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PubMed1984

A population--based case--control study of renal cell carcinoma.

A population-based case-control study of renal cell carcinoma (495 cases and 697 controls) in the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county metropolitan area implicated cigarette smoking as a risk factor with an odds ratio (OR) among men of 1.6 (95% confidence intervals: 1.1-2.4) and among women of 1.9 (1.3-3.0). A statistically significant dose response was observed in both sexes for pack-years of cigarette use. On the basis of calculations of attributable risk, it was estimated that 30% of renal cell cancers among men and 24% among women were due to smoking. High relative adult weight as measured by the body mass index (BMI) was found to be a major risk factor among women but not among men, with those in the highest 5% of the BMI having an OR of 5.9 (1.8-20.4) in comparison to the lowest quartile. This association with excess weight was not seen at age 20, but it became more pronounced with increasing age, suggesting that the primary influence of weight gain is during the late stages of renal carcinogenesis. Excess risks were also related to ethnic background (particularly, German), which may account in part for the elevated incidence of renal cancer in the North Central area of the United States. In addition, positive associations were observed for long-term use of phenacetin-containing analgesics, heavy meat consumption, and heavy tea drinking (females only). An occupational clue was provided by an increased risk for exposure to petroleum, tar, and pitch products. Excesses of certain urologic and cardiovascular diseases were also observed among the cases compared to controls.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed2002

Natural product terpenoids in Eocene and Miocene conifer fossils.

Numerous saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons, but not polar compounds, originating from plants and microorganisms (biomarkers) have been reported in sediments, coals, and petroleum. Here we describe natural product terpenoids found in two fossil conifers, Taxodium balticum (Eocene) and Glyptostrobus oregonensis (Miocene). A similar terpenoid pattern is also observed in extant Taxodium distichum. The preservation of characteristic terpenoids (unaltered natural products) in the fossil conifers supports their systematic assignment to the Cypress family (Cupressaceae sensu lato). The results also show that fossil conifers can contain polar terpenoids, which are valuable markers for (paleo)chemosystematics and phylogeny.

Biological Evolution↗
PubMed2006

The liquid-liquid diffusive extraction of hydrocarbons from a North Sea oil using a microfluidic format.

Extraction of a GC-amenable hydrocarbon fraction from oil by liquid-liquid diffusion across a laminar interface can be performed in a microfluidic format. Analysis of figures of merit, determined using standard analytical techniques, show this method to be an effective new tool for rapidly processing small quantities of oil and petroleum for GC analysis. Methods based upon similar microsystems devices could find widespread use in a variety of fields, including those associated with organic geochemistry and oil exploration and production, where the manipulation of petroleum constituents (greater than C14) is necessary for analytical purposes.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Petroleum pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

In 1976, IOC-UNESCO and UNEP convened a meeting in Port of Spain to analyze the marine pollution problems in the region, noting that petroleum pollution was of regionwide concern and recommended initiating a research and monitoring program to determine the severity of the problem and monitor its effects. The Wider Caribbean is potentially one of the largest oil-producing areas in the world. Major production sites include Louisiana and Texas in the U.S.; the Bay of Campeche, Mexico; Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela; and the Gulf of Paria, Trinidad. All these are classified as high-risk production accident zones. Main sources of petroleum pollution in the Wider Caribbean are production, exploitation, transportation, urban and municipal discharges, refining and chemical wastes, normal loading and unloading operations, and accidental spills. About 5 million barrels of crude oil are transported daily in the Caribbean, thus generating an intense tanker traffic. It has been estimated that oil discharges from tank washings within the Wider Caribbean could be as high as 7 million barrels/yr. The results of the Caribbean Pollution Regional Program (CARIPOL) conducted between 1980 and 1987 pointed out that significant levels of petroleum pollution exist throughout the Wider Caribbean, including serious tar contamination of windward exposed beaches, high levels of floating tar within the major current systems, and very high levels of dissolved and dispersed hydrocarbons in surface waters. Major adverse effects of this type of pollution include: high tar levels on many beaches that either prevent their recreational use or require very expensive cleanup operations, distress and death for marine life, and responses in the enzyme systems of marine organisms that have been correlated with declines in reproductive success. Finally, the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tissues of important economic species has been reported, creating a risk for public health because of the potential carcinogenic effects.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed2005

Biotransformation of phosphogypsum by bacteria isolated from petroleum-refining wastewaters.

