latency was positively correlated with length of exposure. The delay in N250 and P300 provides evidence that solvent exposure slows central nervous system mechanisms that evaluate and/or process relevant stimuli. The assessment of event-related potentials may be an especially useful way to evaluate central nervous system integrity in persons who have had a neurotoxic exposure.
Adult↗
Assessment of attention and memory efficiency in persons with solvent neurotoxicity.
Memory and attention were evaluated in 40 persons with a history of organic solvent exposure and 40 demographically similar controls. Exposed subjects, in comparison to controls, had reduced digit spans, were deficient at learning new information, and recall on a Brown-Peterson distractor test was especially low following a 30-sec interference interval. If original learning was considered, long-term recall was similar for both groups. On a test of sustained attention, the Continuous Performance Test, exposed subjects became less accurate over successive blocks, a pattern opposite to that seen in control subjects. The data suggest that the memory impairment following solvent exposure may result from deficient allocation of attentional resources due to the inability to deal effectively with an increase in processing load.
Attention↗
Risk factors for nonoccupational organophosphate pesticide poisoning.
The 535 reports of nonoccupational/nonagricultural poisoning with malathion in the Pesticide Incident Monitoring System (PIMS), a data base maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency, were coded and classified to describe the occurrence and to determine risk factors for poisoning. Between 1966 and 1980, 335 (63%) of reported incidents were associated with at least one symptomatic person, with a total of 670 persons exposed. Home exposures accounted for 92% of reports and arose from improper use and labeling problems in 61% and 3% of reports, respectively. Seventeen reports (3%) were associated with commercial extermination at home. One third of the 18 fatalities from malathion were unintentional and, therefore, preventable. The relative risks of fatal outcome from suicidal intent and labeling problems were, respectively 41 (P less than 10[-6]) and 4.8 (P = .09). When data from a previously coded data set on diazinon were added, the odds ratios were 20 and 6.7 (both P less than .0003). This suggests that public health measures aimed at safer use of pesticides outside the workplace are needed and that the PIMS data are a valuable source of epidemiological data on pesticide poisoning.
Accidents, Home↗
Alanine aminotransferase in clinical practice.
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Alanine Transaminase↗
Risk factors associated with persistence of neuropsychological deficits in persons with organic solvent exposure.
This study examined neuropsychological prognosis following organic solvent exposure. Twenty-seven persons with evidence of "mild toxic encephalopathy" were evaluated on two separate occasions with a standard neuropsychological test battery and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Ratings by experienced clinicians revealed that 50% of exposed persons had improved neuropsychological performance at the second evaluation. The other 50% were rated as having no change or a decline in neuropsychological tests scores. While the majority of persons in the good-outcome group were working at the time of the follow-up evaluation, none of the persons in the poor-outcome group was actively employed. Persons rated as having shown no improvement were significantly more likely to have had a peak exposure--an episode in which they were briefly exposed to a larger than normal amount of solvent. In addition, persons in the poor outcome group reported higher levels of psychological distress, both initially and at the follow-up evaluation. Results from this study suggest that the presence of certain risk factors, namely a peak exposure and psychological distress, may be particularly detrimental for long-term neuropsychological outcome in persons with a history of organic solvent exposure.
Adult↗
Symptoms and microenvironmental measures in nonproblem buildings.
Symptoms commonly defined as the sick building syndrome were studied in a cross-sectional investigation of 147 office workers in five building areas using a linear-analog self-assessment scale questionnaire to define symptoms at a specific point in time. At the same time, the environment in the breathing zone was characterized by measuring thermal parameters (dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, air speed, and radiant temperature), volatile organic compounds, respirable suspended particulates, noise and light intensity, and carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels. Demographic characteristics of the occupants and building characteristics were recorded. Up to 25% of the variance in regression models could be explained for mucous membrane irritation and central nervous system symptoms. These two symptom groups were related to the concentrations of volatile organic compounds, to crowding, to layers of clothing, and to measured levels of lighting intensity. Chest tightness was also related to lighting intensity. Skin complaints were related only to gender. Gender, age, and education failed to demonstrate a consistent relationship with symptom categories. This study suggests that the sick building syndrome may have specific environmental causes, including lighting and volatile organic compounds.
Adult↗
Laser-printer rhinitis.
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Computer Systems↗
Alterations in cognitive and psychological functioning after organic solvent exposure.
Exposure to organic solvents has been linked repeatedly to alterations in both personality and cognitive functioning. To assess the nature and extent of these changes more thoroughly, 32 workers with a history of exposure to mixtures of organic solvents and 32 age- and education-matched blue-collar workers with no history of exposure were assessed with a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests. Although both groups were comparable on measures of general intelligence, significant differences were found in virtually all other cognitive domains tested (Learning and Memory, Visuospatial, Attention and Mental Flexibility, Psychomotor Speed). In addition, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventories of exposed workers indicated clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, somatic concerns and disturbances in thinking. The reported psychological distress was unrelated to degree of cognitive deficit. Finally, several exposure-related variables were associated with poorer performance on tests of memory and visuospatial ability.
Adult↗
PET and neurobehavioral evidence of tetrabromoethane encephalopathy.
Organic solvents have been implicated in a number of neuropsychiatric disturbances, though physical and neurological exams are frequently negative. An individual with acute tetrabromoethane exposure was evaluated with positron emission tomography (PET), topographical electroencephalogram (EEG), and neurobehavioral assessment. Results suggest widespread central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction consistent with a solvent-induced encephalopathy.
