A field investigation of the acute respiratory effects of metal working fluids. II. Effects of airborne sulfur exposures

Sama, Susan; Kriebel, David; Woskie, Susan; Eisen, Ellen; Wegman, David H.; Virji, M. Abbas

doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199706)31:6<767::aid-ajim14>3.0.co;2-w

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…This is similar to the restrictive effect suggested by our findings on early-life exposure to OPs ( Raanan et al 2016 ). Our findings agree with previous reports on adverse respiratory effects associated with elemental sulfur in animal models ( Humphreys 1988 ; European Commission 2015 ; Krieger 2001 ), in workers ( Calvert et al 2004 ; Lee et al 2005 ; Sama et al 1997 ), and in case reports of poisoning ( Ellenhorn and Barceloux 1988 ; Krieger 2001 ). This study also lends credibility to reports of drift of elemental sulfur after agricultural application ( U.S. EPA 1991a ; Calvert et al 2004 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…Another limitation is that assessing elemental sulfur exposure remains a challenge for epidemiological studies because exposure biomarkers are not available; even the few occupational reports on sulfur exposure have used surveillance data ( Calvert et al 2004 ; Lee et al 2005 ; Sama et al 1997 ; Stellman 1998 ; U.S. EPA 1991b ). Using residential proximity for sulfur exposure assessment has some limitations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Elemental Sulfur Use and Associations with Pediatric Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms in an Agricultural Community (California, USA)

Raanan

Gunier

Balmes

et al. 2017

Environ Health Perspect

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Background: Elemental sulfur, “the oldest of all pesticides,” is the most heavily used agricultural pesticide in California and Europe. Sulfur is considered relatively safe and is used in both conventional and organic farming systems. Adverse respiratory effects have been reported in applicators and animals, but the effect on residential populations, and especially on children living in proximity to fields treated with elemental sulfur, is not known.Objectives: We evaluated associations between residential proximity to elemental sulfur applications and respiratory symptoms and spirometry of children living in an agricultural community.Methods: Participants were enrolled in the CHAMACOS longitudinal birth cohort. We collected respiratory symptomatology for 347 children at 7 y of age and measured spirometry on a subset of 279. Of these, estimations of proximity to sulfur application and relevant covariate data were available for 237 and 205 children for whom we had symptomatology information and FEV1 measurements, respectively. Data from the California Pesticide Use Reporting System were used to estimate the amount of elemental sulfur applied within 0.5, 1, and 3km of a child’s residence during the week, month, and 12 mo prior to pulmonary evaluation. Regression models controlled for maternal smoking during pregnancy; season of birth; PM2.5 (particulate matter ≤2.5mm in aerodynamic diameter); breast feeding duration; child’s sex, age, and height; technician; and other covariates.Results: Adverse associations with respiratory outcomes were found for sulfur applications within 0.5- and 1-km radii. Specifically, asthma medication usage and respiratory symptoms increased [OR=3.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.50, 8.23, p=0.004; OR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.27, 3.46, p=0.004, respectively] and FEV1 decreased (β=−0.143; 95% CI: −0.248, −0.039, p=0.008) per 10-fold increase in the estimated amount of sulfur used within 1km of child residence during the year prior to pulmonary evaluation.Conclusions: This study suggests that elemental sulfur use, allowed in both organic and conventional farming, in close proximity to residential areas, may adversely affect children’s respiratory health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP528

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Elemental Sulfur Use and Associations with Pediatric Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms in an Agricultural Community (California, USA)

Raanan

Gunier

Balmes

et al. 2017

Environ Health Perspect

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“…Airborne exposures to inhalable mass aerosol concentration, endotoxin, and culturable bacteria are the focus of the present paper. A companion paper presents results of an investigation of the elemental composition of the particulate exposure [Sama et al, 1997].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A field investigation of the acute respiratory effects of metal working fluids. I. Effects of aerosol exposures

et al. 1997

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A study of cross‐shift change in pulmonary function was conducted among workers exposed to metal working fluids (MWF) in an automobile parts manufacturing company. Three hundred eighty‐six workers (216 machinists exposed to straight or soluble MWFs, and 170 nonmachinists) were studied for 1 day, performing spirometry at the beginning and end of their shift. Airborne concentrations of inhalable particulate, culturable bacteria, and endotoxin were measured. We observed an approximately threefold increase in the incidence of 5% or greater cross‐shift decrement in forced expiratory volume during the first second among those with exposures above about 0.15 mg/m3, compared to those with exposures below about 0.08 mg/m3. There was some evidence that chronic respiratory symptoms were more prevalent among machinists than among nonmachinists, notably for chronic cough. Baseline FEV1 was about 3% lower on average among those with soluble MWF exposure compared to nonmachinists. These findings are consistent with earlier studies showing respiratory effects of MWFs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 31:756–766, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

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Short-Term Effects of Formaldehyde on Peak Expiratory Flow and Irritant Symptoms

Kriebel

Myers

Cheng

et al. 2001

Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal

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The authors studied the respiratory effects of formaldehyde exposure among students who dissected cadavers in a gross anatomy laboratory. Peak expiratory flow and respiratory symptoms were measured before and after each weekly laboratory session. Each of 38 students was exposed to formaldehyde for 2.5 hr/wk for 14 wk. Individual, daily formaldehyde measurements averaged 1.1 ppm (standard deviation = 0.56 ppm). Multivariate models demonstrated two different time scales of effect of formaldehyde on peak expiratory flow: (1) exposure during the previous 2.5 hr reduced peak expiratory flow by -1.0% per ppm, and (2) average exposure during all preceding weeks reduced peak expiratory flow by an additional -0.5% per ppm of formaldehyde. However, the short-term exposure effect was diminished during the first 4 wk, suggesting at least partial acclimatization. Symptom reporting was also associated with exposure during the previous 2.5 hr, and similar evidence of acclimatization was observed. These results suggest that there are two different time scales of response to formaldehyde, and they emphasize the need for longitudinal studies, characterized by quantitative exposure characterization, and frequent measurements of outcome.

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A field investigation of the acute respiratory effects of metal working fluids. II. Effects of airborne sulfur exposures

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Elemental Sulfur Use and Associations with Pediatric Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms in an Agricultural Community (California, USA)

Elemental Sulfur Use and Associations with Pediatric Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms in an Agricultural Community (California, USA)

A field investigation of the acute respiratory effects of metal working fluids. I. Effects of aerosol exposures

Short-Term Effects of Formaldehyde on Peak Expiratory Flow and Irritant Symptoms

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