La santé mentale et l’exposition aux solvants organiques en milieu de travail

Grâce à leurs propriétés chimiques, les solvants organiques ont une affinité particulière avec le système nerveux, de sorte qu'ils peuvent interférer avec le fonctionnement d'un élément ou d'un ensemble d'éléments de ce système. Des études de cas et des études épidémiologiques ont démontré une association entre l'exposition à long terme à certains solvants et le risque de neuropathies, d'encéphalopathies et de troubles psychiatriques. Mais entre l'état de bien-être et la maladie, il existe un continuum de détérioration de la santé mentale. Le présent article vise à poser le problème de la détérioration du bien-être chez des personnes exposées à des agents neurotoxiques, à partir d'une étude menée auprès de 71 traavilleurs exposés professionnellement à l'éther éthylique ou l'éthanol dans une usine d'explosifs et de 74 travailleurs non exposés. Il s'agit d'une étude de nature exploratoire, portant sur la prévalence de symptômes qui pourraient résulter de l'expositon professionnelle à ces agents neurotoxiques. Les résultats montrent que les personnes exposées, comparées aux personnes non exposées, manifestent davantage de symptômes prénarcotiques durant le travail, tels que des sensations d'ivresse, des difficultés à articuler les mots... Ces personnes rapportent également une fréquence plus élevée de symptômes généraux reflétant l'instabilité de l'humeur, des problèmes de fatigue, de sommeil, de mémoire et de concentration. Le nombre rapporté de symptômes prénarcotiques et de symptômes généraux augmente avec le degré d'exposition. La discussion porte sur la signification de ces résultats pour la santé mentale des personnes impliquées.Organic solvents, due to their chemical properties have a particular affinity with the nervous system, giving them the power to interfere with the functioning of an element. Case histories and epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between a long term exposure to certain solvents and the danger of neuropathies, encephalopathies and psychiatric troubles. This article's aim is to expose the problem of the deterioration of the well being of persons exposed to neurotoxic agents. A study was made in an explosives factory with workers who were exposed to ethylic ether or ethanol and a control of 74 workers who were not exposed. This is an exploratory study which mostly looks into the prevalence of symptoms that could result from a professional contact with theses neurotoxic agents. The results show that the exposed workers, compared to those who were not exposed, are afflicted with more prenarcotic symptoms at work : such as feelings of drunkeness and difficulties in articulating words. The workers also show more frequently general symptoms such as changes of mood, problems of fatigue, sleep, memory and concentration. The reported numbers of prenarcotic symptoms increase with the degree of exposure. The significance of these results on the mental health of the persons involved is studied

