Health Consequences Of Benzene Exposure Among Children Following a Flaring Incident At Petroleum Refinery In Texas City

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4667-4667
Author(s):  
Mark D'Andrea ◽  
Ajay Mitter ◽  
G. Kesava Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Petroleum Refinery ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
British Petroleum ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Altered Blood ◽  
Symptom Complaints ◽  
Texas City ◽  
Blood Profiles

Objective Human exposure to benzene is associated with multiple adverse health effects leading to hematological malignancies. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the health consequences of benzene and other toxic chemical exposure in children following a flaring incident at the British petroleum refinery in the Texas City, Texas. Methods The study included children aged < 17 years who had been exposed and unexposed to benzene due to a flaring incident at the British petroleum refinery facility. Using medical charts, clinical data including white blood cell (WBC) counts, platelets counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN,) creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and somatic symptom complaints by the children exposed to benzene were reviewed and analyzed. Results A total of 312 subjects (benzene exposed, n=157 and unexposed, n=155) were included. Hematologic analysis showed that WBC counts were significantly decreased in benzene exposed children compared with the unexposed children (6.8 ± 2.1 versus 7.3 ± 1.7, P=0.022). Conversely, platelet (X 103 per µL) counts were increased significantly in the benzene exposed group compared with the unexposed group (278.4 ± 59.9 versus 261.6 ± 51.7, P=0.005). Similarly, benzene exposed children had significantly higher levels of ALP (183.7± 95.6 versus 165 ± 70.3 IU/L, P=0.04), AST (23.6 ± 15.3versus 20.5 ± 5.5 IU/L, P = 0.015), and ALT (19.2 ± 7.8 versus 16.9 ± 6.9 IU/L, P=0.005) compared with the unexposed children. Conclusion Together, the results of the study reveal that children exposed to benzene experienced significantly altered blood profiles, liver enzymes and somatic symptoms indicating that children exposed to benzene are at a higher risk of developing hepatic or blood related disorders. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Health Risks Among Adults after a Prolonged Flaring Incident at the British Petroleum Plant in Texas City

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5981-5981
Author(s):  
Mark D'Andrea ◽  
Ajay Mitter ◽  
G. Kesava Reddy
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
British Petroleum ◽  
Benzene Exposure ◽  
Hematopoietic Malignancies ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Liver Markers ◽  
Texas City

Abstract Objective: Human exposure to benzene is associated with multiple adverse health effects including hematopoietic malignancies, respiratory irritation, and immune system alterations and central nervous system abnormalities. The purpose of this study is to examine health effects of a benzene exposure among adult subjects from a prolonged flaring incident at the British petroleum (BP) refinery in the Texas City, Texas. Methods: The study included adults aged 18 years or older who had been exposed and unexposed to benzene. Using medical charts, clinical data including white blood cells (WBC), platelets, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) in adults exposed to benzene were reviewed and analyzed and compared with unexposed adults. Results: A total of 2213 adult subjects (benzene exposed, n=1826 and unexposed, n=387) were included. Benzene exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of WBC (X 103 per µL) counts (7.9±2.3 versus 6.8±1.6, P=0.0000) and platelet (X 103 per µL) counts (270.8±60.9 versus 242.5±53.7, P=0.0.0000) compared with the unexposed subjects. The mean serum creatinine levels (mg/dL) were also significantly increased in the benzene exposed group compared with the unexposed group (1.0 ±0.2 versus 0.8±0.2, P=0.000). Serum levels of ALP (IU/L) was significantly elevated in the benzene exposed subjects compared with the unexposed subjects (82.1±15.6 versus 71.8±8.2, P=0.000). Similarly, benzene exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of AST and ALT compared with those unexposed to benzene. Conclusion: Together, the results of the study reveal that Benzene exposure from the prolonged BP flaring incident caused significant alterations in their hematological and liver markers indicating that adult subjects exposed to benzene may be at a higher risk of developing hepatic or blood related disorders. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Health consequences of involuntary exposure to benzene following a flaring incident at British Petroleum refinery in Texas City

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 169-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A. D’Andrea, MD, FACRO ◽  
Omesh Singh, DO ◽  
G. Kesava Reddy, PhD, MHA
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
British Petroleum ◽  
Benzene Exposure ◽  
Aspartate Amino Transferase ◽  
Specific Alteration ◽  
Significant Health ◽  
Texas City

