Neurologic outcomes of toxic oil syndrome patients 18 years after the epidemic.

Toxic oil syndrome (TOS) resulted from consumption of rapeseed oil denatured with 2% aniline and affected more than 20,000 persons. Eighteen years after the epidemic, many patients continue to report neurologic symptoms that are difficult to evaluate using conventional techniques. We conducted an epidemiologic study to determine whether an exposure to toxic oil 18 years ago was associated with current adverse neurobehavioral effects. We studied a case group of 80 adults exposed to toxic oil 18 years ago and a referent group of 79 adult age- and sex-frequency-matched unexposed subjects. We interviewed subjects for demographics, health status, exposures to neurotoxicants, and responses to the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT), Programa Integrado de Exploracion Neuropsicologica (PIEN), and Goldberg depression questionnaires and administered quantitative neurobehavioral and neurophysiologic tests by computer or trained nurses. The groups did not differ with respect to educational background or other critical variables. We examined associations between case and referent groups and the neurobehavioral and neurophysiologic outcomes of interest. Decreased distal strength of the dominant and nondominant hands and increased vibrotactile thresholds of the fingers and toes were significantly associated with exposure to toxic oil. Finger tapping, simple reaction time latency, sequence B latency, symbol digit latency, and auditory digit span were also significantly associated with exposure. Case subjects also had statistically significantly more neuropsychologic symptoms compared with referents. Using quantitative neurologic tests, we found significant adverse central and peripheral neurologic effects in a group of TOS patients 18 years after exposure to toxic oil when compared with a nonexposed referent group. These effects were not documented by standard clinical examination and were found more frequently in women

The Spanish toxic oil syndrome 20 years after its onset: a multidisciplinary review of scientific knowledge.

In 1981, in Spain, the ingestion of an oil fraudulently sold as olive oil caused an outbreak of a previously unrecorded condition, later known as toxic oil syndrome (TOS), clinically characterized by intense incapacitating myalgias, marked peripheral eosinophilia, and pulmonary infiltrates. Of the 20,000 persons affected, approximately 300 died shortly after the onset of the disease and a larger number developed chronic disease. For more than 15 years, a scientific committee supported by the World Health Organization's Regional Office for Europe and by the Institute of Health Carlos III in Madrid has guided investigation intended to identify the causal agent(s), to assess toxicity and mode of action, to establish the pathogenesis of the disease, and to detect late consequences. This report summarizes advances in research on this front. No late mortality excess has been detected. Among survivors, the prevalence of some chronic conditions (e.g., sclerodermia, neurologic changes) is high. Attempts to reproduce the condition in laboratory animals have been unsuccessful, and no condition similar to TOS has been reported in the scientific literature. Laboratory findings suggest an autoimmune mechanism for TOS, such as high levels of seric soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Epidemiologic studies integrated with chemical analyses of case-related oils have shown that the disease is strongly associated with the consumption of oils containing fatty acid esters of 3-(N-phenylamino)-1,2-propanediol (PAP). These chemicals have also been found in oils synthesized under conditions simulating those hypothesized to have occurred when the toxic oil was produced in 1981. Whether PAP esters are simply markers of toxicity of oils or have the capability to induce the disease remains to be elucidated

What's being used at home: a household pesticide survey Encuesta sobre el uso de pesticidas en el hogar

Objective. Since very little is known about the health effects that household pesticides have on children, we conducted this survey to identify what pesticides are being used in the home, where they are being used and stored, and what methods are used for their disposal. Methods. In the spring of 1999 we conducted a survey in a community in the state of Arizona, in the United States of America, on the border with Mexico. To be eligible to participate in the survey, households had to have used a pesticide in the 6 mo prior to the survey and to have at least one child under the age of 10 years. We gathered general information on pesticide usage, storage, and disposal, in addition to specific information about each of the pesticides currently being used and/or stored in the home. Results. In the 107 households surveyed, we found 148 pesticide products, for a mean of 1.4 per household. Half of the pesticides were stored less than 4 feet (1.22 m) from the ground, at a level a child could reach. Seventy percent of all the pesticides were stored inside the home, with the kitchen being the storage room most often mentioned. The kitchen was also the room where most of the pesticides were used, with 69% of the respondents saying they had used at least one pesticide there. Conclusions. From our research we conclude that it will be important to continue to investigate all avenues of pesticide exposure in order to fully evaluate childhood exposures. Understanding household pesticide use and developing a model of exposure will help in this process. Profiles of the use, storage, and disposal of products will also guide the development of effective education and poison prevention programs in the community.<br>Objetivos. Dado que se sabe muy poco acerca de los efectos del uso doméstico de pesticidas sobre la salud de los niños, los autores realizaron una encuesta con el fin de identificar los pesticidas usados en los hogares y averiguar dónde se usan y almacenan, y cuáles son los métodos utilizados para su eliminación. Métodos. En la primavera de 1999 se realizó una encuesta en una comunidad del estado de Arizona, Estados Unidos de América, fronteriza con México. Para poder participar en la encuesta, en los hogares se tenía que haber usado un pesticida en los 6 meses anteriores y tenía que residir al menos un niño menor de 10 años. Se obtuvo información general sobre el uso, almacenamiento y eliminación de pesticidas, además de información específica sobre cada uno de los pesticidas que se estaban usando o almacenado actualmente en la casa. Resultados. En los 107 hogares encuestados se encontraron 148 productos pesticidas (media de 1,4 por hogar). La mitad de los pesticidas se guardaban a menos de 1,22 m del suelo, al alcance de los niños, y 70% se guardaban dentro de la casa, sobre todo en la cocina. La cocina era también el lugar donde más se usaban los pesticidas (69% de los encuestados decían haber usado ahí al menos un pesticida). Conclusiones. Se concluye que es importante seguir investigando todas las vías de exposición a los pesticidas para poder analizar la exposición infantil, proceso al que contribuirán el conocimiento sobre el uso doméstico de los pesticidas y el desarrollo de un modelo de exposición. Las características del uso, almacenamiento y eliminación de los pesticidas también servirán de guía para el desarrollo de programas comunitarios eficaces de educación y prevención de las intoxicaciones por estos productos

