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Development of hepatic angiosarcoma in man induced by vinyl chloride, thorotrast, and arsenic. Comparison with cases of unknown etiology.

Examples of human angiosarcoma following exposure to vinyl chloride, Thorotrast, or arsenic (medicinal and industrial) and cases, including children, of unknown etiology were studied to establish diagnostic criteria and to study their evolution. The uniform evolution suggests an environmental factor also in the cases of unknown etiology, which may be established by epidemiologic studies. A precursor stage is charaterized by areas of combined hyperlasia of hepatocytes and a variety of sinusoidal and perisinusoidal cells associated with excess of reticulin and with sinusoidal dialation. The diagnostically useful picture in silver impregnations indicated reticulum formation by the perisinusoidal cells, presumably the libocytes. The hepatocytic proliferation suggests a hepatocarcinogenic but usually not fully expressed potential. The mixed hyperplasia of the various sinusoidal cells proceeds to an overgrowth of angiosarcoma cells, presumably derived from endothelial cells. In early stages they are usually in contact with hepatocytes (intralobular growth). A trabecular arrangement results from loosening of the lobular plate arrangement by dilatation of sinusoids, leading to primary peliosis. With disappearance of the hepatocytes, various growth patterns develop, terminating in nodular, solid angiosarcoma composed of either spindle-shaped or polyhedral cells which undergo necrosis or hemorrhage (secondary peliosis). The interaction between hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells requires elucidation.

Adolescent↗

Human exposure to heavy metals. Rare earth pneumoconiosis in occupational workers.

A male subject exposed for many years to rare earth (RE)-containing fumes and dusts emitted from carbon arc lamps in photoengraving laboratories was investigated to rule out RE pneumoconiosis. While chest x-ray films showed a severe pulmonary fibrosis, clinical analysis showed obvious high RE concentrations in the pulmonary and lymph node biopsy specimens compared with the corresponding tissues of 11 unexposed subjects. In addition to other elements, levels of thorium (Th), which is generally present as an impurity of RE compounds, were also determined to estimate the radiation dose which may be involved in inducing pneumoconiosis. The results show that the levels of Th are more than two orders of magnitude lower than the maximum permissible concentration for occupational exposure to natural 232Th, suggesting that the long-term accumulation of RE in the lungs played a role in the pathogenesis of the observed pulmonary fibrosis of the worker.

Biopsy↗

A new procedure for the spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) in the presence of a large excess of thorium(IV).

Spectrophotometric determination of microgram amounts of U(VI) with 2-(5-Bromo-2-Pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP), originally developed by Johnson and Florence has been modified to enable the determination of U(VI) in the presence of a large excess of Th(IV). The effects of thorium, tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and ethanol on the estimation of uranium have been studied in detail and are presented in this paper. This modified method can be applied for the analysis of U(VI) both in aqueous and organic samples containing a large excess of Th(IV) (Th:U = 10000:1).

Azo Compounds↗

Biokinetics and assessment of intake of thorium dioxide.

The aim of this work was to investigate the biokinetics of thorium dioxide in animals for the purpose of assessing intakes of the compound by workers and the resulting doses. The results imply that measurements of the decay products in the chest or extrapolations from urine analysis data are unlikely to be of value for doses below 20 mSv. Even higher doses should be interpreted with caution as a consequence of uncertainties in particle size distribution and variations in dietary excretion.

Absorption↗

The potencial role of rare earths in the pathogenesis of interstitial lung disease: a case report of movie projectionist as investigated by neutron activation analysis.

A 60-year-old male subject who worked as a movie projectionist and who was exposed for 12 years to rare earths (RE) containing dusts from cored arc light carbon electrodes was investigated. Chest X-ray films and pulmonary function tests showed an interstitial lung disease, emphysema and a severe obstructive impairment with marked decrease of carbon monoxide diffusion capacity. The histological examination of a transbronchial biopsy confirmed the diffuse interstitial lung fibrosis. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) of the biopsy showed concentrations of cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), neodimium (Nd), samarium (Sm), terbium (Tb) and ytterbium (Yb) which were high compared to the corresponding elements in the transbronchial biopsies of 5 unexposed subjects as a control group. Thorium (Th) (which is generally present as an impurity of the RE compounds) was also determined in order to estimate the radiation dose in the lung of the worker. On the basis of the clinical observations, of the analytical results by neutron activation analysis of RE and of the presence of Th in the transbronchial biopsy, as well as of the differential diagnosis, which tended to exclude other occupational or non-occupational lung diseases, a relation between the observed interstitial lung fibrosis and occupational exposure to RE is highly probable.

