Journal of Occupational Health Exposure Assessment of ETBE in Gas Station Workers and Gasoline Tanker Truck Drivers

-Objectives: In order to measure occupational exposure concentrations of ethyl tertiarybutyl ether (ETBE), we developed a diffusive sampling method for monitoring ETBE and performed an ETBE exposure assessment. Methods: The applicability of diffusive samplers was examined by exposing the samplers to ETBE vapor in test chambers. The personal exposure levels of workers and airborne concentrations were measured at 4 gas stations. Results: The ETBE sampling rate for the diffusive samplers (VOC-SD, Sigma-Aldrich Japan) was 25.04 ml/min (25ºC). Compared with the active sampling method, the diffusive samplers could be used for short-term measurements and in environments containing a mixture of organic solvents. The geometric mean (GM) of TWA-8h ETBE was 0.08 ppm (0.02-0.28 ppm) in 28 gas station workers and 0.04 ppm (0.01-0.21 ppm) in 2 gasoline tanker truck drivers. With regard to ETBE airborne concentrations, the GM was 4.12 ppm (0.93-8.71 ppm) at the handles of hanging pumps but dropped to less than 0.01 ppm (less than 0.01-0.01 ppm) at the side of a public road. Conclusion: The diffusive sampling method can be used for the measurement of occupational ETBE exposure. The threshold limit of TLV-TWA 5 ppm recommended by the ACGIH was not exceeded in any of the workers in this study. (J Occup Health 2011; 53: 423-431

[Nine-month observation of effects of SO2 on the respiratory system in child Miyakejima citizens].

BACKGROUND: Mt. Oyama on Miyakejima Island erupted in June 2000 and all Miyake village citizens were forced to evacuate the island in the September, due to continuous eruptions and emission of unsafe amounts of volcanic gas, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO2). Beginning in February 2005, residents returned to live on the island despite the fact that volcanic gas was still being emitted. OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in the respiratory systems of included children from February 2006 to November 2006. METHODS: The study population was 141 children who participated in health checkups in November 2006, including 33 SO2 hypersusceptible children who had a current or past history of asthma, obstructive lung function, current symptoms of whistling and wheezing, and/or deterioration of respiratory symptoms. Respiratory effects were evaluated by a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and by spirometry. SO2 was monitored at 7 sampling points within inhabited areas, and the mean SO2 concentration from February 2005 to November 2006 was 0.031 ppm. The area was categorized into four areas by average SO2 concentration, namely, areas L, H-1, H-2, and H-3, where the average SO2 levels were 0.019, 0.026, 0.032, and 0.045 ppm, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to children in area L, the frequencies of "phlegm" and "irritation of the nose" were significantly greater in the children in areas H-2 and H-3. %FVC and %FEV1 in hypersusceptible children were significantly reduced in November 2006 as compared to February 2006 (P = 0.047, 0.027), though no reduction observed in normosusceptible children. CONCLUSION: Respiratory functions in hypersusceptible Miyakejima children may be affected by SO2 exposure, and further follow-up observation is necessary

Factors influencing arterial oxygenation early after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunt without additional sources of pulmonary blood flow

AbstractObjectives: Although the arterial oxygen saturation after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting should theoretically be homogeneous if additional pulmonary flow is obliterated, the arterial oxygen saturation has been found to vary in clinical practice. Knowledge of the preoperative and operative determinants of arterial oxygen saturation early after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting may lead to a better understanding of this unique physiology. Methods: Thirty-five patients who underwent bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting with obliteration of additional pulmonary flow were included in this study. The arterial oxygen saturation was determined at the 5 time points over a 48-hour period. Multivariable regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictors of the arterial oxygen saturation. Results: No significant interval changes occurred in the arterial oxygen saturation during the 48 hours after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting, which ranged from 61.6% to 95.6%. There was a significant inverse correlation between the postoperative superior vena cava pressure and the arterial oxygen saturation (P =.003). A low arterial oxygen saturation early after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting was a predictor of mortality or exclusion from univentricular repair within 24 months (P =.012, odds ratio = 1.14). Of 11 factors identified by univariable analysis, multiple regression analysis indicated that age less than 8 months at the time of shunting (P <.0001) and ventricular volume overload (P =.002) predicted a lower arterial oxygen saturation after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting. Conclusions: Even without additional sources of pulmonary blood flow, several preoperative factors, including younger age and severe ventricular volume overload, predicted a decrease in the arterial oxygen saturation early after bidirectional cavopulmonary shunting. This, in turn, predicted poor outcome during 2 years of follow-up. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;120:589-95

Effects of SO2 on respiratory system of adult Miyakejima resident 2 years after returning to the island.

BACKGROUND: Mt. Oyama in Miyakejima Island erupted in June, 2000. All Miyake villagers were forced to evacuate from the island in September, 2000, due to continuous eruptions and emissions of unsafe amounts of volcanic gas, mainly SO2. From February, 2005, Miyake villagers returned to the island despite volcanic gas still being emitted. OBJECTIVES: This study examines the 2-yr changes in Miyake residents' respiratory systems from autumn 2004 to November 2006. METHODS: The study population was 823 Miyake adult residents who participated in the health check-up in 2006. Respiratory effects were evaluated by a questionnaire for respiratory symptoms and spirometry. SO2 has been continuously monitored at 7 sampling points of the inhabited area. The mean SO2 concentration from February 2005 to November 2006 was 0.031 ppm. The area was categorized into 4 areas by SO2 concentration, namely, areas L, H-1, H-2 and H-3, where average SO2 concentrations were 0.019, 0.026, 0.032, and 0.045 ppm, respectively. RESULTS: The study subjects showed no deterioration in lung function. Prevalence of cough and phlegm among all participants were significantly higher in 2006 than in 2004, and age-, sex- and smoking-adjusted odds ratios of cough and phlegm were 1.75 (95%CI 1.33-2.30) and 1.44 (1.12-1.87). Prevalence of chronic bronchitis-like symptoms among normosusceptive subjects in 2006 was 4.1% which was significantly higher than that of 2.1% in 2004 (p=0.035). Compared to area L, the frequencies of phlegm and irritation of the nose were significantly increased in areas H-2 and H-3. CONCLUSION: SO2 exposure-related respiratory symptoms were observed in adult Miyakejima residents after returning to the island