Consumer exposure to biocides - identification of relevant sources and evaluation of possible health effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Products containing biocides are used for a variety of purposes in the home environment. To assess potential health risks, data on products containing biocides were gathered by means of a market survey, exposures were estimated using a worst case scenario approach (screening), the hazard of the active components were evaluated, and a preliminary risk assessment was conducted.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Information on biocide-containing products was collected by on-site research, by an internet inquiry as well as research into databases and lists of active substances. Twenty active substances were selected for detailed investigation. The products containing these substances were subsequently classified by range of application; typical concentrations were derived. Potential exposures were then estimated using a worst case scenario approach according to the European Commission's Technical Guidance Document on Risk Assessment. Relevant combinations of scenarios and active substances were identified. The toxicological data for these substances were compiled in substance dossiers. For estimating risks, the margins of exposure (MOEs) were determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Numerous consumer products were found to contain biocides. However, it appeared that only a limited number of biocidal active substances or groups of biocidal active substances were being used. The lowest MOEs for dermal exposure or exposure by inhalation were obtained for the following scenarios and biocides: indoor pest control using sprays, stickers or evaporators (chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos) and spraying of disinfectants as well as cleaning of surfaces with concentrates (hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde, glutardialdehyde). The risk from aggregate exposure to individual biocides via different exposure scenarios was higher than the highest single exposure on average by a factor of three. From the 20 biocides assessed 10 had skin-sensitizing properties. The biocides isothiazolinone (mixture of 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-2H-isothiazolin-3-one, CMI/MI), glutardialdehyde, formaldehyde and chloroacetamide may be present in household products in concentrations which have induced sensitization in experimental studies.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Exposure to biocides from household products may contribute to induction of sensitization in the population. The use of biocides in consumer products should be carefully evaluated. Detailed risk assessments will become available within the framework of the EU Biocides Directive.</p

Organophosphate im Vollblut (Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Fenitrothion, Fenthion, Malathion)

Das hier beschriebene Verfahren erlaubt die Bestimmung der Organophosphat-Insektizide Chlorpyrifos, Diazinon, Fenitrothion, Fenthion sowie Malathion im Vollblut. Dabei können arbeitsmedizinisch relevante Expositionen gegenüber diesen Organophosphaten erfasst werden. Hierzu wird EDTA-stabilisiertes Vollblut im Ultraschallbad hämolysiert. Die enthaltenen Organophosphate werden an Kieselgurkartuschen (Extrelut NT 20) angereichert und aufgereinigt. Nach der Elution werden die Analyten im Stickstoffstrom aufkonzentriert. Die Messung erfolgt nach kapillargaschromatographischer Trennung mit einem massenselektiven Detektor und Elektronenstossionisation (EI). Die quantitative Auswertung erfolgt an Kalibriergeraden mittels Vergleichsstandards, die mit Hilfe von gepoolten Humanblut hergestellt werden. Diese Standards werden in gleicher Weise behandelt wie die zu untersuchenden Vollblutproben. Als Interner Standard wird den Blutproben Chlorpyrifos-Diethyl-D10 zugesetzt. Die Nachweisgrenze der Methode liegt für die einzelnen Organophosphate zwischen 0,5 und 2,6 ng pro Liter Blut

Development of a GC-MS method for the determination of household insecticides in indoor air

This work presents a GC-MS method for the determination of 17 household insecticides and acaricides in indoor air. Air samples were collected with a sampling train which consisted of a glass fibre filter and two polyurethane foam plugs, followed by a high-volume air pump. Filters and plugs were analysed separately. The overall recoveries ranged from 85 to 109% (4-11% RSD). Minimum method detection limits between 0.1 and 5 ng/m3 were determined

Inhalational and dermal exposures during spray application of biocides

Data on inhalational and potential dermal exposures during spray application of liquid biocidal products were generated. On the one hand, model experiments with different spraying devices using fluorescent tracers were carried out to investigate the influence of parameters relevant to the exposure (e.g. spraying equipment, nozzle size, direction of application). On the other hand, measurements were performed at selected workplaces (during disinfection operations in food and feed areas; pest control operations for private, public and veterinary hygiene; wood protection and antifouling applications) after application of biocidal products such as Empire 20, Responsar SC, Omexan-forte, Actellic, Perma-forte; Fendona SC, Pyrethrum mist; CBM 8, Aldekol Des 03, TAD CID, Basileum, Basilit. The measurements taken in the model rooms demonstrated dependence of the inhalation exposure on the type of spraying device used, in the following order: "spraying with low pressure" < "airless spraying" < "fogging" indicating that the particle diameter of the released spray droplets is the most important parameter. In addition inhalation exposure was lowest when the spraying direction was downward. Also for the potential dermal exposure, the spraying direction was of particular importance: overhead spraying caused the highest contamination of body surfaces. The data of inhalational and potential dermal exposures gained through workplace measurements showed considerable variation. During spraying procedures with low-pressure equipments, dose rates of active substances inhaled by the operators ranged from 7 to 230 ?g active substance (a.s.)/h. An increase in inhaled dose rates (6–33 mg a.s./h) was observed after use of high application volumes/time unit during wood protection applications indoors. Spraying in the veterinary sector using medium-pressure sprayers led to inhaled dose rates between 2 and 24 mg a.s./h. The highest inhaled dose rates were measured during fogging (114 mg a.s./h) and after-high-pressure applications in the antifouling sector (110–300 mg a.s./h). The potential dermal exposure of spray operators was lowest (dose rates from 0.2 to 7 mg a.s./h) in the areas of food and feed disinfection and private and public hygiene during spraying with low-pressure devices. During fogging, wood protection and antifouling applications, high-potential dermal exposures of the operators were determined. Dermal dose rates varied between 100 and 34,000 mg a.s./h

