Fiberglass and Other Flame-Resistant Fibers in Mattress Covers

Public complaints have raised concerns that some mattresses in the current marketplace may be potential sources of airborne fiberglass. Although mattress foam is often marketed as chemical-free, their cover compositions are not as well understood by the general public. To fill these basic information gaps, the covers of four newly purchased mattresses were sampled and analyzed using polarized light microscopy, SEM-EDS, and FTIR microspectroscopy. Two of the mattress covers contained over 50% fiberglass in their inner sock layers. Up to 1% of the fiberglass had migrated to adjacent fabric layers, representing a potential risk of consumer exposure if the zipper on the outer cover is opened. The observed fiberglass fragments had calculated aerodynamic diameters ranging between 30 and 50 µm, suggesting they are potentially inhalable into the nose, mouth, and throat, but are likely too large to penetrate deeper into the lungs. No fiberglass was observed on the brand new mattresses’ outer surfaces. Synthetic fibers also present in the sock layers were consistent with flame resistant modacrylic containing vinyl chloride and antimony. The use of fiberglass and other chemicals in mattress covers poses a potential health risk if these materials are not adequately contained. The apparent non-inclusion of mattress covers in chemical-free certifications suggests that further improvements are needed in mattress labeling and education of consumers

Analysis and Assessment of Exposure to Selected Phthalates Found in Children’s Toys in Christchurch, New Zealand

Internationally several phthalates are subject to regulatory control regarding maximum allowable concentrations in children’s toys. Such regulation is not in place in New Zealand. Phthalates have been associated with developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption. We determined the concentration of seven phthalates in children’s toys purchased in Christchurch, New Zealand. These results provided data for an exposure assessment deriving Hazard Indices (HI) for oral and dermal exposure routes in children, based on the concentration of mixtures of phthalates shown by the EU to produce either reproductive/developmental or hepatotoxic effects. Of the 49 toys analyzed, 65% contained at least one phthalate at a concentration of >0.1% by mass; and 35% contained multiple-phthalates at individual concentrations of >0.1%. A HI of 3.4 was derived for the combined exposures to the four phthalates associated with reproductive and developmental effects. A HI of 0.3 was derived for the group of phthalates associated with hepatotoxic effects. Five phthalates were detected at levels exceeding the EU regulatory limit of 0.1% by mass. Risk assessment calculations indicate that, using realistic exposure scenarios, the worst-case combined exposure to phthalates associated with developmental toxicity exceeded a HI of 1 so may cause adverse developmental effects

Assessment of ethnic variation in serum levels of total, complexed and free prostate specific antigen. Comparison of Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European populations

Aims: To determine whether age‐adjusted levels of serum total (tPSA) and complexed (cPSA) prostate specific antigen and the ratio of free to tPSA (%fPSA) differ by ethnic group independent of symptomatic disease.\ud \ud Methods: The serum levels of tPSA, cPSA, and %fPSA in relation to age, ethnicity and obstructive urinary symptoms were examined in 1405 Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European men in the Wellington region of New Zealand, and indicative reference range estimates produced. Participants were non‐randomly selected from two study populations.\ud \ud Results: tPSA and cPSA increased with age while %fPSA decreased with age in all ethnic groups. Maori showed higher tPSA values in the 60–69 age group than other ethnic groups. cPSA increased more rapidly with age in Maori than in New Zealand Europeans or Pacific Islanders. %fPSA differed according to age across all three ethnic groups. The median and 5th percentile Pacific Island %fPSA values were higher in comparison to the %fPSA reference ranges of all other ethnic groups and were also higher than those reported in other studies. Once adjusted for urinary symptom score, only %fPSA in Pacific Island subjects remained significantly higher than that in New Zealand Europeans (P<0.001).\ud \ud Conclusions: Our study indicates that %fPSA differs by ethnicity independent of symptomatic prostate disease.\u

Demographic and Clinical Factors as Determinants of Serum Levels of Prostate Specific Antigen and its Derivatives

Background: To characterise the association between demographic and clinical factors and levels of total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and its molecular derivatives [complexed PSA (cPSA), free PSA (fPSA) and the ratio of free to total PSA (%fPSA)] in New Zealand Maori, Pacific Islanders and Europeans, in order to determine whether reported ethnic differences in PSA can be explained by lifestyle and social factors. Materials and Methods: Demographic and clinical factors were examined in relation to tPSA, fPSA and cPSA levels, in 1405 Maori, Pacific Island and New Zealand European men with no clinical evidence of prostate cancer, in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Any associations between levels of PSA and PSA derivatives and body mass index, smoking status, family cancer history, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory/vitamin supplement usage, number of sexual partners, age at first intercourse, previous vasectomy, marital/partnership status, educational level and socioeconomic status were investigated by backwards stepwise regression analysis, correcting for age, ethnicity and urinary symptoms. Results: Not being married/partnered was associated with increased tPSA, fPSA and cPSA. tPSA and cPSA decreased with regular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use. cPSA was decreased in subjects with a first degree relative with any form of cancer. tPSA and fPSA were decreased if the body mass index was > 34. fPSA and %fPSA were decreased in current and former smokers. Conclusion: Demographic and clinical factors appear to have a significant effect on levels of PSA and its various derivatives and may account for previously observed ethnic differences. It is important that these associations are taken into account when comparing individual PSA results with standard reference ranges

Ethnic Differences in Diet and Associations with Clinical Markers of Prostate Disease in New Zealand Men

Objective: To examine ethnic differences in diet and dietary associations with clinical markers of prostate disease in New Zealand men. Materials and Methods: A total of 1031 males (616 New Zealand European, 230 Maori and 185 Pacific Islands) aged 40-69 years, with no history of prostate cancer, completed a questionnaire covering diet. A serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood analysis was also undertaken. Regression models were developed to examine the ethnic-specific levels of selected dietary components, and their relationship with PSA and urinary symptom scores. Results: The results confirmed previously found ethnic differences in the New Zealand diet. Combined tomato intake was positively-correlated with free PSA and % free PSA (p=0.021, r=0.197 and p=0.011, r=0.096 respectively). Beer intake was negatively- correlated with total PSA (p=0.028, r=-0.071) and free PSA (p=0.004, r=-0.094). Conclusion: Ethnic differences found in the consumption of foods (associated with prostate cancer) highlight the possible importance of dietary interactions for ethnic prostate cancer risk. Associations between specific foods and PSA warrant further investigation

Vaping THC-O acetate: potential for another EVALI epidemic

This brief report is to alert the public health community to the confirmed presence of Δ8-THC-O acetate in commercially available vaping products and the potential risk of pulmonary toxicity from vaping THC-O. The impetus for this study was the presence of the aryl acetate moiety in THC-O. Mass spectrometry (MS) evidence and activation energy (AE) calculations indicating that vaping of THC-O is likely to generate ketene, a suspected cause of lung injury, are provided. </p

Vaping THC-O acetate: potential for another EVALI epidemic

This brief report is to alert the public health community to the confirmed presence of Δ8-THC-O acetate in commercially available vaping products and the potential risk of pulmonary toxicity from vaping THC-O. The impetus for this study was the presence of the aryl acetate moiety in THC-O. Mass spectrometry (MS) evidence and activation energy (AE) calculations indicating that vaping of THC-O is likely to generate ketene, a suspected cause of lung injury, are provided. </p