Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Industrial Solvents (TCE,
TCA, PCE, DICE) and Other Organic Solvents
B Windham, Ed, DAMS Intl
Volatile
organic compounds
include various types of chemicals found
in gasoline, solvents, benzene, formaldehyde, synthetic musk scents, and
fragrance ingredients. They are
widespread
in
the environment because of evaporation and the incomplete combustion of fuels.
(4)
They
can accumulate in various foodstuffs and may also form during the processing
and preparation of food. They can seep into food from its packaging materials.
VOCs have been
found
in microwaved popcorn and this has
been raised as a health concern for consumers and production workers alike.
Bronchiolitis obliterans is an
inflammatory condition affecting the lungs’ smallest airways. One of the
causes
is
the inhalation of chemical fumes such as volatile organic compounds. (4)
Some of the effects of hydrocarbon toxicity include chronic or acute
lung damage, coma, seizures, irregular heart rhythms, damage to the kidneys or
liver, cardiovascular damage, immune system damage, cataracts, etc. (1,2)
. Polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants generated
primarily during the
incomplete combustion
of
organic materials (e.g. coal, oil, petrol, and wood). Many PAHs have toxic,
endocrine-disrupting, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic properties.
(2)
Many
polycyclic aromatic Hydrocarbons have toxic, mutagenic, neuroinflammatory,
and/or carcinogenic properties. (2,36,45)
Because the
chemical must pass through a number of cell membranes before it can enter the
blood, the ability of the chemical to cross these lipid-rich membranes
determines whether it will be absorbed, and that ability depends on the
chemical’s lipid solubility.
Lipophilic hydrocarbons such as
hexane, toluene,
aromatics, cycloalkanes,
and terpenes
accumulate
in the membrane lipid bilayer, affecting the structural and functional
properties of these membranes. (44) As a result of accumulated hydrocarbon
molecules, the membrane loses its integrity, and an increase in permeability to
protons and ions has been observed in several instances. Consequently,
dissipation of the pro ton motive force and impairment of intracellular pH
homeostasis occur.
In order for a poison to produce toxicity, a
sufficient quantity of that chemical must be absorbed into the body.
Many studies have associated environmental exposure to chemicals
with neurological impairments (NIs) including neuropathies, cognitive, motor
and sensory impairments; neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) including autism
and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); neurodegenerative diseases
(NDGs) including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (ALS). (45) The environmental chemicals shown to induce all
these diseases include persistent organic pollutants (POPs), the plastic
exudates bisphenol A and phthalates, low molecular weight hydrocarbons (LMWHCs)
and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It is reported here that though
these chemicals differ widely in their chemical properties, reactivities and
known points of attack in humans, a common link does exist between them. All
are lipophilic species found in serum and they promote the sequential
absorption of otherwise non-absorbed toxic hydrophilic species causing these
diseases.
VOCs
have been found to
interfere with
cellular membranes and cause diverse neurological effects. (5,45)
Studies
have also found a significant
association between volatile organic compound exposure and the increased risk
of developing an autoimmune problem. (5b)
These chemicals alter cell
proliferation and tissue-specific function. The pathological effects are more
pronounced if exposure occurs over a longer period of time. Chronic exposure
results in deposits of the chemicals in organs and then exaggerated immune
system responses.
It is extremely difficult to avoid VOCs in our food because
almost every food product that is available today is contained in, and
protected by, some form of packaging. The trick is to avoid packaging. Try to
purchase fresh produce in paper bags rather than plastic. Avoid any kind of
styrofoam
or plastic and make sure you never heat food in
these. Use glass or ceramic containers in the microwave. Avoid take-out food in
plastic-lined boxes — or better yet, avoid fast food altogether
One type of hydrocarbon is organic solvents.
Common organic solvents are
classified as alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons,
aliphatic hydrocarbons, esters, glycol ethers, and ketones
.
Organic solvents include the
aliphatic hydrocarbons (pentanes, hexanes, octanes), aromatic hydrocarbons
(benzene, toluene, xylene, styrene), chlorinated derivatives (TCE, PCE,
1,1,1-trichloroethane), and glycol ethers (ethylene
glycol monoethyl ether). There is strong evidence that all are reproductive
or developmental toxins (30) and increase the rate of spontaneous
abortions for exposed women by a factor of 2 to 4 times (11).
Some common
solvents used in the industrial painting industry include denatured ethanol,
iso-propanol, N-butanol, xylene and toluene, chlorinated hydrocarbons, mineral
spirits, VM&P naptha, Esters, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone.
Adverse health effects of
Organic Solvents range from skin and lung irritation to the depression of the
central nervous system. The depression of the central nervous system
cases include euphoria, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, impairment of judgement,
loss of coordination, coma, and even death. Chronic long term exposure of
organic solvents can cause damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs,
etc. Some are endocrine-disrupting, mutagenic and carcinogenic (3).
Examples of the health effects of specific
organic solvents include:
§
Alcohols- high concentrations
can cause intoxication, and possible liver and kidney damage.
§
Aromatic hydrocarbons, such as
xylene and toluene can cause lung irritation and act as a strong depressant to
the central nervous system.
Ketones, such as methyl ethyl
ketone depress the central nervous
system, and
can
irritate and damage the upper respiratory tract.
There are three
primary organizations that provide exposure limits for organic solvents,
including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).
