Health, adverse effects

Receptors. The receptor can be a person, animal, plant, material, or ecosystem. The criteria and hazardous air pollutants were so designated because, at sufficient concentrations, they can cause adverse health effects to human receptors. Some of the criteria pollutants also cause damage to plant receptors. An Air QuaUty Criteria Document (12) exists for each criteria pollutant and these documents summarize the most current Hterature concerning the effects of criteria pollutants on human health, animals, vegetation, and materials. The receptors which have generated much concern regarding acid deposition are certain aquatic and forest ecosystems, and there is also some concern that acid deposition adversely affects some materials. 

When PET is extracted with water no detectable quantities of ethylene glycol or terephthaUc acid can be found, even at elevated extraction temperatures (110). Extractable materials are generally short-chained polyesters and aldehydes (110). Aldehydes occur naturally iu foods such as fmits and are produced metabohcaHy iu the body. Animal feeding studies with extractable materials show no adverse health effects. 

Hexane is classified as a flammable liquid by the ICC, and normal handling precautions for this type of material should be observed. According to the ACGIH, the maximum concentration of hexane vapor in air to which a worker may be exposed without danger of adverse health effects is 125 ppm benzene is rated at 10 ppm. 

Pyridine Chronic Toxicology. AH mutagenicity tests have been negative and (1) is not considered a carcinogen or potential carcinogen. There have been no reports of adverse health effects on long-term exposure to (1) at low concentrations. 

Silver compounds having anions that are inherently toxic, eg, silver arsenate and silver cyanide, can cause adverse health effects. The reported rat oral LD values for silver nitrate, silver arsenate [13510-44-6] and silver cyanide are 500—800 (29), 200—400 (29), and 123 mg/kg (30), respectively. Silver compounds or complexes ia which the silver ion is not biologically available, eg, silver sulfide and silver thiosulfate complexes, are considered to be without adverse health effects and essentially nontoxic. 

In 1980, the EPA pubHshed ambient water quaHty criteria for silver. An upper limit of 50 f-lg/L in natural waters was set to provide adequate protection against adverse health effects (38). In 1992, EPA deleted the human health criteria for silver from the ambient water quaHty criteria to be consistent with the drinking water standards (39). 

In the context of the above definition, adverse health effects are taken to mean those which are detrimental either to the survival or to the normal functioning of the individual. This definition is intended to highlight the following points with respect to phenomena investigated in toxicology. 

After the mid-1970s, the downsizing of North American vehicles and the introduction of front wheel drive vehicles brought about the widespread usage of a new class of friction materials (4) called semimetallics, also called semimets and carbon—metaUics. Because of the allegedly adverse health effects associated with asbestos [1332-21 -4] (qv) fibers, a second new class of friction materials called nonasbestos organics (NAOs) came about (5). Such materials are called either asbestos-free or nonasbestos friction materials (2). 

EPA will closely examine particulate size distribution in particulate emission trades because finer particulates disperse more widely, remain in the air longer, and frequently are associated with more adverse health effects. 

ERPG-l The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all individuals coiild be exposed for up to one hour without experiencing other than mild transient adverse health effects or perceiving a clearly defined objectionable odor. 

Accumulation of heavy metals (HM) in different compartments of the biosphere, and their possible mobilization under changing environmental conditions induce a perturbation of the ecosystem and adverse health effects. Fast and correct estimating the environmentally relevant fonus of HM in soils, sediments, and sewage sludge is an urgent need for environmental monitoring and assessment. 

ERPG-1 Nothing other than mild transient adverse health effects or perception of a clearly defined objectionable odor... 

If a known adverse health effect can reasonably be anticipated under the circumstances of work - and could readily be observed - some form of heahh surveillance is appropriate. This may involve a doctor or trained nurse. It may include the checking of employees skin for dermatitis or asking questions relevant to any asthmatic condition where work is with recognized causative agents (e.g. epoxy resin curing agents). 

Industrial painters may suffer adverse health effects from over exposure to paint by skin contact or accidental ingestion, from excessive inhalation of paint aerosol, solvent vapour, or of dust in the case of electrostatically-applied powder coatings (e.g. polyesters containing triglycidyl isocyanurate), or from exposure to thermal degradation products from heated paint or plastic coatings (Table 5.48). 

Carbon monoxide Vehicle exhaust and other combustion processes Adverse health effects... 

Manufacture of ceramics, fertilizer HF has adverse health effects on cattle fed on contaminated food... 

The particles most likely to cause adverse health effects are the fine particulates, in particular, particles smaller than 10 p and 2.5 mm in aerodynamic diameter, respectively. They are sampled using (a) a high-volume sampler with a size-selective inlet using a quartz filter or (b) a dichotomous sampler that operates at a slower flow rate, separating on a Teflon filter particles smaller than 2.5 mm and sizes between 2.5 mm and 10 mm. No generally accepted conversion method exists between TSP and PM,o, which may constitute between 40% and 70% of TSP. In 1987, the USEPA switched its air quality standards from TSP to PMk,. PM,q standards have also been adopted in, for example, Brazil, Japan, and the Philippines. In light of the emerging evidence on the health impacts of fine particulates, the USEPA has proposed that U.S. ambient standards for airborne particulates be defined in terms of fine particulate matter. 

The main objective of air quality guidelines and standards is the protection of human health. Since fme particulates (PM,) are more likely to cause adverse health effects than coarse particulates, guidelines and standards referring to fine particulate concentrations are preferred to those referring to TSP, which includes coarse particulate concentrations. Scientific studies provide ample evidence of the relationship between exposure to short-term and long-term ambient particulate concentrations and human mortality and morbidity effects. However, the dose-response mechanism is not yet fully understood. Furthermore, according to the WHO, there is no safe threshold level below which health damage does not occur. 

Chronic Health Effect A chronic health effect is an adverse health effect resulting from long-term exposure to a substance. The effects could be a skin rash, bronchitis, cancer, or any other medical condition. An example would be liver cancer from inhaling low levels of benzene at your workplace over several years. The term is also applied to a persistent (months, years, or permanent) adverse health effect resulting from a short-term (acute) exposure. Chronic effects from long-term exposure to chemicals are fairly common. Recognize the PEL (permissible exposure level) for each substance in your workplace and minimize your exposure whenever possible. 

EPA must first make determinations about which contaminants to regulate. These determinations are based on health risks and the likelihood that the contaminant occurs in public water systems at levels of concern. The National Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL), published March 2, 1998, lists contaminants that (1) are not already regulated under SDWA (2) may have adverse health effects (3) are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems and (4) may require regulations under SDWA. Contaminants on the CCL are divided into priorities for regulation, health research and occurrence data collection. 

Microbial Contaminants For microbial contaminants that may present public health risk, the MCLG is set at zero because ingesting one protozoa, virus, or bacterium may cause adverse health effects. EPA is conducting studies to determine whether there is a safe level above zero for some microbial contaminants. So far, however, this has not been established. 

Medical monitoring and surveillance programs enable occupational health professionals to identify adverse health effects caused by exposure to hazardous substances and conditions and to discuss plans with site workers, industrial hygienists, safety professionals, and line management to prevent exposures and protect workers. These goals can be accomplished through two objectives ... 

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