This report reviews documents on acute exposure guideline levels (AEGLs) for nerve agents GA (tabun), GB (sarin), GD (soman), GD, and VX, sulfur mustard, diborane, and methyl isocyanate. The documents were developed by the National Advisory Committee on Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Chemicals (NAC). The subcommittee concludes that the AEGLs developed in those documents are scientifically valid conclusions based on data reviewed by NAC and are consistent with the NRC reports on developing acute exposure guideline levels.

In 2001, in response to a request by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), the Institute of Medicine (IOM) called together a committee to conduct a review of the scientific evidence regarding the association between exposure to dioxin and other chemical compounds in herbicides used in Vietnam and acute myelogenous leukemia in the offspring of Vietnam veterans. Based on the scientific evidence reviewed in this report, the committee finds there is inadequate or insufficient evidence to determine if an association exists between exposure to the herbicides used in Vietnam or their contaminants and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in the children of Vietnam veterans. This is a change in classification from the recent Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 2000 report, which found limited/suggestive evidence for such an association. Table of Contents Front Matter EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION SUMMARIES OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS CONCLUSIONS References Appendix A Workshop on the Review of Health Effects in Vietnam Veterans of Exposure to Herbicides (Third Biennial Update) Appendix B Committee and Staff Biographies

Interest in the field of medical toxicology has grown rapidly, but the medical literature lacks an authoritative toxicology reference work dedicated to natural substances and drugs of abuse. This two-volume set combines "Medical Toxicology of Natural Substances" and "Medical Toxicology of Drugs Abuse" to deliver an in-depth, sub-specialty, readily accessible reference on these topics. Professionals in diverse fields, who typically do not need most of the information in a general medical toxicology book, can quickly apply the contents of these volumes to searchable databases and other electronic venues.

Have U.S. military personnel experienced health problems from being exposed to Agent Orange, its dioxin contaminants, and other herbicides used in Vietnam? This definitive volume summarizes the strength of the evidence associating exposure during Vietnam service with cancer and other health effects and presents conclusions from an expert panel. Veterans and Agent Orange provides a historical review of the issue, examines studies of populations, in addition to Vietnam veterans, environmentally and occupationally exposed to herbicides and dioxin, and discusses problems in study methodology. The core of the book presents: What is known about the toxicology of the herbicides used in greatest quantities in Vietnam. What is known about assessing exposure to herbicides and dioxin. What can be determined from the wide range of epidemiological studies conducted by different authorities. What is known about the relationship between exposure to herbicides and dioxin, and cancer, reproductive effects, neurobehavioral disorders, and other health effects. The book describes research areas of continuing concern and offers recommendations for further research on the health effects of Agent Orange exposure among Vietnam veterans. This volume will be critically important to both policymakers and physicians in the federal government, Vietnam veterans and their families, veterans organizations, researchers, and health professionals. Table of Contents Front Matter 1 Executive Summary 2 History of the Controversy Over the Use of Herbicides 3 The U.S. Military and the Herbicide Program in Vietnam 4 Toxicology 5 Methodologic Considerations in Evaluating the Evidence 6 Exposure Assessment 7 Epidemiologic Studies 8 Cancer 9 Reproductive Effects 10 Neurobehavioral Effects 11 Other Health Effects 12 Research Recommendations Appendixes A: Information Gathering: Literature Searches B: Information Gathering: Presentations to the Committee and Outside Meetings C: Methodologic Observations on the Ranch Hand Study D: Committee and Staff Biographies E: Author Index, Chapters 7-11 Glossary Acronyms and Abbreviations Index

During the 18-year program of atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons (1945-1962), some of the 225,000 participants were exposed to radiation. Many of these participants have been experiencing sicknesses that may be test-related. Currently, test participants who had served in military units have pending over 6,000 claims for compensation at the Department of Veterans Affairs. This study presents improved methods for calculating the radiation doses to which these individuals were exposed, and are intended to be useful in the adjudication of their claims.

This glossary expands upon the Comprehensive Glossary of Terms Used in Toxicology. Like its predecessor, it addresses the need for harmonized toxicology terminology, and has undergone a full, comprehensive and rigorous review by IUPAC Committees. It serves as the reference glossary for students and researchers studying the chemical and molecular biological bases of toxicology, and for those involved in chemicals legislation, regulation and risk assessment. Toxicology uses terminology from many disciplines that have been revolutionized by recent developments in molecular biology and biochemistry, and this glossary provides a compilation of definitions of molecular entities that impact on toxicology. Extensive Notes are included to provide context for many of the proteins and important genes defined, with disambiguation where entities are referred to by different names in the literature. We hope that this will be helpful to students and professionals alike.

