MedWorm: Environmental Health

Military Veterans Linked to Mesothelioma & Asbestosis

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:25 +0100

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs stated that out of the millions of veterans who have served the country, hundreds of thousands have been exposed to asbestos during their service. Veterans were exposed to asbestos while working on naval vessels where asbestos was used as the main form of insulation. Used by every military branch in the United States, over 300 products containing asbestos were used by the Navy and other military sectors from the 1930s through the 1970s. Products containing asbestos were utilized due to its fire and heat resistant qualities. The mineral frequently appeared as insulation for ships, aircraft, vehicles and buildings. Shipyard workers, sailors and tradesman aboard these ships were wrongfully exposed aboard navigation rooms, sleeping quarters and ...

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Stable carbon and hydrogen isotope analysis of methyl tert-butyl ether and tert-amyl methyl ether by purge and trap-gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry: Method evaluation and application

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Dorothea M. Kujawinski, Manuel Stephan, Maik A. Jochmann, Karen Krajenke, Joe Haas, Torsten C. Schmidt (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Dorothea M. Kujawinski, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b914514a To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Mesothelioma Researchers Find Biological Marker to Help Diagnose Malignant Mesothelioma

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:51:32 +0100

In conclusion, strong membranous D2-40 positivity is helpful in differentiation of MM [malignant mesothelioma] from pleural involvement of pulmonary adenocarcinoma, so we suggest that it should be included in the IHC [immunohistochemical] panel used for this purpose.” Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Center. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)

NIEHS Awards Recovery Act Funds to Focus More Research on Health and Safety of Nanomaterials

NIEHS - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences - News — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part of the National Institutes of Health, is increasing its investment in understanding the potential health, safety and environmental issues related to tiny particles that are used in many everyday products such as sunscreens, cosmetics and electronics. The NIEHS will award about $13 million over a two-year period, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to bolster the NIEHS’s ongoing research portfolio in the area of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). Engineered nanomaterials are very tiny materials about 100,000 times smaller than a single strand of hair. They represent a significant breakthrough in material design and development for industry and consumer products, including stain-resistant clothing, pesticid...

Persistent Organic Pollutant Exposure Leads to Insulin Resistance Syndrome

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ruzzin J, Petersen R, Meugnier E, Madsen L, Lock EJ, Lillefosse H, Ma T, Pesenti S, Sonne SB, Marstrand TT, Malde MK, Du ZY, Chavey C, Fajas L, Lundebye AK, Brand CL, Vidal H, Kristiansen K, Froyland L. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901321. [Online 19 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Bromination Pattern of Hydroxylated Metabolites of BDE-47 Affects their Potency to Release Calcium from Intracellular Stores in PC12 Cells

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Dingemans MML, Heusinkveld HJ, Bergman A, van den Berg M, Westerink RHS. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901339. [Online 19 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

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Low Levels of the Herbicide Atrazine Alters Sex Ratios and Reduces Metamorphic Success in Rana pipiens Tadpoles Raised in Outdoor Mesocosms

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Langlois VS, Carew AC, Pauli BD, Wade MG, Cooke GM, Trudeau VL. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901418. [Online 19 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Occupational and environmental hazard assessments for the isolation, purification and toxicity testing of cyanobacterial toxins

Environmental Health — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Cyanobacteria can produce groups of structurally and functionally unrelated but highly potent toxins. Cyanotoxins are used in multiple research endeavours, either for direct investigation of their toxicologic properties, or as functional analogues for various biochemical and physiological processes. This paper presents occupational safety guidelines and recommendations for personnel working in field, laboratory or industrial settings to produce and use purified cyanotoxins and toxic cyanobacteria, from bulk harvesting of bloom material, mass culture of laboratory isolates, through routine extraction, isolation and purification. Oral, inhalational, dermal and parenteral routes are all potential occupational exposure pathways during the various stages of cyanotoxin production and application...

Persistent Organic Pollutant Exposure Leads to Insulin Resistance Syndrome

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Bromination Pattern of Hydroxylated Metabolites of BDE-47 Affects their Potency to Release Calcium from Intracellular Stores in PC12 Cells

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Dingemans MML, Heusinkveld HJ, Bergman A, van den Berg M, Westerink RHS. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901339. [Online 19 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Low Levels of the Herbicide Atrazine Alters Sex Ratios and Reduces Metamorphic Success in Rana pipiens Tadpoles Raised in Outdoor Mesocosms

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Langlois VS, Carew AC, Pauli BD, Wade MG, Cooke GM, Trudeau VL. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901418. [Online 19 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

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Mesothelioma Law: Asbestos-Related Lawsuit Filed Against 38 Companies

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:42:43 +0100

A recently filed lawsuit by Cleveland J. Savoy is claiming 38 different companies are responsible for his development of an asbestos-related disease. This is the second suit he has filed. In a previous suit issued against the companies, Savoy claimed a different asbestos-related injury in contrast to his most recent complaint. Savoy believes he was exposed to asbestos-containing products while working as a carpenter. He also stated in the lawsuit that the companies negligently continued to manufacture asbestos-containing products where he worked even after knowing the hazards associated with asbestos. Exposure to asbestos has been linked to several serious illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and malignant mesothelioma. The latter can be particularly harmful because most patients u...

