David Carpenter - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by David Carpenter
Environmental Health, Aug 29, 2005
Toxicological Sciences, Nov 4, 2003
![Research paper thumbnail of Hazardous wastes in Eastern and Central Europe [meeting report]](https://attachments.academia-assets.com/120479409/thumbnails/1.jpg)
](Environmental Health Perspectives, Mar 1, 1996
The concentrations of over 30 contaminants were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon. Eighteen... more The concentrations of over 30 contaminants were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon. Eighteen composite samples of 180 farm-raised and wild salmon were measured; there were lO fish per composite. The fish were purchased from commercial distributors in the United States and Canada but included fish farmed or caught in Canada, Chile, Norway, and the United Sates. All measurements were made using gas chromatographic mass spectrometry with isotopic internal standards. On a wet weight basis, the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins, almost all pesticides (including toxaphene), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE, flame retardants), and organic arsenic were significantly higher in the farm-raised fish as compared to their wild colleagues. In fact, the PCB and PBDE concentrations were about nine times higher in the farm-raised fish compared to the wild fish. On a lipid adjusted basis, many of these differences disappeared, but PCBs and PBDEs were still significan...
Environmental Pollution, 2019
Reviews on environmental health, 2013
Avtomobilʹ na službe, Nov 29, 2012
This study was conducted in order to determine if the source of contaminants at formerly used def... more This study was conducted in order to determine if the source of contaminants at formerly used defense sites (FUDS) in Alaska were deposited as a result of military occupancy or from long-distance transport. This determination largely influences whether remediation will occur, and, if so, to what extent. For this reason, plant samples (rinsed and unrinsed) and sediment cores were collected at military and remote sites on St. Lawrence Island (SLI) and Norton Sound, Alaska during the summers of 2002, 2006, and 2007 and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants. On St. Lawrence Island sediment core samples were collected at the Northeast Cape FUDS, also a traditional fishing/hunting camp, and were sectioned and analyzed for concentrations of Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, Mirex, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Mercury and Cesium-137 (137 Cs). Differences in the total concentrations and distributions of PCB congeners, Mirex, DDE and Mercury in sediment cores and in plants collected from the two SLI and three Norton Sound mainland formerly used defense sites indicate the majority of the contaminants found can be temporally related to releases during military occupancy and subsequent redistribution of contaminants. Contaminants in plant samples at the SLI sites are elevated relative to the two remote sites located on St. Lawrence Island and the three mainland Norton Sound FUDS at Elim, Unalakleet, and Wales. The concentrations, lateral and vertical distribution of the total PCBs, and congener-specific differences in sediments and plants readily differentiate locally derived from globally transported contaminants. The relative contaminant concentrations in sediment cores and between rinsed and unrinsed plants collected from the NEC FUDS indicate contaminants were remobilized and redistributed during recent site remediation activities.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, Oct 22, 2011
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are rapidly cytotoxic to isolated murine thymocytes, and the ... more Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are rapidly cytotoxic to isolated murine thymocytes, and the degree of cell death has been correlated with changes in membrane fluidity, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration and generation of reactive oxygen species. We have compared the degree of cell death and increase in membrane fluidity of C-20 and C-22 omega-3 and 6 PUFAs to those induced by monounsaturated and trans-fatty acids, and find that concentrations which induce comparable increases in membrane fluidity do not cause comparable cell death. The C-18 omega-6 causes a decrease in membrane fluidity, yet is the most potent in causing cell death. Omega-6 PUFAs are more cytotoxic than omega-3 PUFAs, while monounsaturated and trans-fats show little cytotoxicity and only at much higher concentrations. Cell death is preceded by reductions of both plasma and mitochondrial membrane potential, and occurs via apoptosis. These results indicate that cell death is due to mechanisms other than changes in membrane fluidity.
