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Evaluation of chemical releases and worker exposures from filter press operations.

The exposures (inhalation and dermal) and releases (air, water, solids, and process streams) associated with the filtration of industrial wastewater sludge from an electronics manufacturing plant were characterized. Chemical releases and worker exposures for a target chemical (total copper) were measured over four operational cycles. Various aspects of the filtration operation believed to influence the measurement values were documented. Worker exposures associated with the discreet stages of the filter operation were measured. Ventilation patterns around the filter press were also monitored. The workers' time-weighted average exposures to total copper during the 113-minute operational cycle ranged from 3.1 to 25 micrograms/m3 (2.2 geometric standard deviation, 6.4 micrograms/m3 geometric mean concentration). The manual removal of filter cake comprised only 15% of the time in an average filtration cycle, but produced 72% of the workers' inhalation exposure. During this cake-removal stage, inhalation exposures ranged from 11 micrograms/m3 to 130 micrograms/m3 (2.5 geometric standard deviation, 30 micrograms/m3 geometric mean concentration). Differences in worker technique may account for the large range of inhalation exposures during the cake-removal stage. Exposures and releases were successfully determined for a single unit operation, as well as for the discreet stages of operation. The data generated will enable EPA to more accurately estimate worker exposures and chemical releases for new chemicals as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act. The approach utilized will benefit industrial hygienists in providing estimates of worker exposures and aid in the targeting of survey sampling.

Air Pollution↗

Mode of action and the assessment of chemical hazards in the presence of limited data: use of structure-activity relationships (SAR) under TSCA, Section 5.

Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requires that manufacturers and importers of new chemicals must submit a Premanufacture Notification (PMN) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 90 days before they intend to commence manufacture or import. Certain information such as chemical identity, uses, etc., must be included in the notification. The submission of test data on the new substance, however, is not required, although any available health and environmental information must be provided. Nonetheless, over half of all PMNs submitted to the agency do not contain any test data; because PMN chemicals are new, no test data is generally available in the scientific literature. Given this situation, EPA has had to develop techniques for hazard assessment that can be used in the presence of limited test data. EPA's approach has been termed "structure-activity relationships" (SAR) and involves three major components: the first is critical evaluation and interpretation of available toxicity data on the chemical; the second component involves evaluation of test data available on analogous substances and/or potential metabolites; and the third component involves the use of mathematical expressions for biological activity known as "quantitative structure-activity relationships" (QSARs). At present, the use of QSARs is limited to estimating physical chemical properties, environmental toxicity, and bioconcentration factors. An important overarching element in EPA's approach is the experience and judgment of scientific assessors in interpreting and integrating the available data and information. Examples are provided that illustrate EPA's approach to hazard assessment for PMN chemicals.

Animals↗

Eszopiclone for the treatment of insomnia.

Eszopiclone, a single-isomer, non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent, is approved for use in the US for the treatment of insomnia for patients who have difficulty falling asleep (sleep latency) as well as for those who have difficulty staying asleep (sleep maintenance). Efficacy in sleep maintenance has not been consistently demonstrated with previous hypnotics, and long-term efficacy and safety data are lacking for these agents. In clinical trials, eszopiclone 3 mg significantly improved objective and subjective sleep measures in transient and chronic insomnia in adults. Nightly treatment with eszopiclone 1 mg effectively induced sleep in elderly patients and the 2-mg dose effectively induced and maintained sleep. The ability of eszopiclone 2 mg to significantly improve next-day functioning and daytime alertness (as demonstrated by a reduction in the number and duration of naps) in the elderly is an important finding in clinical trials, and is unique to the class of hypnotic agents for the treatment of insomnia. Eszopiclone was well tolerated in clinical trials < or = 12 months duration, with no clinically significant evidence of pharmacological tolerance, rebound insomnia or dependence. The most frequently reported adverse event was unpleasant taste. Eszopiclone is the only non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic (in the Schedule IV class under the Controlled Substances Act) to be evaluated as a long-term treatment for chronic insomnia.

Adult↗

Schedules of controlled substances: rescheduling of buprenorphine from schedule V to schedule III. Final rule.

