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Cytogenetic studies of workers from the rubber industry.

Lymphocytes from 21 vulcanizers from a tire factory were analyzed for the presence of chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and for proliferation indices (PIs). An increase in the frequencies of CAs and SCEs and a decrease in PIs were observed. Cytogenetic parameters were correlated with age, smoking habits, and duration of occupational exposure. From the present study it can be concluded that cigarette smoking enhances the genotoxic effects of mixtures of chemicals to which workers in the rubber industry are exposed.

Adult↗

Increases in chromosome aberrations and in abnormal sperm morphology in rubber factory workers.

Subjects working at a rubber plant in a chemicals warehouse or in calandering and bambury units were analyzed for both sperm parameters and structural chromosome aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes. Sperm analysis was performed in a group of 24 workers for comparison with fertile (n = 24) and infertile (n = 24) control groups. The statistical analyses of semen volume, vitality and sperm count did not show significant differences between exposed and fertile groups but significant differences were found from the infertile group. A significantly lower proportion of normal sperm head shapes was found in exposed subjects when compared to the fertile group (40.1 vs. 57.8). Seven exposed workers were re-analyzed 1 year later and their sperm parameters did not change. The cytogenetic analysis showed a significant increase (3.90%) in the percentage of cells with aberrations in bambury workers (n = 11). However, no differences were found between calandering workers (n = 8) and control subjects (n = 10). Workplace air samples taken on the day of tissue sampling did not show any increase above the Cuban maximal allowed concentration for benzo[a]pyrene or toluene.

Adult↗

Effect of dietary administration of the rubber curative trithiocyanuric acid to the rat.

Trithiocyanuric acid (TCY) is a rubber curative of low oral and dermal toxicity and with a low potential for eye and skin irritation. This study determined the effects of TCY on Sprague-Dawley rats at levels of 0.0, 625, 2500 and 5000 ppm in the diet for 2-30 days. While there were some effects on body-weight gain and survival at the higher levels of intake, the main effects concerned unusual lesions of the pinna and the distal portions of the tail. Purplish discolorations of the ear margin and tip of the tail were noted in some animals on the 2500- and 5000-ppm diets. The tail lesion was evident microscopically at day 16 only in the 5000-ppm group and consisted of congestion of the vasculature in the subepidermal connective tissue with focal necrosis of the distal tail segment. By day 16 the ear lesion was also microscopically identifiable only in the group on the 5000-ppm diet. It was found in 33% of these animals at day 8 and in 67% at day 16 and consisted of a localized cellulitis characterized by moderate infiltrates of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in the epidermal and subepidermal tissues. The lesions caused by high levels of TCY were apparently site-specific, since histopathological examination of selected internal organs did not detect any lesions. The no-effect levels determined were 2500 ppm for microscopic lesions during an 8-16-day treatment period and 625 ppm for gross pathological lesions in a 30-day feeding study.

Animals↗

A follow-up study of synthetic rubber workers.

Although 1,3-butadiene (BD) has been classified as an animal carcinogen, epidemiologic research has reported inconsistent results on the relationship between BD and lymphopoietic and other cancers in humans. This study evaluated the mortality experience of 15649 men employed for at least 1 year at any of eight North American styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) plants. About 75% of the subjects were exposed to BD; 83% were exposed to styrene (STY). During 1943-1991, the cohort had a total of 386172 and an average of 25 person-years of follow-up, with 3976 deaths observed compared to 4553 deaths expected based on general population mortality rates (standardized mortality ratio (SMR) = 87, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 85-90). More than expected leukemia deaths occurred in the overall cohort (48 observed/37 expected, SMR = 131, CI = 97-174) and among ever hourly subjects (45/32, SMR = 143, CI = 104-191). The excess was concentrated among ever hourly subjects with 10+ years worked and 20+ years since hire (28/13, SMR = 224, CI = 149-323) and among subjects in polymerization (15/6.0, SMR = 251, CI = 140-414), maintenance labor (13/4.9, SMR = 265, CI = 141-453) and laboratories (10/2.3, SMR = 431, CI = 207-793), three areas with potential for relatively high exposure to BD or STY monomers. Some cohort sub-groups had slight increases in deaths from lymphopoietic cancers other than leukemia, but mortality patterns by race, years worked and process group within the SBR industry did not indicate a causal association with occupational exposures. These results indicate that exposures in the SBR industry cause leukemia.

Butadienes↗

Force distribution across wrist joint: application of pressure-sensitive conductive rubber.