Biopsy↗

Influence of addition order and contact time on thorium(IV) retention by hematite in the presence of humic acids.

The influence of addition order and contact time in the system hematite (alpha-Fe2O3)-humic acid (HA)-thorium(IV) (Th(IV)) was studied in batch experiments. Th(IV) is considered here as a chemical analogue of other actinides (IV). The sorption isotherms were acquired varying pH in the range 2-10 and HA concentration in the range 1-100 mg/L. As already observed by numerous authors, Th(IV) retention was hindered when HA and hematite were equilibrated beforehand during 24 h. As it has been observed in a previous study, this effect was drastic when the ratio between humic and surface (iron oxide) sites exceeds a critical value. However, when HA was added after a 24-h equilibration of the hematite-Th(IV) system, Th(IV) was barely desorbed from the iron oxide surface. Furthermore, no drastic effect of the ratio between humic and surface sites could be evidenced, as the increase of HA concentration only results in a slight monotonic decrease in Th(IV) retention. Increasing contact time between components of the systems only indicated slight Th(IV) retention variation. This was interpreted as a consequence of slow kinetic controls of both the Th(IV)-HA complexation and HA-hematite sorption.

Adsorption↗

Luminescence quartz dating of lime mortars. A first research approach.

Lime mortars mixed with sand are well suited for connecting structural materials, like stones and bricks, due to the mechanical properties this material exhibits. Their extensive use in architectural and decorative works during the last 4000 years motivated the introduction of the 'Luminescence clock' for age determination of mortars. The same principles as for quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of sediments were applied for age estimation of a mortar fragment removed from a Byzantine church monument dated by archaeological means to 1050-1100 years ago (the first half of the 10th century). The OSL from the quartz was monitored under blue light stimulation and UV detection, using a single-aliquot-regenerative-dose protocol. The quartz-OSL dating of the mortar resulted in 870 +/- 230 a. TL polymineral fine grain dating was also performed on a brick fragment which was connected to the mortar, resulting in a TL age of 1095 +/- 190 a.

Calcium Compounds↗

Vinyl chloride-associated liver disease.

Although polyvinyl chloride has been produced from vinyl chlride monomer for more than 40 years, recognition of toxicity among vinyl chloride polymerization workers is more recent. In the mid 1960s, workers involved in cleaning polymerization tanks were found to have acro-osteolysis. In 1974, the same population of workers was found to be at risk for an unusual type of hepatic fibrosis and angiosarcoma of the liver. We describe two cases of vinyl chloride-associated liver injury, one of hepatic fibrosis and one of angiosarcoma. Histologic features of these lesions are similar to the hepatic fibrosis and angiosarcomas resulting from chronic exposure to inorganic arsenicals. Preliminary studies suggest that the toxicity of vinyl chloride may result from formation, during high-dose exposure, of active metabolites by mixed function oxidases of the liver. Epidemiologic studies indicate an increased incidence not only of liver disease, but also of cancers of the brain, lung, and possibly other organs.

Adult↗

Application of extraction chromatography to the separation of thorium and uranium dissolved in a solution of high salt concentration.

Extraction chromatography with commercially available UTEVA resin (for uranium and tetravalent actinide) was applied for the separation of Th and U from control solutions prepared from a multi-element control solution and from sample solutions of solidified simulated waste. Thorium and U in control solutions with 1-5mol/dm(3) HNO(3) were extracted with UTEVA resin and recovered with a solution containing 0.1mol/dm(3) HNO(3) and 0.05mol/dm(3) oxalic acid to be separated from the other metallic elements. Extraction behavior of U in the sample solutions was similar to that in the control solutions, but extraction of Th was dependent on the concentration of HNO(3). Thorium was extracted from 5mol/dm(3) HNO(3) sample solutions but not from 1mol/dm(3) HNO(3) sample solutions. We conjecture that thorium fluoride formation interferes with extraction of Th. Addition of Al(NO(3))(3) and Fe(NO(3))(3), which have higher stability constant with fluoride ion than Th, does improve extractability of Th from 1mol/dm(3) HNO(3) sample solution.