Environmental Pollution, May 1, 2020
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases that tend to occur together, including diabe... more The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases that tend to occur together, including diabetes, hypertension, central obesity, cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been associated with increased risk of development of several of the components of the MetS. The goal of this study is to determine whether the associations with POPs are identical for each of the components and for the MetS. The subject population was 601 Native Americans (Akwesasne Mohawks) ages 18 to 84 who answered a questionnaire, were measured for height and weight and provided blood samples for clinical chemistries (serum lipids and fasting glucose) and analysis of 101 PCB congeners and three OCPs [dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mirex]. Associations between concentrations of total PCBs and pesticides, as well as various PCB congener groups with each of the different components of the MetS were determine so as to ask whether there were similar risk factors for all components of the MetS. After adjustment for other contaminants, diabetes and hypertension were strongly associated with lower chlorinated and mono-ortho PCBs, but not other PCB groups or pesticides. Obesity was most closely associated with highly chlorinated PCBs and was negatively associated with mirex. High serum lipids were most strongly associated with higher chlorinated PCBs and PCBs with multiple ortho-substituted chlorines, as well as total pesticides, DDE and HCB. Cardiovascular disease was not closely associated with levels of any of the measured POPs. While exposure to POPs is associated with increased risk of most of the various diseases comprising the MetS, the specific contaminants associated with risk of the component diseases are not the same.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
We have explored differences in rates of emergency room (ER) visits for respiratory diseases in t... more We have explored differences in rates of emergency room (ER) visits for respiratory diseases in the counties of New York State (NYS) in relation to levels of air pollution, poverty, and smoking. Air pollution information was derived from the National Emissions Inventory, which provides information on road, non-road, point, and non-point sources of 12 different air pollutants. This information is only available at the county level. Four types of respiratory diseases were considered: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute lower respiratory diseases, and acute upper respiratory diseases. Asthma ER visits were elevated in counties with greater total air pollution. All forms of respiratory diseases were elevated in counties with a greater rate of poverty, although this may reflect the fact that poor people often use ERs for routine care. There was a very strong association between rates of smoking for COPD and acute lower respiratory diseases. There was an apparent n...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The Mohawks at Akwesasne have been highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), via releas... more The Mohawks at Akwesasne have been highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), via releases from three aluminum foundries located near the reserve. They are also exposed to organochlorine pesticides, namely hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and mirex. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced cognition in relation to total PCBs, but the effects of the mixtures of different PCB congener groups, HCB, DDE, and mirex on cognitive function have not been studied. Therefore, cognitive performance for executive function, scored via the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), in Mohawk adults aged 17–79 years (n = 301), was assessed in relation to serum concentrations of low-chlorinated PCBs, high-chlorinated PCBs, total PCBs, HCB, DDE, and mirex. We used mixture models employing the quantile-based g-computation method. The mixture effects of low-chlorinated PCBs, high-chlorinated PCBs, HCB, DDE, and mirex were significantly associated with 4.01 DSST sc...
Animal, Plant, and Microbial Toxins, 1976
Military medicine, 2021
INTRODUCTION Exposures to environmental toxins have been associated with severe health problems f... more INTRODUCTION Exposures to environmental toxins have been associated with severe health problems for approximately one-quarter of the nearly 700,000 U.S. soldiers who served in the Gulf War between the years 1990 and 1991. Gulf War illness still affects about 30% of Gulf War veterans (GWV), causing reduced psychological wellness and neuropsychological function. METHOD AND MATERIALS This pilot study used a randomized wait-list control design to explore the feasibility and efficacy of a novel detoxification method for GWV exposed to toxicants such as pesticides, nerve gases, and pyridostigmine bromide. Our study included 32 GWV (67% male), with a mean age of 51 (range: 43-70, SD = 6.97), who participated in a 4- to 5-week treatment that was hypothesized to reduce the reported psychological and neuropsychological symptoms. Psychological measures used included tests given for the evaluation of neurocognitive function, including motor function for a dominant hand with the grooved pegboard...
Nine metals were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon from the United States, Canada, Chile, a... more Nine metals were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon from the United States, Canada, Chile, and Norway. Only organic arsenic was significantly higher in farm-raised compared to wild salmon, and none of the contaminants exceeded federal standards or guidelines.
Journal of Mental Health & Clinical Psychology, 2020
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a serious health concern for 30% of veterans who were deployed during t... more Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a serious health concern for 30% of veterans who were deployed during the first Gulf War. Symptoms include reduced physical, psychological, and neuropsychological wellness and function. Research indicates that these symptoms can be linked to environmental toxins that veterans were exposed to during their time in theater. Some data suggest that continued internal exposure may be maintaining the illness, thus a detoxification procedure could be of assistance to those experiencing GWI. Reviewed here is a novel detoxification procedure applied as a treatment for GWI and the positive outcomes associated with this procedure. Presented here is a brief logic for the detoxification method, a simple summary of the method, and the encouraging outcomes of the method. Awareness of this and similar detoxification methods' impacts on GWI symptoms should highlight the need for more research on this and related topics.
