Exposure limits for indoor volatile substances concerning the general population: The role of population-based differences in sensory irritation of the eyes and airways for assessment factors.

Assessment factors (AFs) are essential in the derivation of occupational exposure limits (OELs) and indoor air quality guidelines. The factors shall accommodate differences in sensitivity between subgroups, i.e.

A short-term inhalation study to assess the reversibility of sensory irritation in human volunteers.

Sensory irritation is an acute adverse effect caused by chemicals that stimulate chemoreceptors of the upper respiratory tract or the mucous membranes of the outer eye. The avoidance of this end point is of uttermost importance in regulatory toxicology. In this study, repeated exposures to ethyl acrylate were analyzed to investigate possible carryover effects from day to day for different markers of sensory irritation.

Does seasonal allergic rhinitis increase sensitivity to ammonia exposure?

Allergic inflammation in the upper airways represents a wide-spread health issue: Little is known about whether it increases sensitivity to airborne chemicals thereby challenging established exposure limits that neglect such differences in susceptibility. To investigate the role of pre-existing allergic inflammation, 19 subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) and 18 control subjects with low risk of sensitization were exposed for 4h to ammonia in two concentrations (cross-over design): 2.5ppm (odor threshold) and 0-40ppm (occupational exposure limit: 20ppm TWA).

Prediction of human sensory irritation due to ethyl acrylate: the appropriateness of time-weighted average concentration × time models for varying concentrations.

Human data about the potency of ethyl acrylate to evoke sensory irritation is currently not available. Therefore, we conducted an experimental exposure study and the magnitude of chemosensory effects in healthy human volunteers was mathematically modeled by combining the factors current concentration (c) and duration/time (t). In a repeated-measures design, 19 subjects were exposed for 4 h to constant and varying concentrations (including peaks of 5 and 10 ppm) of ethyl acrylate with either a 2.

Interindividual differences in chemosensory perception: Toward a better understanding of perceptual ratings during chemical exposures.

Perceptions that arise from stimulation of olfactory and trigeminal receptors in the nasal cavity guide the evaluation of chemical environment in humans. Strong interindividual differences in these assessments may be attributed to nonsensory factors such as gender, anxiety, and chemical sensitivity. Knowledge regarding the influence of these factors originates mainly from basic odor research using short-term exposure scenarios.

Neurobehavioral effects of exposure to propionic acid revisited-Does psychosocial stress interfere with distractive effects in volunteers?

Local irritants stimulate the nervous system via chemosensory pathways that trigger cognitive distraction, subjective complaints about impaired health, and physiological defense reflexes (e.g. eye-blinks).

Multidimensional assessment of self-reported chemical intolerance and its impact on chemosensory effects during ammonia exposure.

Purpose: Healthy individuals differ in self-reported chemical intolerance (CI). It is unclear whether this inter-individual variability impacts well-being and performance in environmental and occupational settings with chemical exposures. So far, operational definitions and questionnaires of CI have either emphasized physical symptoms or affective/behavioral disruption.

Stress lowers the detection threshold for foul-smelling 2-mercaptoethanol.

Previous studies have reported enhanced vigilance for threat-related information in response to acute stress. While it is known that acute stress modulates sensory systems in humans, its impact on olfaction and the olfactory detection of potential threats is less clear. Two psychophysical experiments examined, if acute stress lowers the detection threshold for foul-smelling 2-mercaptoethanol.

Odor thresholds and breathing changes of human volunteers as consequences of sulphur dioxide exposure considering individual factors.

Objectives: Though sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) is used widely at workplaces, itseffects on humans are not known. Thresholds are reported without reference to gender or age and occupational exposure limits are basedon effects on lung functioning,although localized effects in the upper airways can be expected.This study's aim is to determine thresholds with respect to age and gender and suggests a new approach to risk assessment using breathing reflexes presumably triggered by trigeminal receptors in the upper airways.

Neurobehavioral performance in human volunteers during inhalation exposure to the unpleasant local irritant cyclohexylamine.

Chemosensory active volatile organic compounds occur in the breathing air at many workplaces and it has been assumed that they are potent to impair workers' cognitive performance; however, the nature of this relationship is not understood. In the current study we investigated whether the combination of strong chemosensory potency and unpleasant odor valence is a sufficient predictor for the appearance of neurobehavioral impairment. Human volunteers were exposed to three workplace-relevant concentrations of the malodorant cyclohexylamine: 0.

Sensory and pulmonary effects of acute exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Background: Exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) affects large populations worldwide. Pulmonary effects have been reported at concentrations relevant in the general (<0.5 ppm) and working environment (>0.

Neurobehavioral effects during exposures to propionic acid--an indicator of chemosensory distraction?