Adult↗
Chest X-rays in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a metaanalysis of secular trend.
A metaanalysis of published reports of outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was undertaken. A statistically significant substantial decline was seen in the sensitivity of chest X-rays (percent of positive in cases of disease) for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis over the years 1950-1980. Chest X-rays were also less likely to be abnormal where a population-based approach to the diagnosis of disease had been undertaken. Such declines in the diagnostic "sensitivity" of a test may be related to secular trends in knowledge and recognition of disease or to changes in the disease itself. Standardization of chest X-ray interpretation alone, even if successful, may not resolve the issue of accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic↗
Giant-cell interstitial pneumonia and hard-metal pneumoconiosis. A clinicopathologic study of four cases and review of the literature.
We report four cases of giant-cell interstitial pneumonia that occurred in association with exposure to hard metals. All patients presented with chronic interstitial lung disease and had open-lung biopsies that revealed marked interstitial fibrosis, cellular interstitial infiltrates, and prominent intraalveolar macrophages as well as giant cells displaying cellular cannibalism. We also review the literature to determine the sensitivity and specificity of giant-cell interstitial pneumonia for hard-metal pneumoconiosis. Although hard-metal pneumoconiosis may take the form of usual interstitial pneumonia, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, and giant-cell interstitial pneumonia, the finding of giant-cell interstitial pneumonia is almost pathognomonic of hard-metal disease and should provoke an investigation of occupational exposure.
Adult↗
Liver injury tests in hazardous waste workers: the role of obesity.
The prevalence of fatty liver disease at autopsy ranges from 40% to 80% in Europe and North America, and liver injury tests are abnormal in up to 8% of healthy populations. Liver injury tests were therefore examined in a group of 325 workers without exposure to hepatotoxins to identify the influence of obesity and gender. Obesity was a strong predictor of the degree of abnormality for serum levels of arginine and alanine aminotransferase and of alkaline phosphatase, even in the normal range. Women generally demonstrated lower levels of these enzymes. Workers with morbid obesity were substantially more likely to have abnormal liver injury tests. Obesity and gender must be considered in the interpretation of abnormal liver injury tests in hazardous waste workers.
Adult↗
A distinct pattern of personality disturbance following exposure to mixtures of organic solvents.
To assess systematically the pattern of psychologic distress in chemically exposed workers complaining of personality changes, we administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory to 22 men with a history of exposure to mixtures of organic solvents. Results indicated clinically significant profile elevations in more than 90% of the exposed workers. Moreover, a consistent response profile was noted, indicating a high rate of somatic disturbances, anxiety, depression, social isolation, and fear of losing control. In addition, those workers with the longest exposure duration had the highest elevations on the scale measuring disturbances of thinking, social alienation, poor concentration, and anxiety. Comparisons between these subjects and a group of former prisoners of war with posttraumatic stress disorder revealed strikingly similar clinical profiles. We present a case history that illustrates the nature of this psychologic disturbance.
Adult↗
Liver disease associated with exposure to 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
1,1,1-trichloroethane is a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent commonly used in industry because of its supposed lack of hepatotoxicity. Nonetheless, animal studies performed by several independent groups have shown the solvent to induce fat deposition, vacuolar degeneration, and centrilobular necrosis, changes similar to those seen after exposure to carbon tetrachloride, albeit of a much reduced magnitude, in animals exposed to the agent. Four patients with fatty liver disease whose work entailed substantial exposure to this agent were seen at the University of Pittsburgh (Pa). Based on this clinical experience, we believe that 1,1,1-trichloroethane should be reconsidered as an agent with potential hepatotoxicity in man.
Adult↗
Encephalopathy and vestibulopathy following short-term hydrocarbon exposure.
Dizziness, headaches, and weakness occurred among three men after short-term hydrocarbon exposure during improper welding procedures in a closed container. Symptoms were related to objective evidence of vestibular and cognitive dysfunction. Symptoms and abnormal test results persisted for 6 to 18 months. Simulation of the accident failed to demonstrate likely exposures except aliphatic hydrocarbons, well within the permissible exposure levels. Short-term exposures to neurotoxins may lead to long-term central nervous system abnormalities.
Accidents↗
An hierarchical location-allocation model for primary health care delivery in a developing area.
Location-allocation models can play an important role in making primary health care facilities more accessible to rural populations in the developing world. Traditional models, however, have failed to deal realistically with the fact that health care systems are hierarchical in nature, and that benefits and utilization decline with distance. In this paper, an hierarchical location-allocation model in which benefits accrue to facility level and decline exponentially with distance is presented as a possible approach to ameliorating problems of rural accessibility to health care in Third World settings. The model is subjected to sensitivity analysis with reference to data for Salcette Taluka, Goa, India. The analysis suggests that the traditional P-median model may be a much less appropriate solution to the problem than a simple strategy of locating facilities from the highest to the lowest level in centers of strictly decreasing population.
Delivery of Health Care↗
Asbestosis among electricians.
In a cross-sectional study of a small group of non-shipyard electricians, the prevalence of asbestosis, defined as irregular opacities of at least 1/0 profusion, was found to be 15% overall and 25% after 20 years of service. Irregular opacities occurred more frequently among smokers. Cost estimates for asbestos-related disease should include construction electricians in the populations at risk.
Adult↗