A meta-analysis of airborne asbestos fiber concentrations from work with or around asbestos-containing floor tile.

In this meta-analysis, exposures to airborne asbestos during work with or around floor tiles were characterized according to several variables: study, sample type, activity, and task. Personal breathing zone, bystander, and area sample exposure concentrations were differentiated and compared against current occupational exposure limits to asbestos. In total, 22 studies, including 804 personal, 57 bystander, and 295 area samples, were included in the analysis. The arithmetic mean airborne fiber concentrations were 0.05, 0.02, and 0.01 f/cm3 for personal, bystander, and area samples, respectively. Arithmetic mean time-weighted-average fiber concentrations over an 8-h working day were 0.02 and 0.01 f/cm3 for personal and bystander samples, respectively. Phase contrast microscopy (PCM) personal airborne fiber concentrations were highest for maintenance activities, followed by removal and installation. Tasks that involved buffing or burnishing, scoring or snapping, and scraping or lifting had the highest personal PCM concentrations, while stripping floor tile and removing it with chemical solvent had the lowest concentrations. Exposures associated with handling asbestos floor tiles, under working conditions normally encountered, do not generally produce airborne concentrations at levels that exceed the current OSHA PEL nor do they appear to approach the threshold cumulative asbestos dose concentrations that have been previously associated with an increased risk of asbestos-related disease.

Supplementary dataset for child and adult exposure and health risk evaluation following the use of metal- and metalloid-containing costume cosmetics sold in the United States.

The data presented in this article are related to the research article entitled "Child and adult exposure and health risk evaluation following the use of metal- and metalloid-containing costume cosmetics sold in the United States" [1]. This article describes the concentration of metals and metalloids contained in various cosmetic products such as body paint, lipstick and eye shadow, the relative percent deviation of two analyses performed on the products and the physico-chemico properties of the metals and metalloids used in the SkinPerm model presented in the aforementioned article.

Child and adult exposure and health risk evaluation following the use of metal- and metalloid-containing costume cosmetics sold in the United States.

Costume cosmetics (lipstick, body paints, eyeshadow) were analyzed for metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Sb was detected in all samples (range: 0.12-6.3 mg/kg; d.f. 100%), followed by Pb (<0.15-9.3 mg/kg), Ni (<0.20-6.3 mg/kg), Co (<0.5-2.0 mg/kg); with d.f. 80% each, Hg (<0.00015-0.0020 mg/kg; d.f. 50%) and As (0.53 mg/kg, d.f. 10%). Ingestion and dermal exposures were estimated for child- and adult-intermittent and adult-occupational users. Adult-occupational users exceeded the U.S. EPA Reference Dose (RfD) for Sb and the CA Proposition 65 maximum allowable dose level (MADL) for Pb was exceeded for all user scenarios. The Pb dose from body paint was sufficient to raise blood lead levels (BLL) in all user scenarios above baseline BLLs from 0.2 µg/dL to 1.9 µg/dL per the Adult Lead Model (ALM) and child Integrated Exposure Uptake Biokinetic (IEUBK) blood Pb models. Change in BLL was less than 1 µg/dL amongst the child and adult-intermittent users, the benchmark change in BLL developed for health risk assessments for children. Adult-occupational users exceeded the CA Proposition 65 NSRL intake value of 15 µg/day, which corresponds to an increase of 1.2 µg/dL above baseline levels using ALM. Exposure of occupational users of costume cosmetics should be evaluated further to prevent unnecessary metal exposure.

The challenge of predicting problematic chemicals using a decision analysis tool: Triclosan as a case study.

Manufacturers lack a reliable means for determining whether a chemical will be targeted for deselection from their supply chain. In this analysis, 3 methods for determining whether a specific chemical (triclosan) would meet the criteria necessary for being targeted for deselection are presented. The methods included a list-based approach, use of a commercially available chemical assessment software tool run in 2 modes, and a public interest evaluation. Our results indicated that triclosan was included on only 6 of the lists reviewed, none of which were particularly influential in chemical selection decisions. The results from the chemical assessment tool evaluations indicated that human and ecological toxicity for triclosan is low and received scores indicating that the chemical would be considered of low concern. However, triclosan's peak public interest tracked several years in advance of increased regulatory scrutiny of this chemical suggesting that public pressure may have been influential in deselection decisions. Key data gaps and toxicity endpoints not yet regulated such as endocrine disruption potential or phototoxicity, but that are important to estimate the trajectory for deselection of a chemical, are discussed. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:198-207. © 2016 SETAC.

Health risk assessment of exposures to a high molecular weight plasticizer present in automobile interiors.