Local Scale Effects of Disease on Biodiversity

EcoHealth — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:27:36 +0100

We examined the role of infectious disease in structuring local biodiversity. Our intention was to illustrate how variable outcomes can occur by focusing on three case studies: the influence of chestnut blight on forest communities dominated by chestnut trees, the influence of red-spot disease on urchin barrens and kelp forests, and the influence of sylvatic plague on grassland communities inhabited by prairie dogs. Our findings reveal that at local scales infectious disease seems to play an important, though unpredictable, role in structuring species diversity. Through our case studies, we have shown that diseases can cause drastic population declines or local extirpations in keystone species, ecosystem engineers, and otherwise abundant species. These changes in local diversity may ...

A sorption kinetics model for arsenic adsorption to magnetite nanoparticles.

Environmental Science and Pollution Research International — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: The model accurately predicts adsorption to magnetite nanoparticles used in a batch process to remove arsenic from spiked Houston, TX tap water, and contaminated Brownsville, TX groundwater. PMID: 19921525 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Environmental Science and Pollution Research International)

Reduction in Heart Rate Variability with Traffic and Air Pollution in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Zanobetti A, Gold DR, Stone PH, Suh HH, Schwartz J, Coull BA, Speizer FE. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901003. [Online 18 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Flexible Meta-Regression to Assess the Shape of the Benzene Leukemia Exposure Response Curve

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Vlaanderen J, Portengen L, Rothman N, Lan Q, Kromhout H, Vermeulen R. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901127. [Online 18 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

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Associations between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Related Exposures and p53 Mutations in Breast Tumors

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Mordukhovich I, Rossner Jr. P, Terry MB, Santella RM, Zhang YJ, Hibshoosh H, Memeo L, Mansukhani M, Long CM, Garbowski G, Agrawal M, Gaudet MM, Steck SE, Sagiv SK, Eng SM, Teitelbaum SL, Neugut AI, Conway-Dorsey K, and Gammon MD. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901233. [Online 18 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Reduction in Heart Rate Variability with Traffic and Air Pollution in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Zanobetti A, Gold DR, Stone PH, Suh HH, Schwartz J, Coull BA, Speizer FE. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901003. [Online 18 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Flexible Meta-Regression to Assess the Shape of the Benzene Leukemia Exposure Response Curve

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Vlaanderen J, Portengen L, Rothman N, Lan Q, Kromhout H, Vermeulen R. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901127. [Online 18 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Associations between Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Related Exposures and p53 Mutations in Breast Tumors

EHP-in-Press — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Frequency analysis of air quality time series for traffic related pollutants

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

O. Tchepel, C. Borrego (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) O. Tchepel, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b913797a To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

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Hygroscopic properties of the workroom aerosol in aluminium smelter potrooms: a case for transport of HF and SO2 into the lower airways

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

S. Weinbruch, N. Benker, W. Koch, M. Ebert, P. A. Drablos, N. P. Skaugset, D. G. Ellingsen, Y. Thomassen (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) S. Weinbruch, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b919142a To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Assessment of air pollution genotoxicity by molecular markers in the exposed samples of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf in the province of Kayseri (Central Anatolia)

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Sumer Aras, Cigdem Kanl[i without dot]tepe, Demet Cansaran-Duman, Mehmet Gokhan Hal[i without dot]c[i without dot], Taylan Beyaztas (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Sumer Aras, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b906717e To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Sources of variation for indoor nitrogen dioxide in rural residences of Ethiopia

Environmental Health — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Agro-ecology, season, purpose of fire events, frequency of fire activities, frequency of cooking and physical conditions of housing are predictors of NO2 concentration. Improved kitchen conditions and ventilation are highly recommended. (Source: Environmental Health)

New Mesothelioma Test Effective at Predicting Which Patients Will Benefit from Surgery

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:25:30 +0100

Researchers at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts have developed and tested a gene ratio test that helps predict which pleural mesothelioma patients will benefit from surgical procedures and trimodality therapy (multiple modes of therapy). The test, which analyzes relative expression levels of four genes involved in malignant mesothelioma, has shown in multiple studies to be effective at foretelling postsurgical outcome in pleural mesothelioma patients. The researchers were motivated to develop a molecular test that could predict surgical outcome because current staging methods and other means of assessing prognosis are insufficient at determining which mesothelioma patients will benefit from surgery or trimodality therapy. The report states that “Trimodality treatm...

