Tissue Burdens of Toxic Pollutants

Roberts, Dean W.

doi:10.1001/jama.1982.03320400054036

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…Molecule for molecule, PBB is 5 to 10 times more potent than PCB (Ches, 1977;Reich, 1983). PCB has been recognized as a contaminant within the environment, within the food we eat, and within humans as well (Edelstein, 1984b;Katz, 1981;Roberts, 1982;Schwarts, Jacobson, Fein, Jacobson, & Price, 1983). Although the manufacture of PCB was banned by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1979 (Drotman, Baxter, Liddle, Brokopp, & Skinner, 1983), it has been in use since 1929 and has been found virtually everywhere on earth, even in polar bears in the Arctic.…”

Section: Appraisalmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies on animals have suggested that effects of PCB ex-posure include miscarriage; birth defects; cancer; suppression of the immune system; halogen acne; liver toxicity; and chronic system toxicity characterized by lassitude, anorexia, and irritability (Chanda et al, 1982). The most dramatic example of human health problems resulting from PCB poisoning occurred in Japan in 1968 when rice oil was accidentally contaminated, causing illness in approximately 1 ,OOO people (Chanda et al, 1982; Roberts, 1982).…”

Section: Appraisalmentioning

confidence: 99%

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PBB: An environmental contaminant in michigan

Webb

1989

J. Community Psychol.

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The accidental introduction of the fire retardant polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) into the food chain of Michigan in 1973 provides an example of an insidious, slowly developing, and still continuing technological catastrophe. Hartsough's transactional model of natural disasters is utilized to provide a conceptual framework to describe the psychological effects of the PBB crisis. Following this model, the event (toxic chemicals within the food chain) led to the quarantine of 576 farms, destruction of millions of animals and dairy products, and losses in the range of $100–$200 million. Appraisal was slow and continued for years. Stresses were created both by the event and by public response to the event. Traditional community systems provided little assistance in coping, and political action was required before services were provided. In spite of a high prevalence of depressive symptoms and somatic complaints, research results regarding psychological and physical effects of PBB poisoning have been equivocal and, at times, contradictory. Hartsough's model points to possible intervention points that may have improved the response to the event and yielded fewer negative outcomes for the victims. Suggestions are offered to improve the model for application to future technological catastrophes.

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Section: Appraisalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Appraisalmentioning

confidence: 99%

PBB: An environmental contaminant in michigan

Webb

1989

J. Community Psychol.

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Leber und Umweltgifte

1985

Klin Wochenschr

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For almost a century now numerous examples of acute and subacute hepatic injury from exposure to toxic agents in the occupational or non-occupational environment have been extensively studied and are well documented, but such events are comparatively rare. In contrast, epidemiological data associating exposure to environmental chemicals with chronic liver disease or primary hepatic malignancies in the human is scarce as compared with the vast body of literature concerning chronic pulmonary disease as a consequence of exposure at the workplace. Large-scale industrial production of many newly synthesized organic chemicals began during the period 1930-1940 but it was not until the 1960s that the output increased exponentially. Consequently, the spectrum of environmental influences is gaining increasing complexity since simultaneous or sequential exposure to a variety of pollutants is becoming the rule rather than the exception. Possible interaction or synergism of environmental agents--even of those which in themselves or for their low dosage level may be considered "harmless" - and particularly latency periods of more than one decade further complicate preventive strategies. The liver, as the central site for the biotransformation of xenobiotics, deserves special attention when new chemicals which are to be introduced into the environment are being tested for their potential toxicity, especially since many hepatotoxic agents have been shown to undergo bioactivation in the liver. Currently available information on hepatic injury due to environmental agents is briefly reviewed and comprises solvents and degreasing agents, pesticides, polyhalogenated biphenyls, dioxins and dibenzofuranes, epoxy resin hardeners, vinyl chloride, naturally occurring hepatotoxins in plants and fungi, herbal medicines and traditional remedies and a side-light on the Reye syndrome and the Spanish "toxic oil syndrome".

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Unmetabolisable polyhalogenated compounds: Implications for mammalian and other vertebrate species

Jondorf

1983

Vet Res Commun

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Tissue Burdens of Toxic Pollutants

Cited by 5 publications

References 3 publications

PBB: An environmental contaminant in michigan

PBB: An environmental contaminant in michigan

Leber und Umweltgifte

Unmetabolisable polyhalogenated compounds: Implications for mammalian and other vertebrate species

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