STATUS REPORT: STUDY OF VISION OBSCURATION BY NONBLACK PLUMES.
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Air Pollution↗
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Antioxidant enzyme activity in human stratum corneum shows seasonal variation with an age-dependent recovery.
The stratum corneum, as the body's principal barrier to the environment, is continuously exposed to environmental sources of reactive oxygen species like ultraviolet light, ozone, and pollution. Reactive oxygen species are believed to be involved in cancer, aging, and inflammatory skin disorders. We have developed a method to measure catalase and superoxide dismutase activity on tape strippings from the human stratum corneum and demonstrated a gradient of antioxidant enzyme activity across the stratum corneum with decreasing levels towards the skin surface. Sun exposure resulted in a seasonal variation of the catalase activity in stratum corneum, with low activities in summer and higher activities in winter for the same person, whereas superoxide dismutase activity in stratum corneum did not seem to vary in those conditions. Exposure of human skin to broadband ultraviolet-A resulted in a dose-dependent deactivation of the catalase activity in stratum corneum within 24 h, whereas exposure to ultraviolet-B had no effect. Superoxide dismutase activity in stratum corneum was not affected by ultraviolet-A or ultraviolet-B irradiation within 24 h. After exposure to a dose of 15 J per cm2 broadband ultraviolet-A, full recovery of the catalase activity occurred in 3-4 wk at an age-dependent rate. We conclude that sun exposure results in a disturbed catalase to superoxide dismutase ratio in the stratum corneum. This may lead to an increased vulnerability to oxidative damage in stratum corneum barrier components. These results therefore stress the importance of providing efficient protection for this internal defense mechanism in sun-exposed areas of the skin.
Adult↗
Inefficient accumulation of low levels of monodispersed and feces-associated poliovirus in oysters.
The accumulation of low levels (0.002 to 0.18 PFU/ml) of both feces-associated and monodispersed poliovirus by oysters (Crassostrea virginica or C. gigas) and clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) was investigated. These levels were chosen to duplicate the conditions present in light to moderately polluted waters. Experiments were performed in both small- and large-scale flowing seawater systems, developed to mimic the natural marine habitats of shellfish. Under these experimental conditions, viral accumulation by physiologically active shellfish was only noted when water column concentrations exceeded approximately 0.01 PFU/ml. Bioaccumulation increased with increasing concentrations of both monodispersed and feces-associated viruses. At virus concentrations below this level, viruses were seldom detected in either clams or oysters. Evidence indicated that the lack of accumulation was not the result of inefficient extraction or detection methods. The modified Cat-Floc-beef extract procedure used in the experiment was found to be capable of detecting as few as 1.5 to 2.0 PFU per shellfish. Evidence is presented to indicate that an uptake-depuration equilibrium was present at virus exposure levels of 0.10 PFU/ml, but not at 0.01 PFU/ml. The results suggested that viral accumulation by shellfish may not be efficient at water column concentrations below congruent to 0.01 PFU/ml.
Animals↗
Developmental inhibition and reproductive potential impairment in Musca domestica L. by heavy metals.
Post embryonic development and adult emergence of housefly, M. domestica L. was adversely affected in varying degrees on exposure of larvae to 6 different heavy metals. Of these, salts of mercury, aluminium and cadmium exhibited significant reduction in normal adult emergence. High decline in reproductive potential in terms of female fecundity and egg hatchability was also observed in the F1 progenies of treated larvae. The results are discussed in light of heavy pollution of environment by such contaminants.
Animals↗
Biomedical immunization waste management--an AP experience.
The partnership project with Gates foundation grant in 2001 was rolled out in a phased manner to strengthen routine immunization with introduction of Hepatitis B and AD syringes into immunization program. Initial success lead to reworking of plans for fast expansion, in three years with consolidation and strengthening in last two years. With introduction of AD Syringes the issue of safe disposal became prominent. Operational research on the safety box led to modifications in the prototype, introduced new challenges to find local manufacturers to make the product for wider introduction. This improved scope to coordinate with other projects to integrate safe injection pits into the disposal system, try out new solutions for sharps waste management in light of new pollution control guidelines. Study at Mehboobnagar district point towards feasibility of introducing small puncture proof containers and needle cutters as a solution for sharps waste management at the rural settings. Injection safety has been introduced in immunization sector and the challenge still remains to extend this to the curative sector, which contributes to more than 90% of the problem.
