Use of Margarine for the Successful Removal of Polyisobutylene in an Anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) and Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

Two great blue herons (Ardea herodias) and an anhinga (Anhinga anhinga) were presented to the Wildlife Center of Texas with extensive plumage soiling from polyisobutylene (PIB), a synthetic rubber polymer used in manufacturing. All animals were provided supportive care and sedated for evaluation for hematologic and plasma biochemical values; one of the great blue herons was critically ill, based on the diagnostic evaluations and died approximately 24 hours after admission. On postmortem examination, it was diagnosed with coelomic migration of Eustrongylides species resulting in verminous peritonitis that was likely the primary cause of its poor condition and death, rather than the PIB exposure. Standard decontamination efforts with commercial liquid dish soap were unsuccessful. Application of margarine was used to emulsify the PIB on the remaining 2 birds and was followed by standard wash protocols for successful removal. These animals were successfully released after decontamination. The use of margarine for decontamination of PIB is unreported and could prove useful in future decontamination events in birds and other wildlife when traditional methods to remove hydrocarbon compounds are unsuccessful.

Exposures associated with making or playing with viscoelastic polymer toys known as Slime: a retrospective case series from French Poison Control Centres.

Context: Slime is a slow-flowing material with viscoelastic properties which is attractive to children. Its preparation is based on the crosslinking of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate or starch with boric acid.Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the adverse effects of Slime.Materials and methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study of cases of exposure reported to French Poison Control Centres between January 2014 and May 2018. The following parameters were used: age and sex, date and circumstances of exposure, symptoms and severity.Results: Two hundred and eight (208) cases of exposure were recorded, 93 cases happened in 2017, and 88 cases in the first four and a half months of 2018. The average age was of 8 years old; 190 patients were younger than 15. Fifty-seven percent (57%) were female. Regarding routes of exposure, 168 were oral, 30 cutaneous, eight ocular, one inhalation and one ear exposure. Eighty-two (82) patients were symptomatic, including 81 cases of low severity and one of average severity (keratitis). All cases lead to recovery.Conclusion: No significant adverse health effects are expected to develop if only small amounts are swallowed; making Slime with home ingredients is a potential cause of boric acid exposure that must be supervised by adults.

Pediatric Orbeez Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Centers.

OBJECTIVES: There is concern that ingestion of superabsorbent polymer toys, which can absorb large amounts of fluid and increase greatly in volume, may pose a risk if swallowed by children.The intent of this study was to characterize pediatric Orbeez ingestions reported to a statewide poison center system. METHODS: Cases were Orbeez ingestions among patients 19 years or younger reported to Texas poison centers during January 2011 to June 2016. The distribution by various demographic and clinical factors was determined. RESULTS: Of 110 total cases, 56% were female and 55% were 5 years or younger. Eighty-six percent of the ingestions were unintentional. Sixty-nine percent occurred at the patient's home and 28% at school. Seventy-eight percent of the patients were managed on site. The reported adverse effects were vomiting (4%), abdominal pain (3%), constipation (1%), diarrhea (1%), and fever (1%). The reported treatments were dilution (42%), food or snack (16%), other emetics (1%), whole bowel irrigation (1%), antihistamines (1%), and intravenous fluids (1%). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric Orbeez ingestions tended to involve younger children, were unintentional, and occurred at the child's home or school. Most ingestions were managed outside of a healthcare facility. This study provides further evidence that ingestion of Orbeez by children is not likely to result in serious problems, such as intestinal obstruction. The information in this investigation may assist in prevention and education activities.

A description of the gross pathology of drowning and other causes of mortality in seabirds.

