35. Using National Allergy Beureau Guidelines as Action Levels for Airborne Mold Exposure Concentrations

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Brounstein
Keyword(s):  
2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristjen B. Lundberg ◽  
Lawrence J. Sanna ◽  
Craig D. Parks ◽  
Edward C. Chang

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Haedrich ◽  
Claudia Stumpf ◽  
Michael S. Denison

Abstract Background Low maximum and action levels set by the European Union for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) in pig meat (pork) have led to a demand for reliable and cost-effective bioanalytical screening methods implemented upstream of gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry confirmatory technology, that can detect low levels of contamination in EU-regulated foods with quick turn-around times. Results Based on the Chemically Activated LUciferase gene eXpression (CALUX) bioassay, extraction and clean-up steps were optimized for recovery and reproducibility within working ranges significantly lower than in current bioassays. A highly sensitive “3rd generation” recombinant rat hepatoma cell line (H4L7.5c2) containing 20 dioxin responsive elements was exposed to pork sample extracts, and their PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs levels were evaluated by measuring luciferase activity. The method was validated according to the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/644 of 5 April 2017 with spiking experiments performed selectively for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs and individual calibration for PCDD/Fs, DL-PCBs and the calculated sum of PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs. The resulting performance parameters met all legal specifications as confirmed by re-calibration using authentic samples. Cut-off concentrations for assessing compliance with low maximum levels and action levels set for PCDD/Fs and DL-PCBs within a range of 0.50–1.25 pg WHO-TEQ/g fat were derived, ensuring low rates of false-compliant results (ß-error < 1%) and keeping the rate of false-noncompliant results well under control (α-error < 12%). Conclusions We present a fast and efficient bioanalytical routine method validated according to the European Union’s legal requirements on the basis of authentic samples, allowing the analyst to reliably identify pork samples and any other EU-regulated foods of animal origin suspected to be noncompliant with a high level of performance and turn-around times of 52 h. This was facilitated in particular by a quick and efficient extraction step followed by selective clean-up, use of a highly sensitive “3rd generation” H4L7.5c2 recombinant rat hepatoma cell CALUX bioassay, and optimized assay performance with improved calibrator precision and reduced lack-of-fit errors. New restrictions are proposed for the calibrator bias and the unspecific background contribution to reportable results. The procedure can utilize comparably small sample amounts and allows an annual throughput of 840–1000 samples per lab technician. The described bioanalytical method contributes to the European Commission's objective of generating accurate and reproducible analytical results according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/644 across the European Union.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Li Hua ◽  
Quan-Hua Liu ◽  
Shu-Yuan Chu ◽  
Yue-Xin Gan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background A number of studies have examined the association between mold exposure and childhood asthma. However, the conclusions were inconsistent, which might be partly attributable to the lack of consideration of gene function, especially the key genes affecting the pathogenesis of childhood asthma. Research on the interactions between genes and mold exposure on childhood asthma is still very limited. We therefore examined whether there is an interaction between inflammation-related genes and mold exposure on childhood asthma. Methods A case–control study with 645 asthmatic children and 910 non-asthmatic children aged 3–12 years old was conducted. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in inflammation-related genes were genotyped using MassARRAY assay. Mold exposure was defined as self-reported visible mold on the walls. Associations between visible mold exposure, SNPs and childhood asthma were evaluated using logistic regression models. In addition, crossover analyses were used to estimate the gene-environment interactions on childhood asthma on an additive scale. Results After excluding children without information on visible mold exposure or SNPs, 608 asthmatic and 839 non-asthmatic children were included in the analyses. Visible mold exposure was reported in 151 asthmatic (24.8%) and 119 non-asthmatic children (14.2%) (aOR 2.19, 95% CI 1.62–2.97). The rs7216389 SNP in gasdermin B gene (GSDMB) increased the risk of childhood asthma with each C to T substitution in a dose-dependent pattern (additive model, aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.11–1.57). Children carrying the rs7216389 T allele and exposed to visible mold dramatically increased the risk of childhood asthma (aOR 3.21; 95% CI 1.77–5.99). The attributable proportion due to the interaction (AP: 0.47, 95% CI 0.03–0.90) and the relative excess risk due to the interaction (RERI: 1.49, 95% CI 0–2.99) were statistically significant. Conclusions In the present study, there was a significant additive interaction between visible mold exposure and rs7216389 SNP on childhood asthma. Future studies need to consider the gene-environment interactions when exploring the risk factors of childhood asthma.


2006 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 101-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin J. Cummings ◽  
David Van Sickle ◽  
Carol Y. Rao ◽  
Margaret A. Riggs ◽  
Clive M. Brown ◽  
...  

2007 ◽  
Vol 127 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 411-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Kurihara ◽  
C. Takada ◽  
K. Takasaki ◽  
K. Ito ◽  
T. Momose ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Otoo ◽  
E.O. Darko ◽  
M. Garavaglia ◽  
C. Giovani ◽  
S. Pividore ◽  
...  

Indoor radon concentration for annual, rainy and dry season have been studied in 228 buildings which includes bedroom, kitchen, sitting room, laboratories and offices in Accra metropolis of Greater Accra of Ghana. The passive radon CR-39 SSNTD was used for this study. The cumulative frequency distribution, normalizing Q-Q plots, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk statistical test showed that the result of both workplaces and dwellings are not normally distributed. The strong positive correlation between the two seasons occurred at 95% confidence level with 2 tailed. The rainy season recorded highest coefficient variation of r2 = 0.982. Statistical analysis of median (39.3), AM (103.4), GM (57.9) and GSD (3.2) for rainy season were greater than that of the dry season of median (26.9), AM (88.2), GM (49.2) and GSD (2.8) respectively. Rainy season was found to contain high radon concentrations than the dry season for all the studied locations. In general, workplace had radon concentration far greater than dwellings. The results obtained from this study ranged between 13.6 to 533.7 Bq/m3, out of which 9.6%, 12.7% and 3.5% were found to be greater than action levels proposed by WHO, EC and ICRP.


1990 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. C. YOUNG ◽  
K. KOURIS ◽  
M. AWDEH ◽  
H. M. ABDEL-DAYEM
Keyword(s):  

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 120
Author(s):  
C. A. Papachristodoulou ◽  
K. G. Ioannides ◽  
K. C. Stamoulis ◽  
D. L. Patiris ◽  
S. B. Pavlides

An investigation of atmospheric radon levels in the Perama Cave, North-western Greece, has been carried out using CR-39 detectors. The detectors were placed at various locations along the guided cave pathway and exposed during different sampling periods. Mean concentrations amounting to 925±418 and 1311±352 Bq m-3 were recorded in the summer and winter months, respectively. The quantification of effective doses from radon daughters' inhalation was important, as the Perama Cave is one of the most popular in Greece, attracting more than 85,000 tourists per year. Due to the short duration of the guided tour along the cave, exposure of tourists was found to be insignificant, lying below 5.1 μSv per visit. Permanent cave guides receive doses ranging from 4.2 to 5.9 mSv y-1. Considering the ICRP-65 recommendation that action levels in dwellings and workplaces should be set between 3 and 10 mSv y-1 untertaking remedial measures to reduce the exposure of cave staff may be appropriate.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document