Exposição humana ao mercúrio e efeitos adversos à saúde na Amazônia: uma revisão

This paper examines issues of human mercury (Hg) exposure and adverse health effects throughout the Amazon region. An extensive review was conducted using bibliographic indexes as well as secondary sources. There are several sources of Hg (mining, deforestation, reservoirs), and exposure takes place through inhalation or from fish consumption. There is a wide range of exposure, with mean hair-Hg levels above 15µg/g in several Amazonian communities, placing them among the highest reported levels in the world today. Dietary Hg intake has been estimated in the vicinity of 1-2µg/kg/day, considerably higher than the USEPA RfD of 0.1µg/kg/day or the World Health Organization recommendation of 0.23µg/kg/day. Neurobehavioral deficits and, in some cases, clinical signs have been reported both for adults and children in relation to Hg exposure in several Amazonian countries. There is also some evidence of cytogenetic damage, immune alterations, and cardiovascular toxicity. Since fish provide a highly nutritious food source, there is an urgent need to find realistic and feasible solutions that will reduce exposure and toxic risk, while maintaining healthy traditional dietary habits and preserving this unique biodiversity.Este artigo examina questões sobre exposição humana ao mercúrio (Hg) e seus efeitos adversos à saúde na Amazônia, com base em extensa revisão da literatura. Diferentes bioindicadores revelam uma ampla faixa de exposição, com teores médios de Hg em cabelo acima de 15µg/g em diversas comunidades amazônicas, situando-as dentre as mais expostas no mundo atualmente. Taxas de ingestão diária de Hg foram estimadas em alguns estudos e situam-se entre 1-2µg/kg/dia, consideravelmente acima das doses de referência estabelecidas pela USEPA (0,1µg/kg/dia) ou pela OMS (0,23µg/kg/dia). Déficits neurocomportamentais e, em alguns casos, sinais clínicos relacionados à exposição mercurial têm sido relatados tanto em adultos quanto em crianças de diversos países amazônicos. Há também evidências de dano citogenético, mudanças imunológicas e toxicidade cardiovascular. Visto que peixe é altamente nutritivo e há diversas fontes de Hg nesta região, existe uma necessidade urgente de encontrar soluções realistas e viáveis capazes de reduzir os níveis de exposição e de risco tóxico, ao mesmo tempo mantendo os hábitos alimentares tradicionais, preservando a biodiversidade píscea e frutífera e melhorando a saúde das populações desfavorecidas e afetadas.International Development Research Center (IDRC) - CanadaCanadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)FAPES

Va te faire soigner, ton usine est malade : la place de l’hystérie de masse dans la problématique de la santé des femmes au travail

L'hystérie de masse se déduit comme l'occurrence épidémique d'une série de symptômes physiques en l'absence de désordre organique et d'agent pathogène identifiables. En dépit de larges variations individuelles et contextuelles, une étonnante similarité unit les différents épisodes rapportés dans la littérature : présence d'un événement déclencheur, progression et régression rapide de symptômes diffus et prédominance de femmes parmi les cas. Nous résumons les recherches dans ce domaine et discutons de la surreprésentation des femmes à travers les hypothèses rattachées à : 1- la biologie et le poids de la socialisation différentielle des hommes et des femmes ; 2- la mauvaise évaluation des risques environnementaux, organisationnels et ergonomiques dans les milieux où l'on assiste à l'hystérie de masse. L'interprétation féministe, en filigrane, s'attaque au préjugé de la vulnérabilité féminine pour mettre en lumière la sous-estimation de la pénibilité des conditions de travail des femmes.Mass hysteria is defined as the epidemic occurence of a series of physical symptoms in the absence of organic disorder and identifiable pathogen agents. In spite of substantial individual and contextual variations, there are striking similarities that unite the different episodes reported in the literature : existence of a triggering event, progression and rapid regression of unrelated symptoms, and cases involving predominantly women. The authors summarize research in that field and discuss the overrepresenta-tion of women through hypotheses linked with : 1) biology and the weight of differential socialization of women and men ; 2) the poor evaluation of environmental, organizational and ergonomical risks in areas where mass hysteria is witnessed. Feminist interpretation tacitly confronts the preconcept notion of feminine vulnerability in order to shed light on the fact that women's adverse working conditions are indeed underestimated

An Exploratory Study of Diabetes in a First Nation Community with Respect to Serum Concentrations of p,p’-DDE and PCBs and Fish Consumption

This study examined the association between self-reported diabetes, fish consumption and serum levels of organochlorines in a First Nation community. One quarter of the 101 participants reported diabetes. Serum PCBs, but not p,p’-DDE, were positively correlated to consumption frequency of total fish, walleye and pike, but not trout. Reported diabetes was positively associated to p,p’-DDE and some PCB congeners. Odds Ratios (OR) for reported diabetes for those in the upper 75th percentile for serum p,p’-DDE compared to the others were 3.5 (95% CI 1–13.8) and 6.1 (95% CI 1.4–27.3) (weight wet and lipid-standardized values, respectively) and for total sum of PCBs: 4.91 (95% CI 1.4–19.0) and 5.51 (95% CI 1.3–24.1). For participants who were in the upper 50th percentile for trout and white fish intake, reported diabetes was respectively 6 and 4 times lower compared to the others. These findings support the hypothesis that environmental exposure to elevated p,p’-DDE and PCBs is associated with increased risk of diabetes. Consumption of trout and white fish may be beneficial to reduce risk

