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At least 1,009 records · Page 56Linked to original sources
PubMed2005

Environmental exposure to trace elements and prostate cancer in three New Zealand ethnic groups.

A stratified random sample of 176 men was taken from a larger community prostate study group of 1405 eligible subjects from three ethnic groups in the Wellington region of New Zealand, in order to examine ethnic differences in exposure to cadmium (Cd), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) and possible associations of blood levels of Cd, Se and Zn with the prevalence of elevated serum Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA); a marker of prostate cancer. Maori and Pacific Islands men were found likely to have higher Cd exposure than New Zealand Europeans through diet, occupation and smoking. However, there was no significant difference between ethnic groups in mean blood Cd levels. Pacific Islands men had significantly higher levels of blood Se than both New Zealand European men and Maori men. Maori men had significantly higher levels of blood Zn than both New Zealand European men and Pacific Islands men. A positive association was found between blood Cd and total serum PSA. Se and Zn levels were not associated with elevated PSA. Maori and Pacific Islands men have higher prostate cancer mortality rates than New Zealand European men. Ethnic differences in mortality could be contributed to by differences in rates of disease progression, influenced by exposure and/or deficiency to trace elements. However, results did not reflect a consistent ethnic trend and highlight the complexity of the risk/protective mechanisms conferred by exposure factors. Further research is needed to ascertain whether the associations found between Cd and PSA levels are biologically important or are merely factors to be considered when interpreting PSA results clinically.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Mercury and persistent organic pollutant concentrations in African fish eagles, marabou storks, and Nile tilapia in Uganda.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate persistent organic pollutant (POP) and mercury concentrations in tissues of African fish eagles (Haliaeetus vocifer) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Lake Victoria near Entebbe and Lake Mburo, Uganda. Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) nestlings from urban Kampala (40 km from Entebbe) also were sampled for POPs and mercury. Total mercury was measured in the breast feathers of eight nestling and 10 adult African fish eagles from Lake Mburo, 10 nestling and five adult African fish eagles from Lake Victoria near Entebbe, and 20 nestling marabou storks from Kampala from June 2002 through January 2003. Mercury concentrations in all samples were below levels associated with adverse effects in similar species. Mercury concentrations were significantly higher in eagle adults and nestlings from Entebbe than in adults and nestlings from Lake Mburo (P< or =0.05). No significant differences (P> or =0.05) were found in mercury concentrations between sexes or between the entire fish eagle population sampled at Entebbe and marabou stork nestlings sampled at nearby Kampala. Plasma samples from the same birds were analyzed for 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane, aldrin, hexachlorocyclohexane (alpha-HCH), dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor and their metabolites, as well as total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Nile tilapia whole-body cross sections collected from Lake Mburo (n=3) and Lake Victoria near Entebbe (n=8) also were analyzed for these POPs and mercury. No samples contained POPs or PCBs at the limits of detection except for 4,4'-1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene in five adult eagle plasma samples (0.0026+/-0.0015 ppm wet weight) and five Nile tilapia samples (0.002+/-0.001 ppm wet weight) from Entebbe.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[1998 environment survey--initial results].

In close connection with the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998, a third round of the German Environmental Survey (GerES III) was carried out using a random subsample of about 4,500 subjects, which are representative for the German population aged 18 to 69 years. The GerES was carried out by the Federal Environmental Agency on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Reactor Safety. The participants had to undergo an examination in human-biomonitoring. An environmental questionnaire was used to get exposure-related information. Preliminary results indicate a reduction of the body burden with metals in 1998 compared with 1990/92. However, some individuals showed elevated values. For those people health effects are possible or cannot be excluded with sufficient certainty. Using the results of GerES III it will be possible for the first time to establish reference values for organochlorine compounds on a representative data basis. The examination of the tap water used in the subjects households shows that the limit and guideline values of the German Drinking Water Ordinance have not always been met in 1998. This holds especially for lead, copper, and zinc which are being used as pipe-material for domestic plumbing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Blood lead and cadmium in dogs from urban India.

Concentrations of lead and cadmium were estimated in blood samples of 43 healthy dogs from urban India. Concentrations were 19.5+/-2.1 microg lead/dL and 0.74+/-0.13 microg cadmium/dL, which were considerably higher for rural dogs. Sex, age, and diet had no significant effect on lead and cadmium blood concentrations, yet male and adult dogs had higher levels than females and young dogs. The use of dogs as sentinels for environment quality in India was indicated by this study.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hygienic regulation of environmental air pollution with consideration of epidemiological data].

The authors hold that the maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) established in Russia for some ambient air pollutants can adversely affect human health and that they are worthy of reconsideration. This opinion is based on the published results of epidemiological studies of Western investigators and on the authors' own data obtained from the analysis by the time series method for a relationship of daily variations of dust or gaseous ambient air pollution to the so-called acute mortality or for that of the variations to respiratory symptoms and to the values of the maximum expiratory flow rate in preschool with or without respiratory abnormalities in their history; from the cross analysis of an association of the characteristics of atmospheric contamination in 13 urban areas with the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases in junior schoolchildren, which was established by a special questionnaire. Particular emphasis should be laid on the reconsideration of not only established values, but mainly on the principles in laying down MAC for dust particles. The Western practice in measuring and evaluating risks separately for fractions of particles of varying sizes should be assessed for its use in Russian conditions; however, the authors' experience argues for this practice.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

In utero exposure to cadmium pollution in Cairo and Giza governorates of Egypt.