Measurements in aircrafts during application of biocides for aircraft disinsection

Pest control operations in aircrafts are necessary to prevent the spreading of insect-transmitted infectious diseases. However, if pesticides are used in flight as sprays health disorders in passengers and crew members cannot be excluded. Measurements were taken during application of different disinsection sprays using the "top-of-descent" technique simulated at ground level in parked aircrafts. Concentrations in the air (during spraying and 40 minutes afterwards) were 21µg/m3/285 µg/m3 for pyrethrins/piperonyl butoxide (median values with SRA spray) and 133µg/m3 (224µg/m3) for d-phenothrin after use on Aircraft Disinsectant Denka ( Arrow Aircraft Disinsection Spray). Maximum amounts inhaled were calculated to be 17-200µg. Concentrations found on interior surfaces differed widely. On vertical surfaces (walls, folding tables, overhead bins) median values varied between <= 2 ng/cm2 and <= 17 ng/cm2 . Concentrations (median values) on seats, headrests and floor were 24-39 ng/cm² (pyrethrins), 144-233 ng/cm2 (piperonyl butoxide) and 219-1005 ng/cm2 (d-phenothrin)

Unexpected brain lesions in lactating Sprague-Dawley rats in a two-generation inhalation reproductive toxicity study with pentafluoropropane (HFC-245fa)

The study presented was conducted following the reproductive study guideline OECD Guideline 416 Two-Generation Reproduction Toxicity Study. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 2000, 10,000 and 50,000ppm of HFC-245fa. There was an unexpected mortality of lactating dams in the medium and high dose group beginning at day 10 of lactation. Statistically significant histopathological alterations were observed in the cerebellum of a total of 9/30 females of the high dose group of the F0-generation and in 10/27 females of the high dose group of the F1-generation. In contrast there were no brain lesions found in males or non-pregnant females of all dose groups. Neuronal necrosis and degeneration in the cerebellar cortex were observed as the most severe finding. Furthermore vacuolation of the neuropil in different degrees was diagnosed in 7/30 females of the F0-generation and in 9/30 females of the F1-generation. Acute hemorrhages - in particular perivascular - occurred in 5/30 f emales of the F0- and in 5/30 females of the F1-generation indicating a disturbed vascular integrity. The main lesions found in the cerebrum were glial scars in the corpus callosum and restricted to 2/30 females of the F0-generation of the high dose group. The increased incidence of myocardial fibrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration in males - indicating myocarditis - was only seen in the F0-generation of the high dose group. Females of the F1-generation of the high dose group showed an increased incidence of minimal myocardial fibrosis. In summary, histopathology revealed that the brain, particularly the cerebellum, and to a minor degree the heart turned out to be the toxicological target organs of the substance. Presumably substance-related energy deprivation may be responsible for the observed changes. One of the metabolites, 3,3,3-trifluoropropanoic acid has been shown to be capable of causing this effect

Pyrethroids used indoors: Biological monitoring of exposure to pyrethroids following an indoor pest control operation

A prospective epidemiological study with respect to pyrethroid exposure was carried out combining clinical examination, indoor monitoring and biological monitoring. The results of the biological monitoring are presented. Biological monitoring was performed in 57 persons before (T1) as well as 1 day (T2), 3 days (T3), 4-6 months (T4), and 10-12 months (T5) following a pest control operation (PCO) with pyrethroid containing products such as cyfluthrin, cypermethrin, deltamethrin or permethrin. Pyrethroids in blood were measured by GC-ECD. The respective metabolities cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (DCCA), cis-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid (DBCA), 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and fluorophenoxybenzoic acid (FPBA) were measured in urine using GC/MS. For all cases the concentrations of pyrethroids in blood were found to be below the detection limit of 5 micrograms/l before and after the PCO. With a detection limit of 0.2 microgram/l of the investigated metabolites, the percentage of positive samples were 7% for cis-DCCA, 3.5% for trans-DCCA and 5.3% for 3-PBA before PCO. One day after PCO (T2) the percentage of positive samples increased remarkably for cis-DCCA (21.5%), trans-DCCA (32.1%) and 3-PBA (25%) showing significantly increased internal doses as compared to pre-existing values. This holds also true for T3, whereas at T4 and T5 the significant increase was no more present. FPBA and DBCA concentrations were below the respective detection limit before PCO and also in most cases after PCO. In 72% of the subjects the route of pyrethroid uptake (measured by determining the DCCA isomeric ratio) was oral/inhalative and in 28% it was dermal. Based on the biological monitoring data it could be shown that appropriately performed pest control operations lead to a significant increase of pyrethroid metabolite concentration in the early phase (1 and 3 days) after pyrethroid application as compared to the pre-exposure values. However, evaluated metabolite concentrations 4-6 months after PCO did not exceed values of published background levels