Hair Manganese and Hyperactive Behaviors: Pilot Study of School-Age Children Exposed through Tap Water

BACKGROUND: Neurotoxic effects are known to occur with inhalation of manganese particulates, but very few data are available on exposure to Mn in water. We undertook a pilot study in a community in Québec (Canada) where naturally occurring high Mn levels were present in the public water system. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that greater exposure to Mn via drinking water would be reflected in higher Mn content in hair which, in turn, would be associated with increased level of hyperactive behaviors. METHODS: Forty-six children participated in the study, 24 boys and 22 girls, 6–15 years of age (median, 11 years). Their homes received water from one of two wells (W) with different Mn concentrations: W1: mean 610 μg/L; W2: mean 160 μg/L. The Revised Conners’ Rating Scale for parents (CPRS-R) and for teachers (CTRS-R) were administered, providing T-scores on the following subscales: Oppositional, Hyperactivity, Cognitive Problems/Inattention, and ADHD Index. RESULTS: Children whose houses were supplied by W1 had higher hair Mn (MnH) than those supplied by W2 (mean 6.2 ± 4.7 μg/g vs. 3.3 ± 3.0 μg/g, p = 0.025). MnH was significantly associated with T-scores on the CTRS-R Oppositional (p = 0.020) and Hyperactivity (p = 0.002) subscales, after adjustment for age, sex, and income. All children with Oppositional and Hyperactivity T-scores ≥ 65 had MnH > 3.0 μg/g. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this pilot study are sufficiently compelling to warrant more extensive investigations into the risks of Mn exposure in drinking water

Prospectives

Tiré de: Prospectives, vol. 7, no 5, nov. 1971.Titre de l'écran-titre (visionné le 24 janv. 2013

Biomarkers of Methylmercury Exposure Immunotoxicity among Fish Consumers in Amazonian Brazil

Background: Mercury (Hg) is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant with neurodevelopmental and immune system effects. An informative biomarker of Hg-induced immunotoxicity could aid studies on the potential contribution to immune-related health effects

Anemia, iron status, and associated protective and risk factors among children and adolescents aged 3 to 19 years old from four First Nations communities in Quebec

