Further studies of human whole-body radiofrequency absorption rates

Further studies of human whole-body radiofrequency (RF) absorption rates were carried out using a TEM-cell exposure system. Experiments were done at one frequency near the grounded resonance frequency (approximately 40 MHz), and at several below-resonance frequencies. Absorption rates are small for the K and H orientations of the body, even when grounded. For the body trunk in an E orientation, the absorption rate of a sitting person is about half of the rate for the same person standing with arms at the sides; the latter in turn is about half the rate for the same subject standing with arms over the head. Two-body interactions cause no increase in absorption rates for grounded people. They do, however, increase the absorption rates for subjects in an E orientation in free space; the largest interaction occurs when one subject is lambda/2 behind the other (as seen by the incident wave). When these results are applied to practical occupational exposure situations, the whole-body specific absorption rate does not exceed the ANSI limit of 0.4 W/kg for exposures permitted by the ANSI standard (C95.1-1982) at frequencies from 7 to 40 MHz.     

A Theoretical Model for Utilizing Mammalian Pharmacology and Safety Data to Prioritize Potential Impacts of Human Pharmaceuticals to Fish

Due to the potential for long-term, low-level exposure of environmental species to pharmaceuticals in the environment, concerns over chronic ecotoxicity have been raised. Pharmaceuticals typically have specific enzyme and receptor-based modes of action, which are extensively studied in mammals during drug development. A survey of the literature demonstrated that there is conservation of many enzyme/receptor systems between mammalian and teleost systems. Based on this conservation of enzyme/receptor systems across teleost species, a model has been developed to utilize the information from mammalian pharmacology and toxicology studies to evaluate the potential for chronic receptor mediated responses in fish. In this model, a measured human therapeutic plasma concentration (H_TPC) is compared to a predicted steady state plasma concentration (F_SSPC) in fish, and an effect ratio (ER = H_TPC/F_SSPC) is computed. The lower the ER, the greater the potential for a pharmacological response in fish. Data collection and model validation will strengthen the applicability of this approach as a viable tool for prioritizing research initiatives that examine the potential impact of pharmaceuticals on fish.     

SAR versus Sinc: What is the appropriate RF exposure metric in the range 1–10 GHz? Part II: Using complex human body models

This is the second of the two articles that present modeling data and reasoned arguments for specifying the appropriate crossover frequency at which incident power flux density (S_inc) replaces the peak 10 g averaged value of the specific energy absorption rate (SAR) as the designated basic restriction for protecting against radiofrequency electromagnetic heating effects in the 1–10 GHz range. In our first study, we compared the degree of correlation between these basic restrictions and the peak‐induced tissue temperature rise (ΔT) for a representative range of population/exposure scenarios using simple multi‐planar models exposed to plane wave conditions. In this complementary study, complex heterogeneous head models for an adult and 12‐year‐old child were analyzed at 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 GHz for a variety of exposure conditions. The complex models indicate that peak ΔT is better correlated with peak 10 g SAR than S_inc at 1 and 3 GHz and with S_inc at 6–10 GHz, in contrast to the results from Part I. Considering the planar and complex body modeling results together, and given the equivocal indications of the two metrics in the 6–10 GHz range, we recommend that the breakpoint be set at 6 GHz. This choice is also based on other considerations such as ease of assessment. We also recommend that the limit level of S_inc should be adjusted to provide a better match with 10 g SAR in the induced tissue temperature rise. Bioelectromagnetics 31:467–478, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

江苏氮磷钾化肥使用地域分异及环境风险评价

深入认识江苏省氮磷钾化肥投入的空间格局及其环境风险,有利于调控江苏农田施肥合理分布、加强化肥使用风险管理和分区指导,防治农业面源污染.考虑氮磷钾3种化肥不同的环境污染效应,建立带有权重系数的化肥使用环境风险指数模型,对江苏省氮磷钾化肥使用强度的地域分异特征和环境风险进行研究.应用层次分析法,确定氮磷钾3因子的权重.根据国家生态县建设化肥使用强度小于250 kg·hm-2的标准,参照目前发达国家氮磷钾1∶0.5∶0.5的养分结构,确定氮磷钾3元素的环境安全阈值.结果表明:目前江苏氮磷钾化肥使用强度呈现出从南到北逐步增加的规律性地域分异,极值比为3.3.其中,氮肥、磷肥和钾肥的极值比分别是3.3、4.5、4.4.全省13个地市氮磷钾投入平均比例是1∶0.39∶0.26,不尽合理.苏南地区氮磷钾肥比例相对平衡,苏北地区养分结构失调严重.全省氮磷钾化肥施用环境风险指数为0.69,属于中度环境风险;苏南地区处于低度风险,苏中地区处于中度风险,苏北地区各地市处于中度、重度或严重风险.江苏省化肥施用的地域分异及环境风险受到自然、经济、体制、政策、管理等多种因素影响.     

Interspecies extrapolation based on mechanistic determinants of chemical disposition

Uncertainty factors are applied in methods developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to derive dose‐response estimates. The uncertainty factors are applied to account for uncertainties in defined extrapolations from the laboratory animal experimental data conditions to a dose‐response estimate appropriate for the assumed human scenario. The conceptual difference between these uncertainty factors and safety factors is best illustrated by how uncertainty factors can be modified as scientific data inform our understanding of the key factors that influence chemical disposition and toxicity. Mechanistic data help describe the major factors influencing chemical disposition and toxicant‐target tissue interactions, and should increase the accuracy of exposure‐dose‐response assessment. Mechanistic data on the determinants of inhaled chemical disposition were used to construct default dosimetry adjustments applied by the EPA in its inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC) methods. Because these adjustments account for interspecies dosimetric differences to some degree, the uncertainty factor for interspecies extrapolation was modified. A framework is presented that allows for incorporation of mechanistic data in order to ensure that required extrapolations are commensurate with the state‐of‐the‐science. Future applications of mechanistic data to modify additional uncertainty factors are outlined.