Características del aceite de colza desnaturalizado durante los procesos de almacenamiento y refinación

6 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables.[EN] In 1981, toxic oil syndrome, a progressive multi-system disease caused by consumption of rapeseed oil denatured with aniline occurred in Spain. To date, the causal toxic agent or agents remain unknown. Measures of acidity, moisture, impurities, phosphorous, soaps, and spectrophotometric determinations of color at 409 nm were performed. Since fatty acid anilide concentrations in these oils are associated with risk of disease, we studied the formation of aniline-derived compounds over time after oil denaturation and by oil deodorization temperatures (200°C, 2 15OC, 230°C, 245'C, 260°C, y 270°C) and times (3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 hours). Formation of fatty acid anilide compounds increased with storage time. Deodorization led to a reduction of total anilides in al1 the samples, particularly at temperatures above 245°C. Esters of 3-(N-phenylamino)-l,2-propanediowl ere not detected.[ES] En 1981 tuvo lugar en España el llamado «Síndrome del Aceite Tóxico», una enfermedad progresiva multi-sistemática causada por el consumo de aceite de colza desnaturalizado con anilina. Hasta la fecha, el agente o agentes tóxicos causantes permanecen desconocidos. Se han realizado medidas de acidez, humedad, impurezas, fósforo, jabones y determinaciones espectrofotométricas de color a 409 nm. Puesto que las concentraciones de anilidas de los ácidos grasos en estos aceites se asocian al riesgo de padecer la enfermedad, se estudiaron la formación de compuestos derivados de anilina durante el tiempo de desnaturalización y con las temperaturas y tiempos de desodorización (temperaturas: 200ºC, 215ºC, 230ºC, 245ºC, 260ºC, y 270ºC y tiempos: 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 y 6 horas). La formación de anilidas de ácidos grasos aumenta con el tiempo de almacenamiento. La desodorización conlleva una reducción de la cantidad total de anilidas en todas las muestras, particularmente cuando la temperatura es superior a 245ºC. No fueron detectados ésteres de 3-(N-fenilamino)-1,2- propanodiol.This work was supported by S.A.T.-F.I.S. (Project 9611810).Peer reviewe

Características del aceite de colza desnaturalizado durante los procesos de almacenamiento y refinación

6 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables.[EN] In 1981, toxic oil syndrome, a progressive multi-system disease caused by consumption of rapeseed oil denatured with aniline occurred in Spain. To date, the causal toxic agent or agents remain unknown. Measures of acidity, moisture, impurities, phosphorous, soaps, and spectrophotometric determinations of color at 409 nm were performed. Since fatty acid anilide concentrations in these oils are associated with risk of disease, we studied the formation of aniline-derived compounds over time after oil denaturation and by oil deodorization temperatures (200°C, 2 15OC, 230°C, 245'C, 260°C, y 270°C) and times (3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6 hours). Formation of fatty acid anilide compounds increased with storage time. Deodorization led to a reduction of total anilides in al1 the samples, particularly at temperatures above 245°C. Esters of 3-(N-phenylamino)-l,2-propanediowl ere not detected.[ES] En 1981 tuvo lugar en España el llamado «Síndrome del Aceite Tóxico», una enfermedad progresiva multi-sistemática causada por el consumo de aceite de colza desnaturalizado con anilina. Hasta la fecha, el agente o agentes tóxicos causantes permanecen desconocidos. Se han realizado medidas de acidez, humedad, impurezas, fósforo, jabones y determinaciones espectrofotométricas de color a 409 nm. Puesto que las concentraciones de anilidas de los ácidos grasos en estos aceites se asocian al riesgo de padecer la enfermedad, se estudiaron la formación de compuestos derivados de anilina durante el tiempo de desnaturalización y con las temperaturas y tiempos de desodorización (temperaturas: 200ºC, 215ºC, 230ºC, 245ºC, 260ºC, y 270ºC y tiempos: 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 y 6 horas). La formación de anilidas de ácidos grasos aumenta con el tiempo de almacenamiento. La desodorización conlleva una reducción de la cantidad total de anilidas en todas las muestras, particularmente cuando la temperatura es superior a 245ºC. No fueron detectados ésteres de 3-(N-fenilamino)-1,2- propanodiol.This work was supported by S.A.T.-F.I.S. (Project 9611810).Peer reviewe