Recreational exposure

L.S. Pilotto, R.M. Douglas, M.D. Burch, S. Cameron, M. Beers, G.R. Rouch, P. Robinson, M. Kirk, C.T. Cowie, S. Hardiman, C. Moore and R.G. Attewell, Health effects of recreational exposure to cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) during recreational water-related activities, Aust. N. Z. J. Public Health, 21 (1997) 562-566. 

Health officials describe burn-out (also called amotivational syndrome), a state long associated with prolonged abuse of PCP, that results from recreational exposure to fry. These symptoms include memory dysfunction, lethargy, lack of interest or motivation, and decreased spontaneous speech and blank staring. 

Backer, L.C., Fleming, L.E., Rowan, A., Cheng, Y., Benson, J., Pierce, RH., Zaias, J., Bean, J., Bossart, G.D., Johnson, D., Quimbo, R., Baden, D.G. 2003. Recreational exposure to aerosolized brevetoxins during Florida red tide events. Harmful Algae 2, 19-28. 

Flumans can also be exposed to cyanobacteria and their toxins through direct skin contact or by drinking contaminated water. Other possible routes of exposure include inhalation of contaminated aerosols, consumption of contaminated food, and even through dialysis. Therefore, occupational exposures for fisherman, watermen, and scientists, as well as recreational exposures for the general public, are all possible. 

Backer, L. C., Fleming, L. E., Rowan, A. et al.. Recreational exposure to aerosolized brevetoxins during Florida red tide events. Harmful Algae 2, 19, 2003. 

The time period to use in estimating and grouping pollutant intake values is determined by the eventual application of the exposure results. Exposure medium intake rates may vary on a daily (e.g., for inhalation) or seasonal (e.g., for recreational dermal absorption) basis. If the variability has a significant influence... 

Human populations are likely to be exposed to a pollutant through more than one exposure route at a time. Total exposure may combine intake through ingestion of different substances, dermal absorption from surface water and water supply, and inhalation at different locations in the study area (e.g., work, home, recreational areas, commuting routes). Calculation of total exposure requires that the pharmacokinetics (absorption, metabolism, storage, excretion) for different exposure routes are understood for the pollutant of concern. Otherwise, only exposures by route can be combined. 

Special populations at risk of high exposure to tetraethyl lead include workers at hazardous waste sites and those involved in the manufacture and dispensing of tetraethyl lead (Bress and Bidanset 1991). Recreational drug sniffers of leaded gasoline are also at risk (Edminster and Bayer 1985). 

Hussain, M., J. Rae, A. Gilman, and P. Kauss. 1998. Lifetime health risk assessment from exposure of recreational users to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35 527-531. 

Members of the general population who currently have potentially high exposures to mirex include recreational and subsistence fishers who may consume large quantities offish and shellfish from waterbodies with mirex contamination, hunters who consume game species that may be... 

From the human perspective, HABs are problematic because they cause (1) risks to human health, (2) loss of natural or cultured seafood resources, (3) impairment of tourism and recreational activities, and (4) damage to noncommercial marine resources and wildlife. Exposure pathways include (1) consumption of toxic shellfish that have accumulated phytoplankton toxins filtered from the water, (2) consumption of tropical fish that have accumulated phytoplankton toxins (ciguatera), (3) inhalation of aerosolized toxins ejected from the sea surface, and (4) skin contact resulting in irritations due to allergy-like reactions. Harmful health effects from acute exposures have been relatively well studied. Less well known are the health effects resulting from chronic exposures to low toxin levels. This is of particular concern with regards to marine mammals and seabirds. 

In addition to individuals who are occupationally exposed to 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine (see Section 5.5), there are several groups within the general population that have the potential for exposures to 3,3 -dichloro-benzidine at levels above those of the general population. These groups include individuals living in proximity to sites where 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine was produced or sites where 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine was disposed, and individuals living near one of the 32 NPL hazardous waste sites where 3,3 -dichloro-benzidine has been detected in some enviromnental media (HazDat 1998). 3,3 -Dichlorobenzidine was not detected in fish samples obtained from rivers near nine textile dyestuff manufacturers known to use 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine-based pigments (Diachenko 1979), nor were there any fish consumption advisories for 3,3 -dichlorobenzidine in 1996. Therefore, recreational and subsistence fishers are not at risk. 

Exposure to toxicants can vary, producing what is known as acute or chronic poisoning. Poisoning can also be classified according to the intent of use. Poisoning can either be suicidal (non-accidental) or accidental in nature. Recreational poisoning, such as substance abuse, can be a source of harmful intoxication and, in some cases, can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms. Intentional harm is observed when there is criminal doping with sedative-hypnotic medicines, often associated with robberies. 

The use of opium dates to 4,000 b.c. At that time it was used for medicinal and recreational purposes mainly via inhalation. Today few opium-containing preparations are used, since the activity of opium is largely attributed to its morphine content. The preparations in use today are those that have constipative effects useful for the treatment of diarrhea. Preparations include pantopon, an injectable hydrochloride of opium alkaloids, and paregoric, a camphorated tincture of opium. Paregoric can be used to treat infants with opioid withdrawal signs following in utero exposure to opioids. 

Exposure is a situation in which there is an opportunity for an individual to receive a dose of a chemical or substance, including drinking, eating, dermal contact, or breathing from activities like recreation or work. 

The health risk to local residents associated specifically with exposure to POPs contamination in the local marine environment was assessed by (a) comparing the levels of POPs contamination in marine fish and shellfish sampled in the local waters with relevant Food Safety Standards/Action Levels and (b) evaluating the non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of individual POPs intake via consumption of locally caught seafood and incidental ingestion of seawater during recreational activities. 

---