We are all just a little bit plastic. Traces of bisphenol A or BPA, a chemical used in plastics production, are widely detected in our bodies and environment. Is this chemical, and its presence in the human body, safe? What is meant by safety? Who defines it, and according to what information? "Is It Safe?" narrates how the meaning of the safety of industrial chemicals has been historically produced by breakthroughs in environmental health research, which in turn trigger contests among trade associations, lawyers, politicians, and citizen activists to set new regulatory standards. Drawing on archival research and extensive interviews, author Sarah Vogel explores the roots of the contemporary debate over the safety of BPA, and the concerns presented by its estrogen-like effects even at low doses. Ultimately, she contends that science alone cannot resolve the political and economic conflicts at play in the definition of safety. To strike a sustainable balance between the interests of commerce and public health requires recognition that powerful interests will always try to shape the criteria for defining safety, and that the agenda for environmental health research should be protected from capture by any single interest group.

This current edition explores new tests for genotoxicity testing, along with other well-known techniques. This will further help in our understanding of the genotoxic effects of chemicals. The book has different sections dealing with various assays for gene mutation, chromosomal abnormalities, primary DNA damage, etc. It also delves into plant models, animals and their alternates, as well as in silico approaches for genetic toxicology. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Genotoxicity Assessment: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as a highly useful and ready resource for research students and scientists working in regulatory toxicology as well as biomedical, biochemical, and pharmaceutical sciences.

Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, Volume 397
ENDOTOXIN AND SEPSIS
Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis, Host Resistance, and Therapy
Proceedings of the Fourth Conference of the International Endotoxin Society Held in Nagoya, Japan, October 23-27, 1996
Jack Levin, Matthew Pollack, Takashi Yokochi, and Masayasu Nakano, Editors
Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of the molecular biology of the human immune response have lead to important advances in the recognition and treatment of sepsis. Endotoxin and Sepsis: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis, Host Resistance, and Therapy compiles the latest basic and clinical research on many aspects of sepsis, including sepsis/SIRS. It provides researchers and clinicians with an up-to-date overview of the critical data and concepts in this rapidly progressing field of inquiry.
Featuring contributions by researchers and clinicians from around the world, this book presents papers covering a broad spectrum of specialized topics in the bacteriology, biochemistry, molecular and cellular interactions, pathophysiology, and pharmacodynamics of sepsis/SIRS. It also presents information on in vivo detection and potential new therapies that target sepsis and its cellular effects. Specific topics covered in Endotoxin and Sepsis: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis, Host Resistance, and Therapy include:
* Enzymes essential to the biosynthesis of Lipid A and their importance in the design of a new generation of antibiotics
* Recent breakthroughs in the understanding of the role of CD-14 in cellular resistance to infection and its therapeutic implications
* The role of Interleukin 6 in endotoxin-induced inflammatory response
* The molecular mechanisms responsible for endotoxin tolerance
* Unique chemical and biological features of LPS, and natural and synthetic LPS control mechanisms.

Endotoxin and Sepsis: Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis, Host Resistance, and Therapy is must reading for laboratory and clinical microbiologists, immunologists, and other investigators studying bacterial endotoxins, and specialists in internal medicine. It will also be of interest to biotechnology and pharmaceutical researchers involved with the development of new drugs to combat sepsis.

The practice of performing and managing regulatory air toxic risk assessments requires an exceptionally broadbase of understanding. The information and hands-on skills needed to evaluate the effects of air toxic emissions on human health derive from a broad range of disciplines: engineering, the physical and biological sciences, probability, statistics, and medicine. Dr. Lawrence Gratt's Air Toxic Risk Assessment and Management provides a comprehensive study of the subject of risk assessment, showing how the various disciplines are integrated to carry out this complex process. No other resource combines the basic science underlying risk assessment with the techniques needed to perform the analyses.

