Xylene and Chloroform, Coursework Example

Abstract

This work examines Xylene and Chloroform in terms of the toxicology and epidemiology and the study results on each environmental agent.

Social Issues and Examination of an Environmental Agents and Subsequent Health Impact

Chloroform

Introduction to Agent – Chloroform

The agent to be examined in this study is that of Chloroform. Chloroform is reported to be a central nervous system and respiratory depressant of a potent nature.” Lionte (2010) Lionte (2010) states that hepatotoxicity is reported “to be secondary to production of a toxic metabolite, with a peak elevation of liver enzymes 72 hours after exposure.” (Lionte, 2010) Following inhalation of chloroform often resulting is acute liver failure reported to be produced primarily by “…viral hepatitis, idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury, and acetaminophen ingestion.” (Lionte, 2010) This agent is reported by OSHA to be instable when exposed to heat, air, and light. OSHA additionally states that the toxicity of chloroform “…is well understood because of its long history of use as an anesthetic.” (Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Chloroform, 2011) Exposure of high levels of chloroform may result in cardiovascular depression and even death due to ventricular fibrillation. (Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Chloroform, 2011, paraphrased) Chronic inhalation of this agent may result in psychiatric or neurological symptoms reported to include such as “depression, hallucinations, and moodiness.” (Occupational Safety and Health Guideline for Chloroform, 2011)

Case Study

Flanagan and Pounder (2010) report that chloroform is “still encountered occasionally in clinical and forensic toxicology, hence knowledge of the special problems presented in the detection and measurement of this compound in biological specimens may be required.” Flanagan and Pounder (2010) report the death of a 34-year-old female who was stated to be found “…dead fully clothed on a path near to a neighbor’s garden. Cause of death was misdiagnosed until 17 months later testing showed “a blood chloroform concentration of 31 mg/L…” (Flanagan and Pounder, 2010)

Chloroform Testing

Testing for chloroform poisoning requires the following steps:

(1) Headspace analysis should be performed at 35 degrees C to preclude the possibility of artefactual formation from trichloroacetic acid,

(2) Precautions to prevent cross-contamination of biological samples in the laboratory must be taken, and

(3) Interpretation of analytical results must take account of the widespread presence of chloroform in the environment on the one hand, and that the toxicity of chloroform varies greatly depending on the circumstances and intensity of exposure on the other. (Flanagan and Pounder, 2010)

The work of Hayasi, Ago, and Ogata (2011) reports a study that states findings stated to suggest” that toxicological and pathological outcomes of chloroform poisoning may vary between patients, and that they may reflect the dose and duration of chloroform inhalation.”  Not only does the amount of chloroform inhaled factor into the levels of chloroform in the body of someone who has been exposed to chloroform but the size of the individual as well as the gender of the individual inhaling this toxic agent. It is concluded that there is a need for further study to better understand the path of chloroform in regards to the toxicity concentration in the body of the individual exposed to this agent.

References

Ago M; Hayashi T; Ago K; Ogata M (2011) Two fatalities associated with chloroform inhalation. Variation of toxicological and pathological findings. Legal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) [Leg Med (Tokyo)] 2011 May; Vol. 13 (3), pp. 156-60. Date of Electronic Publication: 2011 Mar 05.

Complete elimination of xylene in practice of a histology laboratory. Arkhiv Patologii [Arkh Patol] 2011 Jan-Feb; Vol. 73 (1), pp. 54-60. MEDLINE.

Flanagan RJ; Pounder DJ (2010) A chloroform-related death: analytical and forensic aspects. Forensic Science International [Forensic Sci Int] 2010 Apr 15; Vol. 197 (1-3), pp. 89-96. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Jan 13.

Habeck, Michael (1996-2010) Xylene. Eco-USA. Retrieved from: http://www.eco-usa.net/toxics/chemicals/xylene.shtml

Lionte, C. (2010) Lethal complications after poisoning with chloroform–case report and literature review. Human & Experimental Toxicology [Hum Exp Toxicol] 2010 Jul; Vol. 29 (7), pp. 615-22. Date of Electronic Publication: 2010 Jan 05.

Occupational Safety and Health Guidline for Chlorform (2011) United States Department fo Labor. Occupational Safety & Health Admnistration. OSHA. Retrieved from: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/chloroform/recognition.html