BACKGROUND: Mortality of seabirds due to anthropogenic causes, especially entrapment in fishing gear, is a matter of increasing international concern. This study aimed at characterising the gross pathology of seabirds that drowned in fishing nets and comparing it with that in other common causes of mortality. RESULTS: Post-mortem examinations were performed on 103 common guillemots, 32 razorbills, 37 shags and 5 great northern divers found stranded in Cornwall during 1981-2016. Pathology in birds that died in confirmed incidents of drowning in fishing nets (n = 95) was compared with that in cases of suspected drowning (n = 6), oil (n = 53) and polyisobutylene (PIB) (n = 3) pollution, adverse weather (n = 6) and stranding of unknown cause (14). The majority of drowned birds were in good nutritional state, freshly dead and approximately 50% had freshly ingested fish in their proximal gut. Principle lesions were: gross distention of the heart and major veins with dark blood, intensely congested, swollen and oedematous lungs which released white frothy fluid when excised, watery fluid in the air sacs that ranged from clear to deep red depending on state of carcase preservation. PIB-affected birds were in good nutritional state; their pathology was largely consistent with that in confirmed drowning cases; it is likely that drowning was the ultimate cause of death. Birds affected by oil, adverse weather or that stranded due to unknown cause were all in poor or emaciated condition, the mean body mass of the guillemots and razorbills being, respectively, 53 and 57% of those that drowned. They had little or no food in their alimentary tracts and many showed evidence of enteric inflammation, haemorrhage and ulceration. None had fluid in their air sacs and none showed significant cardio-respiratory system lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Drowned birds consistently showed a distinctive set of gross pathological lesions. When combined with contemporaneous observations, the pathology may be sufficient to permit a diagnosis of drowning, especially where a batch of freshly dead birds are examined. The observations in this study are likely to be of value when investigating stranding incidents, particularly where it is suspected that legislation aimed at protecting seabirds is not being complied with.

Metal fume fever and polymer fume fever.

INTRODUCTION: Inhalational exposure to metal-containing fumes generated by welding and related processes may result in the development of the clinical syndrome known as "metal fume fever." Polymer fume fever is a separate and distinct but related disorder that has been associated with inhalational exposure to specific fluorinated polymer products, such as polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon(®). We undertook a review of the peer-reviewed medical literature as it relates to these two disease entities in order to describe their epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis. METHODOLOGY: We performed a search of the PubMed ( www.pubmed.com ) and Ovid MEDLINE (ovidsp.tx.ovid.com) databases for keywords "metal fume fever," "polymer fume fever," and "fume fever," covering the period 1946 to September 2014, which resulted in a total of 141 citations. Limiting the search to articles published in the English language yielded 115 citations. These 115 articles were manually reviewed for relevance. In addition, the reference lists in each article retrieved were reviewed for additional relevant references. This left 48 relevant citations. EPIDEMIOLOGY: Metal fume fever occurs most commonly as an occupational disease in individuals who perform welding and other metal-joining activities for a living. It is estimated that 1,500-2,500 cases of metal fume fever occur annually in the United States. Polymer fume fever was initially identified as an occupational disease but increased regulations have resulted in decreased incidence in the occupational setting. Overheating of Teflon(®)-coated cookware is one of the more common mechanisms for exposure. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: While the precise pathophysiology associated with the development of metal fume fever is yet to be elucidated, suggested pathophysiologic mechanisms include pro-inflammatory cytokine release, neutrophil activation, and oxygen radical formation. The pathophysiologic mechanism for polymer fume fever has not been definitively elucidated but may involve similar mechanisms to those proposed for metal fume fever. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Metal fume fever typically presents with generally non-specific complaints including influenza-like symptoms, fever, shaking chills, arthalgias, myalgias, headache, and malaise. Onset of symptoms typically occurs 4-10 h following the exposure to metal-containing fumes. While metal fume fever is typically benign and self-limited, severe cases of the disease have been reported. In patients with ongoing metal fume exposure over the course of a workweek, tachyphylaxis occurs resulting in improvement in symptoms over the course of the workweek and maximal symptoms occurring after an exposure-free period such as a weekend. The clinical presentation of polymer fume fever is indistinguishable from metal fume fever, with an exposure history being necessary to distinguish the two entities. DIAGNOSIS: Chest radiographs are typically normal in cases of metal fume fever and polymer fume fever; however, mild vascular congestion may be demonstrated and severe cases may feature diffuse patchy infiltrates. Laboratory studies are typically not necessary but may demonstrate leukocytosis with leftward shift or an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. TREATMENT: The primary treatment for both metal fume fever and polymer fume fever is supportive and directed at symptom relief. Oral hydration, rest, and the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin) are recommended. A careful workplace exposure assessment analysis conducted by an occupational medicine specialist or clinical toxicologist in concert with a qualified industrial hygienist should be performed. PREVENTION: A careful workplace exposure assessment including measurement of ambient zinc and other metal (e.g., chrome, nickel, copper and manganese) fume concentrations or concentrations of fluorocarbon polymer decomposition products at different locations within the workplace should be performed. PROGNOSIS: Metal fume fever is typically a benign and self-limited disease entity that resolves over 12-48 h following cessation of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Metal and polymer fume fevers generally follow a benign course with spontaneous resolution of symptoms, though both have the potential to be serious, especially in those with significant preexisting cardiorespiratory disease.