Annals of Global Health, 2019
Saudi medical journal, 2017
To assess cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with daily exposures to PM2.5 in Western Coast of ... more To assess cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with daily exposures to PM2.5 in Western Coast of Saudi Arabia. Methods: We monitored 24-h PM2.5 and its constituents including black carbon (BC), particulate sulfate (p-SO42-), nitrate (p-NO3-), ammonium (p-NH4+) and trace elements (TEs) at a site in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia from May to June 2013 with simultaneous collection of hospital data (N=2513). Cardiopulmonary morbidity risk was determined in a generalized linear time-series model. Results: Exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a 7.6% (p=0.056) increase in risk of respiratory disease (RD) in females. Black carbon increased RD morbidity risk by 68.1% (p=0.056) in females. Exposure to p-SO42- increased the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by up to 5.3% (p=0.048) in males; and RD by 2.9% (p=0.037) in females and 2.5% (p=0.022) in males. The p-NH4+ increased CVD risk by up to 20.3% (p=0.033) in males; and RD by 10.7% (p=0.014) in females and 8% (p=0.031) in males. No statistically sig...
Environmental health perspectives, 2016
Exposures to environmental pollutants during windows of developmental vulnerability in early life... more Exposures to environmental pollutants during windows of developmental vulnerability in early life can cause disease and death in infancy and childhood as well as chronic, non-communicable diseases that may manifest at any point across the life span. Patterns of pollution and pollution-related disease change as countries move through economic development. Environmental pollution is now recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). According to the World Health Organization, pollution is responsible for 8.9 million deaths around the world each year; of these, 94% (8.4 million) are in LMICs. Toxic chemical pollution is growing into a major threat to children's health in LMICs. The disease and disability caused by environmental pollution have great economic costs, and these costs can undercut trajectories of national development. To combat pollution, improved programs of public health and environmental protection are needed in co...
Environmental Health, Aug 29, 2005
Toxicological Sciences, Nov 4, 2003
Environmental Health Perspectives, Mar 1, 1996
The concentrations of over 30 contaminants were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon. Eighteen... more The concentrations of over 30 contaminants were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon. Eighteen composite samples of 180 farm-raised and wild salmon were measured; there were lO fish per composite. The fish were purchased from commercial distributors in the United States and Canada but included fish farmed or caught in Canada, Chile, Norway, and the United Sates. All measurements were made using gas chromatographic mass spectrometry with isotopic internal standards. On a wet weight basis, the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), dioxins, almost all pesticides (including toxaphene), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE, flame retardants), and organic arsenic were significantly higher in the farm-raised fish as compared to their wild colleagues. In fact, the PCB and PBDE concentrations were about nine times higher in the farm-raised fish compared to the wild fish. On a lipid adjusted basis, many of these differences disappeared, but PCBs and PBDEs were still significan...
