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At least 865 records · Page 48Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Do we pay too dearly for our sport and leisure activities? An investigation into fatalities as a result of sporting and leisure activities in England and Wales, 1982-1988.

Analysis of deaths from sports and leisure activities in England and Wales during 1982-88 found that horse riding (98 deaths), air sports (92 deaths), motor sports (86 deaths) and mountaineering (74 deaths) were the most hazardous activities. The most hazardous activity for children was horse riding (19 deaths). The commonest activities resulting in drowning in adults were swimming (128 deaths) and fishing (82 deaths). The main drowning deaths in children followed swimming (24 deaths). When exposure was taken into account, mountaineering, motor sports and horseriding were found to be the most hazardous activities. Mountaineering was one hundred times more dangerous than ball games or water sports. We can expect an increase in sport and leisure accidents in the next few years. Strict control, sensible safety precautions and adequate training are paramount if we are to see any improvement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Geographical and social variations in mortality due to childhood accidents in England and Wales 1975-1984.

An analysis was made of the death rates from accidents in children aged 0-14 by health districts in England and Wales during the five year periods 1974-79 and 1980-84. Death rates were generally higher in the north and west of England and lower in the south and east. Rates were higher in urban areas than in rural areas. There was a more than five-fold difference between the highest and lowest rates by districts during both periods. There was a very strong correlation with social deprivation. Greater efforts are required to reduce unnecessary deaths and disability from childhood accidents. The lessons already learned in many parts of the world must now be put into much wider use and practice in the United Kingdom.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1989

COVER (cover of vaccination evaluated rapidly): description of the England and Wales scheme.

The COVER scheme, a method for the rapid evaluation of vaccine coverage in England and Wales, is described. The primary aim of the scheme is to improve cover by providing health district vaccination programme coordinators with relevant timely information. Quarterly data were obtained from, analysed and promptly fed back to, 126 health districts on cohorts of children who had recently attained the target ages for receiving the selected sentinel vaccines; 18 months for third diphtheria and third pertussis and 2 years for measles. Although the data suggested that vaccination cover is improving, national performance still falls well short of 90%, the 1990 target set by the World Health Organisation for countries in Europe.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2000

Levels of antifoulant Irgarol 1051 in the Conwy Marina, North Wales.

Irgarol 1051 (2-methylthio-4-tert-butylamino-6-cyclopropylamino-s-triazine) is an antifouling agent used in paint formulations that are applied to the hulls of ships. A survey was carried out at Conwy Marina in North Wales to determine the levels of the herbicide over a period of three months. Liquid/liquid extraction was used to concentrate the analyte for quantitative analysis using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. The concentrations of Irgarol 1051 in Conwy marina ranged from 7 to 543 ng/l, similar to the levels found in many other marinas, estuaries and ports in England, although much lower than those in Côte d'Azur, France. The concentrations of Irgarol 1051 were not found to be influenced by salinity, pH or temperature, although there is a strong correlation between the average concentrations of Irgarol 1051 and the density of boating activity. At the levels found in the marina, it is possible that non-target photosynthetic inhibition could occur.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry↗
PubMed2002

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers in two species of marine top predators from England and Wales.

During an earlier study, polybrominated diphenyl ethers were detected at high concentrations in fish and sediments downstream of a manufacturing site in NE England. We have now undertaken analysis of 14 tri- to heptabromodiphenyl ether congeners in tissues of two species of marine top predators exposed to these compounds through their consumption of fish. In this paper we report data for 47 cormorants and 60 harbour porpoises from England and Wales, sampled during the period 1996-2000. Concentrations of the summed congeners ranged from 1.8 to 140 microg kg(-1) wet weight in cormorant livers, and from not detected to 6900 microg kg(-1) wet weight in porpoise blubber. The major congeners present were generally BDE47, BDE99 and BDE100. There was little correlation between concentrations of chlorobiphenyls (as the sum of 25 individual congeners) and the sum of the 14 BDE congeners determined, particularly for the porpoises.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Trace metal behaviour in the Conwy estuary, North Wales.