This final rule is issued by the Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reschedule buprenorphine from a Schedule V narcotic to a Schedule III narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This action is based on a rescheduling recommendation by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and a DEA review indicating that buprenorphine meets the criteria of a Schedule III narcotic. The DEA published a proposed rule to reschedule buprenorphine on March 21, 2002 (67 FR 13114). The comment period was extended for an additional 30 days until May 22, 2002 (67 FR 20072). The DEA received ten comments but no requests for hearings. This final action will impose the regulatory controls and criminal sanctions of a Schedule III narcotic on those persons who handle buprenorphine or products containing buprenorphine

Buprenorphine↗

Naltrexone: its clinical utility.

Naltrexone is a long-acting orally-administered opioid antagonist that has demonstrated clinical utility as an adjunct in the outpatient treatment of opioid abuse. Naltrexone can be administered on a daily, twice a week or three times a week regimen, based on the clinical needs of the patient, and the therapeutic goals of the patient and therapist. Because naltrexone is unscheduled under the Controlled Substances Act, any licensed physician can prescribe this drug. This decentralized therapeutic approach for the highly motivated patient permits a ready separation between the patient's drug using friends and his or her current activities. The patients most likely to benefit from naltrexone therapy are employed, married, stabilized on low-dose methadone prior to detoxification, or detoxified from their opioid dependency 7 or more days previously, and are highly motivated to be maintained on a nonopioid chemotherapeutic agent. Naltrexone does not cure dependency. It does assist clinicians in dealing with the medical, psychological and economic problems associated with primary opioid abuse. Naltrexone will work well only when it is part of a larger therapeutic regimen which is tailored to the individual needs of the patient.

Ambulatory Care↗

Schedules of controlled substances: rescheduling of the Food and Drug Administration approved product containing synthetic dronabinol [(-) - [DELTA] less than 9 greater than - (trans)-tetrahydrocannabinol] in sesame oil and encapsulated in soft gelatin capsules from schedule II to schedule III. Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Final rule.

This is a final rule of the Deputy Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) transferring a drug between schedules of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 811. With the issuance of this final rule, the Deputy Administrator transfers from schedule II to schedule III of the CSA the drug containing synthetic dronabinol [(-) - [DELTA] less than 9 greater than - (trans)-tetrahydrocannabinol] in sesame oil and encapsulated in soft gelatin capsules in a product approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This rule also designates this drug as a schedule III non-narcotic substance requiring an import/export permit. As a result of this rule, the regulatory controls and criminal sanctions of schedule III will be applicable to the manufacture, distribution, importation and exportation of this drug.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗

Design of a computerized chemical information file in response to the initial inventory requirements of TSCA.

A computerized file of chemical information, "CHEMFO", was developed at BASF Wyandotte Corporation to help comply with the initial reporting requirements of the Toxic Substances Control Act. This organization and approach allowed collecting the required information on all the manufactured and imported chemicals, editing and entry of the data, structuring of the computer file and interactive capabilities, and selecting the final program and subsequent printout. Besides using this system to meet the TSCA initial inventory reporting requirements, the file also has the capacity to be updated and revised as needed, which further expands its potential benefits. Some of the other information that can be derived from this system are: identification of chemical substances, quantities, and each site; tie-in to the medical/occupational health data bank; foundation for recording the industrial hygiene monitoring data; supplement for toxicology and environmental data base; and index for generating compilation of site specific material on health and environmental information.

Chemical Industry↗

Regulation of existing chemicals under TSCA: information disclosure as the route to reducing risk and increasing available data.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) empowers the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate risk associated with the use of existing chemicals and the introduction of new chemicals into commerce. Due to a number of concerns, however, the authority to regulate existing chemicals under TSCA has enjoyed limited success. A more generic and flexible approach is needed to achieve significant risk reduction for existing chemicals. This paper presents a frame-work for a generic approach to the regulation of existing chemicals. Under this framework, EPA would officially recognize that the distribution of chemical substances without evaluating and communicating to the user how to avoid operationally undesirable exposures represents an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. Acting under the authority of TSCA, EPA would then generically require suppliers to communicate acceptable exposure levels and information regarding safe use. This framework is consistent with the express policy of TSCA, which states that development of data with respect to the effects of chemical substances and mixtures on health and the environment should be the responsibility of manufacturers and processors of chemicals. The approach outlined here is consistent with and complements initiatives of the Office of Toxic Substances (OTS) and would enable OTS to accomplish some of the fundamental goals of TSCA.

Chemical Industry↗

Regulating the introduction of new chemicals under section 5 of TSCA: improving the efficiency of the process and reducing potential injury in the workplace through the use of operational MSDS and exposure limits.

