History of exposure

In a case-control study of pesticide factory workers in Brazil exposed to methyl parathion and formulating solvents, the incidence of chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes was investigated (De Cassia Stocco et al. 1982). Though dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was coformulated with methyl parathion, blood DDT levels in the methyl parathion-examined workers and "nonexposed" workers were not significantly different. These workers were presumably exposed to methyl parathion via both inhalation and dermal routes however, a dose level was not reported. The exposed workers showed blood cholinesterase depressions between 50 and 75%. However, the baseline blood cholinesterase levels in nonexposed workers were not reported. No increases in the percentage of lymphocytes with chromosome breaks were found in 15 of these workers who were exposed to methyl parathion from 1 week to up to 7 years as compared with controls. The controls consisted of 13 men who had not been occupationally exposed to any chemical and were of comparable age and socioeconomic level. This study is limited because of concomitant exposure to formulating solvents, the recent history of exposure for the workers was not reported, the selection of the control group was not described adequately, and the sample size was limited. 

Exposure Levels in Humans. Methyl parathion has been detected in serum and tissue shortly after acute exposure (EPA 1978e Ware et al. 1975). It is rapidly metabolized and does not persist in serum and tissues for long (Braeckman et al. 1983). Two metabolites of methyl parathion, 4-nitrophenol and dimethyl phosphate, can be detected in urine and tissues for up to 2 days following exposure (Morgan et al. 1977). These compounds are specific for methyl parathion when there is a history of exposure. 

Control urine should be collected from individuals who have no apparent past history of exposure to the active ingredient. This control urine must be stored frozen until used for field fortification purposes. The urine is then thawed, shaken well, and a certain amount should be aliquoted into a small jar/bottle to use for field fortification. The active ingredient is then added to the urine using a 1-mL volumetric pipet, the solution is shaken well, and the sample is immediately frozen. Occasionally, the fortified sample can be left at room temperature or at some lower temperature in a liquid state to simulate field storage during collection of the urine sample. After leaving the sample at such temperatures for the prescribed length of time, the sample is immediately stored frozen. 

A suspected diagnosis of COPD should be based on the patient s symptoms and/or history of exposure to risk factors. Spirometry is required to confirm the diagnosis. The presence of a postbronchodilator FEV,/FVC ratio less than 70% [the ratio of FEV, to forced vital capacity (FVC)] confirms the presence of airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.1,2 Spirometry results can further be used to classify COPD severity (Table 12-1). Full pulmonary function tests (PFTs) with lung volumes and diffusion capacity and arterial blood gases are not necessary to establish the diagnosis or severity of COPD. 

Assess the patient s symptoms and history of exposure to risk factors. For new patients obtain a detailed medical history including ... 

Positive history of exposure and use of serology indirect hemagglutination test, ELISA (Chagas EIA, Abbott Labs, Abbott Park, IL), and complement fixation (CF) test. 

PbB concentrations reflect the absorbed dose of lead. However, the interpretation of PbB data depends on a knowledge of the past history of exposure to lead. This is because in the body, bone constitutes the major lead sink and this results in lead having a long body half-life. Thus, in the absence of intense exposure to lead for a considerable period up to its body half-life, the PbB concentrations reflect recent lead exposures. However, if intermittent exposure to lead is occurring in several distinct environments, the PbB concentration reflects both recent and past exposures to lead. Thus, biological effects for populations with the same PbB concentrations may not be the same since different exposure times scales may be involved. This is the reason why free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) and erythrocyte zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) have been used as additional biological markers since their elevation is more related to chronic lead exposure than acute lead exposure (see Section 2.7). 

The isotopic distribution of lead (IDMS) in shed teeth from children has been shown to be useful in studies of the history of exposure to lead, including the definition of the source of the exposure, e.g., mine dust vs. food (Gulson and Wilson 1994), so IDMS certainly has important applicability, if not for routine determinations. ICP/MS, however, is easier, more sensitive, allows for multi-element analysis, and provides isotopic data. 

Evaluation of workers occupationally exposed to sulfuryl fluoride found no effects attributable to exposure in a series of psychological and neurological tests compared with individuals with no history of exposure. ... 

General facts long history of exposure to low levels... 

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (especially of the male genitalia). This risk is increased in patients already at risk because of fair skin, a history of skin cancer, and a history of exposure to other cutaneous carcinogens. 

PTSD is attributable to an unusual experience that would be very stressful for almost anyone (e.g., serious threat to life or physical integrity or involvement of the person or a loved one in a major catastrophe, such as a serious traffic accident) (265). This largely environmental-induced disorder has been frequently observed in combat veterans with a history of exposure to overwhelming stress (266). The patient re-experiences the traumatic event by... 

In a study based on the Los Angeles County, United States, Cancer Surveillance Program, white male chemists with malignant melanoma and with other cancers (used as controls) were interviewed (Wright et al., 1983). Four of the seven chemists with malignant melanoma gave a history of exposure to benzoyl peroxide (among many other chemicals) and none of the nine controls. 

Note that if the sediment surface were to consist of freshly sedimented particles with concentration Cssc = C°p, then the pore water in equilibrium with these particles would have the aqueous concentration C c = C p, and thus according to Eq. 23-24 the diffusive exchange flux Fsed difr would be zero. However, in most cases the sediment surface is not in equilibrium with the water column, because diagenetic processes change the physicochemical properties of the sediments and thus its solid-water distribution ratio, Kf, relative to. Furthermore, the sediment surface usually reflects a longer history of exposure to the chemical under consideration than the water column. Therefore, water and sediments would approach equilibrium only if the external loading to the lake has changed very slowly in the past. For manmade chemicals this is usually not the case. 

Acclimation (previous history of exposure to substrate and organic compounds)... 

Courtney LA, Clements WH. 2000. Sensitivity to acidic pH in benthic invertebrate assemblages with different histories of exposure to metals. J NA Benthol Soc 19 112-127. 

---