The distribution of trace metals Zn, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu, Pb, Cd and Cr between suspended particulate matter (SPM) and water in the Conwy estuary, North Wales, has been studied in three surveys in 1998. Dissolved Cu and Mn showed some monthly variations. Most of the dissolved trace metals displayed a negative association with salinity, indicating rivers as a major source of inputs for them. Particulate Zn, Mn and Fe showed a decreasing concentration seaward, whilst the levels of Ni, Cu, Cr and Pb increased with salinity. SPM concentration was the most important variable significantly related to trace metal concentrations in SPM, with an inverse relationship between the two parameters. This was explained by the relative enrichment of trace metals in fine particles at low SPM concentrations and relative depletion of trace metals in coarse particles at high SPM concentrations. Particulate Zn, Mn and Pb were dominated by the fraction available to acetic acid (non-detrital), whilst particulate Ni, Fe and Cr were dominated by the fraction available to nitric acid (detrital). The partition coefficient of trace metals between SPM and water declined with increasing SPM concentration, consistent with the so-called "particle concentration effect". Such a phenomenon may be explained by the presence of fine particles (including colloids) enriched with trace metals at low SPM concentrations, and the salinity-induced desorption.

Adsorption↗
PubMed2002

Modelling long-term stream acidification in the chemically heterogeneous Upper Severn catchment, Mid-Wales.

A two-box version of the long-term acidification model MAGIC is applied to the Upper Severn catchment, Mid-Wales. Comparison between modelled output and the observed stream- and groundwater chemistry points to the limitations of modelling, due to the inherent complexity and variability in the catchment hydrology, soils, geology and chemistry. The MAGIC model is used to produce long-term hind- and forecast predictions of average stream-, soil- and groundwater chemistry, and to simulate long-term changes in sulfate and nitrate deposition, in line with current proposals of reduction. Changes in flow-routing pathways between soil- and groundwater are simulated and the long-term effects on streamwater quality noted. The use of a long-term acidification model enabled the simulation of streamwater quality under these different case scenarios. However, the modelled output is insensitive to depositional and flow routing changes, indicating that catchment processes are not being represented to a sufficient degree. Changes in simulated output as a result of increased acidic deposition are not statistically significant, lying within the variance of long-term observed data. Simulated changes in flow routing suggest a lack of model sensitivity, in terms of the effect on stream chemistry. The need for large amounts of measured data to ensure correct model representation of the hydrology, chemistry and the heterogeneous/variable nature of upland catchments is outlined. It is vital that these long-term data are available to ensure that problems do not arise due to over-reliance by catchment managers on potentially unreliable modelled output.

Acid Rain↗
PubMed2002

Selenium in soils, spermatophytes and bryophytes around a Zn-Pb smelter, New South Wales, Australia.

Selenium concentrations and its spatial distribution in soils, spermatophytes and bryophytes (mosses) around the Cockle Creek Zn-Pb smelter, New South Wales were studied from May to November 2000. Selenium was determined by ICP-MS on soils digested in nitric and hydrochloric acid (HNO3:HCl = 3:1), and plant samples digested in distilled concentrated nitric acid. At distances greater than 3 km, selenium in soils, spermatophytes and bryophytes converge to uniform values, which are considered to represent the background value. Mean selenium in soils around the smelter is two times higher than the background value. Mean concentration of selenium in plants around the smelter is three times greater than that for background plants. Selenium from 'in site' bryophyte is twice that found in the background bryophyte. The transfer coefficients of selenium between plants and soils are low, especially at a distance less than 1 km from the smelter. However, mosses show the reverse trend. This study indicates that the Zn-Pb smelter is one of the anthropogenic point sources of selenium pollution in the Lake Macquarie district.

Bryopsida↗
PubMed2002

Geochemical evidence for atmospheric pollution derived from prehistoric copper mining at Copa Hill, Cwmystwyth, mid-Wales, UK.

This paper presents geochemical data from a blanket peat located close to a Bronze Age copper mine on the northern slopes of the Ystwyth valley, Ceredigion, mid-Wales, UK. The research objective was to explore the possibility that the peat contained a geochemical record of the pollution generateD by mining activity. Four peat monoliths were extracted from the blanket peat to reconstruct the pollution history of the prehistoric mine. Three different geochemical measurement techniques were employed and four copper profiles have been reconstructed, two of which are radiocarbon-dated. The radiocarbon dates at one profile located close to the mine confirm that copper enrichment occurs in the peat during the known period of prehistoric mining. Similar enrichment of copper concentrations is shown in one adjacent profile and a profile within 30 m away. In contrast, copper was not enriched in the other radiocarbon-dated monolith, collected approximately 1.35 km to the north of the mine. Whilst other possible explanations to explain the copper concentrations are discussed, it is argued that the high copper concentrations represent evidence of localised atmospheric pollution caused by Bronze Age copper mining in the British Isles. The results of this study suggest that copper may be immobile in blanket peat and such deposits can usefully be used to reconstruct atmospheric pollution histories in former copper mining areas.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2002

Lead within ecosystems on metalliferous mine tailings in Wales and Ireland.

