Ways We Are Exposed Flashcards
(50 cards)
what is included in EM? what does it not include?
includes air pollution, heavy metal exposures, toxic chemical exposures
does not include microbiology!!
what is ecology?
the study of relationships between organisms and their environments
what is chemical sensitivity?
not related to histopathological changes
are hyper-sensitive to toxins (canary in a coal mine effect)
are sensitive to one or a few identifiable chemicals
what is the definition of multiple chemical sensitivity?
an environmentally related illness which results in a toxicant-induced loss of tolerance
often no detectable triggers and pt may be allergic to everything
what group of people is more likely to have multiple chemical sensitivity? what comorbidities tend to go along with multiple chemical sensitivities?
85% of the time see in upper SES, caucasian, middle aged females
comorbidities: fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric/mental health conditions
6 criteria in order to dx someone with multiple chemical sensitivies?
- sxs are reproducible w/repeated chemical exposures
- condition has persisted for significant period of time
- low levels of exposure result in manifestations of the syndrome
- sx improve when triggering chemicals are removed
- responses often occur to multiple chemically unrelated substances
- sx involve multiple organ systems
four large ways we are exposed to toxins?
occupation
hobbies
home
childhood
main jobs that have a lot of toxin exposure for the employees?
building-related illness (Sick Building Syndrome and Building Related Illness) agriculture air travel chemists clinicians dentist engineers florist hair stylists janitors/maid mechanics military miners painters teachers welders
what hobbies pose risk for more exposure to toxins?
gun enthusiasts (making bullets)
stained glass (lead)
photography
pottery (lead)
what is sick building syndrome vs building-related illness?
sick building syndrome: describes a situation where people experience sxs of ill health that seem to be linked to spending time in a building where no specific cause can be identified
building related-illness: recognized diseases being caused by being in said building
ssxs of sick building syndrome?
fatigue, H/A, nausea, EENT irritation, chest tightness, asthma, concentration issues /memory loss
potential contributing factors to sick building syndrome?
chemicals like formaldehyde
mold
recirculation of air
poor ventilation
what toxins are agriculturists affected by?
pesticides
organic and inorganic dusts
noise
what are pilots and flight attendants exposed to in their jobs?
noise
radiation
what 2 types of chemist are at most risk for exposure?
esp analytical chemists who may be handling or preparing samples for analysis
maternal occupation as a chemist associated with conotruncal heart and neural tube defects
what are clinicians who are women especially at risk for in regards to pregnancy and their children?
increased risk if a nurse for the development of hydrocephalus and L ventricular outflow tract heart defects
what are dentists exposed to?
mercury- cumulative exposure shows (+) association w/decreased peripheral nerve function
women engineers are at risk of what birth defect with their children?
conotruncal defects
what are florists exposed to?
pesticides
what are hair stylists exposed to?
formaldehyde
what are mechanics exposed to?
asbestos
industrial chemicals such as heavy metals in brake fluid, degreasers, detergents, paints, fuels, solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, diesel exhaust, and carbon monoxide
what are military personnel exposed to? ssxs? associated with what disorders/diseases?
exposed to many types of chemicals, radiation, air pollution, warfare agents such as agent orange
agent orange exposure can be associated with amyloidosis, B cell leukemia, chloracne, DM 2, hodgkin’s dz, ischemic heart disease, multiple myeloma, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, parkinson’s dz, peripheral neuropathy, porphyria cutaea tarda, prostate CA, respiratory CAs, soft tissue sarcomas
ssxs: fatigue, H/A, joint pain, indigestion, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory d/os, memory problems
what are miners at risk of being exposed to?
inorganic mercury
what are toxins painters are exposed to? what can they contain?
cadmium, chromium, manganese, mercury in flake white or cremintz white, naples yellow, chrome yellow, chrome green, cobalt violent
thinners and solvents