Aluminum Compounds↗

Overview of the Fernald Dosimetry Reconstruction Project and source term estimates for 1951-1988.

The Feed Materials Production Center, northwest of Cincinnati, processed uranium concentrates and uranium compounds recycled from other stages of nuclear weapons production, as well as some uranium ore and thorium. Particulate releases were primarily uranium (natural, depleted, and slightly enriched. In addition, two large silos containing radium-bearing residues were emission sources of radon and its decay products. The Fernald Dosimetry Reconstruction Project was undertaken to help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to evaluate the impact of the Feed Materials Production Center on the public from radionuclides released to the environment from 1951 through 1988. At this point in the study, the project has estimated the quantities of radioactive materials released to air, surface water, and in groundwater; developed the methodology to describe the environmental transport of the materials; developed mathematical models to calculate the resulting radiation doses; and evaluated environmental monitoring data to verify that the estimates of releases and transport are reasonable. Thorough review of historical records and extensive interaction with former and current employees and residents have been the foundation for reconstructing routine operations, documenting accidents, and evaluating unmonitored emission sources. The largest releases of uranium to air and water occurred in the 1950's and 1960's. Radon releases from the silos remained elevated through most of the 1970's. The quantity of uranium released to surface water was much less than that released to air. Best estimates of releases are reported as median values, with associated uncertainties calculated as an integral part of the estimates. Screening calculations showed that atmospheric pathways dominate the total dose from Feed Materials Production Center releases. Accordingly, the local meteorology, effluent particle size and chemical form, and wet and dry deposition, were particularly important in this study. The final goal of the project is the calculation of radiation doses to people living in the study domain, which is represented by a circle with radius of 10 km centered on the Feed Materials Production Center production area.

Air Pollutants, Radioactive↗

Determination of the thermodynamic parameters and stability constants of UO2(2+), Th4+, and Ce3+ complexes with some azo-benzene-N-malonic acid derivatives.

Proton-ligand dissociation and metal-ligand formation constants of azobenzene-N-malonic acid (I), p-Cl-azobenzene-N-malonic acid (II), p-Br-azobenzene-N-malonic acid (III) and p-COOH- azobenzene-N-malonic acid (IV) with UO2(2+), Th4+ and Ce3+ were evaluated potentiometrically using Bjerrum's method at 25, 35 and 45 +/- 0.5 degrees C and ionic strength 0.1 M in 40% v/v ethanol-water medium. The order of stability constants was found to be Ce3+ > Th4+ > UO2(2+). The effect of temperature on the dissociation and stability constants of the formed complexes was studied and the corresponding thermodynamic functions were derived and discussed. The ratio of metal-ligand was determined conductometrically. The structure of the ligands under investigation as well as their metal complexes has been elucidated by elemental analysis, IR and 1HNMR spectroscopy.

Azo Compounds↗

Distribution of toxic and radiation components in air particulates.

The concentrations of several toxic heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in various types of Hungarian fly-ash fine particulates were investigated by means of instrumental neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence analysis and gas chromatography, coupled with mass spectrometry. Within a power station, particulate samples were taken from the boiler zone (BO), from the electrostatic dust filter chamber (FI) and from the flue-gas at the top of the stack (ST). Enrichment rates of the toxic metals both in FI and ST particulate fractions related to the BO concentrations were calculated to enable the temperature dependence on the adsorption of the toxic components to be studied. In addition, both the total amounts of the VOCs and their partial distributions in accordance with the number of carbon atoms were also studied in fly-ash particulates. From them, 31 organic species were identified and determined. Since Hungarian brown coals have high uranium and thorium contents, the specific radioactivities of the daughter isotopes of both the 232Th and 238U decay series were also measured and are discussed.

Air Pollutants↗