A new pressure-sensitive conductive rubber sensor was used for investigation of the pressure distribution through the radio-ulno-carpal joint. Twelve of these transducers were placed in the radio-ulno-carpal joint. Pressure was measured in seven different wrist positions under loads incrementally increasing from 0 to 12 kg. Half of the sensors showed less than 0.5 MPa, even at maximum load, while a high-pressure area was located palmary in each fossa. The peak pressure measured in the wrist neutral position was 2.4 MPa on the scaphoid fossa, 1.5 MPa on the lunate fossa, and 1.1 MPa on the triangular fibrocartilage with a 10 kg load. The peak pressure ratio between the scaphoid and the lunate was 1.7 in the neutral wrist position. This increased in radial deviation to 2.9 and decreased in ulnar deviation to 0.8. The force-transmission ratio was 50% through the scaphoid fossa, 35% through the lunate fossa, and 15% through the triangular fibrocartilage in the neutral position. The advantage of this sensor is that it is thin and flexible and provides reliable reproducible quasi-instantaneous measurements.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

In vitro mutagenicity of rubber chemicals and their nitrosation products.

14 chemicals employed in rubber manufacture were assayed in the Salmonella reversion test with the strains TA98 and TA100. Mixed diaryl-p-phenylenediamines were weakly mutagenic in TA98 after metabolic activation; poly-p-dinitrosobenzene was active in TA98 without as well as with S9. After in vitro reaction with nitrite at low pH, mixed diaryl-p-phenylenediamines became directly mutagenic in both strains, whereas poly-p-dinitrosobenzene retained its activity unchanged. Furthermore, 4 of the remaining chemicals acquired mutagenic characteristics: in the presence of S9, N,N'-dimethylpentyl-p-phenylenediamine reverted TA98 and hexamethylenetetramine reverted both TA98 and TA100; N-isopropyl-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine was mutagenic in TA98 with and without S9; N-nitrosodiphenylamine was active in both strains without S9 and weakly mutagenic in TA98 after metabolic conversion.

Hydrogen-Ion Concentration↗

1,3-Butadiene and leukemia among synthetic rubber industry workers: exposure-response relationships.

Previous research updated the mortality experience of North American synthetic rubber industry workers during the period 1944-1998, determined if leukemia and other cancers were associated with several employment factors and carried out Poisson regression analysis to examine exposure-response associations between estimated exposure to 1,3-butadiene (BD) or other chemicals and cancer. The present study used Cox regression procedures to examine further the exposure-response relationship between several unlagged and lagged, continuous, time-dependent BD exposure indices (BD parts per million (ppm)-years, the total number of exposures to BD concentrations >100 ppm ("peaks") and average intensity of BD) and leukemia, lymphoid neoplasms and myeloid neoplasms. All three BD exposure indices were associated positively with leukemia. Using continuous, untransformed BD ppm-years the regression coefficient (beta) from an analysis that controlled only for age was 2.9 x 10(-4) (p<0.01); the regression coefficient adjusted for all covariates (age, year of birth, race, plant, years since hire and dimethyldithiocarbamate) was similar in magnitude (beta=3.0 x 10(-4), p=0.04). Lagging exposure had minimal impact on the results for leukemia for any of the three BD exposure indices. In models that controlled only for age, lymphoid neoplasms were associated with BD ppm-years and myeloid neoplasms, with BD peaks, but neither trend was statistically significant after adjusting for multiple covariates. The present results support the presence of a causal relationship between high cumulative exposure and high intensity of exposure to BD and leukemia.

Butadienes↗

[Is there any point to eradicate Phragmanthera capitata parasitizing African rubber trees?].

The effect of Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) Balle, an epiphytic Loranthaceae, on latex production of three clones of rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis (Müll. Arg.), was studied in the industrial plantation of Mitzic, in Gabon. The 22-year-old trees, presenting the largest trunk circumference, were the most parasitized and at the same time the best producers of latex. At first, this would suggest that mistletoe parasitism could have a favourable effect on latex yield. However, an accurate statistical analysis showed that, in fact, parasitism had no significant effect on latex yield. These data, discussed in relation to the biology of flowering parasitic plants, suggest that there is no urgency to eradicate Phragmanthera capitata for the moment.

Climate↗

Kinetic and isotherm studies of Cu(II) adsorption onto H3PO4-activated rubber wood sawdust.

Adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution onto H(3)PO(4)-activated carbon using rubber wood sawdust (RSAC) was investigated in a batch system. Kinetic and isotherm studies were carried out by considering the effects of various parameters, such as initial concentration, contact time, pH, and temperature. The optimal pH value for Cu(II) adsorption onto RSAC was found to be 6.0. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs free energy (DeltaG(0)), standard enthalpy (DeltaH(0)), and standard entropy (DeltaS(0)) were evaluated by applying the Van't Hoff equation. The thermodynamics of Cu(II) adsorption onto RSAC indicates its spontaneous and exothermic nature. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherms were used to analyze the equilibrium data at different temperatures. The Langmuir isotherm fits the experimental data significantly better than the other isotherms. Adsorption kinetics data were tested using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion models. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order reaction. The initial sorption rate, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion rate constants for different initial concentrations were evaluated and discussed. Adsorption mechanism studies revealed that the process was complex and followed both surface adsorption and particle diffusion. The rate-controlling parameter and effective diffusion coefficient were determined using the Reichenberg plot. It was found that the adsorption occurs through film diffusion at low concentrations and at higher concentration the particle diffusion becomes the rate-determining step.

Adsorption↗

Integrated treatment scheme for rubber thread wastewater: sulfide precipitation and biological processes.

In this study, acidic latex wastewater containing high average zinc and acetic contents of 816mgL(-1) and 20,862mgCODL(-1), respectively, was treated successfully by a series of chemical and biological processes without any addition of acid or base for pH adjustment. Total dissolved solids of the treated effluent increased by only 1.1-fold on average for sulfide precipitation as compared to 2.8-fold for the hydroxide strategy. The oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) value of 0mV was used successfully as an indicator for optimum sulfide addition which consistently provided an appreciable reduction in effluent concentrations to less than 1 and 2mgL(-1) for zinc and residual sulfide, respectively. The anaerobic filter was very stable in handling the chemically treated wastewater up to the organic loading rate of 11.8gCODL(-1)day(-1) with an average efficiency of 92%. Methane production and biomass yield were 0.32L(gCOD(removed))(-1) and 0.014gVSS (gCOD(removed))(-1), respectively. For the activated sludge process, the optimum sludge age and hydraulic retention time were 30 and 0.8 days, respectively, which are equivalent to the organic loading rates of 2.50gCODL(-1)day(-1) or 2.13gBODL(-1)day(-1). Under these optimum conditions, average removal efficiencies for COD and BOD were 96.6 and 99.4%. Average soluble COD, BOD and suspended solids in the effluent were 71, 11 and 38mgL(-1), respectively. This integrated treatment scheme was proven to be an effective approach for highly polluted and toxic rubber thread wastewater.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

NMR investigation of gaseous SF6 confinement into EPDM rubber.

The confinement process of gaseous sulphurhexafluoride (SF6) in ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubber was investigated by spectroscopic and spatially resolved NMR techniques. A strong elongation of T1 relaxation time of SF6 and a decrease of the diffusion coefficient were found. A possible explanation may be the strong restriction of molecular mobility due to interactions between SF6 and active centers of the EPDM.

Diffusion↗

FTIR spectra of plasticized grafted natural rubber-LiCF3SO3 electrolytes.

Chemical modification of natural rubber (NR) has frequently been attempted to improve the performance in specific application. 30% poly(methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) grafted into NR (MG30) has been explored as a potential candidate for polymer electrolytes. The complexation effect of salt and plasticizer in polymer host electrolytes had been investigated using FTIR. The carbonyl stretch of MG30 locates at 1729 cm-1, with the addition of lithium trimethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) salt, new band evolves at lower frequency region at 1643-1645 cm-1. The nondegenerate vibrational mode of nus(SO3) of salted electrolytes appearing at 1031-1034 cm-1 comes from 'free' trimethanesulfonate anions and the 1040-1046 cm-1 absorption from the monodentate ion paired with triflates. These indicate MG30-salt interaction. When MG30 and ethylene carbonate (EC) formed film, the CH3 asymmetric bend of MG30 appearing at 1447cm-1 is shifted to 1449 cm-1 in the EC-polymer complex. The CO stretching at 1729 cm-1 also shifted to 1728 cm-1. Hence, the EC-MG30 system is complexed to each other. EC-LiCF3SO3 interactions are indicated by the shifting of CO bending band of EC from 718 cm-1 being shifted to 720 cm-1 in the complex. In Li+-EC interaction where the ring breathing region at 897 cm-1 in EC has shifted to 899 cm-1 in EC-salt spectrum. The band appearing at 1643-1645 cm-1 due to the coordination of Li+<--O-C is still under observation and new peaks at 1779 and 1809 cm-1 are responsible to the carbonyl stretches of EC in plasticized salt-polymer electrolytes.

Diazomethane↗

NMR relaxation dispersion of vulcanized natural rubber.

The dependence of the 1H spin-lattice relaxation time on the magnetic field strength has been determined for linear and cross-linked polyisoprene for Larmor frequencies between 5 kHz and 20 MHz. Universal power-law relations are found for all temperatures and cross-link densities under investigation and are compared to published results of rotating-frame experiments on similar natural rubber samples. The shape of the individual dispersion functions can be superposed into a master curve using appropriate shift factors. While addition of filler particles even at large weight fractions has only a minor effect on the relaxation times, uniaxial deformation and swelling are demonstrated to alter the molecular dynamics significantly.