A comparative study of the concentrations of lead in ecosystems developed on metalliferous mine tailings was undertaken. Mine soils, vegetation, ground-dwelling invertebrates and Apodemus sylvaticus from nine abandoned mines in Wales and a modern Irish mine site were sampled in order to evaluate and compare exposure risks to wildlife. The mine sites had a wide range of relatively high concentrations of total lead in their tailings (from 1058 to 46,630 mg kg(-1)) but the extractable lead fractions were extremely variable and not clearly related or proportional to the total values. The high soil concentrations were reflected in vegetation collected from most of the sites with the exception of the modern mine, but there was no statistical relationship, on a site basis, between available soil lead and that in plant leaf samples. The highest plant concentrations were found in litter, which in all but one of the Welsh sites exceeded the threshold guideline value of 150 mg kg(-1). Food-chain transfer was shown by high concentrations of lead in invertebrates and A. sylvaticus from the abandoned Welsh mines. A highly significant relationship existed between lead in grass and the grasshopper, Chorthippus brunneus. Adverse effects on soil invertebrates, essential to the decomposition processes and cycling of essential nutrients, were identified as probably the major obstacle to natural ecosystem development on the abandoned Welsh sites. Toxicological risk of lead to the small mammals from the Welsh sites, but not the modern Irish tailings, is indicated given the high lead concentrations in dietary items and the resultant residues in kidney with some evidence of renal oedema in animals from two sites. The absence of a significant relationship between the estimated dietary lead concentration. calculated on a site basis, and the total body concentration in A. sylvaticus, was attributed, in part, to the large size of the home range and the partial feeding of individual animals off the contaminated mine site.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Soluble reactive phosphorus levels in rainfall, cloud water, throughfall, stemflow, soil waters, stream waters and groundwaters for the Upper River Severn area, Plynlimon, mid Wales.

Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) data are presented for rainfall, cloud water, soil waters, stream waters and groundwaters at the Plynlimon catchments in mid Wales to examine the hydrochemical functioning of inorganic phosphorus for an acidic and acid sensitive area characteristic of much of the UK uplands. In general, stream water concentrations are low compared to lowland areas. Average concentrations of SRP in rainfall and cloud water (0.3 and 0.9 microM l(-1), respectively) are higher than in stream water with wider ranges in concentration (0-19.3 and 0-20.9 microM l(-1), respectively). Throughfall and stemflow is enriched in SRP compared to rain and cloud water by a factor of approximately twofold and sixfold, respectively: the average concentrations and ranges are 0.73 and 0-6.61 microM l(-1) for throughfall and 2.12 and 0-18.61 microM l(-1) for stemflow. Soil water SRP concentrations measured in the surface layers of representative areas of podzol and gley soils, are further enriched with respect to inputs. Average concentrations and ranges for the L/F and Oh horizons in the podzols are 3.1 microM l(-1) (range: 0.03-17.2 microM l(-1)) and 0.75 microM l(-1) (range: 0.03-2.64 microM l(-1)), respectively. Correspondingly, the average values and ranges for the L/F and Oh horizons in the gley are 2 microM l(-1) (range: 0.03-16.65 microM l(-1)) and 0.4 microM l(-1) (range: 0.03-8.61 microM l(-1)). SRP concentrations in stream and ground water are lower than in atmospheric inputs and surface soil waters and show marked spatial variability. This variability is linked to three catchment features. (1) For streams draining podzolic soils, most of the SRP is retained by the catchment. For this situation, stream and ground waters have average concentrations of approximately 0.05 microM l(-1) with a range of 0-1.47 microM l(-1). There is no clear stream or groundwater SRP response to felling despite a large release of SRP from felling debris (brash) and the forest floor (L/F horizon) with average post-felling concentrations of 11.02 microM l(-1) (0.40-155.0 microM l(-1)) and 23.60 microM l(-1) (0.26-172.23 microM l(-1)), respectively. (2) For forested catchments with gley soils, stream water SRP concentrations are more variable with, in one case, much higher concentrations than for the podzol counterparts (range in average 0.05-0.46 microM l(-1)). (3) For the streams draining gley soils, felling results in a mixed SRP response. At the local scale (ditch drainage), there is a marked enrichment in SRP concentration (average concentrations increase from 0.05 to 1.31 microM l(-1), with a peak concentration of 4.0 microM l(-1)). This response is consistent with the observed mobilisation of SRP from brash and forest floor material (post-felling mean concentrations of 9.39 and 11.94 microM l(-1), respectively). However, stream water concentrations are an order of magnitude lower than observed in the soil waters implying considerable immobilisation of SRP between the soils and the stream. At the larger catchment scale, no discernable enrichment in SRP is observed following felling. The results are related to input-output budgets and the findings interpreted in terms of the dominant hydrogeochemical processes operative and environmental management issues.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2003