Zinc transmetallation and gadolinium retention after MR imaging: case report.

A patient with chronic zinc poisoning from denture cream retained gadolinium after a magnetic resonance imaging procedure, likely due to transmetallation. During chelation therapy, high levels of gadolinium in excreted urine (up to 89 µg/d, 29 days after gadolinium administration) were present, indicating that gadolinium had been retained. Almost 2½ years after gadolinium exposure, a 24-hour urine collection indicated that the gadolinium level remained in the elevated range (0.6 µg/d). This single case report suggests that patients with elevated zinc exposure may be at increased risk of gadolinium retention.

Dermatitis de contacto a acrilatos en una industria de fabricación de ascensores. A propósito de 8 casos / Contact Dermatitis Caused by Acrylates Among 8 Workers in an Elevator Factory

Introducción: Los acrilatos son sustancias químicas de bajo peso molecular, con una amplia utilización en la industria (desde su introducción en los años treinta), la medicina y el medio doméstico, que destacan por sus propiedades de polimerización. Los compuestos acrílicos más utilizados son los cianoacrilatos, los metacrilatos y los acrilatos. Objetivo: Establecer el diagnóstico de sospecha de enfermedad profesional en un grupo de trabajadores de una fábrica de ascensores. Material y métodos: Se estudian un total de 8 pacientes que presentan clínica de dermatitis en las manos, así como pulpitis en los dedos, y que trabajan en contacto con acrilatos. Se realizaron pruebas epicutáneas con batería de acrilatos (BIAL-Aristegui, Bilbao, España). Resultados: El 87,5% mostró positividad frente al dimetacrilato de etilenglicol al 1%. También mostraron positividad el hidroxietilmetacrilato al 2% (62,5%), el dimetacrilato de trietilenglicol al 1% (50%), el monómero de metil metacrilato al 10% (25%) y el monómero de etil metacrilato al 10% (37,5%), el acrilato de etilo al 1% (12,5%) y el ácido acrílico al 0,1% (12,5%). Conclusiones: Destacamos el alto poder sensibilizante de los acrilatos y la importancia de extremar las medidas preventivas en las distintas industrias, así como la evitación del contacto con el producto en los casos de sensibilización demostrada (AU)