The biotransformation of phosphogypsum in cultures of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) isolated from crude petroleum-refining wastewaters or purified using activated sludge method was studied. Selection was with the microcosms method on Postgate and minimal medium with different carbon sources, Emerson medium and petroleum-refining wastewaters. Highest hydrogen sulfide production, in excess of 500 mg/L, was observed in culture of microorganisms isolated from purified petroleum-refining wastewaters in Postgate medium with phenol as sole carbon source. 76% phenol reduction with simultaneous biotransformation of 2.7g phosphogypsum/L (1350 mg SO4/L) was obtained. The results regarding post-culture sediment indicated 66% utilization of phosphogypsum introduced into the culture (5 g/L), which reflects the active biotransformation of phosphogypsum by the community selected from the wastewaters.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1996

Chronic dermal studies of petroleum streams in mice.

During petroleum refining, a large number of products are generated which have varying chemical and physical properties. These are known in the industry as petroleum streams. In order to characterize their carcinogenic activity, a number of these commercially produced streams were administered to C3H/HeJ mice in chronic dermal bioassays. The bioassays were conducted using one of two study designs: the first set of test materials was applied for a lifetime and the second set for 24 months. In the lifetime study, the last mice in the test groups survived for periods of 31 to 32 months. Middle distillates, boiling in the range 115-390 degrees C, were found to decrease the lifespan of exposed mice compared to controls or streams of higher and lower boiling ranges. These middle distillate streams included straight run kerosine, hydrodesulfurized middle distillate, straight run middle distillate, light catalytic cracked distillate, and 90/10% and 70/30% mixtures of the last two. The middle distillate streams also proved to be active as carcinogens, with tumor incidence ranging from 16 to 67%. Light alkylate naphtha, heavy catalytic reformed naphtha, vacuum residuum, and unleaded gasoline did not demonstrate significant carcinogenic potency. Heavy thermal cracked naphtha, heavy catalytic cracked naphtha, and hydrotreated light naphthenic distillate were dermal carcinogens of low potency in this study. Administration of light catalytic cracked naphtha led to a low incidence of very late developing tumors with a mean latency of 118 weeks. Application of the 0.1% solution of catalytic cracked clarified oil in toluene did not result in a significant incidence of tumors, but the 10% solution caused almost 100% mortality and 100% tumor incidence in 12 months. There was no correlation between carcinogenic potency and the indices of irritation, alopecia, erythema, and scabbing. Only two of the streams tested, hydrotreated light naphthenic distillate and 10% catalytic cracked clarified oil, contain polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PNAs) and may be presumed to be complete carcinogens. The middle distillates and heavy naphthas are nonmutagenic and essentially free of PNAs. Their activity may result from promotion of already-initiated skin sites. Where comparisons could be made, reducing the exposure period from a lifetime (29-32 months) to 24 months did not change the evaluations of stream carcinogenicity except in the case of light catalytic cracked naphtha where six of the seven mice that developed tumors did so after 24 months.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Organic-inorganic interactions in petroleum-producing sedimentary basins.

Petroleum deposits form as a consequence of the increased temperatures that accompany progressive burial of organic matter deep within sedimentary basins. Recent advances in petroleum geochemistry suggest that inorganic sedimentary components participate in organic transformations associated with this process. Water is particularly important because it facilitates reaction mechanisms not available in dry environments, and may contribute hydrogen and oxygen for the formation of hydrocarbons and oxygenated alteration products. These findings suggest that petroleum generation and stability is influenced by subsurface chemical environments, and is a simple function of time, temperature and the composition of sedimentary organic matter.

Evolution, Chemical↗
PubMed2003

Assessment of global industrial-age anthropogenic arsenic contamination.

Arsenic, a carcinogenic trace element, threatens not only the health of millions of humans and other living organisms, but also global sustainability. We present here, for the first time, the global industrial-age cumulative anthropogenic arsenic production and its potential accumulation and risks in the environment. In 2000, the world cumulative industrial-age anthropogenic arsenic production was 4.53 million tonnes. The world-wide coal and petroleum industries accounted for 46% of global annual gross arsenic production, and their overall contribution to industrial-age gross arsenic production was 27% in 2000. Global industrial-age anthropogenic As sources (as As cumulative production) follow the order: As mining production>As generated from coal>As generated from petroleum. The potential industrial-age anthropogenic arsenic input in world arable surface in 2000 was 2.18 mg arsenic kg(-1), which is 1.2 times that in the lithosphere. The development of substitute materials for arsenic applications in the agricultural and forestry industries and controls of arsenic emissions from the coal industry may be possible strategies to significantly decrease arsenic pollution sources and dissipation rates into the environment.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Synthesis of branched polysaccharides by polymerization of 6-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl-D-glucal through stereoregular haloglycosylation.

