The authors used indirect immunofluorescence to examine the association of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) with exposure to asbestos among 61 asbestos-exposed patients (mean exposure = 24.6 yr) and 39 nonexposed controls. ANCA positivity was detected significantly more frequently (p = 0.034) in the asbestos-exposed group (21.3%) than in the control group (5.1%). ANCA-associated diseases did not occur more frequently among subjects exposed previously to asbestos than among unexposed controls. These findings confirmed that exposure to asbestos is another occupational factor, as is silica exposure, that is associated with ANCA positivity. The influence of asbestos appears stronger than that of silica because ANCA positivity was found among subjects who had histories of exposure to asbestos but who did not exhibit typical radiographic signs of asbestosis on their chest x-rays. Additional stimuli may be necessary to induce systemic vasculitis in asbestos-exposed persons.
- MeSH
- Autoantibodies blood MeSH
- Diabetes Mellitus chemistry MeSH
- Research Support as Topic MeSH
- Glutamate Decarboxylase immunology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Occupational Diseases epidemiology chemistry MeSH
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls analysis immunology MeSH
- Occupational Exposure adverse effects MeSH
- Xenobiotics poisoning MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Occupational Exposure analysis MeSH
- Mutagenicity Tests methods MeSH
- Toluene adverse effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Comparative Study MeSH
The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether pulmonary function in children who were lifetime residents of the highly polluted district of Teplice in northern Bohemia was lower than that for children who were lifetime residents of the cleaner district of Prachatice in southern Bohemia. Forced expiratory spirometry was measured twice (February/March and April) in approximately 235 eighth-grade students in each district. On both testing occasions, height-adjusted forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% forced vital capacity were significantly lower (p < .001) in children from Teplice than in those from Prachatice. These differences were not associated with parental smoking habits, presence of pets, heating/cooking fuels, private home/apartment residency, or rural/urban residency. In Teplice, no differences were observed between lung functions measured at the end of the high pollution season (February/March) and those measured after the children breathed much cleaner air for a 4-wk period (April). This result was suggestive of a condition of chronically depressed lung function. No differences across times were observed in Prachatice, indicating that our measurements were reliable.
- MeSH
- Analysis of Variance MeSH
- Air Pollutants adverse effects MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Lung drug effects MeSH
- Respiratory Function Tests MeSH
- Seasons MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
Past reports have correlated a diagnosis of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) with exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Re-examination of the literature, however, has caused us to question the conclusion of a relationship between acquired PCT and TCDD. The major considerations at issue were: (1) whether the diagnostic label of PCT was applied excessively to cases with findings that are nonspecific; (2) whether the clinical conditions suggestive of PCT were the likely results of exposure to another chemical, for example hexachlorobenzene (HCB); and (3) whether a causal link between PCT and TCDD is reasonably substantiated by the facts. Based on the re-evaluation of the literature, the known effects of HCB and TCDD, and the follow-up results from the chemical plant, we submit that HCB alone, or HCB in combination with other polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, may have been responsible for the effects observed and the subsequent correlation to PCT.
- MeSH
- Dioxins poisoning MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Skin Diseases chemically induced epidemiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Occupational Diseases chemically induced epidemiology MeSH
- Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins poisoning MeSH
- Porphyrias chemically induced epidemiology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Case Reports MeSH
- Review MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czechoslovakia MeSH
- New Jersey MeSH