Objective: Environmental exposure to benzene can lead to deleterious effects on many biological systems including blood-forming organs, liver, and kidneys. The authors sought to investigate the health consequences of benzene exposure following a flaring incident that occurred at the British Petroleum (BP) refinery in Texas City, TX.Subjects and participants: A cohort of subjects who were exposed to a daily sustained release of toxic chemicals including more than 7,711 kg (17,000 lb) of benzene for a total duration of 40 days due to BP’s flaring incident.Interventions: Not applicable to an observational study.Methods: Subjects who underwent physical and clinical evaluation between June 2010 and October 2012 were included. Demographic and clinical laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Hematologic data such as white blood cell (WBC) counts, platelet counts, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine levels in the serum were evaluated. In addition, data on alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), and alanine amino transferase (ALT) levels in the serum were examined. Urinary phenol was evaluated as a benzene metabolite. The outcomes were compared between exposed and unexposed patients.Results: A total of 200 subjects (benzene exposed, n = 100 and unexposed, n = 100) were included. Benzene exposed subjects showed significantly higher levels of WBC (×103 per μL) count (8.6 ± 5.4 vs 6.5 ± 2.0, p = 0.0003) and platelet (×103 per μL) count (291.3 ± 82.7 vs 264.1 ± 74.0, p = 0.0076) compared with the unexposed subjects. ALP (IU/L) was significantly elevated in the benzene exposed subjects compared with the unexposed subjects (121.2 ± 73.7 vs 65.4 ± 23.6, p = 0.000). Similarly, benzene exposed subjects had significantly higher levels of AST (IU/L) compared with unexposed subjects (23.4 ± 11.8 vs 19.5 ± 8.9, p = 0.0089).Conclusion: This retrospective pilot study found that environmental benzene exposure from the BP’s flaring incident appears to pose significant health risks including specific alteration of blood cells and liver enzymes, indicating that subjects exposed to benzene may be at a higher risk of developing hepatic or blood related disorders.

Impression management and legitimacy strategies: The BP case

2013 ◽  
pp. 35-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna Michelon
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
British Petroleum ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Disclosure Tone ◽  
The Empirical Analysis ◽  
A Company ◽  
Texas City

The aim of this paper is to study if and how impression management varies during different phases of the legitimation process, in particular during the legitimacy building and legitimacy repairing phases (Suchman, 1995). We aim at understanding whether and how the disclosure tone adopted by a company in the two different moments is diverse and thus functional to the intrinsic objective of the each phase. The empirical analysis focuses on the case of British Petroleum Plc. We investigated the impression management practices undertaken by the company both during the preparation of the rebranding operation, i.e. a situation in which the company is trying to build legitimacy; and during the happenings of two legitimacy crises, like the explosion of the refinery in Texas City and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The evidence appears in line with the theoretical prediction of legitimacy theory. Results show that while the company tends to privilege image enhancement techniques during the legitimacy-building phase, it uses more obfuscation techniques when managing a legitimacy-repairing process. Moreover, the analysis suggests that the company makes more extensive use of impression management techniques in the disclosures addressed to shareholders, investors and other market operators than in the disclosures addressed to the wide range of other stakeholders.

scholarly journals Indoor Tanning within UK Young Adults: An Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna J. Dodd ◽  
Mark J. Forshaw ◽  
Stella Williams
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Indoor Tanning ◽  
Health Consequences ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Perceived Susceptibility ◽  
Extended Theory ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
A Current

The indoor tanning industry poses a long-term public health risk. Despite the adverse health effects, indoor tanning seems to be gaining considerable popularity. The study examined indoor tanning intentions and behaviour within UK young adults using an extended theory of planned behaviour model, which included variables on “appearance reasons to tan,” “perceived susceptibility to damaging appearance,” “perceived susceptibility to health consequences,” and “tanning knowledge.” The model was successful in predicting indoor tanning intentions and behaviour (explained 17% and 71%, resp.). An interesting outcome was the magnitude of the variable “appearance reasons to tan.” A current tanned appearance therefore seemed to outweigh any adverse future appearance or health consequences caused by indoor tanning. Appearance-focused interventions to reduce such behaviour may now prove to be efficacious within a UK sample.

scholarly journals Surveying the Chemical Anthropocene

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-202
Author(s):  
Yogi Hale Hendlin
Keyword(s):  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Costs And Benefits ◽  
Toxic Chemical ◽  
Chemical Safety ◽  
Social Fabric ◽  
Sociotechnical Imaginaries ◽  
Financial Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Safety Assessments