This study provides an exposure and risk assessment of diundecyl phthalate (DUP), a high molecular weight phthalate plasticizer present in automobile interiors. Total daily intake of DUP was calculated from DUP measured in wipe samples from vehicle seats from six automobiles. Four of the vehicles exhibited atypical visible surface residue on the seats. Two vehicles with no visible surface residue were sampled as a comparison. DUP was the predominant organic compound identified in each of the wipes from all seats. A risk assessment of DUP via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes resulting from contact with automobile seats was conducted. The mean, standard deviation, and maximum DUP concentrations on the seats with visible surface residue were 6983 ± 7823 µg/100 cm2 and 38300 µg/100 cm2, respectively. The mean and 95th percentile of the mean for daily cumulative dose of DUP for all exposure routes for the seats with no visible surface residue ranged from 7 × 10-4 to 4 × 10-3 mg/kg-day and from 8 × 10-4 to 5 × 10-3 mg/kg-day, respectively. For seats with visible surface residue, cumulative doses ranged from 2 × 10-3 to 2 × 10-2 mg/kg-day and from 4 × 10-3 to 2 × 10-2 mg/kg-day, respectively. The estimated daily intake (contact or absorbed dose) of DUP from automobile seats were far lower than the NOAELs reported in and derived from animal studies, and are well below the reported Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Derived No Effect Levels (DNELs) for the general population. Based on this analysis, using virtually any benchmark for evaluating safety, exposure to DUP via automobile seat covers did not pose a measureable increased health-risk in any population under any reasonably plausible exposure scenario.

Screening-level human health risk assessment of toluene and dibutyl phthalate in nail lacquers.

Toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are found in many consumer products, including cosmetics, synthetic fragrances, and nail polish. In 2012, the California Environmental Protection Agency evaluated 25 nail products and found that 83% of the products that claimed to be toluene-free contained toluene at concentrations ranging up to 190,000 ppm, and 14% of the products that claimed to be DBP-free contained DBP at concentrations ranging up to 88,000 ppm. We conducted a preliminary, screening-level analysis of the potential toluene and DBP-related health risks to consumers and professionals based on the medium and maximum concentrations of toluene and DBP presented in the 2012 report and evaluated dermal and inhalation exposure to a salon patron, nail technician, and home user. We concluded that the maximum toluene concentration for the technician and home user scenarios exceeded the California MADL, but the estimated air concentrations did not exceed the Federal or Cal OSHA PEL. The MADL for DBP was exceeded for all user scenarios at both the median and maximum concentrations. Using these highly conservative assumptions, exposures above regulatory limits could possibly occur during routine use of nail products; further research is needed in order to evaluate potential human health risks.

Airborne asbestos exposures associated with gasket and packing replacement: a simulation study of flange and valve repair work and an assessment of exposure variables.

A simulation study was conducted to evaluate worker and area exposure to airborne asbestos associated with the replacement of asbestos-containing gaskets and packing materials from flanges and valves and assess the influence of several variables previously not investigated. Additionally, potential of take home exposures from clothing worn during the study was characterized. Our data showed that product type, ventilation type, gasket location, flange or bonnet size, number of flanges involved, surface characteristics, gasket surface adherence, and even activity type did not have a significant effect on worker exposures. Average worker asbestos exposures during flange gasket work (PCME=0.166 f/cc, 12-59 min) were similar to average worker asbestos exposures during valve overhaul work (PCME=0.165 f/cc, 7-76 min). Average 8-h TWA asbestos exposures were estimated to range from 0.010 to 0.062 f/cc. Handling clothes worn during gasket and packing replacement activities demonstrated exposures that were 0.71% (0.0009 f/cc 40-h TWA) of the airborne asbestos concentration experienced during the 5 days of the study. Despite the many variables considered in this study, exposures during gasket and packing replacement occur within a relatively narrow range, are below current and historical occupational exposure limits for asbestos, and are consistent with previously published data.

Chemical assessment state of the science: Evaluation of 32 decision-support tools used to screen and prioritize chemicals.

The last decade has seen an increased focus on evaluating the safety and sustainability of chemicals in consumer and industrial products. In order to effectively and accurately evaluate safety and sustainability, tools are needed to characterize hazard, exposure, and risk pertaining to products and processes. Because many of these tools will be used to identify problematic chemistries, and because many have potential applications in various steps of an alternatives analysis, the limitations and capabilities of available tools should be understood by users so that, ultimately, potential chemical risk is accurately reflected. In our study, we examined 32 chemical characterization tools from government, industry, academia, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The tools we studied were diverse, and varied widely in their scope and assessment. As such, they were separated into five categories for comparison: 1) Screening and Prioritization; 2) Database Utilization; 3) Hazard Assessment; 4) Exposure and Risk Assessment; and 5) Certification and Labeling. Each tool was scored based on our weighted set of criteria, and then compared to other tools in the same category. Ten tools received a high score in one or more categories; 24 tools received a medium score in one or more categories, and five tools received a low score in one or more categories. Although some tools were placed into more than one category, no tool encompassed all five of the assessment categories. Though many of the tools evaluated may be useful for providing guidance for hazards - and, in some cases, exposure - few tools characterize risk. To our knowledge, this study is the first to critically evaluate a large set of chemical assessment tools and provide an understanding of their strengths and limitations.

