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[The hygienic assessment of the working conditions and health status of workers on the petroleum tank farms of Bashkiria].

Work conditions and the health status in workers of Bashkirian oil enterprises are characterized. Exposure to oil products composed of alkanes and aromatics, petrol and tetraethyl lead was proved to be the major hazard for workers of all the occupations. Complex of occupational and industrial hazards of Bashkirian oil enterprises harms the health status of workers, which induces the high prevalence of chronic diseases.

Adult↗

Inhalation toxicity of high flash aromatic naphtha.

A petroleum distillate--a high aromatic naphtha--consisting of a 50/50 blended mixture of equivalent products. SHELLSOL A* and SOLVESSO 100**, containing C9 isomers (75 percent) particularly trimethyl benzenes, was examined for systemic toxicity in rats by inhalation exposure. A preliminary 13-week inhalation study with SHELLSOL A had resulted in liver and kidney weight increases in female rats at the high (7400 mg/m3) and medium (3700 mg/m3) exposure levels, and a low grade anaemia in females at all exposure levels (7400, 3700 and 1800 mg/m3). The follow-up 12-month inhalation study in rats described here used atmosphere generated from the SHELLSOL A/SOLVESSO 100 blend of 1800, 900 and 450 mg/m3. Initial reduction in body weight gain occurred in both male and female rats at the higher exposures. Various statistically significant haematological changes were transiently seen in males up to six months, but were not considered biologically significant. High exposure male liver and kidney weights were increased at 6 and 12 months but, in the absence of histopathological changes, were considered to be physiological adaptive responses. No treatment-related histopathological abnormalities were found. It is concluded that chronic exposure to this high aromatic naphtha is without systemic toxicity in rats under the conditions of these studies.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Managing disposal of water produced with petroleum in Kuwait.

Disposal of water produced with petroleum has been of great interest in Kuwait for the last 20 years. The current problem arose when the Burgan oil field, which is the second largest field in the world, experienced successive increases in the water content of the produced oil. This study introduces a decision-making analysis of the considered alternatives for the disposal of the produced water. Four alternative solutions exist for the industry as practical solutions for the disposal of water produced in Kuwait. The first method utilizes a large number of pits to discharge water. The second alternative depends on discharging water into sealed pits. The third approach to dispose water is by injecting the water underground. The last method is similar to the previous one, but takes into consideration the recovery of reservoir pressure to maintain the rate of oil production. A questionnaire was distributed to 48 experts at the top management level of the petroleum companies and the governmental authority. The data collected considered cost, efficiency, and environmental parameters. Based on the data, a statistical analysis was conducted using the factor analysis method to reduce the number of investigated variables. The analysis concluded that the optimal solution is to use the effluent injection method to discharge water produced with oil in Burgan and similar fields in Kuwait.

Data Collection↗

Thermophilic lactic acid production on hemicellulose hydrolysate.

Lactic acid has many applications. It can be utilised as road-deicing agent, in the food industry or--after polymerisation--as a biodegradable plastic. The use of lignocellulose biomass will significantly increase the competitiveness of lactic acid-based polymers compared to conventional petroleum based plastics. The Institute for Agrobiotechnology in Tulln (IFA-Tulln) developed a process to apply renewable resources as cheap feedstock for production of lactic acid. The utilisation of thermophiles combined with a suitable pretreatment method enables a fermentation under non sterile conditions with detoxified hemicellulosic hydrolysates. This paper presents growth toxicity tests and batch experiments with bagasse hydrolysate, which were conducted to determine the fermentability of thermophilic wild type strains.

Animal Feed↗

Natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs to sediments of Patos Lagoon Estuary, Brazil.

The Patos Lagoon Estuary, southern Brazil, is an area of environmental interest not only because of tourism, but also because of the presence of the second major port of Brazil, with the related industrial and shipping activities. Thus, potential hydrocarbon pollution was examined in this study. Sediment samples were collected at 10 sites in the estuary, extracted, and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS for composition and concentration of the following organic geochemical markers: normal and isoprenoid alkanes, petroleum biomarkers, linear alkylbenzenes (LABs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total concentrations varied from 1.1 to 129.6 microg g(-1) for aliphatic hydrocarbons, from 17.8 to 4510.6 ng g(-1) for petroleum biomarkers, from 3.2 to 1601.9 ng g(-1) for LABs, and from 37.7 to 11,779.9 ng g(-1) for PAHs. Natural hydrocarbons were mainly derived from planktonic inputs due to a usual development of blooms in the estuary. Terrestrial plant wax compounds prevailed at sites located far from Rio Grande City and subject to stronger currents. Anthropogenic hydrocarbons are related to combustion/pyrolysis processes of fossil fuel, release of unburned oil products and domestic/industrial waste outfalls. Anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs were more apparent at sites associated with industrial discharges (petroleum distributor and refinery), shipping activities (dry docking), and sewage outfalls (sewage). The overall concentrations of anthropogenic hydrocarbons revealed moderate to high hydrocarbon pollution in the study area.

