Epidemiology StudySouth Karelia Air Pollution Study: Daily Symptom Intensity in Relation to Exposure Levels of Malodorous Sulfur Compounds from Pulp Mills
Abstract
In a longitudinal study, we assessed the relation between daily exposure to ambient air malodorous sulfur compounds from pulp production and experience of symptoms in a small population living in the vicinity of a pulp mill. Special emphasis was laid on exposure-response pattern, where the intensity of the symptoms of interest was assessed in six consecutive questionnaires after three predefined levels of exposure to malodorous sulfur compounds [total reduced sulfur (TRS)] (reference: daily mean < 10 μg/m3, medium exposure: 10-30 μg/m3 high exposure: >30 μg/m3). The study population included 81 adults, who responded to the baseline questionnaire (response rate 81%). The outcomes of interest were eye, respiratory, and central nervous symptoms. The mean daily intensity of the outcome symptoms, but not of control symptoms, was significantly higher on days of medium and high exposure compared with the reference days (paired t test). The probability ratios between experiencing more or fever symptoms during the medium and high exposure compared with reference days were increased for all the symptoms of interest with a consistent exposure response pattern. The probability ratios were for eye symptoms 3.17, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.21 to 7.47 (medium exposure), and 5.0, 95% CI 1.66 to 12.65 (high exposure); for nasal symptoms 3.13, 1.25 to 7.25 (medium), and 8.50, 3.19 to 18.64 (high); and for pharyngeal symptoms 2.0, 0.92 to 4.14 (medium) and 5.20, 1.95 to 11.99 (high). The results suggest that relatively low daily levels of malodorous sulfur compounds (TRS > 10 μg/m3) cause exposure-related short-term adverse effects.
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Clinical manifestations in patients exposed to an environmental toxic accident (Abidjan, Ivory Coast 2006)
2014, Revue des Maladies RespiratoiresEn 2006, 528 tonnes de déchets toxiques pétroliers ont été déversés à Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) au cours d’un accident environnemental majeur. L’objectif de cette étude était de décrire les manifestations cliniques provoquées par ces déchets toxiques.
Nous avons analysé les dossiers des malades admis au CHU de Cocody (Abidjan) suite à l’exposition aux déchets toxiques. Toutes les informations étaient recueillies sur des fiches d’enquête ou des fiches de notification confectionnées par les médecins de l’Institut national de l’hygiène publique (INHP), structure chargée de superviser cette opération. Ces fiches ont été remplies par les médecins au cours de leur examen clinique.
Sur une période de 3 mois, 10 598 malades ont été examinés. Les manifestations cliniques concernaient toutes les tranches d’âge. Elles étaient dominées par les signes respiratoires, pulmonaire (74,5 %) et ORL (31,0 %). Les signes fonctionnels respiratoires retrouvés étaient la toux (48,8 %), les douleurs thoraciques (37,9 %), la dyspnée (9,5 %) avec quelques cas d’hémoptysie. Les signes digestifs étaient dominés par les douleurs abdominales (36,2 %), la diarrhée (23,0 %), les ballonnements abdominaux (19,9 %) et les vomissements (9,9 %). Les autres atteintes étaient neurologiques, cutanées, ophtalmologiques cardiovasculaires et gynécologiques. Plus de 96 % des sujets présentaient au moins deux signes. Les signes respiratoires étaient significativement plus fréquents chez les sujets âgés de plus de 17 ans alors que la diarrhée et les vomissements étaient plus souvent rencontrés chez les sujets de moins de 17 ans. La douleur thoracique était significativement plus fréquente chez les hommes alors que les douleurs abdominales et les vomissements prédominaient chez les femmes (p = 0,001).
Les conséquences cliniques de l’exposition aux déchets toxiques pétroliers ont été variées et parfois d’intensité sévère. Une réévaluation des sujets à moyen et à long terme s’impose.
In 2006, 528 tons of petroleum toxic waste have been released in Abidjan (Ivory Coast) during a major environmental accident. This study was aimed to describe the clinical manifestations provoked by these toxic waste.
We have analysed the records of patients admitted to the university hospital of Cocody (Abidjan) following exposure to toxic waste. All the information were recorded on specific files or on notification files created by the physicians of the National Institute of Public Health, the authority charged with the supervision of this exercise. The files were completed by the physician in the course of the examination of the patient.