In this letter, we report synthesis of branched polysaccharide 2 by glycosylation of glucal-type monomer 1 with two free hydroxy groups at position 3 and 4. Monomer 1 polymerized with N-halosuccinimide promoter in acetonitrile solvent at room temperature--50 degrees C. The product was isolated as a petroleum ether insoluble fraction. The structure was determined by 1H and 13C NMR spectra as well as elemental analysis to be a polysaccharide consisting of 2-halo-2-deoxy-alpha-D-mannoside units, indicating that the polymerization proceeded via stereoregular glycosylation manner. The molecular weights determined by GPC with DMF were 3,300-4,000. The degree of branching was estimated by the NMR data of the product from the reaction of 2 with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1999

[Oxidative injury and its defense system in vivo].

We and other researchers verified that excessively produced free radicals by neutrophils induce various diseases such as Behçet's disease, MCLS, SLE (neutrophil-stimulated lymphocytes), RA (synovial fluid neutrophils), Crohn's disease, colitis ulcerosa, and dermatitis herpetiformis (Dühring). Recently, it was reported that environmental toxic agents including herbicides such as paraquat, insecticides, nitrogen oxide, and ultraviolet radiation produce free radicals. Nitrogen oxide, a main product of the combustion of petroleum, is a prominent component of exhaust from automobiles. Generation of 1O2 by ultraviolet radiation has also increased by breaks in the earth's ozone layer induced by halogenated hydrocarbon gas. Various diseases have been induced by these agents such as malignancies, severe adult atopic dermatitis, complication of cataract and retinolysis with atopic dermatitis, skin cancer, male infertility, severe collagen diseases, and lung fibrosis. It was also found that PCB, methyl-Hg and Mn, Cd induce neuropathic diseases through the increase in free radical production. On the other hand, a self-defense system exists against oxidative injuries; high-molecular-weight antioxidants such as SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px, and low-molecular-weight antioxidants such as vitamin C, E, A, polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechin. As protection from oxidative injury, various antioxidant products have been developed, however, the development of SOD injection was given up by all the pharmaceutical companies in the world on account of ineffectiveness due to rapid excretion from the kidney, low affinity to the receptor and weak penetration into the cell. A.M. Michelson, a French biochemist succeeded in developing an effective bovine liposomal-encapsulated SOD solving these problems, however, he also gave it up since French government prohibited bovine products due to the prion virus. Regarding low-molecular-weight antioxidants, synthetic products generally show low affinity to human cell receptors, however, natural products also has demerits that abundant low-molecular-weight compounds with antioxidant activity that exist in the native materials as repeating subunits of high-molecular-weight polymers resulting in inactive forms. We have developed effective natural antioxidant by a unique treating procedure that includes heating with far infrared radiation of 4-14 microns wavelength, brewing with the fungus Aspergillus oryzae, and emulsification with similarly heated sesame oil. This formulation is based on our hypothesis that treatment of natural plant products with heating and brewing results in the liberation of abundant low-molecular-weight compounds with antioxidant activity that exist in an inactive form as repeating polymers as described above.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Reductive dechlorination of chlorophenols by an anaerobic mixed culture].

In this study, we investigated the potential for reductive dechlorination of chlorophenols by municipal sewage sludge acclimated to 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and 3,4-dichlorophenol (3,4-DCP). The optimal temperature and pH for dechlorination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) were 30 degrees C and 7.2. Dechlorination of 2,4,6-TCP was inhibited by sulfate, nitrate, or ferric (III), but was increased by manganese (IV) except that product of 2,4-DCP was accumulated. Organic substrates such as pyruvate or acetate did not influence dechlorination of 2,4,6-TCP, but increased dechlorination of 2,4-DCP; nevertheless lactate showed no influence on dechlorination. When glucose was added as substrate, only 20% of 2,4,6-TCP dechlorination was found. Addition of methanogenesis inhibitor 2-bromoethane sulfonate did not influence dechlorination, but addition of eubacteria inhibitor vancomycin showed no dechlorination activity at the first few days, and finally complete transformation and accumulation of 2,4-DCP occurred. Because mixed culture was from Di-Hwa Wastewater Treatment Plant, adding the same water as culture medium was found to increase the dechlorination of 2,4,6-TCP and its product 2,4-DCP. Dechlorination by adding wastewater of Petroleum Corporation was also increased, especially for 2,4-DCP product, but only 7% of 2,4,6-TCP dechlorination was found after incubation with Hou-Chin river water for 14 days.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed1987

Risk of astrocytic brain tumors associated with occupational chemical exposures. A case-referent study.

