Brominated flame retardants have come into common use in the United States during the past 3 decades. This study reports levels of polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in blood from the U.S. population at the present time and 30 years previously and also current human milk levels. This is also the first study to report measured congeners and dioxin toxic equivalents (TEQs) of dioxins, dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from archived, 1973, blood and compare them with current levels. The findings indicate there have been significant changes in levels of each class of these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in U.S. human blood. Although dioxin, dibenzofuran, and PCB levels are markedly higher in the 1973 blood, the opposite is true for PBDEs. Furthermore, unlike dioxins, dibenzofurans, and PCBs, which increase with age, there was no significant correlation found in our study between PBDE levels and age. Current total PBDE levels in U.S. blood are the highest reported worldwide to date, with 2 pooled samples (N = 100 each) measuring 61.7 and 79.7 parts per billion (ppb) lipid, and in a series of 39 individual analyses, the range was 4.6 to 365.5 ppb with a median of 29 ppb and a mean of 52.6 ppb. The median for women in this study was 43.3 ppb, and for men it was 25.1 ppb. Although women have a higher level of PBDEs in blood than men, in our study, this is not statistically significant. Blood levels are similar to levels in U.S. human milk from 59 women, 6.2 to 418.8 ppb lipid. Levels of PBDE in pooled 2003 serum are far higher at 61.7 ppb than in 1973 archived pooled serum in which almost no PBDEs were quantified, although the estimated level using half the detection limit for nondetects was 0.77 ppb. Although no human health studies have been conducted on PBDEs, they are of concern because in vivo and in vitro animal studies show nervous system, reproductive, developmental, and endocrine effects, as well as cancer in high-dose studies.

Gentamicin blood levels were monitored in 86 patients. Twenty-one patients had valley levels over 2 ,ig/ml and 36% of these patients developed abnormal serum creatinine or a further rise in creatinine. No patient had a rise in creatinine without a valley level over 2. The peak levels in patients with valleys over 2 were above 10 ug/ml in only one case, whereas four patients had peaks over 10 4g/ml without nephrotoxicity. The mean peak blood levels in patients with a normal creatinine were dose related. An initial dose of 2.0, 1.5, and 1.3 or less mpk (mg/kg) yielded mean peak blood levels of 5.2, 4.7, and 3.7, respectively. To assure an initial peak blood level over 4 ug/ml a loading dose of 2 mpk was required. A rise in peak and valley levels during therapy appeared dose related, being observed in all patients treated with 4.5 mpk daily but not in those receiving 3.0 mpk daily. A radioenzymatic assay was used to validate the standard agar diffusion assay method. The results from the two assays were statistically identical. Valley blood levels of gentamicin may be useful for predicting accumulation of gentamicin which in tum may be correlated with early renal impairment before potentially toxic serum levels of gentamicin develop.

Background: This is a community comparison study that examines persons living in a subdivision exposed to petroleum products and mercury.

Serious health effects due to perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) exposure are suspected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the health status of nearby residents, with prolonged exposure to PFOA in their drinking water. A population of 566 white residents who were plaintiffs or potential plaintiffs in a lawsuit was evaluated by questionnaire for health history and symptoms. Standardized Prevalence Ratios were estimated using National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) data files for comparison rates. The exposed subjects reported statistically significant greater prevalence of angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke (SPR=8.07, 95% C.I.=6.54-9.95; SPR=1.91, 95% C.I.=1.40-2.62, and SPR=2.17, 95% C.I.=1.47-3.21, respectively), chronic bronchitis, shortness of breath on stairs, asthma (SPR=3.60, 95% C.I.=2.92-4.44; SPR=2.05, 95% C.I.=1.70-2.46; SPR=1.82, 95% C.I.=1.47-2.25, respectively), and other serious health problems. The increased prevalence of adverse health effects may be due to PFOA. Further study is needed.

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Hypothalamic follicle stimulating hormone releasing factor (FSHRF) content, pituitary and plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations have been determined in female rats between 5 and 75 days of age. FSHRF was present by at least 10 days of age and at levels that exceeded those observed at any age thereafter. No fluctuations in FSHRF were detected during the estrous cycle. Plasma FSH levels determined by radioimmunoassay increased threefold between 5 and 15 days of age, at which time, values were approximately 1,300 ng/ml. At no other age were levels of this magnitude observed. During the estrous cycle, values ranged between 136 and 261 ng/ml, with the lowest during the morning of proestrus and the highest, the morning of estrus. Pituitary FSH stores during the cycle determined by bioassay were 16.5 (proestrus), 19.5 (estrus), 22.8 (metestrus), and 21.2 µg (diestrus) per pituitary. Neural regulation of FSH secretion exists by at least 10 days of age in the female rat. FSH secretion decreases between 15 days of age and puberty, and fluctuates at least twofold during the adult cycle.

There is increasing evidence of permanent sequalae from acute organophosphate poisoning. We report on accidental diazinon overexposure with acute organophosphate poisoning through cutaneous absorption and inhalation followed by persistent neurological effects. In addition, we observed skeletal and endocrine effects likely attributable to the diazinon poisoning. A family of seven was exposed to diazinon in June 1999 over a two-day period. The pesticide company mistakenly used diazinon to heavily spray the inside of the home instead of permethrin. The applicator applied the pesticide over the entire surface of the floor, carpeting, furniture, and clothing in closets to eradicate an infestation of fleas. Acute symptoms in the family members included headaches, nausea, skin irritation, runny nose, and vomiting. The family was first evaluated at 3 months and then 3 years after the acute poisoning. There were persisting neurological symptoms of memory loss, decreased concentration, irritability, and personality changes of varying degrees in all family members. Objective neurological findings of impaired balance, reaction time, color vision, slotted pegboards and trials making were present in the three older children who could be tested. Neuropsychological evaluation revealed evidence of organic brain dysfunction in all seven family members. Bone growth difficulties are present in four of five children. One child has delayed menarche.

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