The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) authorizes the EPA to take appropriate actions to ensure that new and existing chemicals do not pose "unreasonable risk" to health or the environment. Section 2(b)(3) of the Act directs the Agency to accomplish this objective in a manner that does "not impede unduly or create unnecessary economic barriers to technological innovation." In recent years, critics have felt that the EPA has failed to achieve these primary goals of TSCA. This paper considers some of the reasons for this criticism and advocates an alternate approach of exposure limits and operationally sufficient controls to assist in achieving these goals. An illustration of how this alternate approach might work under practical conditions is presented, using as an example a new chemical substance from the class of acrylate monomers. These concepts and risk assessments provide data for a better design of future studies according to good laboratory practice and quality assurance.

Chemical Industry↗

Uncertainties for endocrine disrupters: our view on progress.

The hypothesis that hormonally active compounds in the environment--endocrine disrupters--are having a significant impact on human and ecological health has captured the public's attention like no other toxicity concern since the publication of Rachel Carson's Silent Spring 1962. In the early 1990s, Theo Colborn and others began to synthesize information about the potential impacts of endocrine-mediated toxicity in the scientific literature (Colborn and Clement, 1992) and the popular press (Colborn et al., 1997). Recognizing the possibility of an emerging health threat, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) convened two international workshops in 1995 (Ankley et al., 1997; Kavlock et al., 1996) that identified research needs relative to future risk assessments for endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These workshops identified effects on reproductive, neurological, and immunological function, as well as carcinogenesis as the major endpoints of concern and made a number of recommendations for research. Subsequently, the EPA developed a research strategy to begin addressing the recommendations (EPA, 1998a), and the federal government as a whole, working through the White House's Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources, increased funding levels and coordinated research programs to fill the major data gaps (Reiter et al., 1998). In parallel with these research efforts that were attempting to define the scope and nature of the endocrine disruptor hypothesis, the U.S. Congress added provisions to the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 to require the testing of food-use pesticides and drinking water contaminants, respectively, for estrogenicity and other hormonal activity. These bills were enacted into law, giving the EPA the mandate to implement them. The EPA, with the help of an external advisory committee, the Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee (EDSTAC), determined that other hormonal activity should include androgens and compounds that affect thyroid function, and expanded the mandate to include all chemicals under EPA's jurisdiction, potentially including the 70,000 chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (Endocrine Disruptor Screening and Testing Advisory Committee [EDSTAC], 1998). EDSTAC recommended an extensive process of prioritization, screening, and testing of chemicals for endocrine-disrupting activity, including a screening battery that involves a combination of at least eight in vitro and in vivo assays spanning a number of taxa (EDSTAC, 1998). What started out as a hypothesis has become one of the biggest testing programs conceived in the history of toxicology and the only one that has ever been based on mechanism of action as its premise. As we pass the 10th anniversary of the emergence of the endocrine disruptor hypothesis, it is useful to look back on the progress that has been made in answering the nine questions posed as data gaps in the EPA's research strategy (EPA, 1998a)--not only to see what we have learned, but also to examine whether the questions are still appropriate for the goal, what gaps remain, and what directions should be emphasized in the future.

Animals↗

A review of controlled substances.

Physicians who understand the Controlled Substances Act and their regulations will have fewer complications and problems. The tracking/monitoring system helps protect physicians and their patients from problems with abuse and diversion. The understanding that pharmacists are utilizing their skills everyday in reviewing a patient's pharmaceutical history and aiding the patient will no doubt encourage increased interaction among the healthcare fields and increase the quality of treatment for the patient.

Drug Utilization↗

Research design strategies to evaluate the impact of formulations on abuse liability.

Scheduling of a chemical drug substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) includes an evaluation of preclinical and clinical safety, and experimental abuse liability studies, as well as information on diversion and overdose. Formulations that mitigate abuse liability, dependence potential and public health risks (e.g., altered absorption rate and tamperability, long half-life, pro-drugs and combination products) are amenable to preclinical and clinical studies to compare their abuse potential to reference compounds. For new formulations (NF) as marketed agents, direct comparison to the immediate release (IR) formulation of the reference compound is typically needed across the full range of potential studies. While the public health advantage of formulation changes in the marketplace can be conceptualized in behavioral economic terms, generating persuasive data is challenging. Study complexity increases because of additional conditions (e.g., placebo, 2-3 doses of the IR formulation, 2-3 doses of the new formulation, and 2-3 doses of the unscheduled or negative control drug), larger sample sizes (study power driven by the comparison of the new formulation versus the IR or placebo), and associated increases in study duration. However, the use of single maximal doses of well-characterized controls can reduce the number of study arms, and using incomplete block designs can reduce study duration. Less typical experimental approaches may also be useful, such as human choice or discrimination procedures, or pre-marketing consumer studies among experienced drug tamperers. New formulations that demonstrate a substantial difference from marketed or reference products have a potential marketing advantage and should require less onerous risk management. Post-marketing epidemiological data demonstrating the lack of abuse will carry the most weight from a public health and physician perspective.