A case-referent study was conducted on the risk of brain tumors among workers exposed to organic chemicals in petroleum refining and chemical manufacturing. Brain tumor cases in northern New Jersey, Philadelphia, and the Gulf Coast of Louisiana were identified from death certificates of a recent three-year period. The cases (N = 300) were white men aged greater than or equal to 30 years with a confirmed diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme, astrocytoma, or a mixed glioma with astrocytic cells. The referents (N = 386) were white men who died from causes other than brain tumor, epilepsy, cerebrovascular disease, suicide, or homicide and were frequency-matched with the cases on age at death, year of death, and study area. Next-of-kin were interviewed for complete occupational histories. No statistically significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) were associated with employment in the chemical industry. The risk of astrocytic tumors was elevated among the subjects with production or maintenance jobs in petroleum refining (OR 1.7, 95% confidence interval 0.7-4.2); however, it decreased with duration employed. There were nonsignificant excess risks of astrocytic tumors among the men exposed to cutting fluids (OR 1.6) or organic solvents (OR 1.3), and also among the subjects exposed to lubricating oils (OR 1.4), organic solvents (OR 1.5), or cutting fluids (OR 1.8) for greater than or equal to 20 years.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed2006

Petroleum pollutant degradation by surface water microorganisms.

BACKGROUND, AIMS AND SCOPE: It is well known that the composition of petroleum or some of its processing products changes in the environment mostly under the influence of microorganisms. A series of experiments was conducted in order to define the optimum conditions for an efficient biodegradation of petroleum pollutant, or bioremediation of different segments of the environment. The aim of these investigations was to show to what extent the hydrocarbons of a petroleum pollutant are degraded by microbial cultures which were isolated as dominant microorganisms from a surface water of a wastewater canal of an oil refinery and a nitrogen plant. Biodegradation experiments were conducted on one paraffinic, and one naphthenic type of petroleum during a three month period under aerobic conditions, varying the following parameters: Inorganic (Kp) or an organic medium (Bh) with or without exposition to light. METHODS: Microorganisms were analyzed in a surface water sample from a canal (Pancevo, Serbia), into which wastewater from an oil refinery and a nitrogen plant is released. The consortia of microorganisms were isolated from the water sample (most abundant species: Phormidium foveolarum--filamentous Cyanobacteria, blue-green algae and Achanthes minutissima, diatoms, algae). The simulation experiments of biodegradation were conducted with the biomass suspension and crude oils Sirakovo (Sir, paraffinic type) and Velebit (Ve, naphthenic type). After a three month period, organic substance was extracted by means of chloroform. In the extracts, the content of saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and fatty acids was determined (the group composition). n-Alkanes and isoprenoid aliphatic alkanes, pristane and phytane, in the aliphatic fractions, were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC). Total isoprenoid aliphatic alkanes and polycyclic alkanes of sterane and triterpane types were analyzed by GC-MS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Paraffinic type petroleums have a significant loss of saturated hydrocarbons. For naphthenic type petroleum, such a trend has not been observed. The most intensive degradation of n-alkanes and isoprenoid aliphatic alkanes (in paraffinic oil) and isoprenoids (in naphthenic oil) was observed using the inorganic medium Kp in the light; the microbial conversion is somewhat lower with Kp in the dark; with organic medium Bh in the light the degradation is of low intensity; with the same medium in the dark the degradation is hardly to be seen. Steranes and triterpanes were not affected by microbial degradation under the conditions used in our experiments. Obviously, the petroleum biodegradation was restricted to the acyclic aliphatics (n-alkanes and isoprenoids). CONCLUSION: Phormidium foveolarum (filamentous Cyanobacteria--blue-green algae) and Achanthes minutissima (diatoms, algae), microbial cultures isolated as dominant algae from a surface water in a wastewater canal of an oil refinery and a nitrogen plant, have degradable effects dominantly involving petroleum hydocarbons. Petroleum microbiological degradation is more intensive when inorganic medium (in the light) is applied. Having in mind that the inorganic pollutants have been released into the canal as well, this medium reflects more the natural environmental conditions. Polycyclic alkanes of sterane and triterpane type, in spite of the fact that these compounds could be degraded, have remained unchanged regarding abundance and distribution. Since this is the case even for naphthenic type petroleum (which is depleted in n-alkanes), it can be concluded that the biodegradation of petroleum type pollutants, under natural conditions, will be restrained to the n-alkane and isoprenoid degradation. RECOMMENDATION AND OUTLOOK: Performed experiments and simulations of petroleum microbiological degradation may serve for the prediction of the fate of petroleum type pollutants, as well as for definition of conditions for bioremediation of some environmental segments.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed1977

Pediatric pesticide poisonings in North Carolina: epidemiologic observations.

