As

we know, ppl are exposed to a ton of contaminants in everyday life

- Making connec:ons btwn contaminant exposure and the onset of disease
challenging
- In eort to address this, scien:sts at Oregon State University are currently
studying the use of silicone wristbands as a PASSIVE SAMPLING DEVICE in
exposure assessment

Passive Sampling Devices are ---- (read deni:on)

Usually made of:
- PE polyethylene
- POM poly oxy methylene
- SPME solid phase micro-extrac:on materials

All plas:cs found in everyday consumer products // pose low risk when used as
intended

Previous use as been in an aqueous seRng
- For example to detect contamina:on..
- Also to detect
PCB polychlorinated biphenyls (coolants/lubricants in transformers industrial use)
PAHs polycyclic aroma:c hydrocarbons (main concern is DNA disrup:on
muta:ons)

POPs persistent organic pollutants

In 2010, ini:al studies on silicone wristbands were done to see if it can be modied
for use as a Passive Sampling Device

- Showed promise
- So in 2014, her team decided to try it in the eld

- Wristbands were pre-cleaned to get rid of background compounds from

manufacturing of the wristbands
- Vacuum dried
- Stored in amber glass jars or Poly tetra uoro ethylene AIRTIGHT bags
- Then sample, pre-cleaned wristbands were assessed to ensure the cleaning process
was adequate for quan:ta:ve analysis
- Post-deployment, wristbands were rinsed with puried water & isopropyl alcohol
to reduce water residue
- Samplers extracted TWICE with 100 mL ethyl acetate
- They were then screened for chemicals of concern using AMDIS (an iden?ca?on
so@ware) on a gas chromatography-Mass spectrometer

Polycyclic Aroma?c Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wristbands & UV Stability

- Concentra:on of PAHs in wristbands exposed to UV light vs shade NO
STATISTCAL DIFFERENCE
- Meaning PAHs are stable in the wristbands in regards to sun exposure

(Next Graph)
- Here, PAH concentra:ons were observed under simulated transport at -20
degrees, 23, and +35C for 72 hrs NO STATISTICAL DIFFERENCE between
transport condi:ons
- Meaning wristbands can be transported to the lab under ambient condi:ons
- Also, the wristbands are chemically secure in PFTE bags

- Wore wristbands while working, sleeping, showering, ea:ng--- everything

- Home-use pes:cides (DEET & pet ea medica:on)

MORE DETAILED LIST FROM THE ACTUAL STUDY

PAHs 9
Consumer Products 10 (nico:ne, caeine, and tonalide fragrances / cosme:cs /
cleaning products)
Pes:cides 8 (DEET and pet- ea medica:on)
Phthalates 6 (plas:cizers)
Industrial compounds 14 (mostly ame retardants and plas:cizers)

Recruit 8 roofers that would be working with hot asphalt

- Of which there is known occupa:onal exposure to PAHs
Want to know if reduced skin contact improves chemical analyses

Figure to the le@ is the recommended protec:ve clothing for roofers,
According to the CDC Na:onal Ins:tute for Occupa:onal Safety and Health

To the right, we have the dierent congura:ons of wristbands employed
- Lapel was pinned on shirt collar
- The single wristband
- Double wristband (seen on the top) used to lessen interference from skin contact,
if any (sweat)
Roofers wore them for 5 days, 8-hr shijs each day

5 Pre-Appren:ce Roofer also par:cipated, working in a training facility for a single 8-
hr shij only

AS A RESULT

- No discomfort nor work interference was reported
- No stat di was found btwn WRISTBAND congura:ons in concentra:ons
sequestered
- Indica:ng further studies may be needed to inves:gate eec?veness of the
protec?ve clothing standards
- There were measurable levels of PAHs
- Which were present in all samples
- 12 of which are on the EPA priority list
- To give you an idea, individual PAH concentra:ons exceeded instrument
detec:on limits from 2 to over 1400 fold
- Concluded the Wristbands are extremely sensi:ve
- Also found Oxygenated PAHs that were not typically monitored for
- Possibly bringing to light a poten?al data gap in occupa:onal exposure
- 22 of 23 PAHs and Oxygenated PAHs detected in the 40 hr deployment were also
detected in the 8 hr deployment
- Sugges:ng temporal sensi:vity
- = starts absorp:on of ambient environment right away

In regards to the use of SILICONE WRISTBANDS as Passive Sampling Devices

More research on which pollutants show up and dont show up reliably and regularly
need to be done

Theres also research headed by Dr Anderson involving the use of silicone PSDs in
assessing pes:cide exposures among West African farmers (although not in the form
of a wristband)

But Overall, this study has concluded atmospheric, ?me-weighted average
concentra?ons can be compared with exposure limits and compliance
measurements through in situ calibra?on

Theyre easy to wear , non-evasive,

CHEAP, and

Hopefully, this innova?ve applica?on of silicone may become a valuable tool in
addressing challenges of exposure assessment and mixture toxicity.

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