Guidelines as Topic↗
[METALLURGY OF VANADIUM IN THE LIGHT OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE AND PROBLEMS OF PREVENTION OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND POISONING].
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Air Pollution↗
EFFECTS OF HYDROCARBON TO OXIDES OF NITROGEN RATIOS ON IRRADIATED AUTO EXHAUST. 1.
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Air Pollution↗
Structural changes in the vascular bundles of light-exposed and shaded spruce needles suffering from Mg deficiency and ozone pollution.
The correlation between structural changes of the vascular bundles and needle yellowing was examined for needles of damaged spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) growing at a Mg-deficient and ozone polluted mountain site in the Central Black Forest (840m a.s.l.). In the previous year's sun-exposed needles, the following sequence of events was observed: (1) rapid needle yellowing, (2) hypertrophy and anomalous divisions of cambium cells, (3) phloem collapse, and, (4) production of atypical xylem tracheids. Under defined shade (reduction of the photosynthetically active photon flux density of the ambient light by 85-90%), the needles remained green, while the phloem collapsed completely within the first 6 weeks of shading; subsequently, a reversal of the collapse was observed. Under both light conditions, the content of Mg not bound to chlorophyll (Mg(free)) was in the range of 0.1 mg g(-1) needle dry matter, and hardly changed throughout the investigation period. After Mg fertilization, the Mg(free) level of the previous year's needles increased to 0.2 mg g(-1) dry matter, the light-exposed needles remained green, and the vascular bundles developed no anomalies. The data show that the rapid needle yellowing of ozone-exposed Mg-deficient needles did not depend on the collapse of the phloem. Mg deficiency played a key role in the development of anomalous vascular bundles under light, and also appears to explain the transient changes in sieve cell structure under shade. The role of Mg deficiency, rather than ozone pollution, in the damage of the sieve cells was confirmed in a long-term ozone exposure experiment with young clonal spruce growing under defined conditions.
Air Pollutants↗
Experimental assessment of the influence of atmospheric pollutants on respiratory disease.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by inflammation, episodes of usually reversible airways obstruction, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The disease has significant health, societal and economic consequences. Experimental assessment methods, including controlled human exposure studies, human and animal dosimetry, as well as animal and in vitro toxicology, can shed light on how air pollutants may cause and/or worsen asthma. A brief summary background on selected classes of air pollutants is provided and selected experimental studies that exemplify novel approaches or suggest new hypotheses are highlighted. Possible directions for future research about the effects of particles, pesticides, ambient air toxicants, and pollutant mixtures on asthma, are also outlined.
Air Pollutants↗
Determination of PM10 emission rates from street sweepers.
The use of street sweepers to clean paved roads, particularly after high-wind events, has been proposed as a PM10 control method. Using an artificial tunnel, the emission rates for several street sweepers were quantified under actual operating conditions. The tunnel was a tent enclosure, 6.1 x 4.3 x 73 m, open on both ends. PM10 concentrations were measured at the inlet and outlet while a sweeper removed sand deposited along the length. Measurements were made using a specialized low-volume filter sampler and an integrating nephelometer. The volume of air passing through the tunnel was measured by releasing an inert tracer, sulfur hexafluoride, at the inlet and measuring its concentration at the outlet. A large difference in emission rates between vacuum-type sweepers was observed, with rates varying from 5 to 100 mg m-1 swept. For the cleanest sweepers, the background rates (collected by sweeping clean pavement) were about half of the total PM10 emission rate. These background emission rates likely were from diesel exhaust; background rates for the single gasoline-powered sweeper were below detection. Particle light scattering data confirmed the filter collection results. The artificial tunnel approach would be useful in measuring total emissions from other mobile and stationary sources.
Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
Fenton degradation of organic pollutants in the presence of low-molecular-weight organic acids: cooperative effect of quinone and visible light.