Chemistry, Pharmaceutical↗

The new chemicals process at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): structure-activity relationships for hazard identification and risk assessment.

Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) does not require any toxicity testing as a prerequisite for submission of a Premanufacturing Notice (PMN) for a new chemical. In order to compensate for the lack of actual test data, a process involving structure-activity relationships (SAR) for assessing hazard potential was constructed. The hazard assessment is then coupled with an estimation of potential exposure to determine potential risk. This process involves the use of multiple interdisciplinary teams that work within a 90-day time frame to complete approximately 2000 risk assessments per year.

Animals↗

The necessity and utility of abuse liability evaluations in human subjects.

Assessments of the abuse potential of psychoactive drugs in preclinical and clinical studies are used in regulatory decision making process in the United States under the Controlled Substance Act (CSA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD & C Act). Two types of drugs are evaluated in abuse potential studies, those being developed for a therapeutic indication by the pharmaceutical industry and illicitly manufactured 'street drugs' of abuse. Only the former will be considered here. In the case of drugs being pursued for marketing or are amendable to study in human subjects and are of scientific, medical, or regulatory interest, preclinical data may be inadequate for drug scheduling and marketing decisions. Preclinical data assessment can suggest hypotheses which must be validated in clinical studies. Moreover, there are limitations to the feasibility of evaluating certain drugs/dosage forms in preclinical studies. Thus, clinical studies are needed for the following scientific reasons: to validate preclinical hypotheses; to assess the time-course of subjective effects as a function of dose and route of administration; to evaluate the generalizability of drug liking in different human subject populations; and to evaluate the effects of drugs on cognitive and affective processes. Clinical studies are also needed if a claim is made regarding reduced or no abuse potential; and lack of additive or potentiative effects with alcohol.

Drug Evaluation↗

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an anabolic steroid like dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent natural androgen, and tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).

We have recently taken advantage of the unique power of DNA microarrays to compare the genomic expression profile of tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) with that of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the most potent natural androgen, thus clearly demonstrating that THG is an anabolic steroid. In 2004, the U.S. Controlled Substances Act has been modified to include androstenedione (4-dione) as an anabolic steroid. However, despite the common knowledge that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the precursor of testosterone, DHEA has been excluded from the list of anabolic steroids. We thus used the same DNA microarray technology to analyze the expression profile of practically all the 30,000 genes of the mouse genome modulated by DHEA and DHT in classical androgen-sensitive tissues. Daily subcutaneous injections of DHT (0.1mg) or DHEA (3mg) for 1 month in gonadectomized C57BL6/129 SV mice increased ventral prostate, dorsal prostate, seminal vesicle and preputial gland weight (p<0.01 for all tissues). As early as 24h after single injection of the two steroids, 878, 2681 and 14 probe sets were commonly stimulated or inhibited (p<0.01, change> or =30%), in the prostate (ventral+dorsal), seminal vesicles and preputial glands, respectively, compared to tissues from gonadectomized control animals. After 7 days of daily treatment with DHEA and DHT, 629, 919 and 562 probe sets were commonly modulated in the same tissues while after 27 days of treatment, 1195, 5127 and 2883 probe sets were modulated, respectively. In analogy with the data obtained with THG, the present microarray data provide an extremely precise and unquestionable genomic signature and proof of the androgenic/anabolic activity of DHEA. Such data add to the literature showing that DHEA is transformed into androgens in the human peripheral tissues as well as in laboratory animal species, including the monkey, thus exerting potent androgenic/anabolic activity. The present microarray approach to identify anabolic compounds is applicable to all potential androgenic/anabolic compounds.

Anabolic Agents↗

Physical dependence on Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride): both opioid-like and atypical withdrawal symptoms occur.