Alkanes↗

In situ determination of subsurface microbial enzyme kinetics.

The single-well, push-pull test has been used in previous field studies to measure in situ zero- and first-order rates for aerobic and anaerobic microbial respiration in the saturated zone. In this paper we demonstrate that the test can also be used to obtain more generalized descriptions of the kinetics of microbially mediated enzymatic reactions. Laboratory and field tests were performed with the model enzyme substrate p-nitrophenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside (PNG). During a push-pull test, injected PNG is hydrolyzed in situ to p-nitrophenol (PNP); the rate of PNP production is taken as a measure of the beta-glucosidase activity expressed by indigenous microorganisms. Laboratory tests were performed in physical aquifer models packed with natural aquifer sediment; field tests were performed in a shallow unconfined alluvial aquifer at a petroleum contaminated site. The laboratory and field tests demonstrate that it is possible to compute the in situ rate of PNP production as a function of PNG concentration using only data from a single push-pull test. These data can then be used to estimate the Michaelis-Menton kinetic parameters Vmax and Km for the hydrolysis reaction. This approach potentially extends the range of applicability of the push-pull test approach for use in determining kinetic parameters for a wide range of microbial processes in situ. These could include the broad class of substituted nitrophenyl substrates used to assay other enzyme systems, as well as microbially mediated redox reactions that occur during contaminant transformations.

Enzymes↗

Induction of micronuclei and sister chromatid exchanges by polycyclic and N-heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in cultured human lymphocytes.

Many natural environments are contaminated with carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and N-heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NHAs) as complex mixtures of coal tar, petroleum, and shale oil. These potentially hazardous substances are prevalent at many former tar production and coal gasification sites. Three polycyclic [benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benz(a)anthracene (BAA), and 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)] and two N-heterocyclic [7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole (DBC), and dibenz(a,j)acridine (DBA)] aromatic hydrocarbons were analyzed for cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on human lymphocytes. All of these polyaromatic compounds are normally present in the environment, except for DMBA. Lymphocytes from healthy donors were isolated from whole blood. The 5-ring polycyclic aromatic BaP consistently induced micronuclei in a linear dose-dependent manner with doses from 0.1-10.0 micrograms/ml, whereas the 4-ring compounds (BAA and DMBA) had no effect on the induction of micronuclei above controls except at 5 and 10 micrograms/ml. Of the two N-heterocyclic compounds, DBC produced a significant increase in micronuclei in lymphocytes, but the dose response tended to plateau above 0.1 microgram/ml. DBA showed an effect on the frequency of micronuclei above controls only at high doses of 5 and 10 micrograms/ml. The average background frequency of micronuclei for 7 lymphocyte donors averaged 3.1 per 1,000 stimulated cells, whereas the average frequency of micronuclei at 10 micrograms/ml BaP was 36.8 per 1,000 stimulated cells. The lowest effective dose in 2 donors for BaP occurred at 0.1 microgram/ml. At a challenge dose of 1 microgram/ml (4 microM) of BaP, considerable variation in micronuclei induction between 7 individuals was observed, ranging from 2-6-fold increases above spontaneous frequency. Over a dose range of 1-10.0 micrograms/ml (4-40 microM), BaP also induced sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in lymphocytes, whereas BAA had no effect above controls. Parallel studies of both cytogenetic endpoints showed that the micronucleus assay is a more sensitive indicator of BaP exposure at equivalent doses. Mitotic and replication indices of BaP-exposed lymphocytes showed that cell proliferation is only moderately inhibited even at the highest dose; this shows that bulky DNA-adducts are generally compatible with cell survival. The cytogenetic data are consistent, first-off, with reports that individuals in the population vary widely with respect to the inducibility of the CYP1A1 gene, which is known to be involved in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolism, in particular, in BaP. Secondly, the data support the fact that polyaromatic compounds differ with regard to micronucleus induction within the same sample(s) of human lymphocytes, indicating selective metabolism of polyaromatic compounds that may reflect carcinogen sensitivity of the individual.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Ocular needs in Africa: increasing priorities and shrinking resources.

