Removing Pesticides from the Hands with a Simple Washing Procedure Using Soap and Water

Objective:To assess California firefighters' blood concentrations of selected chemicals and compare with a representative US population.Methods:We report laboratory methods and analytic results for cadmium, lead, mercury, and manganese in whole blood and 12 serum perfluorinated chemicals in a sample of 101 Southern California firefighters.Results:Firefighters' blood metal concentrations were all similar to or lower than the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) values, except for six participants whose mercury concentrations (range: 9.79 to 13.42 μg/L) were close to or higher than the NHANES reporting threshold of 10 μg/L. Perfluorodecanoic acid concentrations were elevated compared with NHANES and other firefighter studies.Conclusions:Perfluorodecanoic acid concentrations were three times higher in this firefighter group than in NHANES adult males. Firefighters may have unidentified sources of occupational exposure to perfluorinated chemicals.

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“…Handwashing has been reported to be an effective method of reducing potential chemical exposure among other occupation groups. 55 , 56 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomonitoring in California Firefighters

Dobraca

Israël

McNeel

et al. 2015

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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“…After title and abstract screening of 3017 studies and full‐text review of 51 studies, 10 met eligibility criteria and were included, representing 18 chemical contaminants, and 199 participants (Figure 1, Table 1) (Aoki et al, 2019; Curwin et al, 2003; Fenske et al, 1998; Fenske & Lu, 1994; Lin et al, 2012; Marquart et al, 2002; Moffett et al, 2010; Maibach & Feldmann, 1975; Stahlman et al, 2012; Southworthet al, 2020). Several studies used multiple decontamination protocols leading to 351 total decontamination outcomes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Marquart et al (2002) evaluated pesticide decontamination in three studies (total decontamination outcomes: 84). The first used the contaminant propoxur (2‐isopropoxyphenyl‐ N ‐methylcarbamate), applied to the hands by occupational harvesting tasks (sample size: 24; age: NR; sex: NR; occupation: NR).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy of water skin decontamination in vivo in humans: A systematic review

Kashetsky

Law

Maibach

2021

J of Applied Toxicology

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With the constant possibility of occupational exposures, chemical warfare, and targeted attacks, increased attention has been given to determining effective and timely dermal decontamination strategies. This systematic review summarises experimental studies reporting decontamination with water‐based solutions of dermal chemical contaminants with in vivo human data. Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched using search terms (“cutaneous” or “skin” or “dermal” or “percutaneous”) and (“decontamination” or “decontaminant” or “skin decontamination”) to include 10 studies, representing 18 chemical contaminants, 199 participants, and 351 decontamination outcomes. Three studies included data from decontamination with water (10.8%, n = 38/351 decontamination outcomes), seven with soap and water (68.4%, n = 240/351 decontamination outcomes), and two with 10% isopropanol distilled water (20.8%, n = 73/351 decontamination outcomes). Results of dermal decontamination using water showed complete decontamination (CD) outcomes in 52.6% (n = 20/38) and partial decontamination (PD) in 47.4% (n = 18/38); using soap and water showed PD outcomes in 92.9% (n = 223/240) and minimal to no effect in 7.1% (n = 17/240); and using 10% isopropanol distilled water achieved PD outcomes in 100.0% (n = 73/73). Available data show that decontamination with water, soap and water, and 10% isopropanol distilled water is incomplete. Much remains to be learned about decontamination of the large variety of chemical contaminants including a range of molecular weights, lipid and water solubilities, melting points, volatility, and hydrogen bonds, as well as clinically relevant anatomic sites. A major void exists in data confirming or denying the completeness of decontamination by measuring absorption and excretion. The development of effective decontamination solutions is of high priority.

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“…This sampling technique consists in hand washing with an appropriate solvent at the end of the work shift and after that gloves have been removed. In particular, 250 mL of 50% ethanol solution have been directly poured on the operators' hands and recollected in a specific container, after some rubbings (“pouring method”) [ 5 – 7 ]. The ethanol has been chosen as solvent given its low skin toxicity and its capability to remove even small amounts of not solubilized pollutants by mechanical action.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determination of Glucocorticoids in UPLC-MS in Environmental Samples from an Occupational Setting

Oddone

Negri

Bellinzona

et al. 2015

International Journal of Analytical Chemistry

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Occupational exposures to glucocorticoids are still a neglected issue in some work environments, including pharmaceutical plants. We developed an analytical method to quantify simultaneously 21 glucocorticoids using UPLC coupled with mass spectrometry to provide a basis to carry out environmental monitoring. Samples were taken from air, hand-washing tests, pad-tests and wipe-tests. This paper reports the contents of the analytical methodology, along with the results of this extensive environmental and personal monitoring of glucocorticoids. The method in UPLC-MS turned out to be suitable and effective for the aim of the study. Wipe-test and pad-test desorption was carried out using 50 mL syringes, a simple technique that saves time without adversely affecting analyte recovery. Results showed a widespread environmental pollution due to glucocorticoids. This is of particular concern. Evaluation of the dose absorbed by each worker and identification of a biomarker for occupational exposure will contribute to assessment and prevention of occupational exposure.

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Removing Pesticides from the Hands with a Simple Washing Procedure Using Soap and Water

Cited by 14 publications

References 17 publications

Biomonitoring in California Firefighters

Biomonitoring in California Firefighters

Efficacy of water skin decontamination in vivo in humans: A systematic review

Determination of Glucocorticoids in UPLC-MS in Environmental Samples from an Occupational Setting

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