Airborne asbestos exposures associated with gasket and packing replacement: a simulation study and meta-analysis.

Exposures to airborne asbestos during the removal and installation of internal gaskets and packing associated with a valve overhaul were characterized and compared to published data according to different variables (e.g., product, equipment, task, tool, setting, duration). Personal breathing zone and area samples were collected during twelve events simulating gasket and packing replacement, clean-up and clothing handling. These samples were analyzed using PCM and TEM methods and PCM-equivalent (PCME) airborne asbestos concentrations were calculated. A meta-analysis was performed to compare these data with airborne asbestos concentrations measured in other studies involving gaskets and packing. Short-term mechanic and assistant airborne asbestos concentrations during valve work averaged 0.013f/cc and 0.008f/cc (PCME), respectively. Area samples averaged 0.008f/cc, 0.005f/cc, and 0.003f/cc (PCME) for center, bystander, and remote background, respectively. Assuming a tradesman conservatively performs 1-3 gasket and/or packing replacements daily, an average 8-h TWA was estimated to be 0.002-0.010f/cc (PCME). Combining these results in a meta-analysis of the published exposure data showed that the majority of airborne asbestos exposures during work with gaskets and packing fall within a consistent and low range. Significant differences in airborne concentrations were observed between power versus manual tools and removal versus installation tasks. Airborne asbestos concentrations resulting from gasket and packing work during a valve overhaul are consistent with historical exposure data on replacement of asbestos-containing gasket and packing materials involving multiple variables and, in nearly all plausible scenarios, result in average airborne asbestos concentrations below contemporaneous occupational exposure limits for asbestos.

Evaluation of the California Safer Consumer Products Regulation and the impact on consumers and product manufacturers.

Chemistry enables more than 95% of products in the marketplace. Over the past 20 years, various entities began to generate inventories of chemicals ("chemical watch lists") potentially associated with human or environmental health risks. Some lists included thousands of chemicals, while others listed only a few chemistries with limited properties or toxicological endpoints (e.g., neurotoxicants). Enacted on October 1, 2013, the California Safer Consumer Products Regulation (SCP) utilized data from chemical inventory lists to create one master list. This paper aims to discuss the background and requirements of this regulation. Additionally, we wanted to understand the universe of Candidate Chemicals identified by the Regulation. Data from all 23 chemical lists identified in the SCP Regulation were entered into a database. The most prevalent chemicals among the ∼2900 chemicals are identified, including the most prevalent chemical, lead, appearing on 65% of lists, followed by DEHP (52%), perchloroethylene (48%), and benzene (48%). Our results indicated that the most prevalent Candidate Chemicals were either persistent, bioaccumulative, carcinogenic, or reprotoxic. This regulation will have wide-ranging impact in California and throughout the global supply chain, which is highlighted through selected examples and case studies.

Triclosan occurrence in freshwater systems in the United States (1999-2012): a meta-analysis.

Recently, concern has grown regarding the presence of triclosan (TCS) in waters because of its potential for causing ecological and human health effects. The authors present a statistical analysis of TCS concentrations reported between 1999 and 2012 in freshwater environments in the United States and provide a comparison with available health-based and aquatic guidance values. Data from 46 peer-reviewed and unpublished investigations from 45 states and 1 US territory were included in the meta-analysis, encompassing the following coded water types: untreated (raw wastewater), effluent (wastewater treatment plant effluent), effluent-impacted environmental, environmental, and finished drinking water (total n = 2305). Triclosan was most frequently detected in untreated waters (92% detection frequency; mean ± standard error, 11 270 ± 2925 ng/L; n = 237), but concentrations were significantly reduced in effluent waters (83% detection frequency 775 ± 311 ng/L; n = 192, α = 0.05). Triclosan concentration in effluent-impacted environmental waters (62% detection frequency; 130 ± 17 ng/L; n = 228) was not significantly reduced from effluent waters but was significantly greater than TCS in environmental waters not classified as effluent impacted (11% detection frequency; 13 ± 3 ng/L; n = 1195). In finished drinking water, TCS was largely undetected (1% detection frequency; 4 ± 2 ng/L n = 453), suggesting that for the United States, drinking water is not an appreciable source of TCS exposure. In posttreatment waters, average TCS concentrations were below part-per-billion levels. Although no US regulatory standard exists for TCS in aquatic systems, comparison of averages reported in the present study with a predicted-no-effect concentration (PNEC) of 500 ng/L showed that 5.3% of effluent-impacted environmental waters were above the PNEC for changes in algal biomass, while only 0.25% of environmental waters surpassed this value.