Introduction: Acrylates are widely used low-molecular-weight substances, initially introduced in industry in the 1930s and subsequently applied also in medicine and the home. One of their main features is the ability to undergo polymerization. The most commonly used acrylic compounds are cyanoacrylates, methacrylates, and acrylates. Objective: To confirm suspicion of occupational disease in a group of workers in an elevator factory. Material and methods: We studied 8 patients with dermatitis of the hands and finger pads. In their work, the patients came into contact with acrylates. Patch testing was applied with an acrylate panel (BIAL-Aristegui, Bilbao, Spain). Results: Seven of the patients (87.5%) had a positive result with 1% ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Positive results were also observed for 2% hydroxyethyl methacrylate (5 patients, 62.5%), 1% triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (4 patients, 50%), 10% ethyl methacrylate monomer (3 patients, 37.5%), 10% methyl methacrylate monomer (2 patients, 25%), 1% ethyl acrylate (1 patient, 12.5%), and 0.1% acrylic acid (1 patient, 12.5%). Conclusions: We highlight the strong sensitizing capacity of acrylates and the importance of taking all necessary preventive measures in industries where these substances are used. Such measures should include avoidance of contact with the product in cases where sensitization has been confirmed (AU)

Yusho in Japan.

The aim of the present paper is to summarize the history of the Yusho incidence that occurred in the western part of Japan in 1968. A strange disease was reported in October 1968. This strange disease was characterized by acne-like eruptions, pigmentation of the skin, and eye discharge, and it was named Yusho (oil disease). Through systematic epidemiological studies based on observation of initial case series, and extensive efforts to clarify causal agents by the Study Group for Yusho, it was concluded that Yusho was caused by ingestion of rice oil contaminated with PCBs and PCDFs. As of now, more than 1,800 patients, have been registered as having Yusho and around 300 are deceased. Clinical observation showed that typical symptoms of Yusho have decreased, even general fatigue, headache and numbness of extremities have still been complained by patients. No effective treatment has been found so far. Careful and systematic observation for Yusho patients and medical care services should be continued for a further understanding of Yusho.

Chlorella accelerates dioxin excretion in rats.

We investigated the effects of Chlorella on fecal excretion of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD) congeners and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) congeners in Wistar rats administered the rice oil that caused Yusho disease, as a substitute for purified dioxin. The rats were fed 4 g of a control diet or a 10% Chlorella diet containing 0.2 mL of the rice oil once during the 5-d experimental period. The amounts of PCDD and PCDF congeners excreted in feces from d 1 to 5 in the group fed 10% Chlorella were 0.2-11.3 and 0.3-12.8 times greater (P < 0.05), respectively, than those of the control group. We then investigated the fecal excretion of PCDD and PCDF congeners from d 8 to 35 in rats administered 0.5 mL of the rice oil. Rats consumed the basal diet for 1 wk. After 1 wk, they consumed either the basal diet or the 10% Chorella diet. The fecal excretions of PCDD and PCDF congeners in the group fed 10% Chlorella were 0.3-3.4 and 0.5-2.5 times greater (most, P < 0.05), respectively, than those of the control group. Thus, the fecal excretions of PCDD and PCDF congeners were greater in rats fed Chlorella. These findings suggest that the administration of Chlorella may be useful in preventing gastrointestinal absorption and for promoting the excretion of dioxin already absorbed into tissues. Moreover, these findings suggest that Chlorella might be useful in the treatment of humans exposed to dioxin.

Nutritional toxicology of tannins and related polyphenols in forage legumes.