The influence of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs), such as malonic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and oxalic acid, on the Fenton degradation of organic pollutants was examined under visible irradiation (lambda > 450 nm). The Fenton degradation of malachite green in the dark was completely blocked in the presence of LMWOAs. It was found that either visible light irradiation or the addition of hydroquinone could initiate the dye degradation, but the mineralization yield was almost zero. An important result was that the dye mineralization in the presence of LMWOAs could be achieved when both visible irradiation and hydroquinone were introduced. Similar results were obtained with colorless pollutants, such as benzyltrimethylammonium chloride and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol. We concluded that coupling visible irradiation and hydroquinone could be a strong and universal driving force in the Fenton reaction for the complete degradation and mineralization of organic pollutants, even in the presence of LMWOAs.
Benzoquinones↗
Presence of certain enteroviruses (Coxsackie) in sewage effluents and in river waters of Roumania.
The paper presents the results of research studies conducted during a lo-year period (1962-1971) with the view to detect certain enteroviruses (Coxsackie) from sewage, river and drinking water samples, and from the filter sand of drinking water-works supplied with river water. The method consisted first in preconcentrating the samples collected on immersed gauze pads, secondly in the concentration of the virus samples by the following methods-used either separately or in parallel: the Amberlite method, the yeast cell and the aluminum hydroxide concentration method. The isolation of A and B Coxasackie viruses averaged 29.12% in the sewage samples and 14.66% in the river water samples. Lower values were found both in aqueduct water and in the filter sand (2 positive samples out of 65 and 3 positive samples out of 39, respectively). A seasonal distribution of the viral incidence was evidenced in the sewage samples with lower value in the river water, while the frequency decreased with the distance from the pollution source. For the lightly contamined waters (river and aqueduct waters) the yeast cell concentration method gave the best results, this method being also the single reliable method for Coxsackie virus isolation from the filter sand samples.
Animals↗
Simultaneous photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and oxidation of phenol over monoclinic BiVO4 under visible light irradiation.
BiVO4 powder with monoclinic structure was prepared and used as a visible-light catalyst simultaneously for the photooxidation of phenol and the photoreduction of Cr(VI). The photocatalytic efficiency was found to be rather low for either single phenol solution or single Cr(VI) solution. However, the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and photocatalytic oxidation of phenol proceed more rapidly for the coexistence system of phenol and Cr(VI) than for the single process, showing synergetic effect between the oxidation and reduction reactions. For the simultaneous photocatalytic reduction-oxidation process, the first-order kinetic constant of phenol degradation was 0.0314 min-1, being about six times higher than that for the photocatalytic process of single phenol. This result reveals the feasibility of using Cr(VI) as the electron scavenger of mBiVO4-mediated photocatalytic process of phenol degradation, and gives us an enlightenment to employ other semiconductor with a better visible light response but with a more positive band edge to efficiently degrade organic pollutants. This is the first report for simultaneous photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) and removal of phenol under visible light irradiation using photocatalyst mBiVO4.
Bismuth↗
[Photocatalytic degradation of low level toluene in the gas phase].
Photocatalytic degradation of low level toluene in the gas phase at low retention time (17s-83s) was studied. The effects of the inlet concentration, retention time, relative humidity, ultraviolet wavelength and carrier of the catalyst were investigated, as well as the change of the photocatalytic degradation capability with the load. It was showed that the degradation rate of toluene at low retention time decreased with increase of inlet concentration, and it decreased more significantly at shorter retention time. Within a range of retention time, the degradation of toluene followed with first order kinetics approximately, and the reaction rate constant increased with inlet concentration. The relative humidity affected the degradation rate a little when the inlet concentration was low. The photocatalytic degradation rate when irradiated with low-pressure mercury lamp (254 nm) was significantly higher than that irradiated with black light lamp having same power. The photocatalyst coated on the stainless steel mesh showed higher activity while it was on the mesh with higher number, however it was not as good as the photocatalyst coated on the aluminum plate.
Air Pollutants↗
Lung cancer in relation to environmental pollutants emitted from industrial sources.