Over a period of 3-month-period, 10,598 patients were examined. The clinical manifestations affected all age groups. They were dominated by respiratory symptoms: pulmonary (74.5%) and upper respiratory (31.0%). Pulmonary symptoms included cough (48.8%), chest pain (37.9%), dyspnoea (9.5%) and a few cases of hemoptysis. Digestive symptoms mainly comprised abdominal pain (36.2%), diarrhea (23.0%), abdominal distension (19.9%) and vomiting (9.9%). The other symptoms were neurological, ophthalmic, cardiovascular and gynaecological. More than 96% of patients presented with at least two symptoms. The respiratory symptoms were significantly more frequent in patients over the age of 17 while diarrhea and vomiting were more often found in patients less than 17 years old. Chest pain was significantly more common in men while abdominal pain and vomiting predominated in women (P = 0.001).
The clinical consequences of toxic waste exposure were varied and sometimes serious. A medium- and long-term evaluation of the subjects is required.
Rate of dibutylsulfide decomposition by ozonation and the O<inf>3</inf>/H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> advanced oxidation process
2009, Journal of Hazardous MaterialsA process of dibutylsulfide (DBS) oxidation using advanced methods of oxidation with ozone and hydrogen peroxide was studied. It was demonstrated that depending on pH value there are two mechanisms of DBS oxidation present: ionic and radical. The ionic mechanism predominates in acidic environment and the radical mechanism predominates in alkaline environment. At high pH ozone stability decreases and hydrogen peroxide has a deciding effect on DBS oxidation rate. At pH 9, and at high concentration of hydrogen peroxide (ranging from 0.1 to 1 mol/L), a clear increase in DBS decomposition rate was observed. That was caused by production of hydroperoxide radicals in reaction of hydrogen peroxide and ozone. In solutions pH value of which is close to 2, the rate of DBS oxidation by ozone alone is slower than in a O3/H2O2 system, regardless the H2O2 concentration. For higher H2O2 concentrations (ranging from 0.1 to 1 mol/L), regardless the pH value of the solution, oxidation in a O3/H2O2 system is faster, compared to a situation in which ozone is a sole oxidizer. For H2O2 concentrations below 0.1 mol/L and when pH > 2 DBS oxidation in O3/H2O2 system is slower compared to the situation in which ozone was the only oxidizer.
Oral malodorous compounds are periodontally pathogenic and carcinogenic
2008, Japanese Dental Science ReviewCitation Excerpt :Furthermore, a longitudinal study demonstrated the experience of general symptoms in subjects exposed to ambient-air malodorous sulfur compounds (reference: daily mean H2S concentration is <7 ppb; medium exposure: 7–21 ppb H2S; high exposure: >21 ppb H2S). The incidence of eye, respiratory and central nervous symptoms was significantly higher on days of medium and high exposure compared with the reference [36]. Eye injury was also documented; acute exposure to 25 ppb H2S is the lowest concentration to irritate the eyes; with chronic exposure, serious eye effects are possible [37].
Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), mainly composed of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), cause halitosis. VSCs increase the permeability of a model for gingival crevicular epithelia, causing an increase in the penetration of lipopolysaccharide, as well as prostaglandin, into the tissue. VSCs inhibit the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF), human gingival epithelial cells (HGEC) and osteoblasts. H2S also causes apoptosis in HGF and HGEC. Furthermore, VSCs increase collagen degradation and reduce collagen synthesis in HGF and suppress wound healing, especially the formation of basal membrane and Type IV collagen synthesis. Moreover, VSCs stimulate interleukin-1 production, resulting in an increase in prostaglandin E and matrix metalloproteinase 1. Thus, VSCs may induce the initial damage to the epithelial barrier in the progression of periodontal disease. VSCs, especially H2S, strongly inhibit cytochrome c oxidase, which is a key enzyme for oxidative phosphorylation in the respiratory chain. Therefore, high concentration of VSCs causes lethal toxicities as well as cyanide. On the other hand, very low concentration of H2S at lower concentration in periodontal pocket causes genomic DNA damages in both HGF and HGEC. It has been suggested that VSCs may be one of the contributing factors for carcinogenesis because of increasing oxidative stress, and as the Ras/mitogen activated protein kinase signaling pathway, which is constitutively activated in many types of cancer, is enhanced.
