On-line sources of toxicological information in Canada.

This paper will provide an overview of the on-line resources available in toxicology in Canada. It will describe a brief history of The Society of Toxicology of Canada, with reference to other societies and also provide information on education, research and other resources related to toxicology. Toxicology in Canada emerged as a distinct and vibrant discipline following the thalidomide tragedy of the 1960s.

Municipal firefighter exposure groups, time spent at fires and use of self-contained-breathing-apparatus.

Background: Previous studies have found significant associations between firefighting and cancer.

Methods: Fires, vehicle movement, and firefighter job assignment were determined, and storage and distribution of self-contained-breathing-apparatus (SCBAs) were tracked for 12 months. Time spent at fires and use of SCBAs were calculated.

Characterization of volatile organic compounds in smoke at municipal structural fires.

The objective of this study was to characterize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found at municipal structural fires in order to identify sources of long-term health risks to firefighters, which may be contributing factors in heart disease and cancer. Firefighters collected air into evacuated Summa canisters inside burning buildings at nine municipal structural fires under conditions where they judged that at least some firefighters might remove their self-contained breathing apparatus masks. Volatile organic compounds were identified and quantified for 144 target compounds using cryogenic preconcentration and gas chromatography/mass spectral detection (GC/MSD) methodology operating in selected ion monitoring mode.

Characterization of volatile organic compounds in smoke at experimental fires.

Significant associations between firefighting and cancer have been reported; however, studies finding toxic products of combustion at municipal fires have been limited by (1) technical difficulties encountered at the scene of working fires, (2) the lack of a coherent sampling strategy, and (3) the absence of verified sampling methods. The objective of the present study was to characterize the presence of volatile organic compound (VOC) combustion products in fire smoke. Air samples from experimental fires burning various materials commonly found at structural fires were collected into evacuated Summa canisters and analyzed for 144 target VOCs using cryogenic preconcentration and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MSD) methodology.

Pesticide use in developing countries.

Chemical pesticides have been a boon to equatorial, developing nations in their efforts to eradicate insect-borne, endemic diseases, to produce adequate food and to protect forests, plantations and fibre (wood, cotton, clothing, etc.). Controversy exists over the global dependence on such agents, given their excessive use/misuse, their volatility, long-distance transport and eventual environmental contamination in colder climates.