A case-control study of residents who lived in the vicinity of a primary zinc smelter and a large steel manufacturing plant in eastern Pennsylvania was undertaken to investigate the role of environmental pollutants in the etiology of lung cancer. Lifetime residential, occupational, and smoking histories were obtained from the next of kin of 335 white male lung cancer cases and 332 white male controls. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for content in ppm of arsenic, copper, lead, manganese, zinc, and cadmium. Relative risks were determined according to distance of residence from the zinc smelter and the steel plant, and according to residence in areas with heavy and light levels of various pollutants. Two-fold risks for lung cancer were associated with residence near the zinc smelter and with residence in areas with heavy levels of arsenic and cadmium, although the number of individuals living in these higher risk areas was small. These increases were not explained by the effects of cigarette smoking or by employment in the zinc or steel industry. No excess risk was associated with living near the steel plant. The limited size of the study precludes causal interpretation, but the findings suggest the need for further investigation of metallic air pollution and lung cancer.
Adult↗
Effects of the herbicide molinate on mixotrophic growth, photosynthetic pigments, and protein content of Anabaena sphaerica under different light conditions.
The effects of the carbamate herbicide molinate on growth and chlorophyll a, biliprotein, and protein content of the nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium Anabaena sphaerica grown mixotrophically under 3000- and 300-lux light intensity were studied. Under two light intensities, the three concentrations of molinate tested (5, 25, and 50 microg ml-1) can significantly inhibit algal growth in a dose-dependent manner. The high concentration of molinate (50 microg ml-1) stimulated the synthesis of chlorophyll a and protein, but inhibited the formation of biliprotein, and these effects appear to be greater at 3000 lux than at 300 lux. The effects of the other two concentrations of molinate (5 and 25 microg ml-1) on chlorophyll a and biliprotein varied with time, but 5 microg ml-1 molinate had an inhibitory effect on the synthesis of protein. It was demonstrated that different concentrations of molinate had different effects on chlorophyll a, biliprotein, and protein content, which varied with light intensity. The results support the suggestion that the physiological mode of molinate toxicity to A. sphaerica is related to its interference with the metabolism of protein, particularly the formation and functional effectiveness of some special protein.
Anabaena↗
A preliminary ecotoxicity study of pharmaceuticals in the marine environment.
Environmental fates and effects of pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment have been the focus of recent research in environmental ecotoxicology. Worldwide studies of common over-the-counter pharmaceuticals have reported detectable levels in the aquatic environment, but there are few studies examining impacts on marine habitats. These drugs can affect the functions of various vertebrates and invertebrates. The stability of two pharmaceuticals, cyclizine (CYC) and prochlorperazine (PCZ), in seawater was examined under light and dark conditions, as well as the toxicity of these compounds to larvae of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite, which is a cosmopolitan marine organism found in most of the world's oceans. CYC was very stable under all the tested conditions. On the other hand, PCZ degraded in light but not in the dark, and was more stable in seawater than fresh water. For the barnacle larvae, the LC50 of prochlorperazine was 0.93 microg/ml and the LC50 for CYC was approximately 0.04 microg/ml.
Animals↗
Visible-light-induced degradation of rhodamine B by nanosized Bi2WO6.
Visible-light-induced photodegradation of rhodamine B over nanosized Bi2WO6 has been observed. Bi2WO6 exhibited a high photoactivity to photodegrade rhodamine B in the central pH solution under visible irradiation (lambda > 420 nm). After five recycles for the photodegradation of rhodamine B, the catalyst did not exhibit any significant loss of activity, confirming the photocatalyst is essentially stable. The total organic carbon measurement displayed that a high degree of mineralization was achieved in the present photochemical system. The results of density functional theory calculation illuminated that the visible-light absorption band in the Bi2WO6 catalyst is attributed to the band transition from the hybrid orbitals of Bi6s and O2p to the W5d orbitals. The Bi2WO6-assisted photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine occurs via two competitive processes: a photocatalytic process and a photosensitized process. The transformation of rhodamine is mainly via the photocatalytic process. Kinetic studies by using electron spin resonance and the radical scavenger technologies suggest that *OH is not the dominant photooxidant. Direct hole transfers and O2*- could take part in Bi2WO6 photocatalysis. This study provided a possible treatment approach for organic pollutants by using visible light in aqueous ecosystems.
Bismuth↗