Airborne contaminants humans

In the case of animals we are concerned primarily with a two-step process accumulation of airborne contaminants on or in vegetation or forage that serves as their feed and subsequent effects of the ingested herbage on animals. In addition to pollution-affected vegetation, carnivores (humans... 

The TLVs, as recommended and published by the ACGIH, refer to concentrations of airborne contaminants or levels of physical agents, and represent the conditions to which it is believed nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse effects. TLVs are based on the results of animal experiments, limited human experiments, some industrial experience and, when possible, a combination of all three. 

Edwards, W.C. and B.R. Clay. 1977. Reclamation of rangeland following a lead poisoning incident in livestock from industrial airborne contamination of forage. Vet. Human. Toxicol. 19 247-249. 

Short-term effectiveness addresses the period of time needed to achieve lasting protection of human health and the environment as well as any adverse impact that may be posed during the construction and implementation period before the cleanup goals are achieved. Electrokinetics is expected to present minimal short-term risks to workers and the nearby community, including noise and exposure to airborne contaminants. 

Bakand S, Winder C, Khalil C et al (2006) An experimental in vitro model fm dynamic direct exposure of human cells to airborne contaminants. Toxicol Lett 165 1-10 Bartoli CR, Wellenius GA, Diaz EA et al (2009) Mechanisms of inhaled fine particulate air pollution-induced arterial blood pressure changes. Environ Health Perspect 117 361-366 Becker S, Soukup JM, Sioutas C et al (2003) Response of human alveolar macrophages to ultrafine, fine, and coarse urban air pollution particles. Exp Lung Res 29 29-44 Beckett WS, Chalupa DF, Pauly-Brown A et al (2005) Comparing inhaled ultrafine versus fine zinc oxide particles in healthy adults a human inhalation study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 171 1129-1135... 

With respect to research and data collection, the language of 103(f)(l)(A) of the CAA contained some rationales that airborne contaminants such as Pb, which could produce adverse effects on human health, can be researched for their relative contributions to health impacts. Quantification of relative contribution of the airborne components of a multimedia contaminant obviously requires quantification of other pathway-dependent contributions. 

Indoor decontamination is more commonly driven by concern for short- or long-term human health than for environmental protection. This concern for human health is often prompted by the discovery of former PCB spills and the presence of incidental contamination in older facilities. Human health exposure is usually associated with surface or airborne contamination, neither of which is typically associated with concrete contamination. Nonetheless, routine tracking or spillage of PCB on concrete will result in the need for concrete cleaning or removal in older plants where employees could still be exposed. 

Airborne contaminants can be present as liquids or solids, as gaseous material in the form of a true gas or vapor, or in combinations of both gaseous and particulate matter. Most often, airborne contaminants are classified according to physical state and physiological effect on the human body. Knowledge of these classifications is necessary for proper evaluation of the work environment. One must also consider the route of entry and action of the contaminant. 

In nonindustrial settings, MCS substances are the cause of indoor air pollution and are the contaminants in air and water. Many of the chemicals which trigger MCS symptoms are known to be irritants or toxic to the nervous system. As an example, volatile organic compounds readily evaporate into the air at room temperature. Permitted airborne levels of such contaminants can still make ordinary people sick. When the human body is assaulted with levels of toxic chemicals that it cannot safely process, it is likely that at some point an individual will become ill. For some, the outcome could be cancer or reproductive damage. Others may become hypersensitive to these chemicals or develop other chronic disorders, while some people may not experience any noticeable health effects. Even where high levels of exposure occur, generally only a small percentage of people become chemically sensitive. 

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