RESPIRATORY STATUS RELATED TO PESTICIDES EXPOSURE IN A RURAL AREA OF TRANSYLVANIA

Respiratory disease is today an important clinical problem for agricultural workers. Several studies have reported increased risk of respiratory problems, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, among agricultural workers. In order to determine the extent of the problems related to pesticide use, a study was performed on the rural population of Sâncraiu, Romania, during 2011. Out of the group of 100 subjects investigated on the basis of a questionnaire in the study that started in 2011, 27 subjects agreed to participate in the respiratory status assessment based on performing some respiratory functional tests by using a portable spirometer. For all the explored functional respiratory parameters there are differences between the group that apply pesticides and the group that do not apply pesticides, but they do not reach the limit of statistical significance. There is a special situation in the case of the predicted lung age that is with 4.59 years higher for those exposed to pesticides and smoking in relation to those not exposed thereupon there is no difference. In general the subjects prepare and apply pesticides and afterwards wash the utensils without using full protective equipment. The most commonly used applicators are those in the form of spray devices, especially for insecticides used on crops. In this context we consider that, as shown by the test results, the respiratory status of the subjects that use pesticides may be affected

ASSESSMENT OF HUMAN EXPOSURE TO TOLUENE DIISOCYANATE

Assessment of human exposure to toluene diisocyanate. Toluene diisocyanate (TDI), an aromatic compound, may be dangerous for human health. Diisocyanates have wide industrial use in the fabrication of flexible and rigid foams, fibers, elastomers, and coatings such as paints and varnishes. Isocyanates are known skin and respiratory sensitizers, and proper engineering controls should be in place to prevent exposure to isocyanate liquid and vapor; exposure to TDI vapors is well documented to increase asthma risk. The study focused on the exposure of workers and nearby populations to toluene diisocyanate in a Polyurethane Foam Factory located in Baia Mare, Romania. Workplace air measurements were performed in different departments of the plant, after sampling either in fixed points or as personal monitoring. Sampling in four different locations of Baia Mare town was carried out, - during and after the foaming process. TDI sampling was performed on silica cartridge followed by GC-MS analysis. TDI concentration at workplace was lower than 0,035 mg/m³, which represents the permissible exposure limit, while in the city the TDI concentration had shown values below 0,20 μg/m³. Health assessment of a group of 49 workers was based on questionnaire interview, determination of TDI antibodies and lung function tests. Data collected until this stage do not show any negative effects of TDI on the employees health. Since this plant had only recently begun operating, continuous workplace and ambient air TDI monitoring, along with workers health surveillance, is deemed necessary

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN EXPOSURE TO TRIHALOMETHANES (THMs) IN THE WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF CLUJ-NAPOCA

Trihalomethanes (THMs), as disinfection by-products resulted from water chlorination, can get into the body through ingestion of beverages, food or drinking water. This paper discusses the relationship between the use of drinking water from the public distribution network of Cluj-Napoca and exposure to trihalomethanes. To better characterize individual water consumption, at home and at work, we applied a questionnaire to a group of 211 subjects from Cluj-Napoca, while assessing their current exposure to THMs by collecting and analyzing water from different points of the distribution network. The data obtained were statistically processed and then used to calculate the exposure dose and cancer risk for both adults and children. The results showed that subjects consumed for drinking both bottled water and water from the distribution network, but for preparing food and beverages (tea, coffee) they used only water from the public distribution network. The average daily consumption of drinking water from the distribution network, is 1.4 l/day for adults, including beverages prepared with treated water. The surveyed subjects declared that they consume coffee or tea, in percentage of 88%, 94.4% respectively. The calculation of the exposure dose, daily intake and risk of cancer was achieved by using a model developed by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) from the USA to calculate the dose and assess the risk of cancer. Our study shows that the cancer risk to THMs is increasing related to the higher daily intake of the drinking water, being higher for chloroform compared to dibromochloroform. For the measured concentrations of chloroform and dibromochloroform in drinking water and the average daily consumption of 1.4 l water/day, the probability of new cancers occurrence is at least 2.4 additional cases for 25 years of exposure and maximum 4.61 cases for 35 years of exposure in the existing background of a 1 million people