Occupational Reproductive Function Abnormalities and Bladder Cancer in Korea

The purpose of this study was to review occupational reproductive abnormalities and occupational bladder cancer in Korea and to discuss their toxicological implications. Reproductive dysfunction as a result of 2-bromopropane poisoning was first reported in Korean workers. In 1995, 23 of the 33 workers (25 female and 8 male workers) who were exposed to 2-bromopropane during the assembly of tactile switch parts developed reproductive and/or hematopoietic disorders. A total of 17 (68%) workers were diagnosed with ovarian failure. Two of the eight male workers experienced azoospermia and four workers experienced some degree of oligospermia or reduced sperm motility. In summary, 2-bromopropane poisoning caused severe reproductive effects in Korean workers. The prognosis was poor for reproductive dysfunction. A few cases of occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea, whereas other cancers of the urinary tract have not been reported after occupational exposure. A few cases of benzidine-induced cancer have been reported in Korea and 592 workers in Japan have received compensation for benzidine and beta-naphthylamine-induced cancer. In conclusion, a few cases of benzidine-induced occupational bladder cancer have been reported in Korea. However, benzidine-induced bladder cancer will likely be an important occupational health issue in Korea in the coming years.

Neurological manifestation of methyl bromide intoxication.

Methyl bromide is a highly toxic gas with poor olfactory warning properties. It is widely used as insecticidal fumigant for dry foodstuffs and can be toxic to central and peripheral nervous systems. Most neurological manifestations of methyl bromide intoxication occur from inhalation. Acute toxicity characterized by headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and visual disturbances. Tremor, convulsion, unconsciousness and permanent brain damage may occur in severe poisoning. Chronic exposure can cause neuropathy, pyramidal and cerebellar dysfunction, as well as neuropsychiatric disturbances. The first case of methyl bromide intoxication in Thailand has been described. The patient was a 24-year-old man who worked in a warehouse of imported vegetables fumigated with methyl bromide. He presented with unstable gait, vertigo and paresthesia of both feet, for two weeks. He had a history of chronic exposure to methyl bromide for three years. His fourteen co-workers also developed the same symptoms but less in severity. Neurological examination revealed ataxic gait, decreased pain and vibratory sense on both feet, impaired cerebellar signs and hyperactive reflex in all extremities. The serum concentration of methyl bromide was 8.18 mg/dl. Electrophysilogical study was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MRI) revealed bilateral symmetrical lesion of abnormal hypersignal intensity on T2 and fluid-attenuation inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences at bilateral dentate nuclei of cerebellum and periventricular area of the fourth ventricle. This incident stresses the need for improvement of worker education and safety precautions during all stages of methyl bromide fumigation.

Estudio preliminar sobre los niveles de exposición a PBDES en sangre y leche materna en México / Exposure levels of PBDES in blood and breast milk in Mexico, a preliminary study

Los retardantes de flama bromados han sido muy usados en las últimas décadas en muchos productos de consumo. Su producción, uso, lipofilicidad y persistencia, los han vuelto contaminantes ambientales ubicuos. Han sido detectados en el ser humano en varios países y poco se conoce sobre susefectos tóxicos. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar de manera preliminar los niveles de exposición a difeniléteres polibromados (PBDEs) en la población mexicana. Se tomaron muestras de sangre a 5 mujeres de una zona urbana y muestras de leche materna a 7 de una zona rural. Los niveles de PBDEs en las mujeres de la zona urbana fueron de 21.5-37.5 ng/glípido y los de las mujeres rurales fueron 0.8-5.4 ng/g lípido.

The brominated flame retardants have been used in the last decades inmany products. Their production, use, lipofilicity and persistence, make them ubiquituos in the environment. They have been detected in humans in several countries and little is known about their toxics effects. The aim of this pilot study was to determine exposure levels of polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) in the Mexican population, blood samples were taken from five women living in an urban area, whereas breast milk samples were collected from seven rural women. The levels of PBDEs in theurban area were 21.5-37.5 ng/g lipid; whereas milk concentrations in rural women were 0.8-5.4 ng/glipid.

Effects of Benzoapyrene, 2-Bromopropane, Phenol and 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin on Proinflammatory Cytokines Gene Expression by Mice Spleen Cells

The detrimental effects of environmental pollutants on the health of the individual are generally accepted, although the mechanisms of these effects remain to be incompletely understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of B[a]P, 2-BP, phenol and TCDD on proinflammatory cytokine gene expression in mice spleen cells which were stimulated with anti-CD3. 10-9M TCDD increased IFN gammar and TNF alpha gene expression, but suppressed IL-1 gene expression. 10-6M phenol inhibited IL-1, IL-6 and TNF alpha gene expression, and 10-6M of 2-BP downregulated TNF alpha gene expression. However, 10-6M of B[a]P did not influence on IL-1, IL-6, IFN gammar and TNF alpha gene expression. These findings suggest that TCDD may impair the immune functions of mice by enhancing proinflammatory cytokines production, whereas phenol and 2-BP may impair the functions by inhibiting the production of these cytokines.