Objectives: Anemia and iron deficiency (ID) are frequent among Indigenous children of Canada, but few data are available in Quebec. The present study aimed to characterize anemia and ID prevalence and associated protective and risk factors among First Nations youth in Quebec. Methods: The 2015 First Nations (JES!-YEH!) pilot study was conducted among children and adolescents (3 to 19 years; n=198) from four First Nations communities in Quebec. Blood and urine samples and anthropometric measurements were collected. Hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin (SF), plasma hs-CRP, and urinary cotinine levels were measured. Factors associated with anemia and ID (including traditional and market food consumption) were assessed using an interview-administered food frequency questionnaire, based on which nutritional intakes were calculated. Structural equation models were used totest associations. Results: The prevalence of anemia and ID was elevated (16.8% and 20.5% respectively). Traditional meat, fruit, and fruit juice (naturaland powdered)—via their positive association with vitamin C intake—were the only food variables positively associated with SF (coefficient [95% CI] 0.017 [0.000, 0.114]; 0.090 [0.027, 0.161]; and 0.237 [0.060, 0.411]). Male sex was also associated with higher SF (0.295 [0.093, 0.502]). Inflammation status (hs-CRP > 5 mg/L) was inversely associated with Hb (−0.015 [−0.025,−0.005]), whereas SF was positively associated with Hb (0.066 [0.040, 0.096]). Fruit and juice consumption was also positively associated with Hb, via vitamin C intake and SF (0.004 [0.001, 0.010]; 0.008 [0.003, 0.017]). Conclusions: Interventions fostering healthier food environments as well as higher consumption of traditional meats and foods naturally rich in vitamin C, which is known to enhance iron absorption, and fighting inflammation could contribute to decrease the high prevalence of anemia and ID in this young Indigenous population.Objectifs : L’anémie et la carence en fer sont fréquentes chez les enfants autochtones au Canada, mais peu de données sont disponibles au Québec. La présente étude visait à caractériser la prévalence de l’anémie et de la carence en fer et les facteurs protecteurs et des risques associés chez des jeunes des Premières Nations du Québec. Méthodes : En 2015, l’étude pilote Jeunes Environnement et Santé (JES! - YEH!) a été menée chez des enfants et des adolescents (3 à 19 ans,n= 198) de quatre communautés de Premières Nations au Québec. Des échantillons de sang et d’urine et des mesures anthropométriques ont été recueillis. Les concentrations d’hémoglobine, de ferritine sérique, de hs-CRP plasmatique et decotinine urinaire ont été mesurées. Les facteurs associés à l’anémie et à la carence en fer (y compris la consommation d’aliments traditionnels et de marché) ont été évalués à l’aide de questionnaires de fréquences alimentaires administré par un assistant de recherche, à partir desquels les apports nutritionnels ont été calculés. Des modèles d’équations structurelles ont été utilisés pour tester les associations. Résultats : La prévalence de l’anémie et de la carence en fer était élevée (16,8 % et 20,5 % respectivement). La viande traditionnelle, les fruits et les jus de fruits (naturels et en poudre) − par l’intermédiaire de leur association positive avec l’apport en vitamine C − étaient les seules variables alimentaires positivement associées à la ferritine sérique (coefficient [IC à 95 %] : 0,017 [0,000, 0,114]; 0,090 [0,027, 0,161]; et 0,237 [0,060, 0,411]). Le sexe masculin était également associé à une ferritine sérique plus élevée (0,295 [0,093, 0,502]). Le statut inflammatoire (hs-CRP > 5 mg/L) était inversement associé à l’hémoglobine (−0,015 [−0,025,−0,005]) alors que la ferritine sérique était positivement associée à l’hémoglobine (0,066 [0,040, 0,096]). La consommation de fruits et de jus était aussi positivement associée à l’hémoglobine via l’apport en vitamine C et la ferritine sérique (0,004 [0,001, 0,010]; 0,008 [0,003, 0,017]). Conclusions : Les interventions favorisant des environnements alimentaires plus sains ainsi qu’une consommation plus élevée de viandes et d’aliments traditionnels naturellement riches en vitamine C, qui sont connus d’améliorer l’absorption de fer, ainsi que luttant contre l’inflammation pourraient contribuer à diminuer la prévalence élevée d’anémie et de la carence en fer dans cette jeune population autochtone

Thyroid Hormones in Pregnancy in Relation to Environmental Exposure to Organochlorine Compounds and Mercury

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), chlorinated pesticides, and mercury are global environmental contaminants that can disrupt the endocrine system in animals and humans. However, there is little evidence that they can interfere with endocrine status in pregnant women and neonates at low levels of exposure. The aim of this study was to examine thyroid hormone levels during pregnancy and in cord blood in relation to blood concentrations of organochlorine compounds (OCs) and Hg in healthy women recruited during pregnancy. We found a significant negative correlation between maternal total triiodothyronine levels and three non-coplanar congeners (PCB-138, PCB-153, and PCB-180), three pesticides (p,p′-DDE, cis-nanochlor, and hexachlorobenzene), and inorganic Hg independently, without any other changes in thyroid status. No significant relationships were observed between OCs and cord serum thyroid hormones. Cord serum free thyroxin was negatively correlated with inorganic Hg. These results suggest that at even low levels of exposure, persistent environmental contaminants can interfere with thyroid status during pregnancy