Proanthocyanidins (PA) (condensed tannins) and hydrolyzable tannins (HT) are the two major classes of tannins. Proanthocyanidins are flavonoid polymers. Hydrolyzable tannins are polymers of gallic or ellagic acid esterified to a core molecule, commonly glucose or a polyphenol such as catechin. Proanthocyanidins are the most common type of tannin found in forage legumes. Problems in the analysis of tannins are that sample processing and drying decrease extraction and reactivity, suitable standards are unavailable, and quantitative analytical methods are poorly correlated with enzyme inhibition, protein precipitation, and nutritional effects. Hydrolyzable tannins are potentially toxic to ruminants. Pyrogallol, a hepatotoxin and nephrotoxin, is a product of HT degradation by ruminal microbes. Proanthocyanidins are considered to be non-toxic because they are not absorbed, but they are associated with lesions of the gut mucosa. Research on tannins in forage legumes has determined their effects on protein digestion and metabolism but more research on tannin structure in relation to digestion of specific proteins is needed. The widely accepted explanation for positive effects of PA on protein digestion and metabolism is that PA-protein complexes escape ruminal degradation and the protein is available in the lower tract. This proposed mechanism may be incorrect because PA also complex carbohydrates, endogenous proteins, and microbial products and the degradability of PA-protein complexes by ruminal microbes has not been adequately studied. Several alternative hypotheses (to escape protein) that explain the effect of PA on protein digestion and metabolism in ruminants are also consistent with experimental results on forage legumes. These include increased microbial protein synthesis, increased use of endogenous nitrogen in the rumen, and increased secretion of salivary glycoproteins. Research on manipulating the content and type of PA in forage legumes is justified because they are associated with non-bloating legumes, lower soluble non-protein nitrogen in silage, and improved efficiency of protein utilization. Research on the biosynthesis, molecular genetics, and cell biology of PA in forage legumes needs to be integrated with research on toxicology and nutrition.

Contamination of local wildlife following a fire at a polychlorinated biphenyls warehouse in St Basile le Grand, Quebec, Canada.

This study on wildlife contamination, one to ten months after the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) fire in St Basile le Grand, Quebec, shows that the fire increased PCB and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDF) levels in animals. From the data, it was not possible to detect a significant increase in polychlorinated dibenzodioxin (PCDD) levels after the fire. Given the relatively small sample size, the differences in concentrations could not be estimated precisely. However, it can be asserted with a 95% confidence level that mean concentrations of total PCBs were roughly 2 to 6 times higher in the area contaminated by the plume of smoke, concentrations of homologues with 3 chlorine atoms were 1 to 4 times higher, and levels of homologues with 5 to 9 chlorine atoms were 3 to 13 times higher. The relative deviations between concentrations in areas under the plume and those outside it were similar for all animals sampled. With regard to total PCDFs, mean concentrations were significantly higher under the smoke plume than outside it for all species. This observation is linked to homologues with 4, 5 and 7 chlorine atoms for which significant differences were detected between the two areas. The fire had no effect on the pattern of PCB congeners found in the tissue of animals in the region. Congeners Nos. 153, 180, 138 and 118 represent approximately 50% of total PCBs. Although PCB and PCDF concentrations were higher in the tissue of local wildlife species exposed to the fire, they were nonetheless comparable to those found in other urban and agricultural areas in Canada. These concentrations, in 2,3,7,8-TCDD toxic equivalents, were much lower than those observed in the wake of three other major incidents involving PCDDs (Elgin, Florida; Times Beach, Missouri; and Seveso, Italy).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Stimulating effect of dietary fiber on fecal excretion of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) in rats].

We investigated the stimulating effect of dietary fiber on fecal excretion of PCDF and PCDD stored in the rat body. Twenty-eight male rats (71-74g body weight) were orally administered with 1ml of the causal rice oil of Yusho desease. The rice oil was contaminated with 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-pentaCDF (691.4ng), 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-hexaCDF (708.6ng), 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-hexaCDF (128.4ng), 1, 2, 3, 7, 8-pentaCDD (7.2ng), 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-hexaCDD (34.1ng), 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9-hexaCDD (20.1ng) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8-heptaCDD (115.9ng). The animals were fed a control diet containing 10% cellulose for seven days. Twenty-eight rats consisting of four rats a group were housed and rats of each group were given a treatment diet containing 10% rice-bran-fiber (RBF), 5% cholestyramine, 10% RBF + 5% cholestyramine, 10% RBF + 5% cholestyramine + 1% squalane, 10% burdock-fiber, 10% corn-fiber and 10% soybean-fiber during a period from eight to twenty-one days. The remaining four rats served as controls. PCDF and PCDD in feces, liver, small intestine and gastrointestinal tract were analyzed by high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. PCDF level in small intestine of rats administered with RBF + cholestyramine showed a decrease of 40% over the level of control rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Effects of treatment with rice bran fiber and cholestyramine on clinical and laboratory findings in Yusho patients].

