Evaluation of the Health Aspects of Certain Compounds Found in Irradiated Beef. Supplement I. Further Toxicological Considerations of Volatile Products.
Abstract
The recent literature is reviewed of the volatile compounds identified in irradiated beef. Of particular interest were the regulatory actions initiated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reducing the maximum acceptable concentration of benzene in the workplace atmosphere from 10 to 1 parts per million, because of the suspected leukemogenic action of the compound. This action is being contested in the courts. Hexane and toluene have been shown to produce neurologic symptoms when inhaled in high concentrations to achieve a state of euphoria. Some evidence suggests that methyl ethyl ketone (2-butanone) may have similar effects in inhalant abusers. Each of these compounds is found in irradiated beef but at levels several orders of magnitude less than those producing these toxic effects. The authors conclude that there is no evidence that consumption of reasonable quantities of beef irradiated in the described manner would constitute a hazard to health. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA075398
Entities
People
- Herman I. Chinn
Organizations
- Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology