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In this study an analytical assay for urinary methoxyphenols was developed as a potential biological marker of environmental wood smoke exposures. The assay was aimed at 11 marker methoxyphenols, which were guaiacol, methylguaiacol, ethyguaiacol, propylguaiacol, vanillin, eugenol, trans-isoeugenol, syringol, methylguaiacol, ethylguaiacol, and syringaldehyde.

Air filter samples were taken at 23 indoor sites throughout Western Washington and the relative contributions of radon-220 daughters and radon-222 daughters to total activity and to potential alpha energy concentration (PAEC) were determined.

Use of fuel additives without documentation of safety, as in the case of lead, has resulted in enormous public health consequences. The proposal to add methanol to gasoline or design automobiles that use mathanol as a primary fuel will necessarily widen consumer exposure to this material.

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a developmental neurotoxicant in rodents, primates and humans. The primary effects of developmental exposure include changes in cell cycling, cell migration and gene expression. We have previously demonstrated significant alterations in the expression of P21 and Gadd153 in primary rat embryonic midbrain CNS cells in vitro following a 24-hr MeHg exposure.

Presented is a general model for differentiating between population heterogeneity and state of knowledge uncertainty in methylmercury (MeHg) exposure assessments. Using data from fish consuming populations in Bangladesh, Brazil, Sweden and the United Kingdom, we compare dietary methylmercury exposures of predictive model estimates against those derived from biomarkers.

The effect of exposure to low level Hg among dentists was evaluated examining motor and cognitive functions, and symptoms. The hypothesis was that motor function would be more readily affected in comparison to cognitive functions, which may be altered to a lesser extent.

The ecological and environmental impacts of the deposition of aqueous acids, acid gasses, and acidic salts have been of growing concern in the past decade. However, not until recently have the impacts of these acids on human heallth been in the forefront of toxicological research.

This study assessed the effectiveness of commercially available local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems for controlling respirable dust and crystalline silica exposures during concrete cutting and grinding activities.

Electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation became a particular focus for industrial hygiene beginning in the mid 1960's when symptoms such as headache, insomnia, and cardiovascular changes were reported in switchyard workers in the former Soviet Union (WHO, 1989). Before then, hazards associated with the use of electrical power were thought to be limited to thermal burns and electrocution.

The present study assessed visual and auditory functions in adult monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) exposed in utero to methylmercury (MeHg), a prevalent environmental pollutant. Maternal exposure of either 0, 50, 70, or 90 mg/kg/day of MeHg resulted in blood mercury levels at birth from 1.04 to 2.3 ppm for treated infants.

The relationship between the many potential risk factors and the development of work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal morbidity has not been fully defined (NIOSH, 1997; NAS, 1998).

The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of a one enzyme versus two enzymes in microbial source tracking studies.

Hazardous vapors and gases are commonly present in a wide range of industries throughout the world. In order to protect workers from these contaminants, it is important to be able to accurately determine the concentrations of gases and vapors in the workplace. Traditionally, sampling has been performed by drawing air through a sorbent tube with a pump.

Agriculture is a vital industry in Washington State. In 1998, agriculture directly employed 91,700 workers, making it the third largest employment sector behind only the construction and aircraft industries providing jobs in the state of Washington.

In this study, we investigated a possible mechanism of the human airway inflammatory response to inhaled ozone (O3). Cultures of human nasal epithelial (HNE) cells were initiated from excised nasal turbinates on collagen-coated TranswellÒ tissue culture inserts and exposed to 120, 240, or 500 ppb O3 for 3 hours.

Large species differences exist in sensitivity to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced liver cancer. Mice are resistant to AFB1-induced liver cancer because they express an alpha-calss GST (mGSTA3-3) that has high activity toward the reacrtive intermediate aflatoxin B1-8, 9-epoxide (AFBO).

PCBs are persistent environmental toxicants that have been associated with neurological, developmental, and immune system effects as well as carcinogenesis in animals and humans. PCBs have been detected in all species of fish monitored in the past ten years by the Puget Sound Ambient Monitoring Program.

Aircraft crashes have been identified as a significant cause of premature and preventable mortality. The ten-year mortality rate between 1980 and 1990 from aircraft mishaps for the entire U.S. was 5.2 deaths per 1,000,000 general population. In a Canadian study, it was determined that the death rate for commercial airline pilots from aircraft crashes was 127 per 100,000 person –years.

Dermal exposure is potentially high among industrial workers. Chemical protective clothing (CPC) is meant to guard the skin against exposure but CPC is not able to protect against all chemicals in all situations.

The purpose of this study was to use biological monitoring to evaluate occupational exposure to nitrous oxide in dental operatories and to determine relationships between nitrous oxide concentration in ambient air, urine, and exhaled breath. This study also evaluated the effectiveness of a ventilation intervention in decreasing occupational exposure levels to nitrous oxide.

Agricultural workers in the state of Washington must deal with numerous hazards in their daily work ranging from threats of falling off of ladders to turning over tractors. While these incidents are usually one-time accidents, many field workers are exposed daily to numerous types of pesticides.

Increased risk of spontaneous abortion (SAB) is possibly associated with nitrate exposures in drinking water. However, available data are insufficient to establish whether an association exists.

A needs assessment survey was conducted in the Northwest United States (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Wyoming) via one page mailed questionnaire to describe perceptions regarding the levels of concern, specific concerns, sources of information, and frequency of concerns on children's environmental health.

Noise dosimetry was used to assess the exposure levels of electricians working for a major electrical sub-contractor in Washington State at five sites using four types of construction methods. Subjects documented activity and environmental data throughout their work shift resulting in an activity/exposure record for each of the 174 samples collected over the four month duration of the study.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for causing many nosocomial infections. This Gram-negative bacteria is considered ubiquitous and is found in several environments including water, soil, normal flora, and agricultural produce.

The traditional method of identifying noise-induced hearing loss is through pure tone air conduction audiometry. The measurement of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), sounde generated within the chochlea in response to aural stimuli, is a relatively new technique which has been proposed as a means to identify preclinical hearing loss.

Parkinson's Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of uncertain etiology. Pesticide exposures have been implicated as environmental risk factors, however previous studies have yielded inconsistent risk estimates.

Most current instruments used for personal sampling can not accurately detect mixtures of compounds in real time. This dissertation presents a novel way of using open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) spectroscopy to overcome this problem for evaluating personal exposures. For conditions in which workers stayed at fixed workstations, a bi-beam sampling strategy was evaluated.

In order to more accurately understand the potential for chemicals to impact early neurodevelopment, there is a need for risk assessment models that can incorporate mechanistic information.

In 2005, a key informant survey conducted by researchers with the Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety & Health (PNASH) Center identified a clinician pesticide training gap.