Current demands for ophthalmic treatment services in Africa far outstrip available resources, especially in terms of ophthalmic surgeons. With a few exceptions, the gross national product per capita in African countries is less than US $500. Even in those petroleum economies where the figure is considerably higher, the wealth is grossly inequitably distributed. In a continent whose population is expected to double within 20 years, this means that the ratio of trained health worker to population is expected to become much greater rapidly. The money needed to expand the corps of specially trained health workers at a rate matching the expected population growth rate is non-existent. About 1% of the African population is blind. The three major causes are cataract, trachoma and glaucoma. These involve specific age groups of the population. Cataract, which causes roughly 40% of all blindness, mostly affects the over-60s. This group comprises 5% of the population. Glaucoma occurs mostly over the age of 40, i.e. in about 20% of the population. The trachoma 'reservoir', from which chronic re-infections arise, is the under-15 group, an alarming 42% of the population. The prevalence of trachoma is inversely related to access to safe water, a commodity generally available to less than half of the people in Africa, and especially limited in rural areas. Finally, nutritional blindness and its associated high-mortality protein energy malnutrition (PEM) affects the under-five segment, about 18% of the population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Africa↗

Traffic as a source of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in snow.

Snow samples collected in northern Sweden at a road intersection and an airport indicated that traffic is a source of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers (OPs) in the outdoor environment. Analysis of snow samples taken at distances of 2, 100, and 250 m from the road intersection showed that the total amount of OPs declined as distance increased. Of the 11 analyzed substances, tris-(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) dominated in the snow samples from the intersection, with levels of 170, 130, and 110 ng/kg snow at distances of 2, 100, and 250 m. Similar amounts of TCPP were found at the airport (100-220 ng/kg). These levels are approximately twice as high as the level found in the reference snow sample from a remote area (70 ng/kg). A possible explanation for the higher levels of TCPP found close to the road intersection is that it may be emitted from the interior of cars via their ventilation systems. Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) was identified in lubricants and in waste oil from vehicles, and thus, leakage of transmission and motor oils is a probable source of TPP found at the sampled sites. Ten OPs were detected in the three samples from the airport, of which tributyl phosphate (TBP) was the most abundant, at levels 3 orders of magnitude higher than in the reference sample, that is, 25 000 compared to 19 ng/kg. The main source of TBP at the airport was traced to aircraft hydraulic fluid. Analysis of background air and deposition samples indicated that some OPs are subject to long-range air transportation.

Air Pollutants↗

Veterinary toxicology: the epidemiology of poisonings in domestic animals.

Animals are constantly exposed to a wide variety of foreign chemicals, many of which are potentially toxic and some of which result in the clinical poisonings. Pesticides are applied on or around animals for the control of insects and rodents. These chemicals may be placed in areas without regard for accessibility to household pets and domestic livestock. Insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides are routinely and haphazardly applied to animal and environmental surfaces alike with apparent disregard for differences in absorptive capability. Fortunately, newer herbicides and fungicides are relatively nonhazardous. Drugs are considered to have therapeutic effects, but the lay and professional person's disregard for species differences and variations in recommended dosages can result in poisonings. Adverse reactions may be misnomers for errors in judgment. Failure to provide satisfactory storage facilities for animal feeds and the improper preservation and handling of feedstuffs allow the growth and development of a variety of mycotoxins. Ignorance on the part of animal owners and livestockmen can result in a number of unusual and sometimes fatal clinical syndromes. The dependence of domestic animals and livestock upon their owners for the total environment makes these animals extremely susceptible to environmental pollutants. Exposure to noxious gases, irritating and hazardous industrial materials and wastes, water contaminants, and casually discarded compounds of our own use can and frequently do result in animal illnesses and death. Persons responsible for animals may be unaware of the potential hazard or lack good judgment in the use of these chemicals. Forceful and continuing education for the safe and sensible use of all foreign compounds on and around domestic animals and livestock is needed. Persons handling and applying these materials must recognize their responsibility, not only to themselves but also to their neighbors and the animals in their care.

Animal Feed↗

Diurnal trends in reported poisonings.

Review of the Duke Poison Control Center records for 1977 revealed an evening peak for preschool poisonings, while older victims had a late night maximum. When the reports were stratified by poisoning agent, both age groups showed diurnal trends for internal medicines, plants, household products, and pesticides. In addition, preschool victims had temporal variation in poisonings with soaps, petroleum compounds, external medicines, and cosmetics.