The first book to cover this fast developing field, Masked Mycotoxins in Food will provide a full overview of the issues relating to the toxicology of masked mycotoxins present in food products. Mycotoxins are naturally occurring chemicals produced by moulds that can grow on crops and foodstuffs. Masked mycotoxins are modified mycotoxins, due to this modification many cannot be detected using standard analytical techniques, for example HPLC and ELISA, and further research is needed to understand the health risks and threats from these modified compounds.Masked mycotoxin research is an area of toxicological research that has gained significant interest and momentum in recent years. The aim of this book is to provide a full picture of the topic, from the masked mycotoxin formation in plants to their catabolic fate in humans. The book also provides new insights and will highlight possible gaps in the knowledge base of this relatively new area. Edited and written by World renowned experts working within the field, this book is of interest to toxicologists and biochemists, but also food scientists and agricultural researchers working in industry and academia.

Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine has become a classic text in the field of free radical and antioxidant research. Now in its fifth edition, the book has been comprehensively rewritten and updated whilst maintaining the clarity of its predecessors. Two new chapters discuss 'in vivo' and 'dietary' antioxidants, the first emphasising the role of peroxiredoxins and integrated defence mechanisms which allow useful roles for ROS, and the second containing new information on the role of fruits, vegetables, and vitamins in health and disease. This new edition also contains expanded coverage of the mechanisms of oxidative damage to lipids, DNA, and proteins (and the repair of such damage), and the roles played by reactive species in signal transduction, cell survival, death, human reproduction, defence mechanisms of animals and plants against pathogens, and other important biological events. The methodologies available to measure reactive species and oxidative damage (and their potential pitfalls) have been fully updated, as have the topics of phagocyte ROS production, NADPH oxidase enzymes, and toxicology. There is a detailed and critical evaluation of the role of free radicals and other reactive species in human diseases, especially cancer, cardiovascular, chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. New aspects of ageing are discussed in the context of the free radical theory of ageing. This book is recommended as a comprehensive introduction to the field for students, educators, clinicians, and researchers. It will also be an invaluable companion to all those interested in the role of free radicals in the life and biomedical sciences.

The tools for detecting false positives, false negatives, and interference in interactions when testing and monitoring therapeutic drug use For physicians monitoring a patient's progress, efficacy of treatment is often linked to a patient's response to medication. Determining whether a patient is taking the prescribed amount, the drug or dosage is effective, or the prescribed medication is interacting with other drugs can be determined through drug testing. Written as a guide for toxicologists, chemists, and health professionals involved in patient care, Resolving Erroneous Reports in Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring provides an up-to-date introduction to the tests and methodologies used in a toxicology lab as well as the sources of testing error that can lead to false positives, false negatives, and unreliable conclusions of drug abuse or under use. Covering a host of common therapeutic drugs as well as specific types of interference in immunoassays used in drug testing, the book details a number of possible testing scenarios and problems as well as solutions: * False positive results in immunoassays for drugs in abuse testing * Interferences in immunoassays used for monitoring anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, and digoxin * False positive alcohol tests using breath analyzers and automated analyzers * When a toxicology report is negative in a suspected overdose patient: the world of designer drugs * Effects of drug-herb interactions on therapeutic drug monitoring * Pharmacogenomics and the general principles of genetic analysis * Approaches for eliminating interference/discordant specimen in therapeutic drug monitoring and drugs in abuse testing * What to do in case there is no readily available method for testing Complete with easy-to-read tables and flowcharts, this book helps toxicologists, clinical chemists, clinical pathologists, and forensic pathologists develop accurate, unbiased drug monitoring and toxicology reports. Health care professionals involved in patient care, especially of critically ill patients, will find this guide indispensable in making sure lab tests are reliable enough to provide high-quality care. An indispensable handbook to the entire suite of toxicology lab tests, as well as all the possible sources of testing error, Resolving Erroneous Reports in Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring offers clear remedies for eliminating and preventing testing error.

Today, we are surrounded by a multitude of different chemicals that are essential components of our everyday life. As a consequence, there are various hazardous substances like dioxins, phthalates and flame-retardants circulating in the environment. These have an impact on ecosystems, wildlife and possibly human health. In recent years, the phenomenon called endocrine disruption has raised considerable concern. This book discusses the scientific basis of this issue using epidemiological and experimental in vitro and in vivo data about chemicals targeting the hormonal systems. It also provides an up-to-date review of international initiatives (including high-throughput screening, use of model organisms and in silico applications) aiming to screen, detect and functionally test these chemicals. The authors are highly experienced academics and acknowledged experts with both multidisciplinary and international expertise. The book provides an up-to-date, in-depth review of the current field of food safety research describing many of the "hot topics" currently debated. Recent media attention concerning, for example, dioxins in meat and bisphenol A in baby bottles has created a growing interest in food safety-related issues from both consumers and authorities. In addition, European legislation REACH, which requires industry to extensively test chemicals, has led to new initiatives within this area. This book presents a comprehensive overview of the recent international initiatives formed to meet the challenges of environmental pollutants in our food.