Survival Time Analysis of Least Killifish (Heterandria formosa) and Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in Acute Exposures to Endosulfan Sulfate.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Carriger JF, Hoang TC, Rand GM Single-species flow-through toxicity tests were conducted to determine the times-to-death of two indigenous fish to South Florida-least killifish (Heterandria formosa) and mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)-from acute exposure to endosulfan sulfate. Mortalities were recorded within 8-h periods from test initiation to termination at 96 h. The 96-h LC(50)s for least killifish and mosquitofish estimated using the trimmed-Spearman-Karber method were 2.0 and 2.3 mug/l, respectively. An accelerated failure time model was used to estimate times to death at selected concentrations. Data were fit to log-normal, log-logistic, and Weibull distributions. Acute toxicity data fit to the Weibull distribution produced a better relative fit than log-normal or log-lo...

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Chromium in exhaled breath condensate (EBC), erythrocytes, plasma and urine in the biomonitoring of chrome-plating workers exposed to soluble Cr(vi)

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Matteo Goldoni, Andrea Caglieri, Giuseppe De Palma, Olga Acampa, Petra Gergelova, Massimo Corradi, Pietro Apostoli, Antonio Mutti (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Matteo Goldoni, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b914673c To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Atmospheric stability of arsines and the determination of their oxidative products in atmospheric aerosols (PM10): evidence of the widespread phenomena of biovolatilization of arsenic

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ronit Jakob, Anja Roth, Karsten Haas, Eva M. Krupp, Andrea Raab, Patricia Smichowski, Dario Gomez, Jorg Feldmann (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Ronit Jakob, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b915867g To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Mesothelioma Treatment: Higher Doses of Radiation Found to be Beneficial

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:10 +0100

According to Australian researchers at the Austin Health Centre in Victoria, new radiation techniques may improve the life expectancy of mesothelioma patients. Throughout the past seven years, Dr. Malcolm Feigen, a radiation oncologist, has been developing new mesothelioma treatment methods involving higher-than-normal doses of radiotherapy. A total of 13 patients were included in the pilot program used to test the treatment. Dr. Feigen credits the facility’s ability to increase the dose of radiation to new technologies and better equipment. The result of the pilot program was evaluated by using PET scans before patients underwent radiotherapy and after the treatment was finished. Dr. Feigen said, “We’ve been very impressed that in most cases there’s a considerable improvement ...

Anthropogenic versus geogenic contribution to total suspended atmospheric particulate matter and its variations during a two-year sampling period in Beijing, China

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Nina Schleicher, Stefan Norra, Fahe Chai, Yizhen Chen, Shulan Wang, Doris Stuben (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Nina Schleicher, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b914739j To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Recent trends in nutrient concentrations in Estonian rivers as a response to large-scale changes in land-use intensity and life-styles

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Arvo Iital, Karin Pachel, Enn Loigu, Margus Pihlak, Ulle Leisk (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Arvo Iital, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b912923e To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

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News

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

(News from J. Environ. Monit.) J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b923057m To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Examining Landscape Factors Influencing Relative Distribution of Mosquito Genera and Frequency of Virus Infection

EcoHealth — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:59:23 +0100

We present an approach to study variation in mosquito distribution and concomitant viral infections on the landscape level. In a pilot study we analyzed mosquito distribution along a 10-km transect of a West African rainforest area, which included primary forest, secondary forest, plantations, and human settlements. Variation was observed in the abundance of Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, and Uranotaenia mosquitoes between the different habitat types. Screening of trapped mosquitoes from the different habitats led to the isolation of five uncharacterized viruses of the families Bunyaviridae, Coronaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Rhabdoviridae, as well as an unclassified virus. Polymerase chain reaction screening for these five viruses in individual mosquitoes indicated a trend toward infection ...

