Reich, A. R., Florida Department of Health/A, Tallahassee, USA, andy_reich@doh.state.fl.us
Backer, L. C., US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Centers for Environmetnal Health, Atlanta, USA, lfb9@CDC.GOV
Kirkpatrick, B. ., Mote Marine Laboratory/Environmental Health Program, Sarasota, USA, bkirkpat@mote.org
Fleming, L. E., University of Miami/Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, USA, LFleming@med.miami.edu
Nierenberg, K. ., Mote Marine Laboratory/Environmental Health Program, Sarasota, USA, knierenberg@mote.org
Kirkpatrick, G. ., Mote Marine Laboratory/Phytoplankton Ecology Program, Sarasota, USA, gkirkpat@mote.org
Cheng, Y. S., Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute/Aerosol and Respiratory Dosimetry Program, Albuquerque, USA, YCheng@lrri.org
Benson, J. ., Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute/Toxicology Program, Albuquerque, , JBenson@lrri.org
Abraham, W. ., University of Miami/School of Medicine, Miami, USA, abraham@msmc.com
Baden, D. ., University of North Carolina-Wilmington/Center for Marine Research, Wilmington, USA, baden@uncw.edu

THE HUMAN HEALTH EFFECTS OF MARINE TOXINS: CURRENT AEROSOLIZED FLORIDA RED TIDE RESEARCH

Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide organism, produces the potent neurotoxin, brevetoxin. In addition to the health effects associated with the ingestion of contaminated shellfish, there have been widespread anecdotal reports of respiratory irritation and possibly immunologic effects associated with the inhalation of aerosolized Florida Red Tides. An inter-disciplinary team of scientists is investigating the human health effects from environmental exposure to Florida red tide toxins. When a red tide moves onshore, the team rapidly assembles to collect environmental conditions and samples (air, water, particulates) and epidemiologic data (pre/post-exposure questionnaires, pulmonary function tests, and personal monitoring) in normal workers and asthmatic (> 12 yrs) residents in endemic areas. Acute and chronic respiratory effects of red tides and brevetoxin are also evaluated in rodent and asthmatic sheep models, as well as toxin exploration (including natural antagonists). These models are being used to refine and validate biomarkers of brevetoxin exposure and effect, as well as explore the pathophysiology of health effects from aerosolized brevetoxins. This research has demonstrated acute and possibly sub-chronic effects in animals and humans with asthma, as well as providing an environmental model for public health interventions and the discovery of new medications based on the natural antagonists.

Oral presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:120
Date: 03-03-2008
Time: 14:45