To investigate the therapeutic effects of rice bran fiber (30 g/day) and cholestyramine (12 g/day) for Yusho, clinical signs and symptoms, and laboratory examinations were studied before, during and after 14 day-treatment in four patients with Yusho. The increases of bowel movements and abdominal distention were observed in two of these patients, although no effect was seen in physical findings. In peripheral blood cells, red blood cell counts decreased significantly, from 430 +/- 47 x 10(4)/mm3 (mean +/- SD) to 378 +/- 48 x 10(4)/mm3 (p < 0.01) after therapy. Hemoglobin as well as hematocrit levels were also reduced significantly afer the therapy. However, no significant effect of the treatment was observed in white blood cell counts or platelet counts. In biochemical parameters, a significant depression was observed in total cholesterol levels after the therapy (from 262 +/- 31 mg/dl to 179 +/- 33 mg/dl; p < 0.005). A significant elevations was observed in serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and sodium, while significant depressions were found in serum levels of cholinesterase, total protein, albumin, gamma-globulin, and potassium.

[Concentration of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in breast milk of Yusho patients and normal subjects].

Levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs were measured in human breast milk obtained from two Yusho patients and nine healthy subjects. The concentrations of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in the breast milk of respective Yusho patients were 18.2 and 28.9, 168.8 and 418.3, and 23.8 and 55.1 pg Toxic Equivalents (TEQs)/g fat, respectively, and their mean concentrations in normal controls were 8.2, 5.1 and 21.8 pg TEQ/g fat, respectively. The results also indicated that there was a significant difference between Yusho patients and normal subjects in the concentrations of certain isomers of PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in the breast milk. For example, the levels of 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-HxCDD were 4 and 8 times higher than the mean concentration in the normal subjects, and 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-PeCDF, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8-HxCDF and 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8-HxCDF, so-called 'Yusho isomers' were 15 to 98 times higher than those in the normal subjects. Daily intakes of TEQ values were estimated to be 506 and 2200 pg TEQs/kg/day for breast-feeding babies of Yusho patients, and to be from 97 to 197 pg TEQs/kg/day for healthy subjects. These TEQ values were much greater than the ADI of 1-10 pg/kg/day, therefore, we should give due attention to the possible health effects due to PCDDs, PCDFs and coplanar PCBs in the breast milk of healthy mothers, as well as Yusho mothers.

Neuropsychological effects of chronic exposure to environmental dioxins and furans.

The environmental contamination by dioxins and furans (PCDD/PCDF) of a local area in southwest Germany due to pyrolytic processes led to a survey of health consequences in the exposed population. 2,3,7,8-TCDD (8000 ng/kg TE (ppt)) was found in the soil and up to 585000 ng/kg TE in attic dust in private homes. In a randomized study group of definitively exposed persons, a neuropsychological test battery was applied and its value as a diagnostic tool investigated. A total group of 19 persons participated in a standard neuropsychological examination including common procedures to evaluate mnestic and attentional performance and psychomotor speed (e.g., WAIS, WMS-R, TMT, and symptom and mood checklists). The range of PCDD/PCDF between 16 and 80 (mean 31) ppt did not vary substantially from blood fat values in a national sample. Results of neuropsychological testing showed only slight deviations from the expected range. Nevertheless, in a high-level exposure group, a reduction of verbal conceptualization, mnestic organization of verbal and visual stimuli, and psychomotor slowing was found. Among other correlations visual exploration speed (TMT) was most directly related to TE. Affective symptoms (such as irritability and emotional instability) were also related to exposure. Results indicate that standard neuropsychological testing can be recommended for the routine evaluation of chronic dioxin exposure.