We describe epidemiological and laboratory investigation of a poisoning outbreak that involved three riding areas and killed fifty-seven horses, five colts, and numerous other animals. The outbreak was traced to the spraying of the areas with salvage oil contaminated with tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, trichlorophenol, and polychlorinated biphenyls. The contamination of the salvage oil resulted from the improper disposal of toxic industrial waste. In the tissues of the horses available for study, the most prominent lesion was a centrilobular fibrosis of the liver that arose in the wall of the central veins. This lesion resembled the chronic form of veno-occlusive disease of the liver in humans.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Tetrachloroazobenzene in 3,4-dichloroaniline and its herbicidal derivatives: propanil, diuron, linuron, and neburon.

The presence of 3,3', 4,4'-tetrachloroazobenzene (TCAB) was determined by high performance liquid chromatography in 3, 4-dichloroaniline and herbicides made therefrom. The concentrations of TCAB in 3, 4-dichloroanilines and in different herbicides from a variety of manufacturers ranged from 9 to 1400 micrograms/g (ppm). The chloracnegenic potential of these products, as determined by rabbit ear test, suggests that it is in the same range of 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, a known potent chloracnegenic agent.

Acne Vulgaris↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Partitioning of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) in serum, adipose tissue, breast milk, placenta, cord blood, biliary fluid, and feces.

Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) concentrations in specimens from adult males and females were used to determine the distribution of PBBs in body tissues and the partitioning ratio between types of tissues. Specimens of serum, adipose tissue, biliary fluid, and feces were tested by gas chromatography. In addition, parturient women provided breast milk, placenta, and cord blood for testing. There was a significant correlation between serum and adipose PBB levels. Pregnant and nonpregnant women and male chemical workers had similar serum to adipose tissue concentration ratios, which ranged from 1:140 to 1:260. Males from farms had a significantly different ratio of 1:325-329. Potential exposure to the fetus and newborn was demonstrated. Cord blood contained one-tenth of the concentration found in maternal serum which indicated partial placental passage. Human milk contained PBBs at 107 to 119 times the quantity found in maternal serum. Polybrominated biphenyls were detectable in bile and feces demonstrating transfer into the intestinal tract. The concentration of PBBs in feces represented a minor proportion of the total body burden indicating a slow rate of excretion.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Aflatoxin and Reye's syndrome: a study of livers from deceased cases.

In order to reinvestigate a strong reported association, we attempted to identify aflatoxin in the livers of 12 children who presumably died of Reye's Syndrome and in the liver of one child who died accidentally. Aflatoxins were detected, but not confirmed in only one of the liver specimens (limits of detection 20 ppt). In addition, the microscopic appearance of the livers was reviewed. Although most of the cases fit the clinical definition of Reye's Syndrome, the microscopic appearance of the liver was varied. We conclude that aflatoxin is not regularly recoverable from cases of Reye's Syndrome at a high rate, and question the proposed etiologic relationship. We confirm the varied appearance of the liver late in the course of Reye's Syndrome; however, microvesicular fat was present in most cases.

Aflatoxins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Compensation of victims exposed to environmental pollutants.

The sponsors of the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), also known as "Superfund," agreed that more information was needed regarding legal remedies for injuries to persons from exposures to hazardous wastes. There has been a rush in Congress and some states to introduce "victims' compensation" bills to facilitate recovery for personal injury from exposure to hazardous waste sites. Such approaches are overly simplistic and totally disregard the reach and shortfall of scientific data.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Investigation of hyperkeratotic activity of polybrominated biphenyls in Firemaster FF-1.

A polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) mixture was fractionated by normal-phase preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The hexane fractions were concentrated and applied to rabbit ears. Only the most polar fraction produced hyperkeratosis on the rabbit ears. This active fraction was subfractionated by using the same procedure. Again, the extent of hyperkeratotic activity increased with increasing polarity. The PBBs of the largest concentration levels in the active fraction were purified by preparative gas chromatography and tested on rabbit ears. The major compounds did not demonstrate hyperkeratotic activity.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Fibers in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis: a case report.

A case of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis in a 33-yr-old female is reported. Many fiber-like crystals were noted within macrophages and the interstitial tissue of the lesion. The crystals appeared tan in hematoxylin- and eosin-stained slides and were birefringent under polarized light. The identity of the crystals was not established.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Selected other effects and TEFs.

The half-lives and tissue distribution of chlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans in humans are reviewed. An attempt is made to correlate adverse effects observed in humans such as chloracne, Yusho, Yucheng, and Seveso with tissue levels. No causal inferences should be made in the Ranch Hand studies because TCDD serum levels are slightly higher in older persons and in persons who have diseases related to their lipid metabolism and their age. These differences cannot be used in the context of a dose-response relationship but should be used in the context of variations in the distribution of PCDD and PCDF levels within different subpopulations. Based on these observations in humans, TEF values for mixtures of PCDD and PCDF are poor predictors of human risk.

Benzofurans↗