Immunological Hazards

Besides -lactams and streptomycin, many other drugs including sulfonamides, and to a lesser extent neomycin, nitrofurans, erythromycin, spiramycin, novobiocin, and the tetracyclines, are known to cause allergic reactions in sensitive persons (80, 91). However, such reactions in humans arc variable and are mostly related to therapeutic use. 

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Plasma separation by membrane microfiltration was proposed in 1978 by Salomon et al. [1] as a substitute to centrifugation and its clinical potential confirmed in 1980 by Samtleben et al. [2]. This technique yields a high-quality cell-free plasma that avoids for the recipient the immunological hazards of contamination by platelets and cellular fragments and is less traumatic for red cells, if precautions are taken to avoid hemolysis during filtration. 

Pineda AA, TasweU HF, Brzica SM Jr. Transfusion reaction. An immunologic hazard of blood transfusion. Transfusion 1978 18(l) l-7. 

Other investigations performed with AOS include estimations of haemolytic concentrations [147,148], effect on methemoglobin concentration [156], and in vitro estimation of immunological potential [157]. None of these investigations gave any reason to suspect a toxic hazard of AOS. 

Chapter 3 Health Effects Specific health effects of a given hazardous compound are reported by type of health (death, systemic, immunologic, reproductive), by route of exposure, and by length of exposure (acute, intermediate, and chronic). In addition, both human and animal studies are reported in this section. 

To help public health professionals and others address the needs of persons living or working near hazardous waste sites, the information in this section is organized first by route of exposure (inhalation, oral, and dermal) and then by health effect (death, systemic, immunological, neurological, reproductive, developmental, genotoxic, and carcinogenic effects). These data are discussed in terms of three exposure periods acute (14 days or less), intermediate (15-364 days), and chronic (365 days or more). 

Although human data are not extensive, the data suggest that dermal effects may be a concern for some humans exposed to trichloroethylene, particularly through bathing with contaminated water however, it is unlikely that exposure to trichloroethylene in the air or soil at hazardous waste sites would be irritating to human skin. Some people may develop immunological sensitivity to trichloroethylene which may manifest as a dermal response following inhalation, oral, or dermal exposure to trichloroethylene. 

A limited study in animals also presents evidence for increased susceptibility to Streptococcus zooepidomicus (Aran d et al. 1986). Immune system effects observed in mice exposed orally to trichloroethylene included inhibition of cell-mediated immunity, delayed type hypersensitivity, and inhibition of antibody-mediated immunity (Sanders et al. 1982). Female mice appeared to be more sensitive than male mice. A study in which a susceptible strain of mice was treated with intraperitoneal injections of trichloroethylene suggests that trichloroethylene can accelerate the autoimmune response (Khan et al. 1995). The immune system may be a sensitive end point for toxic effects from low-level exposure to trichloroethylene however, no firm conclusions can be drawn from the available information. Additional human and animal studies are needed to better characterize this end point and determine the potential for immunological effects for people exposed to trichloroethylene at hazardous waste sites. 

Immunological Effects. No data on immunotoxicity of mirex in were located. The only information about the immunological effects of mirex exposure in animals was provided by one acute oral study in rats in which decrease spleen weight was reported (Buelke-Sam et al. 1983). Thus, it is uncertain whether persons exposed to mirex at hazardous waste sites might experience adverse effects on the immune system. 

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