Over 3 million U.S. military personnel were sent to Southeast Asia to fight in the Vietnam War. Since the end of the Vietnam War, veterans have reported numerous health effects. Herbicides used in Vietnam, in particular Agent Orange have been associated with a variety of cancers and other long term health problems from Parkinson's disease and type 2 diabetes to heart disease. Prior to 1997 laws safeguarded all service men and women deployed to Vietnam including members of the Blue Navy. Since then, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) has established that Vietnam veterans are automatically eligible for disability benefits should they develop any disease associated with Agent Orange exposure, however, veterans who served on deep sea vessels in Vietnam are not included. These "Blue Water Navy" veterans must prove they were exposed to Agent Orange before they can claim benefits. At the request of the VA, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) examined whether Blue Water Navy veterans had similar exposures to Agent Orange as other Vietnam veterans.
Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans and Agent Orange Exposure comprehensively examines whether Vietnam veterans in the Blue Water Navy experienced exposures to herbicides and their contaminants by reviewing historical reports, relevant legislation, key personnel insights, and chemical analysis to resolve current debate on this issue.

Gain practical knowledge of the entire field of toxicology with this beautifully illustrated guide The Illustrated Handbook of Toxicology is an impressive introduction to the complex field of toxicology. It also serves as a hands-on guide to various poison treatments and offers supplemental public health information. Each two-page unit features concise text on the left complemented by full-color illustrations on the opposing page. The expert author distinguishes harmful toxic substances and catalogues their specific effects on the human body, plants, animals, and the surrounding environment. The handbook also addresses cutting-edge topics, including biological warfare, modern toxicological methods, and threshold values. Features: Succinct, user-friendly organization allows readers to navigate the content with ease Over 500 detailed images and diagrams arranged on 150 full-color plates illu strate exposures and toxicological effects on humans, plants, and animals Well-researched, objective risk analysis on toxic exposures accompanies relevant images Extensive glossary of key toxicological terms provides readers with the accurate information they need to avoid dangerous confusion This is the ideal text for all medical students who want to supplement the toxicological information covered in their coursework, as well as for first responders to chemical accidents and poisonings.

What do the following have in common: the promise of Botox as the key to everlasting youthful looks; E. coli O157 hamburger disease; a mysterious illness which killed 35 heroin users in 2000; and the assassination by poisoned umbrella-tip of a Bulgarian dissident in the 1970s? The answer is that all of these are caused by toxins, the powerful biological poisons released by bacteria and some plants.
In Toxin, Alistair Lax reveals the panoply of ways in which bacterial toxins overcome the defenses of our cells. He explains how they work, how they are so successful in causing major diseases, the terrible human impact they have had, and how apparently "new" diseases arise from them. He also discusses how we can combat toxins, and how we can harness their actions for beneficial purposes. Enlivened by the very human story of the persistence, rivalries, and insights from which modern microbiology grew, Toxin is the first widely accessible account of this exciting and important topic.

This comprehensive introduction to the developing field of neurobehavioral toxicology, offers an extensive evaluation of the ways in which toxins affect the human nervous system and behavior. It combines two fields of expertise, neurology and neuropsychology, both of which are founded on the assessment and treatment of the nervous system in health and disease, to consider the ways in which substances impact on the human body. It includes detailed analysis of individuals with neurological or neurobehavioral disorders and considers how these may be attributable to neurotoxicants. It also addresses and critiques the scientific methodologies relevant to developing a clinical diagnosis of these disorders and their etiologies. This book, the second of three volumes, concentrates on peripheral nervous system disorders.

In the early twentieth century lead had many domestic uses: in solder for cans, as a gasoline additive to prevent ""knocking"" in engines, in water pipes, and, most prominently, in interior paint prized for its durability and ability to hold color. Far from being the toxic hazard we recognize today, lead was a valuable commodity. However, by the end of the century, lead had largely disappeared from our environment as physicians discovered the threat it posed to children's health and mental development. Old Paint documents the history of lead-paint poisoning in the United States and the evolving responses of public health officials and the lead-paint industry to this hazard up to 1980, by which time lead had been banned from gasoline and paint. Peter C. English traces lead poisoning from a rare, but acute problem confined to a small group of children to the discovery by the end of the 1940s of the dangers of the crumbling lead-painted interiors of inner-city dwellings. He draws on a wide range of primary materials not only to illuminate our understanding of how this health hazard changed over time, but also to explore how diseases are constructed and evolve.

