Irritant epidemiology

Effects in Humans. In chlorophenol production, irritation symptoms of the nose, eyes, respiratory tract, and skin resulting ia chloroacne have been observed. The results of epidemiology studies on the long-term effects of chlorophenols are quite contradictory and have not allowed the experts to reach any firm conclusions (54). 

Exposure to sulfur dioxide in the ambient air has been associated with reduced lung function, increased incidence of respiratory symptoms and diseases, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and premature mortality. Children, the elderly, and those already suffering from respiratory ailments, such as asthmatics, are especially at risk. Health impacts appear to be linked especially to brief exposures to ambient concentrations above 1,000 ixg/in (acute exposures measured over 10 minutes). Some epidemiologic studies, however, have shown an association between relatively low annual mean levels and excess mortality. It is not clear whether long-... 

Cremonini F, Talley NJ. Irritable bowel syndrome epidemiology, natural history, health care seeking and emerging risk factors. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 2005 34 189-204. 

Bipolar disorders have been categorized into bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, and bipolar disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS). Bipolar I disorder is characterized by one or more manic or mixed mood episodes. Bipolar II disorder is characterized by one or more major depressive episodes and at least one hypomanic episode. Hypomania is an abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood, but not of sufficient severity to cause significant impairment in social or occupational function and does not require hospitalization. Most epidemiologic studies have looked at bipolar disorder of all types (bipolar I and bipolar II), or the bipolar spectrum, which includes all clinical conditions thought to be closely related to bipolar disorder. The lifetime prevalence of bipolar I disorder is estimated to be between 0.3% and 2.4%. The lifetime prevalence of bipolar II disorder ranges from 0.2% to 5%. When including the bipolar spectrum, the lifetime prevalence is between 3% and 6.5%.1... 

Dry eye is a frequent cause of eye irritation. A lack of a single diagnostic test for the condition limits the available epidemiologic data. One study estimated the prevalence of dry eye in the United States population age 65 and older at 14.6%, which is approximately 4.3 million Americans.29... 

Vanhoome M, de Rouck A, de Bacquer D. 1995. Epidemiological study of eye irritation by hydrogen sulphide and/or carbon disulphide exposure in viscose rayon workers. Ann Occup Hyg 39 307-315. 

Occupational health and safety in the rubber industry is discussed with reference to UK, US and European legislation. The review covers both natural and synthetic rubber industries. The first section outlines the laws affecting health and safety in the industry and the remainder presents specific health and safety issues of interest to employers and employees. Industrial safety is examined with reference to equipment, fire and explosions, solvents, epidemiology, NR latex allergy, skin irritations and dermatitis, dust and fume control, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, nitrosamines, 1,3-butadiene, and handling of rubber chemicals. 484 refs. 

Studies of the reactions of population groups to photochemical smog are reviewed in Chapter 10. Such studies played a major role in the establishment of the current federal standards. Included were eye irritation studies, effects on asthmatics, and the responses of groups of high-school athletes. Uncertainties in the design of these experiments and interpretation of the data make further epidemiologic studies essential. 

Nevertheless, in spite of the many gaps in our knowledge of the components that produce eye irritation, there is remarkable uniformity in the findings of several epidemiologic studies cited, in the prevalence of the symptoms as oxidant concentrations increase, in the distress that oxidants cause the affected subjects, and in the threshold concentration at which the symptoms appear (0.15-0.2 ppm). 

The present report evaluates toxicologic and epidemiologic data relevant to the testing of approximately 750 subjects exposed to cholinesterase reactivators, about 260 exposed to psychochemicals, and 1,500 exposed to irritants or vesicants. A remaining group of subjects used largely In tests involving placebo or Innocuous chemicals or conditions is available for comparison and will be discussed In Volume 3. 

Ron, E. and Modan, B. (1984). Thyroid and other neoplasms following childhood scalp irritation, page 139 in Radiation Carcinogenesis Epidemiology and Biological Significance, BOICE, J.D., jR. AND Fraumeni, J.F., jR., Eds. (Raven Press, New York). 

Disease Registries At present, the only know health effects of isophorone in humans are eye, nose, and throat irritation, and fatigue and malaise.If epidemiological studies identify particular diseases produced and the factors associated with identifying the diseases in certain populations, such as exposure to high levels near hazardous waste sites. 

Individuals can do little to protect themselves from poisoning by chemicals that pollute the air and water except to insist that discharge of toxicants into the environment be minimized. The exposure levels are low compared with those in acute toxicity cases, and the effects may be indirect, as in the increase in preexisting respiratory irritation during smog. Thus these effects can be determined only at the epidemiologic level. Because many persons are not affected or may not be affected for years, it is often argued that environmental contamination is not very important. However, a... 

TCDD can produce respiratory irritation, but the findings from controlled epidemiologic studies do not support an association between 2,3,7,8-TCDD exposure and chronic respiratory disease. It should be noted, however, that chronic bronchitis and related effects were observed in many Yusho and Yu-Cheng patients, who were exposed to the structurally related CDFs (ATSDR 1994). 

Another factor to consider is that patients with endogenous skin disease are frequently more susceptible to cosmetic reactions. One reason is that patients with preexisting skin disease may have skin barrier dysfunction, with consequent increased permeability. Skin hyper-reactivity in atopic patients, particularly, has been gathering interest in recent years. Epidemiologic associations between atopic dermatitis and irritant dermatitis are now supported by skin bioengineering data.25... 

Ocular Effects. Effects on the eyes due to direct contact of the eyes with airborne mists, dusts, or aerosols or chromium compounds are described in Section 2.2.3.2. An extensive epidemiological survey was conducted of housewives who lived in an area of Tokyo, Japan, in which contamination from chromium slag at a construction site was discovered in 1973. The housewives included in the study were those who lived in the area from 1978 to 1988, and controls included housewives who lived in uncontaminated areas. Questionnaires, physical examinations, and clinical tests were conducted annually. Higher incidences of subjective complaints of eye irritation were reported by the exposed population than the control population in the early years of the survey, but in later years the difference between the two groups became progressively less (Greater Tokyo Bureau of Hygiene 1989). 

Neurological Effects. Epidemiological data show that workers exposed to tetryl during the manufacture of explosives in the workplace occasionally developed irritability, headaches, fatigue, and insomnia (Bergman 1952 Cripps 1917 Hardy and Maloof 1950). These effects suggest that... 

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