The chemosensory effects of propionic acid (PA) in humans have not been conclusively studied and there is no established occupational exposure limit (OEL) in Germany. In addition to sensory irritation caused by PA, it was hypothesized that the annoying odor of PA might interfere with the performance results. There were 23 consenting healthy participants (12 female, 11 male) in the group studied.

Evaluation of ethyl acetate on three dimensions: investigation of behavioral, physiological and psychological indicators of adverse chemosensory effects.

A variety of national occupational exposure limits for ethyl acetate exist based on different studies, mostly relying on subjective evaluations of ethyl acetate as an irritant. Only one study also used physiological methods with inconsistent results in subjective and objective data. The present study was designed to investigate ethyl acetate on three different dimensions: behavioral, physiological and psychological indicators of adverse chemosensory effects were investigated during acute exposures to different concentrations of ethyl acetate.

Odor annoyance of environmental chemicals: sensory and cognitive influences.

In low concentrations, environment pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be perceived via olfaction. Modulators of odor-mediated health effects include age, gender, or personality traits related to chemical sensitivity. Severe multi-organ symptoms in response to odors also characterize a syndrome referred to as idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI).

Chemosensory effects during acute exposure to N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).

Organic solvents are still essential in many industrial applications. To improve safety and health in the working environment lower occupational thresholds limits have been established and less toxic substitutes were introduced. N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) is a versatile solvent that is used as a substitute for dichloromethane in paint strippers.

From neurotoxic to chemosensory effects: new insights on acute solvent neurotoxicity exemplified by acute effects of 2-ethylhexanol.

Historically, acute solvent neurotoxicity was strongly related to reversible narcotic states that could be detected by neurobehavioral tests (e.g., simple reaction time).

From chemosensory thresholds to whole body exposures-experimental approaches evaluating chemosensory effects of chemicals.

Objectives: To ensure safety and health the avoidance of adverse chemosensory effects is essential at workplaces where volatile chemicals are used. The present study describes psychophysical approaches that provide information for the evaluation of such effects.

Methods: By means of a modified staircase procedure the odor (OT) and irritation thresholds (IT) of 15 irritants were determined.

A model for evaluating systemic change: measuring outcomes of hospital discharge education redesign.

Hospitals have restructured job duties and responsibilities in response to market pressures and in an effort to improve quality. This study presents a model for evaluating patient satisfaction outcomes following a work redesign that included the realignment of responsibility for discharge education from clinical nurse specialists to cross-trained, multidisciplinary workers. The outcomes data cannot be generalized, as they relate to a particular redesign and one institution.

Caregiving Effectiveness Model evolution to a midrange theory of home care: a process for critique and replication.

A clinically relevant model, grounded in nursing theory, has evolved to become a midrange theory. This article describes the processes used to derive, validate, revise, and test the Caregiving Effectiveness Model. Testing of this midrange theory used prospective longitudinal research with family members caring for patientsrequiring lifelong, complex, technology-based home care.

Clinical trial of interactive and videotaped educational interventions reduce infection, reactive depression, and rehospitalizations for sepsis in patients on home parenteral nutrition.

Background: Patients receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) have catheter-related infections, reactive depression, and other recurrent problems that decrease their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Interactive Educational Videotaped Interventions (IEVI) designed to prevent HPN complications of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI), to prevent reactive depression (from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition definition), and to increase patients' frequency of problem-solving with professionals.

Methods: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was used to test IEVI that engaged patients in infection and depression prevention and problem-solving activities with professionals.

Home parenteral nutrition: does affiliation with a national support and educational organization improve patient outcomes?

Background: For patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN), catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and reactive depression may significantly impact quality-of-life. This study evaluated the influence of patient affiliation with a national organization promoting HPN education and peer support on these outcome variables.

Methods: Using a case-control design, we compared 2 groups of affiliated patients with nonaffiliated controls, who were matched for diagnosis, HPN duration, sex, and age.

Feasibility of in-home telehealth for conducting nursing research.

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using home audio/ video telehealth equipment for administering nursing interventions to families, observing the client response, and collecting research data over specific intervals of time. The study design was a descriptive comparison with observational data collection. The subjects were adult patients (n = 5) using nighttime mechanical ventilators for obstructive sleep apnea and their home caregivers (n = 7).

Family Caregivers' Motives for Helping Scale derived from motivation-to-help theory.

The literature does not contain a measure of family caregivers' motives for helping provide daily complex home care. Such a measure will permit nurses to assess and provide interventions specific to each caregiver's motivation for helping. The purpose of this study was to apply Batson's empirically derived helping pathway theory to the measurement of caregiver motives for helping and develop a short form that does not add to the burden of caregiving.