Toxicology and Industrial Health最新文献

Acrylamide (Acr) poses reproductive toxicity risks to humans due to its ability to penetrate cell membranes and disrupt cellular balance. Taurine (Tau), a sulfur-containing amino acid with cell membrane stabilization and antioxidant properties, may mitigate these effects. This study examined how Tau can protect against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by Acr in mouse ovarian tissue. Forty adult healthy mice, aged 6-8 weeks, were randomly assigned to four groups including the controls (received normal saline orally), Acr (50 mg/kg/day Acr orally), Acr + Tau75 (Acr and 75 mg/kg/day Tau), and Acr + Tau150 (Acr and 150 mg/kg/day Tau). Treatments were administered for 35 days, followed by assessments of stress markers and apoptosis via immunofluorescence and TUNEL assays. Both doses of Tau significantly increased the gene and protein expression levels of stress response enzymes, including Gpx1, Sod1, and Cat. Moreover, Tau significantly decreased the gene expression levels of apoptotic markers Caspase3 and Bax, while upregulating the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2l2. The TUNEL assay revealed the preventive properties of Tau against Acr-induced apoptosis in the ovaries. The current findings suggest the promising properties of Tau in the prevention of Acr-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in mouse ovarian tissue. Therefore, Tau could play a protective role against Acr-induced reproductive toxicity in females, meriting further research into its potential applications.

Vinyltrimethoxysilane (VTMS) has been used in formulations as a coupling agent for plastic and wire cable pipes, a moisture scavenger in sealants, and a co-monomer in the preparation of latex dispersions. The amount of VTMS used in industrial products is ≤2%; there are no consumer uses of VTMS. In studies in experimental animals, VTMS showed a low acute toxicity via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes of exposure. VTMS is not a dermal or eye irritant. A weight of evidence assessment of four available dermal sensitization studies in guinea pigs supports the conclusion that VTMS is not a dermal sensitizer; however, based on one additional study that gave positive results, ECHA classified VTMS as Category 1B (may cause an allergic skin reaction). VTMS is not considered to be genotoxic based on results of in vitro and in vivo studies. In various experimental animal studies, VTMS has shown neither reproductive nor developmental effects. Short-term, oral administration of VTMS for 28 days in rats produced treatment-related effects in the urinary bladder and kidney. In a 14-week inhalation study in rats, VTMS exposure was associated with histopathological changes in the kidney and urinary bladder. However, an expert panel review of the urinary bladder and kidney observations concluded they were an adaptive response to physical or chemical irritant(s) in the urine. The NOAEC of 100 ppm (605 mg/m³) from the 14-week inhalation study was used as the point of departure for the health-based WEEL derivation. After adjusting to account for duration of exposure and interindividual variability, the 8-h TWA WEEL guideline of 10 ppm (60 mg/m³) is expected to provide a significant margin of safety against any potential adverse health effects in workers following long-term inhalation exposure to VTMS.

This article presents a preliminary commentary on the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and chemical labels of reproductive toxicant chemicals frequently used in biotechnology laboratories. This included six chemicals (chloroform, acrylamide, cobalt chloride hexahydrate, dimethyl formamide, boric acid, and 6-benzylaminopurine) and the main chemical mixture (comprising 60-100% formamide by weight) used in next sequencing generation (NGS). Section 2 (hazard identification), Section 3 (composition), Section 4 (first aid measures and reported health effects), Section 8 (recommended engineering controls and personnel protective equipment/PPE), and Section 11 (toxicological information) of the SDS were evaluated. SDS exhibited some inadequacies with a few inaccuracies and unspecific information in the hazard classifications. Description of the prevention precautionary statements was poor in the SDS. Irrespective of the described health hazards, all SDS described the first aid measures to be taken for all routes of chemical exposure. SDS of the reviewed chemicals and mixtures are not providing enough information relating to occupational health and safety aspects. Recommendations to assess the ways in which SDS and chemical labels are written, monitored, regulated, and used are suggested in this paper.

Methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) has been used as a coupling agent in thermoplastics and thermosetting resins, a cross-linker in silicone sealants, a water repellent component, and in silicone hard-coats for plastics. Acute studies in experimental animals showed a low order of toxicity for MTMS via oral, dermal, and inhalation routes. MTMS was slightly irritating to both eyes and skin in rabbits. A weight of evidence assessment supports that MTMS is not a dermal sensitizer. Available in vitro and in vivo assays indicated MTMS has a low potential for genotoxicity. MTMS did not produce any changes in either reproductive or developmental parameters. Short-term, repeated inhalation in rats produced treatment-related observations in the urinary bladder and kidney. In a 90-day inhalation study in rats, MTMS was associated with production of urinary bladder epithelial hyperplasia, calculi formation, and moderate kidney dilation with hyperplasia of the pelvic epithelium and granulomatous inflammation. However, an expert panel review concluded that changes in the bladder and kidney were adaptive responses to physical or chemical irritation. The NOAEL of 100 ppm (557 mg/m³) from the 90-day inhalation study was considered the point of departure for the health-based WEEL derivation. After adjusting to account for duration of exposure and interindividual variability, the resulting 8-h TWA WEEL value of 10 ppm (55 mg/m³) is fully expected to provide a significant margin of safety against potential adverse health effects in workers.