§
2. Organic solvents in tap water and sewage effluent have been
found to cause central nervous system impairment (9). Inhalation and skin
exposure were found to offer as much body exposure as ingestion, so ingestion
alone is not the only exposure source to consider (19). Workers in
wastewater treatment plants who had the greatest exposure to volatile organic
solvents had the most central nervous system effects.
Organic solvents have been found to have significant correlations
with birth defects, including cleft palate, cardiovascular malformations,
spina bifida, deafness, and central nervous system defects (16,30).
Organic solvents and formaldehyde have also been found to be factors in
neurologic diseases and multiple chemical sensitivities (31,35-39).
3. An Arizona study found 2.5 times more heart defects in babies
born to people drinking water from trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated wells
at home or work than to unexposed individuals (15). Animal studies have
also shown TCE to cause birth defects (41). A study of families drinking
water contaminated with TCE in Woburn, Mass. found higher rates of leukemia and
birth defects than normal (42). Children drinking the water were also found to
have high rates of urinary tract and lung disease. Studies have linked TCE to
cancer as well as heart, respiratory, and nervous system disorders (43).
4. Families using wells contaminated with TCA
(1,1,1-trichloroethane) in Santa Clara County, California, experienced a
doubling of the misarrange rate and a tripling of the birth defect rate. Heart
defects were the largest category of birth defects found. This is consistent
with past animal studies (6a).
5. There is a significant positive correlation between the
presence of detectable 1-2 dichloroethane in drinking water and the
rate of colon and rectal cancer (6b).
6. Between 1980 and 1982, the rate of occupational illness among
semiconductor workers in California was 300% higher than for manufacturing
in general (6c).
7. Children whose father was exposed to chlorinated solvents or
Methyl Ethyl Ketone during pregnancy or early childhood were at least
2.2 times more likely to develop childhood leukemia (7). Parental exposure to
gasoline/benzene has also been found to be significantly associated with
childhood leukemia (20).
8. Perchloroethylene, the solvent most used in dry-cleaning,
has been shown to cause cancer of the kidney and liver in animal studies, as
well as leukemia. Studies in the U.S. and Europe of people working in dry
cleaning facilities have found high levels of breast and liver
cancer. Perchloroethylene (PCE) has been found to be associated with
reduced fertility (23) and increased spontaneous abortions (24). Studies of
women working with or commonly exposed to PCE have high levels in their
breast milk (25). Buildings next door to or over dry cleaning facilities
have been found to have very high levels of perchloroethylene, with high
levels found in foods in neighboring grocery stores (8). Over a thousand public
and private wells have been contaminated by perchloroethylene in
Florida.
9. Parental exposure to organic solvents including gasoline,
methyl-ethyl-ketone, TCE, freon have been found to be significantly
associated with childhood brain tumors (21). Studies of parental exposure to
organic solvents also consistently show elevated risk of cancers of the
urinary tract (22).
10. Women exposed to toluene have been found to have very high
rates of spontaneous abortions, 2 to 9 times normal rates (26) and higher
birth defect rates (27). Hormonal changes in men and women have also been
observed.
Xylene has also been found to associated with reproductive
problems, spontaneous abortions, and birth defects (28)
11. Glycol Ethers have been found to lower male sperm counts and
cause increased risk of spontaneous abortions (29). In a study of male
fertility, men with poorer sperm quality were significantly more likely to have
been exposed to organic solvents compared to men with normal sperm quality
(33).
12. Volatile organic chemicals and organic solvents
have been documented to cause multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and sick
building syndrome (35-40). Organic solvents have been found to
be TRPV1 agonists, which increases NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)
activity. NMDA activity produces increases nitric oxide and
increases the related oxidant product ONOO-, which act to lower mitochondrial
function and thus adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation. This has
been documented to cause MCS and chronic fatigue. Chlorine, carbon monoxide,
and many other chemicals have been found to cause similar conditions.
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&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/xylene/basic_xyl.html#_1_2
--
''Chronic animal studies with a
limited number of organic solvents
support the evidence for
peripheral neuropathy and mild toxic
encephalopathy in solvent-exposed
workers.
''Epidemiologic studies of various
groups of solvent-exposed workers
have demonstrated
statistically significant chronic changes in
peripheral nerve function
(sensory and motor nerve onduction velocities
and electromyographic abnormalities)
that persisted for months to years
following cessation of
exposure. Epidemiologic studies have also shown
statistically significant
increases in neurobehavioral effects in
workers chronically exposed to
organic solvents. These effects include
disorders characterized by
reversible subjective symptoms (fatigability,
irritability, and memory
impairment), sustained changes in personality
or mood (emotional instability
and diminished impulse control and
motivation), and impaired intellectual
function (decreased concentration
ability, memory, and learning
ability). Among organic solvent abusers,
the most severe disorders
reported are characterized by irreversible
deterioration in intellect and
memory (dementia) accompanied by
structural CNS damage...''
http://ncchem.com/niosh.htm
--
Solvent; intermediate for dyes
& org synth; insecticides; aviation fuel
m-Xylene is used in the
manufacturing of polyester and alkyl resins.
CHEM INTERMEDIATE
for Isophthalic acid & M-Toluic acid chem;
intermediate for
isophthalonitrile
;
Chem intermediate for
org
chems
-GE,
Xylidenes
(non-USA
USE)
Xylene has also been found in
ground -tap water, where tested.
http://www.speclab.com/compound/c108383.htm
For background on other chemicals,
see:
http://www.speclab.com/compound/chemabc.htm
*******************