Role of Wild Suids in the Epidemiology of African Swine Fever

EcoHealth — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:59:22 +0100

Abstract There is presently no vaccine to combat African swine fever (ASF), a viral hemorrhagic fever of domestic pigs that causes up to 100% morbidity and mortality in naive, commercial pig populations. In its endemic setting, ASF virus cycles between asymptomatic warthogs and soft ticks, with persistence in exotic locations being ascribed to the almost global distribution of susceptible soft tick and suid hosts. An understanding of the role played by diverse hosts in the epidemiology of this multi-host disease is crucial for effective disease control. Unlike the intensively studied Ornithodoros tick vector, the role of many wild suids remains obscure, despite growing recognition for suid-exclusive virus cycling, without the agency of the argasid tick, at some localities. ...

Head Hair Total Mercury and Methylmercury Levels in Some Ghanaian Individuals for the Estimation of Their Exposure to Mercury: Preliminary Studies.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Voegborlo RB, Matsuyama A, Adimado AA, Akagi H The extent of human exposure to mercury in some individuals in Ghana was evaluated by analysing samples of human head hair for total mercury and methylmercury. The average level of total mercury was 0.843 mug g(-1) (in range of 0.119-4.140, n = 123) and that of methylmercury was 0.787 mug g(-1) (in range of 0.208-1.847, n = 42). Mercury was present in the hair samples almost completely in the methylated form. The average percentage ratio of methylmercury to total mercury was 97.2% (in range of 88.5%-107.6%). The results of this study indicate low levels of exposure to methylmercury and does not pose a significant risk to the individuals and to a greater extent the general population. PMID: 19915785 [PubMed - as supplied by pub...

Health Risk from Exposure of Organic Pollutants Through Drinking Water Consumption in Nanjing, China.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wu B, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Cheng S Human health risk analysis for 24 organic pollutants in drinking water of Nanjing was conducted. For non-carcinogenic risk, the 95th percentile hazard quotient (HQ) values of pollutants were all less than the unacceptable level of one. Considering the lifetime carcinogenic risk (LCR), however, the 95th percentile LCR values of 2,6-dinitrotoluene (1.30E-05), benzo(b)fluoranthene (3.10E-05), benzo(a)pyrene (3.37E-05) and dibenz(a,h)anthracene (2.09E-05) exceeded the unacceptable level of 1.00 E-05. These results suggest that organic pollutants in drinking water of Nanjing might pose potential lifetime carcinogenic risk for local consumers, and concerted efforts are required to ensure safety of consumers. PMID: 19915786 [PubMed - as supplied by...

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Copper, Zinc and Lead Enrichments in Sediments from Guacanayabo Gulf, Cuba, and Its Bioaccumulation in Oysters, Crassostrea rhizophorae.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Díaz Rizo O, Olivares Reumont S, Viguri Fuente J, Díaz Arado O, López Pino N, D'Alessandro Rodríguez K, de la Rosa Medero D, Gelen Rudnikas A, Arencibia Carballo G Levels of iron, copper, zinc and lead were determined in sediments and soft tissue of the oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae collected from Guacanayabo Gulf, Cuba. Metal-to-Iron ratio in sediments shows an average enrichment for Cu (5,1), Pb (11,7) and Zn (1,3) in the last 20 years. Metal concentrations found in soft tissue of C. rhizophorae are site dependent. The average biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) obtained for Fe, Cu and Pb are less than unity in all cases, indicating that only a little fraction of Cu and Pb in the sediments is bioavailable, independently of their enrichments. Zinc...

Mesothelioma Study Finds Optimal Treatment Approach for Peritoneal Mesothelioma

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:19:53 +0100

In this study, British researchers analyzed clinicopathological features, operative procedures, early outcomes and survival rates among 17 patients who underwent surgery for peritoneal mesothelioma followed by intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Upon analyzing the results, the researchers found that “Cytoreductive surgery combined with intraperitoneal chemotherapy appears to be the optimal treatment for selected patients with peritoneal mesothelioma.” The researchers also noted that “Increased familiarity with this condition’s presentation and natural history, and knowledge of available treatment options, will hopefully facilitate treatment of these patients.” Current treatment options for peritoneal mesothelioma patients include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Treatment with any ...

What’s New?

EcoHealth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:47:35 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory What's New?DOI 10.1007/s10393-009-0255-8 Journal EcoHealthOnline ISSN 1612-9210Print ISSN 1612-9202 (Source: EcoHealth)

Improving Environmental Sanitation, Health, and Well-Being: A Conceptual Framework for Integral Interventions

EcoHealth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:47:34 +0100

Abstract We introduce a conceptual framework for improving health and environmental sanitation in urban and peri-urban areas using an approach combining health, ecological, and socioeconomic and cultural assessments. The framework takes into account the three main components: i) health status, ii) physical environment, and iii) socioeconomic and cultural environment. Information on each of these three components can be obtained by using standard disciplinary methods and an innovative combination of these methods. In this way, analyses lead to extended characterization of health, ecological, and social risks while allowing the comprehensive identification of critical control points (CCPs) in relation to biomedical, epidemiological, ecological, and socioeconomic and cultural...