Thoroughly revised and updates, this new edition of Ophthalmic Toxicology retains its uniqueness in covering all aspects of ophthalmic toxicology. With chapters from leading authorities incorporating the latest developments in the field, including a new chapter on the molecular basis of ophthalmic toxicity, this edition covers such topics as:
*the history of ophthalmic toxicology
*specific actions/affinities of ophthalmic poisons to various eye tissues and to animal species
*research methods in vivo and in vitro
*ophthalmic toxicities of representative chemicals via systemic and/or local delivery
*medical treatment of chemical ocular injuries
This one-of-a-kind reference on ophthalmic toxicology will be invaluable to all professionals in academia, industry, clinics, research laboratories, and government agencies.

The threat of domestic terrorism today looms larger than ever. Bombings at the World Trade Center and Oklahoma City's Federal Building, as well as nerve gas attacks in Japan, have made it tragically obvious that American civilians must be ready for terrorist attacks. What do we need to know to help emergency and medical personnel prepare for these attacks? Chemical and Biological Terrorism identifies the R&D efforts needed to implement recommendations in key areas: pre-incident intelligence, detection and identification of chemical and biological agents, protective clothing and equipment, early recognition that a population has been covertly exposed to a pathogen, mass casualty decontamination and triage, use of vaccines and pharmaceuticals, and the psychological effects of terror. Specific objectives for computer software development are also identified. The book addresses the differences between a biological and chemical attack, the distinct challenges to the military and civilian medical communities, and other broader issues. This book will be of critical interest to anyone involved in civilian preparedness for terrorist attack: planners, administrators, responders, medical professionals, public health and emergency personnel, and technology designers and engineers. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Pre-Incident Communication and Intelligence: Linking the Intelligence and Medical Communities 3 Personal Protective Equipment 4 Detection and Measurement of Chemical Agents 5 Recognizing Covert Exposure in a Population 6 Detection and Measurement of Biological Agents 7 Patient Decontamination and Mass Triage 8 Availability, Safety, and Efficacy of Drugs and Other Therapies 9 Prevention, Assessment, and Treatment of Psychological Effects 10 Computer-Related Tools for Training and Operations 11 Conclusions and Recommendations References Appendix A: Committee and Staff Biographies Appendix B: Inventory of Chemical and Biological Defense Technology, with Gap and Overlap Analysis Appendix C: Lethal and Incapacitating Chemical Weapons Appendix D: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention List of Restricted Agents Index

An enormous amount of research is currently devoted to evaluating the role of nutrition in the aetiology of major human diseases and to clarifying the underlying mechanisms. This resurgent interest reflects the realisation that carcinogens may be generated during the normal cooking of food and that they may play a role in human carcinogenesis. Moreover, during the last decade it has become apparent that naturally occurring chemicals in food, primarily of plant origin, can afford effective protection against human cancer and heart disease. As a result, the need for up-to-date information in this subject area has never been greater. Nutrition and Chemical Toxicity deals in depth with the various toxicants found in food including naturally occurring chemicals, fungal contaminants, products of the cooking process and allergens. Other chapters focus on nutritional modulation of cytochromes P450; interactions between drugs and diet; glutathione, sulphur aminoacids and chemical detoxication; modulation of the carcinogenic response by caloric restriction; and lipotropes and chemical carcinogenesis. Further contributions discuss the expression of chemical toxicity in vitamin deficiency and supplementation; safety evaluation of vitamins and minerals; naturally occurring organosulphur compounds as potential anticarcinogens; cancer chemoprevention by tea polyphenols; and animal diets in safety evaluation studies. This timely book is essential reading for professionals involved in cancer research and the safety evaluation of chemicals, food scientists and toxicologists, nutritionists and those involved with food regulation.

This book discusses basic principles of pharmacology and toxicology and their application to environmental problems. Topics covered include air pollution, alteration of the earth's atmosphere, water and land pollution, health and environmental effects of ionizing radiation, and the environmental and social impact of rapidly growing population. It concludes with a chapter on environmental regulatory policy.