Environmental Pollution, 2019
Reviews on environmental health, 2013
Avtomobilʹ na službe, Nov 29, 2012
This study was conducted in order to determine if the source of contaminants at formerly used def... more This study was conducted in order to determine if the source of contaminants at formerly used defense sites (FUDS) in Alaska were deposited as a result of military occupancy or from long-distance transport. This determination largely influences whether remediation will occur, and, if so, to what extent. For this reason, plant samples (rinsed and unrinsed) and sediment cores were collected at military and remote sites on St. Lawrence Island (SLI) and Norton Sound, Alaska during the summers of 2002, 2006, and 2007 and analyzed for persistent organic pollutants. On St. Lawrence Island sediment core samples were collected at the Northeast Cape FUDS, also a traditional fishing/hunting camp, and were sectioned and analyzed for concentrations of Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, Mirex, Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Mercury and Cesium-137 (137 Cs). Differences in the total concentrations and distributions of PCB congeners, Mirex, DDE and Mercury in sediment cores and in plants collected from the two SLI and three Norton Sound mainland formerly used defense sites indicate the majority of the contaminants found can be temporally related to releases during military occupancy and subsequent redistribution of contaminants. Contaminants in plant samples at the SLI sites are elevated relative to the two remote sites located on St. Lawrence Island and the three mainland Norton Sound FUDS at Elim, Unalakleet, and Wales. The concentrations, lateral and vertical distribution of the total PCBs, and congener-specific differences in sediments and plants readily differentiate locally derived from globally transported contaminants. The relative contaminant concentrations in sediment cores and between rinsed and unrinsed plants collected from the NEC FUDS indicate contaminants were remobilized and redistributed during recent site remediation activities.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, Oct 22, 2011
Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are rapidly cytotoxic to isolated murine thymocytes, and the ... more Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are rapidly cytotoxic to isolated murine thymocytes, and the degree of cell death has been correlated with changes in membrane fluidity, elevation of intracellular calcium concentration and generation of reactive oxygen species. We have compared the degree of cell death and increase in membrane fluidity of C-20 and C-22 omega-3 and 6 PUFAs to those induced by monounsaturated and trans-fatty acids, and find that concentrations which induce comparable increases in membrane fluidity do not cause comparable cell death. The C-18 omega-6 causes a decrease in membrane fluidity, yet is the most potent in causing cell death. Omega-6 PUFAs are more cytotoxic than omega-3 PUFAs, while monounsaturated and trans-fats show little cytotoxicity and only at much higher concentrations. Cell death is preceded by reductions of both plasma and mitochondrial membrane potential, and occurs via apoptosis. These results indicate that cell death is due to mechanisms other than changes in membrane fluidity.
Environmental Pollution, May 1, 2020
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases that tend to occur together, including diabe... more The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of diseases that tend to occur together, including diabetes, hypertension, central obesity, cardiovascular disease and hyperlipidemia. Exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) has been associated with increased risk of development of several of the components of the MetS. The goal of this study is to determine whether the associations with POPs are identical for each of the components and for the MetS. The subject population was 601 Native Americans (Akwesasne Mohawks) ages 18 to 84 who answered a questionnaire, were measured for height and weight and provided blood samples for clinical chemistries (serum lipids and fasting glucose) and analysis of 101 PCB congeners and three OCPs [dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and mirex]. Associations between concentrations of total PCBs and pesticides, as well as various PCB congener groups with each of the different components of the MetS were determine so as to ask whether there were similar risk factors for all components of the MetS. After adjustment for other contaminants, diabetes and hypertension were strongly associated with lower chlorinated and mono-ortho PCBs, but not other PCB groups or pesticides. Obesity was most closely associated with highly chlorinated PCBs and was negatively associated with mirex. High serum lipids were most strongly associated with higher chlorinated PCBs and PCBs with multiple ortho-substituted chlorines, as well as total pesticides, DDE and HCB. Cardiovascular disease was not closely associated with levels of any of the measured POPs. While exposure to POPs is associated with increased risk of most of the various diseases comprising the MetS, the specific contaminants associated with risk of the component diseases are not the same.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
We have explored differences in rates of emergency room (ER) visits for respiratory diseases in t... more We have explored differences in rates of emergency room (ER) visits for respiratory diseases in the counties of New York State (NYS) in relation to levels of air pollution, poverty, and smoking. Air pollution information was derived from the National Emissions Inventory, which provides information on road, non-road, point, and non-point sources of 12 different air pollutants. This information is only available at the county level. Four types of respiratory diseases were considered: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute lower respiratory diseases, and acute upper respiratory diseases. Asthma ER visits were elevated in counties with greater total air pollution. All forms of respiratory diseases were elevated in counties with a greater rate of poverty, although this may reflect the fact that poor people often use ERs for routine care. There was a very strong association between rates of smoking for COPD and acute lower respiratory diseases. There was an apparent n...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The Mohawks at Akwesasne have been highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), via releas... more The Mohawks at Akwesasne have been highly exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), via releases from three aluminum foundries located near the reserve. They are also exposed to organochlorine pesticides, namely hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), and mirex. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced cognition in relation to total PCBs, but the effects of the mixtures of different PCB congener groups, HCB, DDE, and mirex on cognitive function have not been studied. Therefore, cognitive performance for executive function, scored via the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), in Mohawk adults aged 17–79 years (n = 301), was assessed in relation to serum concentrations of low-chlorinated PCBs, high-chlorinated PCBs, total PCBs, HCB, DDE, and mirex. We used mixture models employing the quantile-based g-computation method. The mixture effects of low-chlorinated PCBs, high-chlorinated PCBs, HCB, DDE, and mirex were significantly associated with 4.01 DSST sc...