Hydrogen sulfide (H<inf>2</inf>S) and sour gas effects on the eye. A historical perspective
2006, Science of the Total EnvironmentThe toxicology of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and sour gas on the eye has a long history beginning at least with Ramazzini's observations [Ramazzini B. Diseases of Workers—De Morbis Artificum Diatriba—1713. Wright WC (trans). New York, C. Hafner Publishing Co Inc.; 1964. 98–99 pp.]. In contrast, a recent review by Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW Report) concluded that there is little evidence of eye irritation following short-term exposures to H2S at concentrations up to 100 ppm and that the H2S literature on the eye is a series of unsubstantiated claims reproduced in review articles dating back to the 1930s [Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW report). Health effects associated with short-term exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide: a technical review, Alberta Health and Wellness, October 2002, 81pp.]. In this paper, we evaluated this claim through a historical review of the toxicology of the eye. Ramazzini noted the effects of sewer gas on the eye [Ramazzini B. Diseases of Workers—De Morbis Artificum Diatriba—1713. Wright WC (trans). New York, C. Hafner Publishing Co Inc. 1964. 98–99 pp.]. Lehmann experimentally showed eye effects in men at 70–90 ppm H2S and also in animals [Lehmann K. Experimentalle Studien uber den Einfluss technisch und hygienisch wichtiger Gase und Dampfe auf den Organismus. Arch Hyg 1892;14:135–189]. In 1923, Sayers, Mitchell and Yant reported eye effects in animals and men at 50 ppm H2S. Barthelemy showed eye effects in animals and men at 20 ppm H2S [Barthelemy HL. Ten years' experience with industrial hygiene in connection with the manufacture of viscose rayon. J Ind Hyg Toxicol 1939;21:141–51]. Masure experimentally showed that H2S is the causative agent of eye impacts in animals and men [Masure R. La Keratoconjunctivite des filatures de viscose; etude clinique and experiementale. Rev Belge Pathol 1950;20:297–341]. Michal upon microscopic examination of the rat's cornea, found nuclear pyknosis, edema and separation of cells in the eye following exposures for 3 h at 36 ppm H2S [Michal FV. Eye lesions caused by hydrogen sulfide. Cesk Ophthalmol 1950;6;5–8]. In 1975, in Alberta, irreversible eye damage and photophobia were experimentally produced in calves exposed to 20 ppm H2S for 1 week [Nordstrom GA. A study of calf response of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gases. Thesis, University of Alberta, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Edmonton Alberta; 1975, 218 pp.]. Alberta Environmental Centre documented clinical irritation of the eye at 40 ppm H2S in 6 hours in rats [Alberta Environmental Centre. Morphological observations in rats exposed for six hours to an atmosphere of 0, 56, or 420 mg/m3 hydrogen sulfide. AECV86-A1. Alberta Environmental Centre, Vegreville, Alberta; 1986b. 28 pp.]. In two sour gas blow-outs in Alberta, in the early 1980s, eye injury was documented in humans and animals at 0.5 ppm H2S. Community studies in the United States, Europe and New Zealand suggest that acute exposure to 25 ppb H2S is the lowest concentration to irritate the eyes; with chronic exposure, serious eye effects are suggested. In contrast to the conclusion, all of the studies, except one, cited in the AHW Report indicate toxic effects on the eye below 100 ppm H2S [Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW report). Health effects associated with short-term exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S): a technical review, Alberta Health and Wellness, October 2002, 81pp.]. In addition, the AHW Report (2002) mis-presented two studies as ‘clinical studies’, claiming they reported no evidence of eye effects in humans from 2 and 30 ppm H2S for 30–40 minutes [Alberta Health and Wellness (AHW report). Health effects associated with short-term exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S): a technical review, Alberta Health and Wellness, October 2002, 81pp.].
Low level exposure to hydrogen sulfide: a review of emissions, community exposure, health effects, and exposure guidelines
2023, Critical Reviews in ToxicologyCase report: Two cases of keratoconjunctivitis tied to sargassum algae emanations
2021, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene