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[Relapse of Creosote poisoning: report of a case taking Seirogan tablets].

A thirty-eight year old man took about 180 tablets of Seirogan. He was unconscious and had dyspnea with dark brown urine on admission. He recovered gradually after initial treatment. Seirogan contains a phenolic component. Symptoms and signs of poisoning are unconsciousness, convulsion, digestive tract disorder, pulmonary edema, hepatic failure, renal failure, and miosis. Clinical features include dark brown urine. On day 7, he again showed signs of creosote poisoning: relapse of unconsciousness and dark colored urine. Plasma concentration of phenol determined on the day before the relapse was much higher than that expected from the half-life of blood phenol. It is reported that Creosote poisoning results in a decrease in the intestinal peristalsis, or paralytic ileus. We would like to emphasize that a relapse of Creosote poisoning may occur due to possible delayed absorption of the Seirogan tablets.

Acute Disease↗

Tolerance to creosote oil of bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas isolated from the wood of coniferous trees.

A number of Pseudomonas sp. strains isolated from wood shavings not preserved with chemical agents were characterized by tolerance to concentrated creosote oil. Of eleven strains subjected to closer scrutiny, five showed good or very good growth in minimal medium with creosote oil as sole carbon and energy source. These isolates can be of potential use for the biodegradation of waste wood conserved with creosote oil.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Exposure to mutagenic aromatic hydrocarbons of workers creosoting wood.

Creosote P1 is mutagenic in the Salmonella microsome assay towards strains TA1537, TA1538, TA98 and TA100 in the presence of S9 mix. The mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene in this mixture are detected in concentrations of 0.18 and 1.1%, respectively. Spot samples taken from contaminated surfaces in several areas of a wood-preserving industry were tested for mutagenicity. The positive results suggest that a wipe test can give a first indication of occupational exposure to mutagenic substances, particularly when greater exposure occurs via skin contact than via inhalation. In urine of rats, mutagens appeared after treatment with creosote. However, no increase in mutagenicity could be detected in urine of creosote workers in relation to their work.

Animals↗

Developmental effects of petroleum creosote on mice following oral exposure.

Petroleum creosote, dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide, was administered by gavage to pregnant ICR mice on days 5-9 of gestation at a single dose (400 mg/kg body weight per day). Animals were euthanized on day 17 of gestation, and live fetuses were weighed and examined for skeletal and visceral malformations. Maternal body weights were significantly lowered in both the group administered creosote and the group administered the solvent alone. The number of live fetuses, dead fetuses, resorptions, and the sex ratio in the live fetuses were similar in all groups. Petroleum creosote as administered in this study was not found to be teratogenic in ICR mice.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗

Accumulation and bioconcentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a nearshore estuarine environment near a Pensacola (Florida) creosote contamination site.

Long-term accumulation of creosote wastes at a wood-preserving facility near Pensacola, Florida, has produced high levels of organic contamination of groundwaters near Pensacola Bay. Impacts of this contamination on the nearshore environment of the bay were examined by analysis of water, sediment and tissues of two mollusc species. One of the species (Thais haemastoma) was native to the study area. Individuals of the other test species (Crassostrea virginica) were placed in cages at the test sites for a 6-week period. Contamination at the nearshore estuarine sites was assessed by comparison to a control site in an uncontaminated area of the bay, as well as a small stream which forms a direct surface-water link between the creosote storage ponds and the bay. The study focused on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), the primary components of creosote. Very little PAH in water or in the surface layer of estuarine sediments was detected, despite heavy pollution of the stream sediments. This is attributed to various degradation processes which attack the PAH compounds once they discharge into the estuary, and to the likelihood of intermittent and localised release of contaminants to the estuary. Examination of sediment cores and mollusc tissues, which provide a record integrated over time and space, revealed some accumulation of a few PAH, notably fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene and phenanthrene. In the sediments, the highest concentrations of these compounds appeared below the surface, within a depth range of 8-13 cm. Bioaccumulation of fluoranthene, pyrene and phenanthrene in both mollusc species was up to ten times greater at test sites than at the control site. This contrasts with naphthalene, the bioaccumulation of which was no greater at test sites than at the control site. These differences in bioaccumulation factors relate to structural chemistry of the compounds which control their solubility, bioavailability, susceptibility to degradation and capacity for depuration by the organism.

Journal Article↗

Contact dermatitis from Larrea (creosote bush).

Six men suffering from acute dermatitis had positive patch tests to Larrea (creosote bush). The lesions preferentially involved sun-exposed sites, simulating a photodermatitis, but also were on the legs and scrotum. Our findings were more consistent with contact allergy than with a primary irritant or a phototoxic response. The patch tests were also positive to Zuccagnia punctata. In two cases the exposure to the creosote bush occurred as a result of casual occupations, in two because of household remedies (moist compresses and baths), and in the other two as a result of burning the bush and resorting to household remedies. Attention should be drawn to this contact dermatitis because the creosote bush grows abundantly all over the American continent.

Adult↗

Creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) resin increases water demands and reduces energy availability in desert woodrats (Neotoma lepida).

Although many plant secondary compounds are known to have serious consequences for herbivores, the costs of processing them are generally unknown. Two potential costs of ingestion and detoxification of secondary compounds are elevation of the minimum drinking water requirement and excretion of energetically expensive metabolites (i.e., glucuronides) in the urine. To address these impacts, we studied the costs of ingestion of resin from creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) on desert woodrats (Neotoma lepida). The following hypotheses were tested: ingestion of creosote resin by woodrats (1) increases minimum water requirement and (2) reduces energy available by increasing fecal and urinary energy losses. We tested the first hypothesis, by measuring the minimum water requirement of woodrats fed a control diet with and without creosote resin. Drinking water was given in decreasing amounts until woodrats could no longer maintain constant body mass. In two separate experiments, the minimum drinking water requirement of woodrats fed resin was higher than that of controls by 18-30% (about 1-1.7 ml/d). We tested several potential mechanisms of increased water loss associated with the increase in water requirement. The rate of fecal water loss was higher in woodrats consuming resin. Neither urinary water nor evaporative water loss was affected by ingestion of resin. Hypothesis 2 was tested by measuring energy fluxes of woodrats consuming control vs. resin-treated diets. Woodrats on a resin diet had higher urinary energy losses and, thus, metabolized a lower proportion of the dietary energy than did woodrats on control diet. Fecal energy excretion was not affected by resin. The excretion of glucuronic acid represented almost half of the energy lost as a consequence of resin ingestion. The increased water requirement and energy losses of woodrats consuming a diet with resin could have notable ecological consequences.

Animals↗

Action of a fluoranthene-utilizing bacterial community on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon components of creosote.

Cultures enriched by serial transfer through a mineral salts medium containing fluoranthene were used to establish a stable, seven-member bacterial community from a sandy soil highly contaminated with coal tar creosote. This community exhibited an ability to utilize fluoranthene as the sole carbon source for growth, as demonstrated by increases in protein concentration and changes in absorption spectra when grown on fluoranthene in liquid culture. Biotransformation of other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was verified by demonstrating their disappearance from an artificial PAH mixture by capillary gas chromatography. When grown on fluoranthene as the sole carbon source and subsequently exposed to fluoranthene plus 16 additional PAHs typical of those found in creosote, this community transformed all PAHs present in this defined mixture. After 3 days of incubation, 13 of the original 17 PAH components were degraded to levels below the limit of detection (10 ng/liter). Continued incubation resulted in extensive degradation of the remaining four compounds. The ability of this community to utilize a high-molecular-weight PAH as the sole carbon source, in conjunction with its ability to transform a diverse array of PAHs, suggests that it may be of value in the bioremediation of environments contaminated with PAHs, such as those impacted by creosote.

Journal Article↗

Absorption of copper(II) by creosote bush (Larrea tridentata): use of atomic and x-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Larrea tridentata (creosote bush), a common North American native desert shrub, exhibits the ability to take up copper(II) ions rapidly from solution. Following hydroponic studies, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency method 200.3 was used to digest the plant samples, and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (FAAS) was used to determine the amount of copper taken up in different parts of the plant. The amount of copper(II) found within the roots, stems, and leaves was 13.8, 1.1, and 0.6 mg/g, respectively, after the creosote bush was exposed to a 63.5-ppm copper(II) solution for 48 h. When the plant was exposed to a 635-ppm copper(II) solution, the roots, stems, and leaves contained 35.0, 10.5, and 3.8 mg/g, respectively. In addition to FAAS analysis, x-ray microfluorescence (XRMF) analysis of the plant samples provided further confirmation of copper absorption by the various plant parts. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) elucidated the oxidation state of the copper absorbed by the plants. The copper(II) absorbed from solution remained as copper(II) bound to oxygen-containing ligands within the plant samples. The results of this study indicate that creosote bush may provide a useful and novel method of removing copper(II) from contaminated soils in an environmentally friendly manner.

Absorption↗

Control of chemical risks during the treatment of soil contaminated with chlorophenol, creosote and copper-chrome-arsenic-wood preservatives.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to chemicals in polluted soil was studied during the remediation of four polluted sites. They are sawmill areas contaminated with chlorophenols and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furanes (PCDD/F), wood impregnating plants contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from creosote oil, old gas works area contaminated with PAH, and a wood impregnation plant contaminated with copper-chromium-arsenic (CCA) preservative. METHODS: The exposure levels were determined by both air and biological monitoring. RESULTS: Air monitoring showed that the exposure levels were generally well below the current occupational exposure limits. The calculations indicated, however, that the lowest acceptable daily intake value recommended for PCDD/F by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was exceeded. Chlorophenol exposure was generally low. Exposure to volatile PAH was 0.038-0.884 mg/m(3) and that to particulate PAH was 0.004-0.183 mg/m(3). The biomonitoring results (urinary 1-pyrenol) suggested that some exposure occurs, probably through the contamination of hands or skin absorption. At the sites contaminated with CCA salts, no exposure limits were exceeded. CONCLUSIONS: The results generally suggest that the exposure of cleanup workers is generally below the current occupational exposure limits but that short-term high exposure cannot be excluded. There was also some indication of poor skin protection, which should be improved when soil contaminated with PAH and creosote oil is handled.

Arsenic↗

Effects of creosote compounds on the aerobic bio-degradation of benzene.

The inhibitory effect of creosote compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene was studied in microcosm experiments. A total removal of benzene was observed after twelve days of incubation in microcosms where no inhibition was observed. Thiophene and benzothiophene, two heterocyclic aromatic compounds containing sulfur (S-compounds), had a significant inhibitory effect on the degradation of benzene, but also an inhibitory effect of benzofuran (an O-compound) and 1-methylpyrrole (a N-compound) could be observed, although the effect was weaker. The NSO-compounds also had an inhibitory effect on the degradation of p-xylene, o-xylene, and naphthalene, while they only had a weak influence on the degradation of 1-methylnaphthalene, o-cresol and 2,4-dimethylphenol. The phenolic compounds seemed to have a weak stimulating effect on the degradation of benzene whereas the monoaromatic hydrocarbons and the naphthalenes had no significant influence on the benzene degradation. The inhibitory effect of the NSO-compounds on the aerobic degradation of benzene could be identified as three different phenomena. The lag phase increased, the degradation rate decreased, and a residual concentration of benzene was observed in microcosms when NSO-compounds were present. The results show that NSO-compounds can have a potential inhibitory effect on the degradation of many creosote compounds, and that inhibitory effects in mixtures can be important for the degradation of different compounds.

Aerobiosis↗

The induction of cytochrome P-450-IA1 in juvenile fish by creosote-contaminated sediment.

Intact sediment cores, including their surface layers, were used in simulated field exposure tests of juvenile guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to creosote-contaminated sediments. Mixed-function oxygenase activity was induced in the fish after 43 days of exposure to environmentally realistic, sublethal concentrations of creosote-related compounds. An average 50-fold induction in the cytochrome P-450-IA1 was found in the liver in the absence of any histopathological lesions. The possibility that a threshold level for proliferative liver changes was not reached is discussed in the light of the observed biochemical activation.

Animals↗

Nutrient-enhanced survival of and phenanthrene mineralization by alginate-encapsulated and free Pseudomonas sp. UG14Lr cells in creosote-contaminated soil slurries.

The effects of nutrient amendment and alginate encapsulation on survival of and phenanthrene mineralization by the bioluminescent Pseudomonas sp. UG14Lr in creosote-contaminated soil slurries were examined. UG14Lr was inoculated into creosote-contaminated soil slurries either as a free cell suspension or encapsulated in alginate beads prepared with montmorillonite clay and skim milk. Additional treatments were free-cell-inoculated slurries amended with sterile alginate beads, free-cell-inoculated and uninoculated slurries amended with skim milk only, and uninoculated, unamended slurries. Mineralization was determined by measuring 14CO2 released from radiolabelled phenanthrene. Survival was measured by selective plating and bioluminescence. Inclusion of skim milk was found to enhance both survival of and phenanthrene mineralization by free and encapsulated UG14Lr cells.

Alginates↗

Persistence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon components of creosote under anaerobic enrichment conditions.

