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PubMedDate not supplied

[Alternatives against environmental pollution. The focus of the internist].

Potential pathogenesis from pollution depends on the kind of contaminant, its concentration, its duration in environment and on host's characteristics. Faced to the threat of medical consequences of pollution, it is necessary to be alert to recognize them, with an anticipated description. Two syndromes can be distinguished, one acute and the other chronic, that may be useful as reference for an eventual epidemiologic surveillance.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Pyrrole-based conductive polymer as the solid-phase extraction medium for the preconcentration of environmental pollutants in water samples followed by gas chromatography with flame ionization and mass spectrometry detection.

A pyrrole-based polymer was synthesized and applied as a new sorbent for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of some environmental pollutants from water samples. Polypyrrole (PPy) was synthesized by chemical oxidation of the monomer in nonaqueous solution. SPE of selected phenols, pesticides, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous samples were performed using 200 mg PPy. The determination was subsequently carried out by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The polymer showed much higher recoveries for aromatic compounds than aliphatics. Preconcentration of sample volumes up 11 led to acceptable recoveries for aromatic and other tested polar compounds. The R.S.D. for a river water sample spiked with phenols, pesticides and PAHs at sub-ppb level was lower than 10% (n = 3) and limits of detection for these compounds were between 15 and 120 ng l(-1).

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed2005

Human thyroid in the population exposed to high environmental pollution by organochlorinated pollutants for several decades.

OBJECTIVE: To study possible effects of long-time exposure of chemical factory employees and population of surrounding polluted area to polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides on the thyroid volume and function as compared to the population from the area of background pollution. METHODS: A total of 461 adults consisting of 239 men and 222 women was examined and divided into four groups according to their permanent domicile as related to the level of environmental pollution, e.g. SR (area of background pollution, n = 207), SI (slightly polluted area, n = 59), MI (polluted city of Michalovce, n = 94) and CH (employees of chemical factory subjected to high PCB exposure, n = 101), combined first three groups being also called LPA (less polluted areas, n = 360). Thyroid volume (ThV) and echogenicity were measured by real time sonography. The level of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and pesticides (hexachlorbenzene--HCB, DDE (2,2'-2-bis(4-chlorobiphenyl)- 1,1-dichloroethylene), p,p'-DDT (2,2'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)- 1,1,1-trichloroethane) and alpha-, beta- and gamma-hexachlorcyclohexane--HCH) was estimated by congener specific analysis using HP 5890 gas chromatograph with a 63Ni electron capture detector. Serum levels of thyrotropin (TSH) and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) were measured by specific sensitive immunoassays. RESULTS: The association of very high PCB level (e.g. 7300 +/- 871 ng/g lipid; mean +/- S.E.) with increased ThV (e.g. 16.3 +/- 0.73 ml) in CH has been found, the values being significantly higher than these of 360 subjects in LPA (e.g. 2045 +/- 147 ng/g, p < 0.001 for PCB and 14.0 +/- 0.32 ml, p < 0.001 for ThV). In 23 subjects from CH with PCB level > 10000 ng/g the ThV was 18.7 +/- 2.32 ml, while that in 251 subjects from LPA with PCB level of < 2000 ng/g was 13.8 +/- 0.35 ml (p < 0.05). In addition, ThV as well as PCB levels were strikingly increasing with age. In parallel with PCB levels, also the levels of other organochlorines estimated (namely these of DDE) were increasing. Although the participation of these substances in the development of adverse effects cannot yet be defined, it cannot be excluded. The association of increased levels of episodic congener PCB 101 with increased ThV appeared to be more pronounced than that of stable congeners PCB 153 and 180. Finally, significant increase in the frequency of thyroid hypoechogenicity by ultrasound, ThV > 20.0 ml and thyroperoxidase antibodies in CH area was observed as compared to LPA. CONCLUSIONS: Several associations of high PCB and pesticides level with characteristics of thyroid disorders (e.g. increased thyroid volume, frequency of hypoechogenicity and frequency of positive thyroperoxidase antibodies level in blood) were observed in the area with heavy industrial pollution by PCB.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

The activity of glutathione S-transferase in hepatopancreas of Procambarus clarkii: seasonal variations and the influence of environmental pollutants.

1. The glutathione S-transferase activity in hepatopancreas of the American red crayfish Procambarus clarkii after 15 days' acclimatization in tap water aquaria was measured in specimens collected monthly for a whole year, and shows seasonal variation. 2. Previous data on the environmental pollution of Lake Albufera suggest a possible correlation with the activity tested in the different seasons of the year considering the results of non-acclimatized animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Further investigation of the heavy metal content of the teeth of the bank vole as an exposure indicator of environmental pollution in Poland.

The content of heavy metals in mineralised dental tissues is an indicator of the exposure of their mineral phase to heavy metals during the time of tooth development and dental tissue formation. Therefore, teeth have been used as bio-indicators which accurately reflect the environmental or dietary exposure of animals and humans to heavy metals. This study follows from the earlier work in which it was demonstrated that the teeth from bank voles inhabiting various environmentally polluted and non-polluted forests in Southern Poland were reliable indicators of exposure to heavy metals. Using analytical techniques employed in the earlier study heavy metal concentrations were obtained in the teeth of bank voles trapped in 1998-2000 to determine if efforts to clean up the environment could be detected in changes in heavy metal concentrations in the teeth. The results show that these efforts are reflected in lower concentrations of heavy metals in the teeth but that cross border contamination remains a problem.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of environmental pollution on the respiratory system of lignite miners: a diachronic study.

BACKGROUND: It is not known whether working in surface lignite mines can cause x-ray lesions or disorders of respiratory function. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the diachronic impact of environmental pollution on the respiratory system of lignite miners at mines in Eordea, Greece. METHODS: Cases of 199 workers (Group A) residing permanently in the Eordea valley and 151 (Group B) living outside the Eordea valley were studied during Phase I and then re-examined after three years (Phase II). These cases were compared to those of 71 office workers living in Eordea valley (Group C) and to 96 living in Grevena, a region without pollution (Group D). The study included the completion of the MRC questionnaire for the detection of respiratory diseases, pulmonary function tests, measurement of diffusion capacity, otorhinolaryngologic examination, rhinomanonetry as well as chest and paranasal cavity X-rays. RESULTS: Chronic bronchitis was reported by 26.8%, 24.8%, 17.9% and 10.6% respectively of the subjects of groups A, B, C and D according to the answers of the questionnaire (p<0.001). The spirometry and diffusion capacity findings presented no considerable differences either in the 4 groups or between phases I and II of the study. The main problems were detected in the upper airways. A very high prevalence of severe nasal obstruction (73%, 71.2%, 55.7% and 19.3% in Groups A, B, C and D respectively) was detected. Furthermore, a high percentage of atrophic rhinitis (14%) was detected both among workers (Groups A and B) and subjects living in the Eordea valley who participated as controls (Group C). From the X-rays, hypertrophy of nasal turbinates-cartilage and polyposis was observed as follows: Group A: 53.9%, Group B: 48.1%, Group C: 46.5% and Group D: 20.3% (p<0.001). The findings related to the upper respiratory system may be due to excessive pollution by airborne particles (fly ash) pollution in the region and particularly to chromium, nickel, cobalt and lead found at high concentration levels in airborne dust. A marked association between the total air-flow in the nose and the mid-expiratory flow (p<0.01) was detected. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that subjects working in lignite mines under conditions of excessive pollution by airborne contaminants have a high prevalence of atrophic rhinitis and, in addition to other standard examinations, should undergo rhinomanometry testing and X-ray imaging of the paranasal cavities.

Adult↗