Butadienes↗

High-density culture of human islets on top of silicone rubber membranes.

Islet culture has emerged as a standard practice prior to clinical transplantation. However, culturing large numbers of islets requires low islet density (number of islets per unit surface area) and, consequently, 20 to 30 flasks per pancreas in order to avoid hypoxia-induced death (HID). There is a need for a simple, practical, small-footprint culture vessel that will accommodate aseptic maintenance of entire human islet isolations while avoiding HID. In this communication, we examine the hypothesis that by improving oxygen transfer through culture of islets on silicone rubber membranes (SRM), we may increase islet surface coverage and reduce the number of flasks required while avoiding HID. Our results demonstrate that islets cultured for up to 48 hours in vessels with SRM bottoms at 2000 to 4000 islet equivalents (IE)/cm(2), a surface coverage 10- to 20-fold higher than the standard culture protocol, displayed no significant loss of viability. In contrast, islets cultured for 48 hours at 4000 IE/cm(2) in flasks with gas-impermeable bottoms suffered a 60% to 70% reduction in viability. The data suggest that it is possible to culture all islets isolated from a human pancreas on SRM in a single, standard-sized vessel while maintaining the same viability as with the current, standard culture protocols that require 20 to 30 flasks. This approach may lead to substantial improvements in islet culture for research and clinical transplantation.

Cell Culture Techniques↗

Cytogenetic damage in lymphocytes of rubber industry workers.

Cytogenetic investigations were conducted in workers who are occupationally exposed to rubber chemicals such as tetramethylthiuram disulfide, zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate, and tetraethylthiuram disulfide using lymphocytes of peripheral blood. A significant increase in the frequency of chromosomal breaks and gaps was recorded regardless of the duration of exposure to these chemicals.

Air Pollutants↗

Development and validation of a capillary electrophoresis method for the measurement of short-chain organic acids in natural rubber latex.

Short-chain organic acid contents in serum of natural latex are interesting to measure and capillary electrophoresis (CE) has proved to be a good tool for their study. In the present work a method has been developed to identify the short-chain organic acids present in sera of natural rubber latex (oxalic, formic, fumaric, aconitic, succinic, malic, glutaric, citric, acetic, glycollic, propionic and quinic acids), the separation was optimised and the quantification method validated. The separation was performed on a CE system with UV detection at 200 nm. The separation was carried out with an uncoated fused-silica capillary (57 cm x 50 microm I.D.) and was operated at -10 kV potential. The separation buffers were prepared with 0.5 M H3PO4, 0.5 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and pH adjusted by adding NaOH to 6.25 except for propionic acid which was better measured at pH 7.00. Validation parameters are adequate and limits of detection range from 0.005 mM to 1.6 mM. Short-chain organic acids were measured with this method in sera of three different types of latex.

Acids↗

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric characterisation of amiton and the recovery of amiton from concrete, paint, rubber and soil matrices.

Amiton [O,O-diethyl S-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl] phosphorothiolate], is an organophosphorus chemical included in Schedule 2 of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Verification provisions under the CWC rely on the existence of a database of analytical information for scheduled chemicals and related compounds. Little analytical information is available for amiton. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterisation of amiton and its typical impurities (including by-products and degradation products), supported by selective GC detection and 31P NMR data, was undertaken. Twenty-one compounds, including a by-product unique to amiton from an industrial source, were identified. Involatile degradation products of amiton were derivatised to enable their identification by GC-MS. The recovery of amiton from matrices that may be expected in an inspection scenario (i.e. concrete, paint, rubber and soil) was also examined. Paint and concrete matrices were the most useful matrices for the detection of amiton, and its by-products and degradation products. Amiton was readily detected in these matrices after 28 days.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗

A lectin from the bark of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis).

A protein isolated and purified from extracts of bark strips from mature rubber (Hevea brasilinsis) agglutinated erythrocytes from rabbits and all human blood types except AB. No agglutination was detected with erythrocytes from sheep, rates or mice. Proteolytic treatment of Hevea bark lectin (HBL) abolished haemagglutinin activity. The M(r) determined by SDS-PAGE was 40 k and that estimated from gel filtration was 140 k. Fetuin, asialofetuin, bovine submaxillary mucin and asialosubmaxillary mucin inhibited HBL-induced agglutination of rabbit erythrocytes. The HBL showed maximum haemagglutination activity over the pH range 4.5-9.5 and heat stability up to 60 degrees.

ABO Blood-Group System↗