Nitrogen in rainfall, cloud water, throughfall, stemflow, stream water and groundwater for the Plynlimon catchments of mid-Wales.

An extensive study of acidic and acid sensitive moorland and forested catchments in mid-Wales is used to show the water quality functioning with respect to nitrate and ammonium. For this, long-term records of rainfall, cloud water, throughfall, stemflow and stream water (up to 18 years of weekly data) are combined with shorter duration information on stream water associated with small tributary sources and drainage ditches, ground water from a network of exploratory boreholes and paired control and felled catchments. The ratio of nitrate to ammonium is about one in rainfall, cloud water, throughfall and stemflow but the concentrations are much lower in rainfall (approximately 25 microM l(-1)) than in cloud water (approximately 300 microM l(-1)) while throughfall and stemflow are intermediate (approximately 80 microM l(-1)). Within the streams draining moorland and forested areas, nitrate concentrations are close to the mean value in rainfall while ammonium concentrations are often over an order of magnitude lower in the stream than in rainfall and are typically only about a fifth that of nitrate. With felling, stream water nitrate concentrations increase for podzolic soils but show a variable response for gley soils. For the streams draining forested podzols, the concentrations of nitrate can be up to an order of magnitude higher for the first few years after felling compared to than pre-fell values but in later years, concentrations decline to pre-fell and even lower levels. Felling for the podzolic soils barely leads to any changes in ammonium concentration. For the gley soils, felling results in an order of magnitude increase in nitrate and ammonium for a small drainage ditch, but the pulse barely reaches the main stream channel. Rather, within-catchment and within-stream processes not only take up the nitrate and ammonium fluxes generated, but in the case of nitrate, concentrations with- and post-felling are lower than pre-felling concentrations. Groundwater concentrations of nitrate for the moorland and forested catchments are slightly lower than for the streams while for ammonium the reverse is the case: ammonium concentrations in groundwater are about a tenth those of nitrate. With felling, groundwater nitrate concentrations show sporadic increases. For two boreholes, these increases occur during wet periods when groundwater levels are at their shallowest; for one other borehole, there is a gradual and sustained increase over several years. The results are explained in relation to the dominant hydrogeochemical processes operative.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2003

Dissolved beryllium in rainfall, stream and shallow groundwaters in the Upper River Severn catchments, Plynlimon, mid Wales.

This paper examines the temporal changes in dissolved beryllium in deposition (rainfall and cloud water), stream water and groundwater for the upper River Severn catchments at Plynlimon in mid-Wales. There are two main themes to the study. Firstly, time series records are examined to see if anomalous behaviour occurred during 1996, when remarkably high concentrations were unexpectedly observed in the UK lowland rivers (Neal, Sci Total Environ, 2003). The results show (a) Beryllium concentrations in rainfall and stream water remained low throughout the period (mean 0.02 and 0.07 microg l(-1) in rainfall and stream water, respectively) and were often less than the lowest quotable value for a single determination (0.05 microg l(-1)). (b) Beryllium concentrations in the streams declined between 1983 and 1996 from a mean of approximately 0.07 to a mean of 0.04 microg l(-1). This was followed by a brief increase in the autumn of 1995 (up to values of approx. 0.2 microg l(-1) and a more sustained increase to approximately 0.12 microg l(-1) from 1997 to the end of monitoring late in 1998. (c) Rainfall concentrations of Beryllium were indistinguishable from zero throughout most of the monitoring period although concentrations increased late in the study in line with patterns observed in the stream when concentrations averaged approximately 0.08 microg l(-1). (d) Beryllium concentrations are much lower than observed in the UK lowlands where concentrations as high as 29 microg l(-1) were recorded. For the exceptionally high values occurring in the lowlands, there was the potential for environmental damage to aquatic organisms such as fish at levels greater than approximately 1 microg l(-1). There are no potential problems for the upper River Severn. Secondly, while Neal et al., [J Hydrol, 136 (1992) 33-49] provided information on the hydrogeochemistry of beryllium in the upper River Severn using available information at that time (rainfall, cloud water, stemflow, throughfall and stream water), there was no information available on groundwater chemistry. Since the publication of Neal et al. [J Hydrol, 136 (1992) 33-49], such information is now available and this paper makes up this shortfall. The results show that beryllium concentrations in groundwater are typically approximately 2-3 times higher than those found within the streams (mean 0.14 microg l(-1), range 0.06-1.56 microg l(-1)). This feature probably reflects the increased leaching of beryllium from the bedrock. The findings presented in this study combined with the earlier information of Neal et al. [J Hydrol, 136 (1992) 33-49] are used to provide an overview on dissolved beryllium for the upper River Severn, the most complete and extensive record for the UK.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

