Case Studies in Environmental Medicine

Beryllium Toxicity | ATSDR - CSEM

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:00:00 EST

Beryllium produces health effects ranging from sensitization without evidence of disease to clinically apparent pulmonary disease.
Chronic beryllium disease may be misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis.
Immunologic tests can detect beryllium sensitization and help clinicians differentiate between chronic beryllium disease and other interstitial lung diseases.

Fri, 23 May 2008 04:00:00 EST

Tetrachloroethylene is used mainly as a solvent for dry cleaning and metal degreasing.
Like most chlorinated solvents, tetrachloroethylene can cause central nervous system depression.
Chronic exposure to tetrachloroethylene may adversely affect the neurological system, liver, and kidneys.
Tetrachloroethylene is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen on the basis of limited evidence from studies in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.

Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 EST

Prevention is the key to managing cadmium exposure. No effective treatment for cadmium toxicity exists.
For the general public, the primary source of exposure to cadmium is dietary.
Smoking tobacco adds an additional burden of cadmium.
Nutritional deficiencies can increase the risk of cadmium toxicity.
Chronic cadmium exposure primarily affects the kidneys and secondarily the bones.
Acute inhalation of fumes containing cadmium affects the lungs.

Mon, 12 May 2008 04:00:00 EST

Because many environmental diseases either manifest as common medical problems or have nonspecific symptoms, an exposure history is vital for correct diagnosis.
By taking a thorough exposure history, the primary care clinician can play an important role in detecting, treating, and preventing disease due to toxic exposure.

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 05:00:00 EST

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a common industrial solvent and contaminant of hazardous waste sites, groundwater, and drinking water.
TCE is a CNS depressant and a suspected hepatotoxin in humans.
TCE is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen based on limited evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in humans and sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from studies in experimental animals.

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 04:00:00 EST

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways.
Over the past decade, the prevalence of asthma in children and adults has increased in the United States.
Environmental exposures to allergens, air pollutants, and environmental tobacco smoke, and workplace exposures can cause and exacerbate asthma.
Control of environmental exposures can significantly improve the quality of life of people with asthma.

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:00:00 EST

Cholinesterase inhibitors are a class of compounds that includes chemical warfare nerve agents and certain insecticides.
Fatalities occur mainly due to effects on respiration due depression of respiratory drive, paralysis of muscles of respiration, bronchoconstriction, and airway obstruction from profuse respiratory tract secretions.
Treatment includes the use of atropine, 2-PAM, diazepam, and aggressive supportive care.

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 04:00:00 EST

Ethylene glycol ingestion first affects the central nervous system (CNS). After a characteristic latent period, signs of inebriation may be followed by serious illness and even death, caused by toxic metabolites.
Propylene glycol, which is much less toxic than ethylene glycol, is metabolized to compounds that are normal constituents of the citric acid cycle.
No health effects have been reported in persons chronically exposed to ethylene glycol or propylene glycol at levels found in the environment.

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 04:00:00 EST

Nitrate toxicity is a preventable cause of methemoglobinemia.
Infants younger than 4 months of age are at particular risk of nitrate toxicity from contaminated well water.
The widespread use of nitrate fertilizers increases the risk of well-water contamination in rural areas..

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 EST

Children of all races and ethnic origins are at risk of lead toxicity throughout the U.S.
Lead may cause irreversible neurological damage as well as renal disease, cardiovascular effects, and reproductive toxicity.
Blood lead levels once considered safe are now considered hazardous, with no known threshold.
Lead poisoning is a wholly preventable disease.

Mon, 23 Apr 2007 04:00:00 EST

Although asbestos is no longer used in many products, it will remain a public health concern well into the 21st century.
Intact asbestos sources in the home release few fibers and should be left undisturbed. Damaged or crumbling materials should be repaired or removed only by certified asbestos-removal professionals.
Asbestos exposure is associated with parenchymal asbestosis, asbestos-related pleural abnormalities, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, and it may be associated with cancer at some extra thoracic sites.