title: Citizen scientist lepidopterists exposed to potential carcinogens.
abstract: Lepidopterists use substantial volumes of solvents, such as chloroform, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and xylene, in their traps when collecting faunistic and phenological data. A majority of them are citizen scientists and thus in part not identified by occupational healthcare as being at risk due to solvent handling. We surveyed the extent of solvent use, the frequency and extent of potential exposure and the safety precautions taken in trapping and catch handling by Finnish lepidopterists. Chloroform and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane were the most frequently used anaesthetics. Potential for exposure prevailed during trap maintenance and exploration and catch sorting. Adequate protection against vapours or spills was worn by 17% during trap exploration. Subjects completed a median of 100 trap explorations per season. Dermal or mucosal spills were recorded at a median rate of one spill per ten (chloroform) to 20 (1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane and xylene) trap explorations. Median annual cumulative durations of 8 and 20 h of exposure to chloroform and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane at levels above odour detection threshold were reported. Subjective adverse findings possibly related solvents had been noticed by 24 (9.8%) lepidopterists. All the events had been mild to moderate. No factor predicting unsafe procedures or adverse reactions was recorded despite thorough statistical testing.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-6, FI-20520 Turku, Finland; Pharmacology, Drug Development and Therapeutics, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FI-20520 Turku, Finland. Electronic address: pejvai@utu.fi.
authors.forename: Petri J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Vainio
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Lemminkäisenkatu 1, FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Tero
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vahlberg
authors.affiliation: Pharmacology, Drug Development and Therapeutics, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, FI-20520 Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Jyrki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liesivuori
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002725:Chloroform / Q000633:toxicity*; D004772:Entomology; D004980:Ethane / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000633:toxicity*; D007915:Lepidoptera; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; C015530:1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; D002725:Chloroform; D004980:Ethane
keywords: 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane; Chlorinated hydrocarbons; Chloroform; Exposure; Xylene