Anaerobic biodegradation of an artificial mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which simulates the PAH component of creosote, was examined under methanogenic, sulfidogenic, and nitrate-reducing conditions using creosote-contaminated sediment as the source of inoculum. PAH degradation, CH4 formation and ion reduction were monitored for up to one year. Despite demonstrating active methanogenic and nitrate-reducing anaerobic bacterial communities, only limited degradation of a few PAHs was observed. Under methanogenic conditions limited degradation of all bicyclic (naphthalene, 1-and 2-methylnaphthalene, biphenyl, and 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene) and one tricyclic PAH, anthraquinone, was detected. 2-Methylanthracene was apparently degraded under nitrate-reducing conditions. Anthraquinone declined in sulfate enrichments, but this decline was not dependent upon sulfate reduction. None of the 4- or 5-ring PAHs were degraded under any of the enrichment conditions. These data indicate that under the anaerobic conditions tested there is only a limited potential to degrade PAHs which must be considered when proposing bioremediation technologies for PAH-contaminated sites, especially if high-molecular-weight PAHs are present.

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗

Biological monitoring of environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in subjects living in the vicinity of a creosote impregnation plant.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in nonsmoking adult subjects living in the vicinity of a creosote impregnation plant in Delson, Canada. Urinary metabolites of naphthalene, alpha- and beta-naphthol, and pyrene metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), were used as biomarkers of exposure. METHODS: Morning and evening urine samples were collected in mid-August from 30 exposed individuals living at a distance of 50-360 m downwind of the plant and from a control group in the adjoining municipality residing at a distance of 1.9-2.7 km upwind of the plant. Metabolites were measured by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Excretion values of alpha- and beta-naphthol were significantly higher in the exposed group than in controls (P < 0.04), after accounting for possible confounding variables by multivariate analyses. The respective geometric mean concentrations (5th and 95th percentiles) of alpha-naphthol for the exposed and nonexposed groups were 2.04 (0.55-6.00) and 1.37 (0.39-7.02) micromol/mol creatinine for evening samples, and 2.49 (0.77-8.43) and 1.17 (0.37-6.88) micromol/mol creatinine for morning samples. Corresponding values for beta-naphthol were 1.78 (0.82-3.67) and 1.36 (0.63-5.07) micromol/mol creatinine for evening samples, and 1.94 (1.03-4.96) and 1.08 (0.49-5.05) micromol/mol creatinine for morning samples. On the other hand, no significant difference in 1-OHP excretion was observed between the exposed and the control group (P>0.5). The respective geometric mean concentrations (5th and 95th percentiles) of 1-OHP for these groups were 0.05 (0.01-0.17) and 0.06 (0.01-0.48) micromol/mol creatinine for evening samples, and 0.05 (0.02-0.12) and 0.05 (0.01-0.42) micromol/mol creatinine for morning samples. CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of alpha- and beta-naphthol urinary concentrations appears to be an approach sufficiently sensitive to reveal differences in low exposure levels of volatile PAHs due to creosote impregnation plant emissions. However, uptake of pyrene due to the plant was too small to contribute significantly to 1-OHP excretion.

Adolescent↗

The presence of the mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene in creosote P1.

Several fractions of creosote P1 separated by TLC showed mutagenicity towards Salmonella typhimurium TA98. Thus mutagenicity is probably caused by the presence of mutagenic aromatic hydrocarbons. The mutagenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzo[a]pyrene and benz[a]anthracene, were detected in concentrations of 0.18 and 1.1% respectively. Because these compounds are probably not essential for the wood-preserving properties of creosote , a more selective composition of the product should be considered.

Benz(a)Anthracenes↗

Detection of volatile mutagens in creosote and coal tar.

Creosote and coal tar were examined for the presence of volatile mutagens by use of the so-called "taped plate assay". Application of this method, recently published by Distlerath et al., reveals that vapour escaping from creosote and coal tar at 37 degrees C was able to revert the Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 in the presence of S9 mix. The simplicity of this method makes it useful for routine screening of industrial fluids or solid products for the presence of volatile mutagens.

Animals↗

Bioaccumulation of PAHs from creosote-contaminated sediment in a laboratory-exposed freshwater oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus.

The oligochaete, Lumbriculus variegatus, was used for a bioaccumulation assay in the creosote-contaminated sediment of Lake Jämsänvesi in a 28-day experiment. The PAH concentrations of the whole body tissue of worms, sediments and water samples were determinated by GC-MS. Chemical analyses showed that benzo(k)fluoranthene, anthracene and fluorene were the main PAH compounds present in the tissue of oligochaetes, just as in the sediment. The biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) of the individual PAHs varied from 1.2 to 5.7. It is concluded that oligochaetes have a marked ability to accumulate and retain PAHs from creosote-contaminated sediment.

Animals↗