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Show May 7, 1992 - Solvent study could help 7 Hilltop Times T V f protect workers by Frances Kosakowsky Hilltop Times staff Hill AFB workers are being offered an opportunity to participate in a research project on the cutting edge of environmental science. The Air Force is collaborating with the University of Cincinnati Medical School and the Environmental Protection Agency in a study which has the potential to protect people who work in industrial environments. Researchers will analyze changes in various chemicals biomarkers generated by the body before and after exposure to the fumes of industrial solvents. Using these biomarkers for monitoring the effects of chemicals in an industrial environment will provide warning far in advance of levels becoming hazardous. In the past, researchers had to rely on the measurement of hazardous substances in the surrounding air and make assumptions about how much was entering the body. This project tests the feasibility of using expired breath samples to determine how much has been taken into the body. The chemical levels in blood and urine are also measured. "Advances in technology have made it possible to detect chemicals in a person's expired breath, blood and urine when the exposure is below the limit of detection and, well below Occupational Safety and Health Agency Standards for airborne concentration," said Donna Olsen, Hill solvent study coordinator. In addition to the breath, blood and urine samples, semen and white blood cells are used to measure the effect on reproductive and genetic material. "The human reproductive system is one of the most sensitive mechanisms in our bodies," said Olsen, who earned a doctorate in population ecology. "Sperm numbers, motility (ability to swim), shape, swimming speed and pattern and changes in the nucleus of white blood cells will be studied to see if we can use them as biomarkers," she said. The project is unique because the researchers will simultaneously measure and compare the amount of chemicals in the work place air with the amount in the breath, urine and blood with the early effects of relatively low levels of exposure on the reproductive system and genetic material in white blood cells. The pilot phase of the study was completed recently. "We are looking for 30 male volunteers to participate in the second phase of the study," Olsen said. "The men we are looking for are those who haven't been using solvents for the past year and who are now being transferred to a job where they will be methylene chloride, xyusing toluene or lene, methyl ethyl ketone." Olsen said that five of the 30 volunteers will be men who don't work with solvents. These five will be sampled in the same manner as the others to eliminate the possibility that any changes observed are due to weather, season of the year, altitude, lifestyle or just living in this area. Volunteers will be paid $475 for completing the study, which consists of four sets of tests over a period of nine months. Savings plan open season begins Tues- The Thrift Savings Plan open season begins day and ends July 31. During open season, employees may begin contributing to the TSP, change the amount of their TSP contributions, or allocate TSP contributions to their account among the three investment funds. An employee may make a TSP election during open season if their latest appointment to a position covered by the Federal Employee Retirement System or Civil Servant Retirement System was made before Jan. 1, 1992. Anyone hired after Jan. 1, 1992, will not be eligible to participate until Nov. 15, 1992. If an individual stopped his or her TSP contributions before Jan. 31, 1992, he or she may resume their contribution this open season. If, however, an employee stopped contributions after Feb. 1, 1992, he or she may not begin contributing again until the Mir "' SEiP.,'.';. f ' "0rW .11' Don't hold your breath v Mike Hicks (right) gets civ 4 instructions from Donna Olsen before she takes a breath sample. Hicks is an 7 F-1- 4 6 sheet metal worker who is participating in the solvent study. Olsen is the Hill AFB coordinator for the study. video camera is mounted at the top of the microscope in front of Olsen. The monitor shows magnified action of what is going on in the slide under the microscope. A "Each volunteer will be given the results of his tests, but no names are attached to the samples, only a confidential identification number," Olsen said. Strict confidentiality will be maintained throughout the study and no data will be made available to the Air Force or any other organization which would News Briefs See page 19 for a summary of the TSP funds' performance for February 1991 through February 1992. next open season, which begins Nov. 15, 1992. To make an open season election, a completed election form TSP-- 1 must be submitted. Forms can be obtained from the Entitlements Office, Bldg. 1245, Room 12.No TSP-- 1 forms will be accepted before May 15. If an employee's election is accepted at the Entitlements Office before July 10, it will be effective July 12 and the paycheck dated July 31 will reflect an election. Any open season elections after July 1 0 will be effective on' the first day of the first full pay period after it has been accepted at the Entitlements Office. The last day to elect changes in TSP will be July 30. All questions should be directed to Carolyn Ext. ' . . Bron-so- identify individuals. She emphasized that the samples will not be tested for drug use or AIDS. The samples collected will be used solely for the purpose of the study. Any males under age 51 who are interested in volunteering for the study can contact Olsen, Ext. n, Yard maintenance policy stated To clarify base policies pertaining to Hill AFB housing tenants, the housing management branch supplied the following. Common area watering policy Common areas assigned to Civil Engineering for maintenance will be watered between midnight and 6 a.m. Mon- day through Friday. This schedule minimizes evapo- ration and conserves water supplies. Grass clipping disposal Grass clippings should not be scattered on hillsides in the backyards of the housing units. The clippings should be bagged and placed out on the curb for pickup on trash collection day. |