An inventory of heavy metals inputs to agricultural soils in England and Wales.

An inventory of heavy metal inputs (Zn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Cd, Cr, As and Hg) to agricultural soils in England and Wales in 2000 is presented, accounting for major sources including atmospheric deposition, sewage sludge, livestock manures, inorganic fertilisers and lime, agrochemicals, irrigation water, industrial by-product 'wastes' and composts. Across the whole agricultural land area, atmospheric deposition was the main source of most metals, ranging from 25 to 85% of total inputs. Livestock manures and sewage sludge were also important sources, responsible for an estimated 37-40 and 8-17% of total Zn and Cu inputs, respectively. However, at the individual field scale sewage sludge, livestock manures and industrial wastes could be the major source of many metals where these materials are applied. This work will assist in developing strategies for reducing heavy metal inputs to agricultural land and effectively targeting policies to protect soils from long-term heavy metal accumulation.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1999

Estimating the quantities of persistent chemicals entering coastal waters of England and Wales from land-based sources.

Total load estimates of the inputs of Cd, Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, lindane, total nitrogen, and orthophosphate into coastal waters of England and Wales are made annually. Some 320 inputs are currently routinely sampled and analysed. Results for the period 1990-1996 indicate that reductions have occurred in the inputs of all metals, and that such changes generally reflect actions taken to reduce industrial discharges, and thus the balance of point and diffuse sources. The pattern is however less clear for the other chemicals studied, where inputs are dominated by agricultural activities and changes in river flows.

England↗
PubMed1986

Recent changes in suicide among adolescents in England and Wales.

This paper examines suicide statistics in the 15-19 years group in England and Wales between 1950 and 1984. There was an increase in suicide rate for both sexes between 1950 and the mid 1960's, largely due to suicide using domestic gas. The rate then decreased as domestic gas was detoxified, and this was followed by a further increase in suicide associated with poisoning with solids and liquids until the late 1970's. More recently there has been an increase, particularly for males, in suicide by hanging, strangulation and suffocation, poisoning with vehicle exhaust gas and firearms and explosives.

Accidents↗
PubMed2000

Trends in trauma care in England and Wales 1989-97. UK Trauma Audit and Research Network.

BACKGROUND: In 1988, the Royal College of Surgeons reported major deficiencies in trauma care in UK hospitals. We investigated whether and how that care has changed in the last decade by use of data collected by the UK Trauma Audit and Research Network. METHODS: We analysed injury-severity, process, and outcome variables from 91602 patients' records on the database at the end of 1997, collected from 97 (49% of trauma-receiving) hospitals in England, Wales, and two in Ireland. We did longitudinal analyses of odds of death, process variables, and individual hospitals' performance. We took account of potential selection bias from missing data and recruitment of new hospitals. FINDINGS: The severity-adjusted odds of death after trauma declined gradually from 1989 (odds ratio 1997/1989 0.63 [95% CI [0.49-0.82]). In 1997, the reduction in odds of death was significant even after adjustment for missing data (ratio 1997/1989 0.72 [0.55-0.92]) and recruitment of new hospitals (0.64 [0.44-0.93]). There was significant variability in the proportion of survivors (adjusted for severity of injury and age) between the highest and lowest 10% of UK hospitals. The time between the call to the emergency services and arrival at hospital increased from 32 min in 1989 to 45 min in 1997, irrespective of injury severity. The proportion of severely injured patients seen first by senior doctors increased from 32% to 60%. INTERPRETATION: Hospital care has made a valuable but variable contribution to reductions in case fatality after injury in the UK in the past 10 years, though further improvement is possible.

Aged↗