The impact of tropospheric ozone pollution on trial plot winter wheat yields in Great Britain - An econometric approach.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kaliakatsou E, Bell JN, Thirtle C, Rose D, Power SA Numerous experiments have demonstrated reductions in the yields of cereal crops due to tropospheric O(3), with losses of up to 25%. However, the only British econometric study on O(3) impacts on winter wheat yields, found that a 10% increase in AOT40 would decrease yields by only 0.23%. An attempt is made here to reconcile these observations by developing AOT40 maps for Great Britain and matching levels with a large number of standardised trial plot wheat yields from many sites over a 13-year period. Panel estimates (repeated measures on the same plots with time) show a 0.54% decrease in yields and it is hypothesised that plant breeders may have inadvertently selected for O(3) tolerance in wheat. Some support for this is prov...

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Differential response of aspen and birch trees to heat stress under elevated carbon dioxide.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Darbah JN, Sharkey TD, Calfapietra C, Karnosky DF The effect of high temperature on photosynthesis of isoprene-emitting (aspen) and non-isoprene-emitting (birch) trees were measured under elevated CO(2) and ambient conditions. Aspen trees tolerated heat better than birch trees and elevated CO(2) protected photosynthesis of both species against moderate heat stress. Elevated CO(2) increased carboxylation capacity, photosynthetic electron transport capacity, and triose phosphate use in both birch and aspen trees. High temperature (36-39 degrees C) decreased all of these parameters in birch regardless of CO(2) treatment, but only photosynthetic electron transport and triose phosphate use at ambient CO(2) were reduced in aspen. Among the two aspen clones tested, 271 showed higher ...

Estimating contribution of wildland fires to ambient ozone levels in National Parks in the Sierra Nevada, California.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Preisler HK, Zhong SS, Esperanza A, Brown TJ, Bytnerowicz A Data from four continuous ozone and weather monitoring sites operated by the National Park Service in Sierra Nevada, California, are used to develop an ozone forecasting model and to estimate the contribution of wildland fires on ambient ozone levels. The analyses of weather and ozone data pointed to the transport of ozone precursors from the Central Valley as an important source of pollution in these National Parks. Comparisons of forecasted and observed values demonstrated that accurate forecasts of next-day hourly ozone levels may be achieved by using a time series model with historic averages, expected local weather and modeled PM values as explanatory variables. Results on fire smoke influence indicated occurrenc...

The chemistry and behaviour of antimony in the soil environment with comparisons to arsenic: A critical review.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This article provides a critical review of the environmental chemistry of inorganic antimony (Sb) in soils, comparing and contrasting findings with those of arsenic (As). Characteristics of the Sb soil system are reviewed, with an emphasis on speciation, sorption and phase associations, identifying differences between Sb and As behaviour. Knowledge gaps in environmentally relevant Sb data for soils are identified and discussed in terms of the limitations this imposes on understanding the fate, behaviour and risks associated with Sb in environmental soil systems, with particular reference to mobility and bioavailability. PMID: 19914753 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Environmental Pollution)

High-resolution inventory of NO emissions from agricultural soils over the Ile-de-France region.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rolland MN, Gabrielle B, Laville P, Cellier P, Beekmann M, Gilliot JM, Michelin J, Hadjar D, Curci G Arable soils are a significant source of nitric oxide (NO), a precursor of tropospheric ozone, and thereby contribute to ozone pollution. However, their actual impact on ozone formation is strongly related to their spatial and temporal emission patterns, which warrant high-resolution estimates. Here, we combined an agro-ecosystem model and geo-referenced databases to map these sources over the 12 000 km(2) administrative region surrounding Paris, France, with a kilometric level resolution. The six most frequent arable crop species were simulated, with emission rates ranging from 1.4 kg N-NO ha(-1) yr(-1) to 11.1 kg N-NO ha(-1) yr(-1). The overall emission factor for fertilizer-...

Ecotoxicological effects of aluminum and zinc on growth and antioxidants in Lemna minor L.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Radić S, Babić M, Skobić D, Roje V, Pevalek-Kozlina B The present study aimed at investigating effects of zinc and aluminum (0.15 and 0.3mM) in duckweed (Lemna minor L.) over a 15-day period. High bioaccumulation of both metals was accompanied by an increase in dry weight under higher metal treatments. Antioxidant response was observed under both metal stresses, with large increases in superoxide dismutase and peroxidases. Catalase activity declined only in duckweed exposed to Zn while lipid peroxidation as well as H(2)O(2), proline and ascorbate levels increased. The results suggest induction of oxidative stress under both aluminum and zinc toxicity, and also demonstrate duckweed's capacity to upregulate its antioxidative defense. Additionally, Zn was found ...