Adolescent↗

[Acute poisoning with industrial products].

Poisonings with industrial products represent approximately 7% of the cases reported to the poison centres. Ingestion of petroleum distillates induces irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system depression and aspiration pneumonitis which may be severe; treatment is mainly supportive. Ethylene and diethylene glycol poisonings produce central nervous system depression, anion gap metabolic acidosis, osmolar gap and acute tubular necrosis; in severe cases, hypocalcaemia, cerebral oedema and heart failure may be observed; treatment often associates supportive measures, haemodialysis and administration of competitive inhibitors of alcohol dehydrogenase (ethanol or 4-methylpyrazole). Glycol ethers induce central nervous system depression and metabolic acidosis; in addition, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether produces haemolysis; monomethyl and monoethyl ethers are responsible for bone marrow and lymphoid organ toxicity, they adversely affect spermatogenesis and are teratogens.

Accidents, Occupational↗

Production of riboflavin (vitamin B2) by hydrocarbon-utilizing yeasts.

Candida guilliermondii Wickerham was found to be superior to the other yeasts tested for growth yields and riboflavin production when cultivated on different carbohydrate and hydrocarbon-containing media. Among the refined petroleum fractions and cheap hydrocarbons tested, solar was selected as a carbon source best suited for the fermentation process. The highest growth yield and riboflavin output (10.64 mg/100 ml) by C. guilliermondii Wickerham were achieved by placing aliquots of 20 ml medium (pH 6.0) in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks and incubating the inoculated medium at 30 degrees C for 14 days in the dark.

Candida↗

Physiology, regulation, and limits of the synthesis of poly(3HB).

The properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) combined with the fact that it can be produced easily by numerous prokaryotes from renewable resources and even from potentially toxic waste products using well-known fermentation processes have generated keen interest in this biopolyester as a substitute for chemo-synthetic petroleum-derived polymers in many applications. However, the high price of poly(3HB) compared with the conventional synthetic materials currently in use has restricted its availability in a wide range of applications. If the economic viability of poly(3HB) production and its competitiveness are to be improved, more must be found out about the phenotypic optimization and the upper limits of bacterial systems as the factory of poly(3HB). In this chapter, two aspects of poly(3HB) are reviewed--poly(3HB) formation as a physiological response to external limitations and overcoming internal bottlenecks, and poly(3HB) as a commercially attractive polyester. From a physiological viewpoint, the ability to synthesize and degrade poly(3HB) is considered an investment in the future and provides organisms with a selective advantage. Poly(3HB) is presented as a strategic survival polymer, and it is shown that growth-associated synthesis is not as rare as reported. The influence of the efficiency and velocity of cell multiplication and product formation, of poly(3HB) content and of productivity on the overall yield, and finally on the economics of the whole process are discussed and evaluated from the technological or consumer's point of view. The specific production rate and poly(3HB) content appear to be more important than the yield coefficients.

Chemical Engineering↗

Sexual reproduction in Candida lipolytica.

Candida lipolytica is a rather common yeast isolated more frequently from substrates containing lipids or proteins, such as dairy products, than from substrates rich in sugars. This species assimilates hydrocarbons and is currently being studied for its potential to convert petroleum into yeast cells for use in feeds and foods. We have found C. lipolytica to exist in nature primarily in the heterothallic haploid state. When appropriate strains of opposite sex are mixed on a suitable sporulation medium, conjugation occurs followed by the production of ascospores. Since heterothallism permits laboratory control of hybridization, this characteristic of C. lipolytica enhances the possibility of im proving its strains for technological uses.

Candida↗

A case-control study of leukemia among petroleum workers.

This case-control study evaluates the relationship between leukemia and the work histories of active and retired employees of a large petroleum company. The study includes 69 cases with leukemia and 284 matched controls. Employment in production-related work in the oil and gas division was associated with myelogenous leukemia (odds ratio [OR] = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .97 to 4.2) and particularly with acute myelogenous leukemia (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1 to 7.3). The association with acute myelogenous leukemia was strongest for subjects in the highest tertile (32+ years) of duration of employment in oil- and gas production-related work (OR = 8.7, 95% CI = 2.0 to 37), and there was a consistent trend of increasing ORs with increasing duration of employment (P = .01). No clear association was observed for refining division work and leukemia. This is the first epidemiologic study reporting a positive association between oil and gas field work and acute myelogenous leukemia.

Adult↗