In four years, 218 pesticide exposures were reported among North Carolina children. Epidemiologic follow-up revealed 50 symptomatic cases with nine fatalities. Mean age of exposed children was 27 months; boys were involved twice as frequently as girls. Agents most often implicated were anticoagulant rodenticides (17%) and organophosphate insecticides (16%). Sixty-eight percent of exposures were to products intended for household use. Special characteristics of pesticides that contribute to morbidity include exceptional toxicity, dermal penetration, and frequent application as food baits. Exposure histories indicate that high petroleum distillate content often adds to product toxicity.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Ambient volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations around a petrochemical complex and a petroleum refinery.

Air samples were collected between September 2000 and September 2001 in Izmir, Turkey at three sampling sites located around a petrochemical complex and an oil refinery to measure ambient volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations. VOC concentrations were 4-20-fold higher than those measured at a suburban site in Izmir, Turkey. Ethylene dichloride, a leaded gasoline additive used in petroleum refining and an intermediate product of the vinyl chloride process in the petrochemical complex, was the most abundant volatile organic compound, followed by ethyl alcohol and acetone. Evaluations based on wind direction clearly indicated that ambient VOC concentrations measured were affected by the refinery and petrochemical complex emissions. VOC concentrations showed seasonal variations at all sampling sites. Concentrations were highest in summer, followed by autumn, probably due to increased evaporation of VOCs from fugitive sources as a result of higher temperatures. VOC concentrations generally increased with temperature and wind speed. Temperature and wind speed together explained 1-60% of the variability in VOC concentrations. The variability in ambient VOC concentrations that could not be explained by temperature and wind speed can be attributed to the effect of other factors (i.e. wind direction, other VOC sources).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Sensitization to petrolatum: an unusual cause of false-positive drug patch-tests.

We report on an unexpected sensitization to petrolatum diagnosed with the occurrence of multiple nonrelevant and false-positive drug patch-tests performed while investigating a patient suffering from many cutaneous adverse drug reactions. All the positive drug patch-tests were prepared with GILBERT vaseline. This petrolatum reaction is positive as it was tested with five other brands of petrolatums a few months later. As the same petrolatums, but from different batches were tested, patch-tests with GILBERT petrolatum were doubtful, while other petrolatums were positive. White petrolatum is a mixture of semisolid hydrocarbons of the methane series. The sensitizing impurities of petrolatum are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, e.g. phenanthrene derivatives. The purity of petrolatum depends on both the petroleum stock and on the production and packaging methods. Even if rare, contact sensitization to petrolatum can disturb the interpretation of drug patch-tests. It is necessary in the interpretation of drug patch-tests to test both in petrolatum and other vehicles and with all the different petrolatums used in preparing the material for drug patch-tests. So, it is essential to advise the patients sensitized to petrolatum to remove all the topical drugs, such as all the cosmetics, which contain petrolatum in their formulation.

Dermatitis, Contact↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A case-control study of multiple myeloma in Japan: association with occupational factors.

Recently the incidence rate of multiple myeloma (MM) has increased in Japan. Epidemiologic efforts have suggested that certain occupational and chemical exposures are likely to increase the risk for MM. We therefore performed a case-control study of MM, examining occupational factors. Data for 57 cases and 57 controls were obtained from Sapporo Medical University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals in Hokkaido. Controls were matched to each case by gender, age (+/- 5 years) and hospital. Detailed information regarding several factors possibly related to MM was obtained by interviews in hospitals. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated with adjustment for cigarette smoking as confounding factor. The occupational category of agriculture and fishery showed a significant association with increased risk (OR = 5.89, 95% CI = 1.24-28.04). Occupational exposure to chemical products including organic solvents or petroleum showed a significant association with increased risk (OR = 8.05, 95% CI = 1.01-64.45). Medical histories of operation for appendicitis and blood transfusion were associated with decreased risk, but not significantly. Our results suggested that occupational exposure to chemicals might play a role in the risk of MM.

Adult↗