Faced with the non-optional acceptance of toxic chemical artifacts, the ubiquitous interweaving of chemicals in our social fabric oft en exists out of sight and out of mind. Yet, for many, toxic exposures signal life-changing or life-ending events, phantom threats that fail to appear as such until they become too late to mitigate. Assessments of toxicological risk consist of what Sheila Jasanoff calls “sociotechnical imaginaries,” arbitrations between calculated costs and benefits, known risks and scientifically wrought justifications of safety. Prevalent financial conflicts of interest and the socially determined hazards posed by chemical exposure suggest that chemical safety assessments and regulations are a form of postnormal science. Focusing on the histories of risk assessments of pesticides such as DDT, atrazine, PFAS, and glyphosate, this article critically reviews Michel Serres’s notion of “appropriation by contamination.”

scholarly journals Surgical Team Exposure to Cautery Smoke and Its Mitigation during Tonsillectomy

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (3) ◽  
pp. 508-516
Author(s):  
Daniel C. O’Brien ◽  
Eun Gyung Lee ◽  
Jhy-Charm Soo ◽  
Sherri Friend ◽  
Sarah Callaham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Chloride ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Breathing Zone ◽  
Surgical Smoke ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Exposure Limit ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Prospective Case Series

Objectives To assess the exposure of surgical personnel to known carcinogens during pediatric tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) and compare the efficacy of surgical smoke evacuation systems during T&A. Study Design Prospective, case series. Setting Tertiary children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods The present study assessed operating room workers’ exposure to chemical compounds and aerosolized particulates generated during T&A. We also investigated the effect of 3 different smoke-controlling methods: smoke-evacuator pencil cautery (SE), cautery with suction held by an assistant (SA), and cautery without suction (NS). Results Thirty cases were included: 12 in the SE group, 9 in SA, and 9 in NS. The chemical exposure levels were lower than or similar to baseline background concentrations, with the exception of methylene chloride and acetaldehyde. Within the surgical plume, none of the chemical compounds exceeded the corresponding occupational exposure limit (OEL). The mean particulate number concentration in the breathing zone during tonsillectomy was 508 particles/cm3 for SE compared to 1661 particles/cm3 for SA and 8208 particles/cm3 for NS cases. NS was significantly different compared to the other two methods ( P = .0009). Conclusions Although the exposure levels to chemicals were considerably lower than the OELs, continuous exposures to these chemicals could cause adverse health effects to surgical personnel. These findings suggest that the use of a smoke-evacuator pencil cautery or an attentive assistant with handheld suction would reduce exposure levels to the aerosolized particles during routine T&A, compared to the use of cautery without suction.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Monoclonal Proteinemia in Thai Population.

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 114 (22) ◽  
pp. 1416-1416
Author(s):  
Phandee Watanaboonyongcharoen ◽  
Thanyaphong Na Nakorn ◽  
Ponlapat Rojnuckarin ◽  
Panisinee Lawasut ◽  
Tanin Intragumtornchai
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Conflicts Of Interest ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Blood Chemistry ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Thai Population ◽  
History Of

Abstract Abstract 1416 Poster Board I-439 Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is associated with progression to multiple myeloma and related hematologic malignancies at the rate of 1% per year in western population. Reliable information on prevalence, risk factors and natural history of MGUS in general population are necessary for designing an early detection strategy for myeloma in Thailand. Patients and methods: The study was performed in subjects, 50 years of age or older, in Bangkok, one nearby province and 2 remote provinces of Thailand. The demographic data and suspected risk factor history were collected by questionnaires. Complete blood count as well as blood chemistry were done to exclude underlying hematologic and/or systemic conditions. Serum monoclonal proteins were detected using high-resolution gel electrophoresis. Results: Serum samples were obtained from 3,261 participants. There were 1,105 males (33.9%) and 2,156 females (66.1%). The median age was 57. Abnormal protein electrophoresis findings were detected in 76 samples (prevalence 2.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8% - 2.8%) showing small M-spikes at gamma-globulin region in 50 (1.5%) or at beta-globulin region in 25 (0.8%) or hypogammaglobulinemia in 1 case (0.03%). The prevalence of MGUS in subjects less than 60, 60-69 and 70 yrs or more was 2.0% (41/1975), 2.6% (22/851) and 3.0% (13/435), respectively. Using multivariate analysis, presence of MGUS was strongly associated with history of drug abuse (odd ratio 4.63, 95%CI 1.14-22.08) and current residences outside Bangkok (odd ratio 2.30, 95%CI 1.18-4.79). Radiation and chemical exposure, hair and nail-coloring products and pesticides were not statistically significant risk factors in our population. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of MGUS in Thai population was 2.3%, lower than those of western countries but comparable to what reported from Japan and Taiwan. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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