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Implementing Lecane quadridentata acute toxicity tests to assess the toxic effects of selected metals (Al, Fe and Zn)(,).

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Torres Guzmán F, González FJ, Rico Martínez R An environmental study revealed that three metals (Al, Fe and Zn) are common in the San Pedro River (SPR) (Aguascalientes, Mexico). Regrettably, in many samples the concentrations of these metals exceeded the maximum allowed toxicant concentrations levels as defined in by Mexican legislation. The highest concentrations of the three metals were found during the 2005 dry season, with elevated Al concentrations present along the entire river. Not surprisingly, the highest concentrations for all three metals came from locations adjacent to industrial areas. Estimates of the contribution of these metals to total toxicity revealed that these three metals are important contaminants of the river and responsible for most of t...

Toxicity of selected pesticides to freshwater shrimp, Paratya australiensis (Decapoda: Atyidae): Use of time series acute toxicity data to predict chronic lethality.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kumar A, Correll R, Grocke S, Bajet C Toxicity of six pesticides (carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, dimethoate, diuron and fenarimol) to the freshwater shrimp, Paratya australiensis was assessed after 96h exposures. Of the six pesticides tested, alpha cypermethrin was the most toxic to the shrimp followed by chlorpyrifos, carbaryl, dimethoate, fenarimol and diuron. Regression methods for predicting chronic toxicity (lethality) from acute lethality data with shrimp were developed and compared, and it was found that the log-log model gives the most reliable predictions of the probability of death as a function of extended exposure times. Based on this model, chronic toxicity (21 days) to P. australiensis was estimated as 0.0058mug/L for alpha cypermethrin, 4.9mug/L for carba...

House Dust Concentrations of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Relation to Hormone Levels and Semen Quality Parameters

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Meeker JD, Stapleton HM. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901332. [Online 13 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

House Dust Concentrations of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Relation to Hormone Levels and Semen Quality Parameters

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Meeker JD, Stapleton HM. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901332. [Online 13 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Mesothelioma Treatment Improved with Addition of Sirolimus

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:06:27 +0100

Researchers at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts have found that adding sirolimus to chemotherapy with cisplatin was more effective at treating mesothelioma than with cisplatin alone. Sirolimus, which is also known as rapamycin, is an immunosuppressant drug traditionally used to prevent rejection of organ transplantations (especially used in kidney transplants). Because of its anti-proliferative effects, sirolimus is currently being investigated as a potential treatment option in a number of cancers, including malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. The disease exhibits a long latency period of 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos. This long latency period can make the cancer both difficult ...

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Aeroallergens, Allergic Disease, and Climate Change: Impacts and Adaptation

EcoHealth — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:51:56 +0100

Abstract Recent research has shown that there are many effects of climate change on aeroallergens and thus allergic diseases in humans. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration acts as a fertilizer for plant growth. The fertilizing effects of carbon dioxide, as well as increased temperatures from climate change, increase pollen production and the allergen content of pollen grains. In addition, higher temperatures are changing the timing and duration of the pollen season. As regional climates change, plants can move into new areas and changes in atmospheric circulation can blow pollen- and spore-containing dust to new areas, thus introducing people to allergens to which they have not been exposed previously. Climate change also influences the concentrations of air...

New Findings from an Old Pathogen: Intraerythrocytic Bacteria (Family Anaplasmatacea) in Red-Backed Salamanders Plethodon cinereus

EcoHealth — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:51:54 +0100

Abstract During a recent study of red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), we discovered an intraerythrocytic organism typified by violet-staining, intracellular inclusions, consistent with descriptions of Cytamoeba or Aegyptianella (bacteria). Here we characterize its taxonomic status using molecular techniques and ask basic questions about its nature. Blood smears from 102 salamanders were examined from Pennsylvania, New York, and Virginia to determine prevalence, and whole blood from several infected animals was tested using a PCR which targets the 16S rRNA gene of bacteria. Phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequence (1201 bp) indicated this organism was in the order Rickettsiales and is likely a member of the family Anaplasmatacea. The organism dif...

Towards an understanding of the link between environmental emissions and human body burdens of PCBs using CoZMoMAN.