In 1994, the Drug Abuse Advisory Committee (DAAC) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride) could be marketed as an analgesic drug without scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act based upon extensive pre-clinical, clinical and European epidemiological data. However, to guard against unexpectedly high levels of abuse in the United States, the DAAC recommended that an independent steering committee (ISC) be appointed to proactively monitor abuse/dependence. In the event that high rates of abuse were found, this ISC was given the authority to immediately recommend to the FDA that Ultram be scheduled. In the course of the surveillance project, the ISC received reports of withdrawal following abrupt discontinuation of Ultram and in some instances, following dose reductions. In most cases, the withdrawal symptoms consisted of classical opioid withdrawal, but in some cases were accompanied by withdrawal symptoms not normally observed in opiate withdrawal, such as hallucinations, paranoia, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, confusion and unusual sensory experiences such as numbness and tingling in one or more extremities. Withdrawal symptoms of either type were one of the more prevalent adverse events associated with chronic Ultram use, comprising nearly 40% of all adverse events reported with Ultram. Most of these consisted of typical opiate withdrawal symptoms, but 1 in 8 cases presented as atypical. These results indicate that physicians and other healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential of Ultram to induce withdrawal of the classical opioid type, and that atypical withdrawal may also occur.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

New rules for physicians implement sample drug bill.

Record keeping requirements for dangerous drugs, including samples, has been a source of confusion for physicians and often has lead to misinterpretation of the law. To clarify this issue and to assist in implementing Senate Bill 788 (the sample drug bill), the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners recently has adopted rules for record keeping for dangerous drugs and controlled substances. A dangerous drug is any drug or device that is not listed in the Controlled Substances Act and thus is not safe for self-medication, or bears the legend, "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription." The Dangerous Drugs Act requires a physician to maintain records for 2 years after the date of the acquisition or disposal of the dangerous drug. The new TSBME rules provide a presumption of compliance by a physician for record keeping for dangerous drug samples if he or she (1) retains a copy of the signed request form required by the Prescription Drug Marketing Act of 1987 for 2 years and (2) makes appropriate entries in a patient's medical records when a dangerous drug sample is supplied to the patient. Generally, a drug company representative provides a copy of the request as a receipt at the time the physician receives the samples. For dangerous drugs that the physician acquires other than as samples, the physician needs to retain a copy of the invoice or receiving order or other form of documentation of receipt or acquisition for 2 years. Once again, the physician should make appropriate entries in patients' records.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Drug and Narcotic Control↗

The Xyrem risk management program.

Sodium oxybate, also known as gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), was discovered in 1960 and has been described both as a therapeutic agent with high medical value and, more recently, a substance of abuse. The naturally occurring form of this drug is found in various body tissues but has been studied most extensively in the CNS where its possible function as a neurotransmitter continues to be studied. Sodium oxybate has been approved in different countries for such varied uses as general anaesthesia, the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and addiction, and, most recently, cataplexy associated with narcolepsy. During the 1980s, easy access to GHB-containing products led to various unapproved uses, including weight loss, bodybuilding and the treatment of sleeplessness, sometimes with serious long-term effects. The availability of these unapproved and unregulated forms of the drug led to GHB and its analogues being popularised as substances of abuse and subsequent notoriety as agents used in drug-facilitated sexual assault, or 'date rape', eventually leading to the prohibition of GHB sales in the US. Legal efforts to control the sale and distribution of GHB and its analogues nearly prevented the clinical development of sodium oxybate for narcolepsy in the US. However, following extensive discussions with a variety of interested parties, a satisfactory solution was devised, including legislative action and the development of the Xyrem Risk Management Program. Amendments to the US Controlled Substances Act made GHB a schedule I drug, but also contained provisions that allow US FDA-approved products to be placed under schedule III. This unique, bifurcated schedule for sodium oxybate/GHB allowed the clinical development of sodium oxybate to proceed and, in July 2002, it was approved by the FDA as an orphan drug for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy as Xyrem(sodium oxybate) oral solution. To promote the safe use of sodium oxybate, as well as alleviate concerns over possible diversion and abuse following product approval, a proprietary restricted drug distribution system was created, called the Xyrem Success Program. Components of the programme include a centralised distribution and dispensing system, a physician and patient registry, compulsory educational materials for patients and physicians, a specially trained pharmacy staff, a method for tracking prescription shipments, and an initial post-marketing surveillance programme. The system has created a unique opportunity to provide both physician and patient education and ongoing patient counselling, promoting greater drug safety and enhanced patient compliance.

Administration, Oral↗