Biomarkers for occupational manganese exposure.

Long-term inhalation exposure to manganese (Mn) metal or its inorganic compounds can result in manganism or subclinical neurofunctional deficits. Studies have described affected workers in Mn dioxide mining, Mn-containing ore crushing and milling facilities, manufacturing of dry-cell batteries, Mn steel and alloy production plants, and in welders. The objective of this study was to critically review existing evidence on the reliability of potential biomarkers of Mn exposure, specifically the relationship between inhalation exposure to Mn particulates in different occupational settings and Mn concentrations in blood and other biological fluids and tissues, with a particular focus on whole blood as a potentially useful medium for measuring internal tissue dose.

The REACH registration process: A case study of metallic aluminium, aluminium oxide and aluminium hydroxide.

The European Union's REACH Regulation requires determination of potential health and environmental effects of chemicals in commerce. The present case study examines the application of REACH guidance for health hazard assessments of three high production volume (HPV) aluminium (Al) substances: metallic aluminium, aluminium oxide, and aluminium hydroxide. Among the potential adverse health consequences of aluminium exposure, neurotoxicity is one of the most sensitive targets of Al toxicity and the most critical endpoint.

Data on systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic evidence on the association between perineal use of talc powder and risk of ovarian cancer.

This paper describes data from a systematic review and meta-analysis [1] conducted to identify and evaluate published peer reviewed evidence on the association between perineal use of talc powder and risk of ovarian cancer. These data were collected from multiple electronic bibliographic databases, as well as from grey literature sources, without applying time, language or other filters. A meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively assess the ovarian cancer risk in relation to talc use and other potential risk factors.

Overview of REACH: Issues Involved in the Registration of Metals.

New European legislation known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) was introduced in 2007 to increase the speed at which the health and/or environmental risks of industrial chemicals were being assessed and managed (REACH (EC) No 1907/2006). REACH consolidated earlier chemicals-control statutes and placed the burden of assessing, and identifying the means to manage risks on industry. This paper details the REACH process for controlling and managing hazardous chemicals and challenges encountered in applying the provisions of REACH and the guidance documents available from European Chemical Agency.

Critical review of the association between perineal use of talc powder and risk of ovarian cancer.

Unlabelled: Over the past four decades, there has been increasing concern that perineal use of talc powder, a commonly used personal care product, might be associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Objectives: To critically review all available human epidemiological data on the relationship between perineal use of talc powder and ovarian cancer, with consideration of other relevant experimental evidence.

Methodology: We identified 30 human studies for qualitative assessment of evidence, including 27 that were retained for further quantitative analysis.

Modeling U-shaped dose-response curves for manganese using categorical regression.

Introduction: Manganese is an essential nutrient which can cause adverse effects if ingested to excess or in insufficient amounts, leading to a U-shaped exposure-response relationship. Methods have recently been developed to describe such relationships by simultaneously modeling the exposure-response curves for excess and deficiency. These methods incorporate information from studies with diverse adverse health outcomes within the same analysis by assigning severity scores to achieve a common response metric for exposure-response modeling.

Severity scoring of manganese health effects for categorical regression.

Characterizing the U-shaped exposure response relationship for manganese (Mn) is necessary for estimating the risk of adverse health from Mn toxicity due to excess or deficiency. Categorical regression has emerged as a powerful tool for exposure-response analysis because of its ability to synthesize relevant information across multiple studies and species into a single integrated analysis of all relevant data. This paper documents the development of a database on Mn toxicity designed to support the application of categorical regression techniques.

Systematic review of potential health risks posed by pharmaceutical, occupational and consumer exposures to metallic and nanoscale aluminum, aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxide and its soluble salts.

Abstract Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present in ambient and occupational airborne particulates. Existing data underscore the importance of Al physical and chemical forms in relation to its uptake, accumulation, and systemic bioavailability. The present review represents a systematic examination of the peer-reviewed literature on the adverse health effects of Al materials published since a previous critical evaluation compiled by Krewski et al.