Environment International — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study aimed to assess the extent of the quantitative and mechanistic understanding of the link between environmental emissions and human body burdens for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the western part of the Baltic Sea drainage basin and to identify any remaining knowledge gaps. An integrated, non-steady state model calculating human body burden from environmental emissions (CoZMoMAN) was created by linking the multi-compartment environmental fate model CoZMo-POP 2 with the human food chain bioaccumulation model ACC-HUMAN. CoZMoMAN predicted concentrations of seven PCB congeners in 11 key model compartments to typically within a factor of 2 to 4 of measured values, although larger discrepancies are noted for soils and humans. We conclude that whereas the most important processes...

Contamination of vineyard soils with fungicides: A review of environmental and toxicological aspects.

Environment International — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Komárek M, Cadková E, Chrastný V, Bordas F, Bollinger JC The contamination of agricultural soils with inorganic (Cu-based) and organic pesticides (including their residues) presents a major environmental and toxicological concern. This review summarizes available studies published on the contamination of vineyard soils throughout the world with Cu-based and synthetic organic fungicides. It focuses on the behavior of these contaminants in vineyard soils and the associated environmental and toxicological risks. The concentrations of Cu in soils exceed the legislative limits valid in the EU in the vast majority of the studied vineyards. Regarding the environmental and toxicological hazards associated with the extensive use of fungicides, the choice of fungicides sh...

Drugs of abuse and their metabolites in the Ebro River basin: Occurrence in sewage and surface water, sewage treatment plants removal efficiency, and collective drug usage estimation.

Environment International — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Postigo C, López de Alda MJ, Barceló D Drugs of abuse and their metabolites have been recently recognized as environmental emerging organic contaminants. Assessment of their concentration in different environmental compartments is essential to evaluate their potential ecotoxicological effects. It also constitutes an indirect tool to estimate drug abuse by the population at the community level. The present work reports for the first time the occurrence of drugs of abuse and metabolites residues along the Ebro River basin (NE Spain) and also evaluates the contribution of sewage treatment plants (STPs) effluents to the presence of these chemicals in natural surface waters. Concentrations measured in influent sewage waters were used to back calculate drug usage at the co...

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Occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants and rivers in Korea.

Environmental Pollution — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sim WJ, Lee JW, Oh JE We measured 25 pharmaceuticals in ten municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), one hospital WWTP and five rivers in Korea. In the municipal WWTP influents, acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine showed relatively high concentrations. The occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the wastewater seems to be influenced by production and consumption of pharmaceuticals. The hospital WWTP influent showed higher total concentrations of pharmaceuticals than the municipal WWTPs, and caffeine, ciprofloxacin and acetaminophen were dominant. In the rivers, caffeine was dominant, and the distribution of pharmaceuticals was related to the inflow of the wastewater. In the municipal WWTPs, the concentrations of acetaminophen, caffeine, acetylsalicylic acid, ibupro...

Occurrence, bioaccumulation and potential sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in typical freshwater cultured fish ponds of South China.

Environmental Pollution — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Zhang BZ, Ni HG, Guan YF, Zeng EY To determine the potential input sources of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) to fish farming environments in South China, samples of seven various environmental matrices were collected from October 2006-September 2007. Tri- to deca-BDEs were detected in all samples analyzed, with mean concentrations (+/-standard deviations) at 5.7 +/- 3.6 ng/L in pond water, 15 +/- 11 ng/g dry wt. in pond sediment, 12 +/- 3.8 ng/g dry wt. in bank soil, 21 +/- 20 ng/g lipid wt. in fish, and 93 +/- 62 ng/g lipid wt. in fish feeds. In addition, BDE-209 was the major constituent in all samples except fish and BDE-47 was predominant in fish samples. Relatively high abundances of BDE-49 were detected in all the samples compared to those in the penta-BDE techni...

Decrease of labile Zn and Cd in the rhizosphere of hyperaccumulating Thlaspi caerulescens with time.

Environmental Pollution — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dessureault-Rompré J, Luster J, Schulin R, Tercier-Waeber ML, Nowack B By using a rhizobox micro-suction cup technique we studied in-situ mobilization and complexation of Zn and Cd in the rhizosphere of non-hyperaccumulating Thlaspi perfoliatum and two different Thlaspi caerulescens ecotypes, one of them hyperaccumulating Zn, the other Zn and Cd. The dynamic fraction (free metal ions and small labile complexes) of Zn and Cd decreased with time in the rhizosphere solution of the respective hyperaccumulating T. caerulescens ecotypes, and at the end of the experiment, it was significantly smaller than in the other treatments. Furthermore, the rhizosphere solutions of the T. caerulescens ecotypes exhibited a higher UV absorptivity than the solution of the T. perfoliatum rhizo...