Organophosphate pesticides, widely used in agriculture, are effective in pest control but pose environmental and health risks through soil, water, and air contamination. Exposure to these chemicals is linked to adverse human health effects, underscoring the need for environmentally sustainable practices. This study aimed to assess urinary organophosphate metabolites and examine the relationship between GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms with biomarkers of oxidative stress among farmers in Himachal Pradesh exposed to pesticides. We collected urine samples (50 mL) from the exposed group to detect organophosphate metabolites using GC-MS. Blood samples (5 mL) were also obtained for GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotyping and assessment of antioxidant enzyme activities. The results showed decreased enzymatic activity of SOD (2.92 ± 1.07) and catalase (12.60 ± 3.15) in the exposed group, with increased MDA levels (4.14 ± 1.36), compared with the unexposed group (SOD: 7.04 ± 1.34, catalase: 25.75 ± 2.20, MDA: 1.15 ± 0.18). No significant associations (p > .05) were found between GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotypes and SOD, catalase, or MDA activities. The study concluded that prolonged pesticide exposure induces oxidative stress linked to specific genetic variations, suggesting directions for further research into the toxicogenetics of pesticide exposure and its health implications.

The aim of this study was to quantify VOC concentrations in different ventilation conditions, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), illumination and noise levels in two automobile repair shops. A cross-sectional study was conducted at two shops in Surat Thani province, Thailand. VOCs were collected by area sampling using charcoal tubes. The air samples were analyzed by GC-FID. The noise levels, illumination, and temperature were measured by using noise dosimeter, lux meter, and WBGT apparatus, respectively. Fifteen different VOCs were detected in both shops. Most of the VOCs measured had levels below the limit values suggested by ACGIH, except toluene and chloroform in shop B. The average VOCs concentrations in shop B after installation of local exhaust ventilation and opening the door for 30 minutes after finishing painting a car, was significantly lower than before and after installation of the local exhaust ventilation. The WBGT indoors varied within 26° to 31°C, TWA noise levels were within 63 to 90 dBA, and illuminations were within 250 to 988 lux. Sheet metal work task in shop A had noise levels exceeding the standard. Proper ventilation and using respirators during operator work are essential in eliminating health hazards of automobile mechanics. Hearing conservation program could prevent hearing losses.

Pesticides are applied to plants all over the world to boost food production and lower the spread of diseases carried by insects. Exposure to the pesticides may cause genotoxic effects on target and non-target organisms, including humans. In agriculture, acetamiprid (ACE), a neonicotinoid insecticide, is frequently applied either alone or in conjunction with other pesticides. A combined approach employing the micronucleus test (MNT) and chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay was used to evaluate the genotoxic effects of acetamiprid in the bone marrow of male Swiss albino mice. Acetamiprid was administered i.p. daily at 4.6 and 2.3 mg/kg/day along with 3% gum acacia as a negative control for 30 days. ACE treatment resulted in a small dose dependent increase in the frequencies of micronuclei per cell (0.28 ± 0.04, 0.38 ± 0.03, and 0.45 ± 0.02 for the control, 2.3 and 4.6 mg/kg b.wt. groups, respectively) and chromosomal aberrations (3.67 ± 0.61, 5.00 ± 0.45, and 7.00 ± 1.43 for the control, 2.3 and 4.6 mg/kg b.wt. groups, respectively) in bone marrow cells, but no significant differences were observed between these data sets. In conclusion, daily i.p. exposure of ACE @ 2.3 and 4.6 mg/kg b.wt. for 30 days did not produce significant genotoxic effects in the somatic cells of Swiss albino male mice.

Pesticides, widely used for insect control in agriculture, public health, and veterinary medicine, are usually present as pollutants in aquatic environments. After contamination of water bodies, pesticides cause adverse effects on non-target organisms and long-term problems in the ecosystem. Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCH) is a chemical compound belonging to the family of synthetic pyrethroids (type II) and is an active ingredient in several insecticides. This study investigated the toxic effects (DNA damage) of LCH exposure on zebrafish for 24 and 72 h. After zebrafish (Danio rerio) were obtained commercially, acclimated, and adapted to laboratory conditions. They were randomly selected, transferred to the experimental aquariums (their average height is 2.51 ± 0.49 cm long, 10 L aquarium size of 10x20x35), and exposed to 0.1 mg/L LCH concentrations for 24 and 72 h. There was also a control and a solvent control group in the study, and whole body tissues of zebrafish were analyzed for 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OhdG) determination (ng/100 mg tissue), using an Agilent LC-MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive ion mode. It was observed that the whole-body 8-OHdG tissue values were significantly increased in the group exposed to LCH for 72 h (9.82 ± 1.44) compared with the control group (6.60 ± 1.78, p = .004). These results suggest that LCH could lead to oxidative DNA damage by causing an increase in 8-OHdG activities in zebrafish, one of the aquatic ecosystem model organisms, indicating that it may also cause undesirable effects on other non-target species.