Animal, Plant, and Microbial Toxins, 1976
Military medicine, 2021
INTRODUCTION Exposures to environmental toxins have been associated with severe health problems f... more INTRODUCTION Exposures to environmental toxins have been associated with severe health problems for approximately one-quarter of the nearly 700,000 U.S. soldiers who served in the Gulf War between the years 1990 and 1991. Gulf War illness still affects about 30% of Gulf War veterans (GWV), causing reduced psychological wellness and neuropsychological function. METHOD AND MATERIALS This pilot study used a randomized wait-list control design to explore the feasibility and efficacy of a novel detoxification method for GWV exposed to toxicants such as pesticides, nerve gases, and pyridostigmine bromide. Our study included 32 GWV (67% male), with a mean age of 51 (range: 43-70, SD = 6.97), who participated in a 4- to 5-week treatment that was hypothesized to reduce the reported psychological and neuropsychological symptoms. Psychological measures used included tests given for the evaluation of neurocognitive function, including motor function for a dominant hand with the grooved pegboard...
Nine metals were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon from the United States, Canada, Chile, a... more Nine metals were measured in farm-raised and wild salmon from the United States, Canada, Chile, and Norway. Only organic arsenic was significantly higher in farm-raised compared to wild salmon, and none of the contaminants exceeded federal standards or guidelines.
Journal of Mental Health & Clinical Psychology, 2020
Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a serious health concern for 30% of veterans who were deployed during t... more Gulf War Illness (GWI) is a serious health concern for 30% of veterans who were deployed during the first Gulf War. Symptoms include reduced physical, psychological, and neuropsychological wellness and function. Research indicates that these symptoms can be linked to environmental toxins that veterans were exposed to during their time in theater. Some data suggest that continued internal exposure may be maintaining the illness, thus a detoxification procedure could be of assistance to those experiencing GWI. Reviewed here is a novel detoxification procedure applied as a treatment for GWI and the positive outcomes associated with this procedure. Presented here is a brief logic for the detoxification method, a simple summary of the method, and the encouraging outcomes of the method. Awareness of this and similar detoxification methods' impacts on GWI symptoms should highlight the need for more research on this and related topics.
Annals of Global Health, 2019
Saudi medical journal, 2017
To assess cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with daily exposures to PM2.5 in Western Coast of ... more To assess cardiopulmonary morbidity associated with daily exposures to PM2.5 in Western Coast of Saudi Arabia. Methods: We monitored 24-h PM2.5 and its constituents including black carbon (BC), particulate sulfate (p-SO42-), nitrate (p-NO3-), ammonium (p-NH4+) and trace elements (TEs) at a site in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia from May to June 2013 with simultaneous collection of hospital data (N=2513). Cardiopulmonary morbidity risk was determined in a generalized linear time-series model. Results: Exposure to PM2.5 was associated with a 7.6% (p=0.056) increase in risk of respiratory disease (RD) in females. Black carbon increased RD morbidity risk by 68.1% (p=0.056) in females. Exposure to p-SO42- increased the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by up to 5.3% (p=0.048) in males; and RD by 2.9% (p=0.037) in females and 2.5% (p=0.022) in males. The p-NH4+ increased CVD risk by up to 20.3% (p=0.033) in males; and RD by 10.7% (p=0.014) in females and 8% (p=0.031) in males. No statistically sig...
Environmental health perspectives, 2016
Exposures to environmental pollutants during windows of developmental vulnerability in early life... more Exposures to environmental pollutants during windows of developmental vulnerability in early life can cause disease and death in infancy and childhood as well as chronic, non-communicable diseases that may manifest at any point across the life span. Patterns of pollution and pollution-related disease change as countries move through economic development. Environmental pollution is now recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). According to the World Health Organization, pollution is responsible for 8.9 million deaths around the world each year; of these, 94% (8.4 million) are in LMICs. Toxic chemical pollution is growing into a major threat to children's health in LMICs. The disease and disability caused by environmental pollution have great economic costs, and these costs can undercut trajectories of national development. To combat pollution, improved programs of public health and environmental protection are needed in co...