The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #46559

Mark Sutton, PhD¹, Christopher J. Mundy, PhD¹, Julie Perkins, PhD¹, and Stephen R. Burastero, MD, MPH². (1) Analytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, L-231, Livermore, CA 94551, 1-925-424-2137, sutton18@llnl.gov, (2) Health Services Department, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, P.O. Box 808, L-723, Livermore, CA 94551

Beryllium is used extensively throughout the electronics and aviation industries, and the Department of Energy (DOE). There are increasing numbers of cases of occupational Chronic Beryllium Disease (CBD) being reported and there is currently no cure for CBD. Chelation therapy provides a possible treatment for the reduction of a beryllium body burden. Previously, the process of chelator development in treatment of metal poisoning has been empirically slow. A new paradigm uses modern chemistry techniques such as thermodynamics, quantum molecular modeling, analytical and organic chemistry, and toxicology to evaluate beryllium chelators in biological and environmental systems. A large number of possible chelators have been assessed and ranked using the techniques described, leading to selection and development of three selective and effective chelators for further study and application: sulfo-naphthoic acids, diphosphonic acids and disulfonic acids. These techniques are also applied to evaluate chelators used for lead and heavy metal poisoning.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to understand the need for methodical chemical investigation of new chelator development. Particularly they will learn of the use of computational chemistry in such development. Applications to other toxic metal decontamination will be demonstrated in terms of both medical and environmental systems.

Keywords: Occupational Health, Chemical Analyses

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.