Serum cadmium levels at delivery were measured in a consecutive sample of 100 mother-infant pairs in Egypt using venous blood from mothers and umbilical cord blood from neonates. The serum cadmium levels of mothers ranged from 0.4 to 2.2 microg/L (mean 0.73 microg/L) and of infants from 0.2 to 1.5 microg/L (mean 0.66 microg/L). Infant cadmium levels were about 70% of maternal levels in most pairs. Serum cadmium was significantly higher in mothers and babies passively exposed to tobacco smoke. Five-minute Apgar scores were negatively correlated with cord blood cadmium levels. The cadmium levels did not differ between subjects from Cairo and Giza or according to urban, suburban or rural areas. Thus, in utero exposure to cadmium was evident and wider-scale studies on its long-term effects are recommended.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed2005

Arsenic, cadmium and lead levels in hair and toenail samples in pakistan.

We collected toenail and hair samples from 160 subjects, 83 males and 77 females, residing in Lahore city and its suburban areas in Pakistan, and examined the concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead and other metals using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean hair and toenail arsenic levels were 0.31 ppm and 0.70 ppm, respectively. The correlation coefficient between log-transformed values of hair and toenail arsenic levels was 0.16 (p=0.051). After excluding a subject with hair and toenail arsenic levels as high as 1.12 ppm and 4.72 ppm, respectively, the correlation coefficient was 0.27 (p=0.001). Arsenic levels observed in the present study were relatively higher than in most developed countries. Hair or toenail arsenic concentration was not affected by sex, area of origin, place of residence and education, but toenail arsenic levels increased with age (p=0.029). Fish consumption was inversely related to arsenic levels, suggesting that consumption of beans , which are the main staple of poor people living in the study area who cannot afford to eat fish frequently, may be the source of arsenic exposure among the residents of Lahore and its suburban areas. The mean hair and toenail cadmium levels in the present study were 0.08 ppm and 0.05 ppm, respectively. The correlation coefficient between log-transformed values of hair and toenail cadmium levels was 0.17 (p=0.034). Cadmium levels were lower compared to those reported from developed countries, including Japan. The mean hair and toenail lead levels were 3.53 ppm and 2.11 ppm, respectively. The correlation coefficient between log-transformed values of hair and toenail lead levels was 0.15, which was not statistically significant (p=0.055). When a female subject with toenail lead of 52.4 ppm was excluded, the correlation was 0.17 (p=0.036). Lead levels observed in the present study were similar to those reported from developed countries. In the present study, relatively high lead toenail values were observed among children. The levels of cadmium and lead in hair but not in toenails were higher among those living in central Lahore than among those living outside Lahore, suggesting that dust containing those heavy metals was attached to hair samples due to a typical urban environment with heavy traffic load, congested population and industrial activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Is environmental degradation the root cause for communicable diseases in kerala? A case study.

In Kerala (India), environmental degradation, consequent to urbanization, industrialization and skewed agricultural practices, is on the rise. The urban area has acute land and water pollution due to these activities. In Thiruvananthapuram district, especially in certain pockets of squalor and poor environmental quality, communicable diseases are being reported frequently. The present study aims to highlight the causes of environmental degradation which are directly related to the health issues of Thiruvananthapuram district. Based on this study some recommendations are also made for enhancing the environmental quality of the region.

Communicable Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Hygienic assessment of the use of pesticides in the areas of the Kursk Region].

The paper deals with the evaluation of current trends in the application of pesticides and in the detection of their residues in the environmental objects of the Kursk Region. A reduction in the rate of use of pesticides and changes in their structure and range has been established. The amount of organic chlorides and organic phosphates has been decreased while the use of carbamates, heterocyclic compounds, pyrethroids, the derivatives of azoles, avermectins, meonicotinoids, and the derivatives of aryloxyphenoxypropionic acids increased. The degree of environmental danger of the applied pesticides to human health has decreased by 11.2 times in the past 18 years.

Catchment Area, Health↗
PubMed1994

Lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning is the most common disease of environmental origin in the United States today. Adult lead poisoning results primarily from exposure by inhalation in the workplace. Pediatric lead poisoning results principally from the ingestion of lead from environmental media, including paint chips, dust, soil, drinking water, ceramics, and medications. Lead is toxic to many organ systems, among them developing erythrocytes, the kidneys, and the nervous system. Lead-induced toxicity to the central nervous system causes delayed development, diminished intelligence, and altered behavior. In young children, this effect has been demonstrated convincingly to occur at blood lead levels between 10 and 20 micrograms per dl. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that a blood lead level of 10 micrograms per dl or higher be considered evidence of increased lead absorption, and the National Academy of Sciences has concurred in that recommendation. Unresolved issues in need of further study include the frequency of screening young children for lead, the question of whether women should be offered screening for lead before conceiving a pregnancy, the role of x-ray fluorescence analysis in assessing lead in bone, and the appropriate legislative response of the United States government to lead-based paint abatement.

Adult↗