DGT estimates cadmium accumulation in wheat and potato from phosphate fertilizer applications.

Cadmium is a common impurity in phosphatic fertilizers and may contribute to soil Cd accumulation. Changes in total and bioavailable Cd burdens to agricultural soils and the potential for plant Cd accumulation resulting from fertilizer input was investigated. Three year field studies were conducted using three dose levels of cadmium-rich, commercial, phosphate fertilizers applied at four agricultural sites. Labile Cd concentrations, measured using the passive sampling device Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films (Cd(DGT)), increased with increasing fertilizer application rates. Cd also accumulated in the edible portion of wheat and potato crops grown at the sites, and showed strong positive dose response with fertilizer treatment. Regression models were calculated for each site, year, and for individual crops. Model comparisons indicated that soil physical and chemical parameters in addition to soil Cd fractions, were important determinants of Cd(DGT). Significant factors contributing to Cd(DGT) concentrations were Cd from fertilizer input (Cd(fertilizer)), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and total recoverable Cd (Cd(total)). Important factors used to determine Cd concentrations in wheat grain (Cd(wheat)) and in potato (Cd(potato)) were as follows: Cd(wheat):Cd(fertilizer), and Cd(DGT); and Cd(potato):Cd(fertilizer), Cd(DGT), % O.M. The effective concentration, C(E), calculated from DGT did not correlate well with Cd(wheat) or with Cd(potato). Direct measurements of Cd(DGT) correlated better with Cd found in edible plant tissue. The modeling approach presented in this study helps to estimate Cd accumulation in plant tissue over multiple years and in distinct agricultural soil systems.

Soil-diffusive gradient in thin films partition coefficients estimate metal bioavailability to crops at fertilized field sites.

Field trials in four distinct agricultural soils were conducted to examine changes to total recoverable and labile soil Cd and Ni concentrations with applications of commercial phosphate fertilizers. The edible portion of wheat and potato crops grown at the field plots were analyzed for recoverable Cd and Ni. Total recoverable Ni and Cd concentrations in agricultural soils increased by 10 and 22%, respectively, each year of the study at recommended application rates. Labile Cd and Ni were measured using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), a passive sampling device reported to estimate the plant bioavailable metal fraction. Nickel concentrations measured with DGT did not significantly change with treatment nor did they change over time. Cadmium concentrations measured with DGT increased with application rate and over time from 2003 to 2005, then decreased in 2006. Wheat grain Cd concentrations and Cd and Ni levels in tubers increased significantly with fertilizer treatment level. Grain and tuber Cd values exceeded the minimal risk levels for chronic oral exposure. At agronomical P-fertilizer application rates, 25% of plant samples deviated from the Cd minimal risk levels. The present study reports the use of K(d-BIO), defined as the ratio of total recoverable metal to DGT measured metal, as a significant indicator of crop metal accumulation in the edible portion. The K(d-BIO) values were well correlated with both grain and tuber concentrations over multiple growing seasons. Results from long-term field trials emphasize K(d-BIO) as a dynamic term that provides risk characterization information about the fate of Cd and Ni in aged, fertilized agricultural soils and crops.

Stable isotope and trace element profiling combined with classification models to differentiate geographic growing origin for three fruits: effects of subregion and variety.

Classifications of geographic growing origin of three fresh fruits combining elemental profiles with various modeling approaches were determined. Elemental analysis (Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, V, and Zn) of strawberry, blueberry, and pear samples was performed using inductively coupled plasma argon atomic emission spectrometer. Bulk stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses in pear were performed using mass spectrometry as an alternative fingerprinting technique. Each fruit, strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa), blueberry (Vaccinium caesariense/corymbosum), and pear (Pyrus communis), was analyzed from two growing regions: Oregon vs Mexico, Chile, and Argentina, respectively. Principal component analysis and canonical discriminant analysis were used for data visualization. The data were modeled using linear discriminant function, quadratic discriminant function, neural network, genetic neural network, and hierarchical tree models with successful classification ranging from 70 to 100% depending on commodity and model. Effects of Oregon subregional and variety classification were investigated with similar success rates.