Hydrological regime and salinity alter the bioavailability of Cu and Zn in wetlands.

Environmental Pollution — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Speelmans M, Lock K, Vanthuyne DR, Hendrickx F, Du Laing G, Tack FM, Janssen CR In the context of the European Water Framework Directive, controlled flooding of lowlands is considered as a potential water management strategy to minimise the risk of flooding of inhabited areas. However, due to historical pollution and overbank sedimentation, metal levels are elevated in most wetlands, which can cause adverse effects on the ecosystem's dynamics. Additionally, salinity affects the bioavailability of metals present or imported into these systems. The effect of different flooding regimes and salinity exposure scenarios (fresh- and brackish water conditions) on Cu and Zn accumulation in the oligochaete Tubifex tubifex (Müller, 1774) was examined. Metal mobility was closely link...

Determining cadmium critical concentrations in natural soils by assessing Collembola mortality, reproduction and growth.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bur T, Probst A, Bianco A, Gandois L, Crouau Y The toxicity of cadmium for the Collembola Folsomia candida was studied by determining the effects of increasing Cd concentrations on growth, survival and reproduction in three cultivated and forested soils with different pH (4.5-8.2) and organic matter content (1.6-16.5%). The Cd concentration in soil CaCl(2) exchangeable fraction, in soil solution and in Collembola body was determined. At similar total soil concentrations, the Cd concentration in soil solutions strongly decreased with increasing pH. Reproduction was the most sensitive parameter. Low organic matter content was a limiting factor for reproduction. Effect of Cd on reproduction was better described by soil or body concentrations than by soil solution concentration. V...

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Comparative toxicity of cadmium in the commercial fish species Sparus aurata and Solea senegalensis.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kalman J, Riba I, Angel Delvalls T, Blasco J The induction of metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs) as well as cadmium levels (Cd) was studied in tissues of gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata and flatfish Solea senegalensis after an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cadmium (2.5mgkg(-1) body weight). The liver, gills, intestine and blood of S. aurata as well as the liver and intestine of S. senegalensis were collected for analysis at 0, 3 and 6 days after the injection. Cd levels significantly increased in all tissues of the treated animals, and the highest accumulation was found in the liver in both species (p<0.05). Cadmium administration provoked significant inductions of MTLP synthesis in the liver and intestine of S. aurata (p<0.05), while no increase in these prote...

Biomarkers and heavy metal bioaccumulation in mussels transplanted to coastal waters of the Beagle Channel.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The objective of this study was to assess the quality of coastal waters of Ushuaia Bay by measuring catalase activity, lipid peroxidation, total lipid content, bioaccumulation of heavy metals and condition index in transplanted mussel Mytilus edulis chilensis. Biomarkers except condition index showed significant differences among exposure times as well as among tissues. Digestive gland presented the highest catalase activity, malondialdehyde level and total lipid content. Digestive gland also was the main target tissue of accumulation of iron and copper, while gill accumulated the highest levels of zinc. A principal component analyzes with the whole set of data allowed to separate stations based on physicochemical conditions and biochemical responses of each studied area. PMID: 1991391...

Equilibrium and Kinetics Characteristics of Copper (II) Sorption onto Gyttja.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Dikici H, Saltali K, Bingölbalı S The sorption characteristics of gyttja to remove copper (Cu(2+)) ions from aqueous solutions were satisfactorily described with the Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Redushckevich (D-R) models. The sorption capacity (q (max)) of gyttja was 11.76 mg g(-1). The D-R model indicated that the sorption of Cu(2+) by gyttja was almost taken place by chemisorption. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (DeltaG), enthalpy (DeltaH), and entropy (DeltaS) suggested that the adsorption process of Cu(2+) by gyttja was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Kinetic examination of the equilibrium data showed that the sorption processes of Cu(2+) ions followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics model. PMID: 19907911 [PubM...

Short-term Effects of PM10 and NO2 on Respiratory Health among Children with Asthma or Asthma-like Symptoms: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Weinmayr G, Romeo E, De Sario M, Weiland SK, Forastiere F. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0900844. [Online 12 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Barrier Capacity of Human Placenta for Nanosized Materials

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Wick P, Malek A, Manser P, Meili D, Maeder-Althaus X, Diener L, Diener PA, Zisch A, Krug HF, von Mandach U. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901200. [Online 12 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

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Short-term Effects of PM10 and NO2 on Respiratory Health among Children with Asthma or Asthma-like Symptoms: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Weinmayr G, Romeo E, De Sario M, Weiland SK, Forastiere F. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0900844. [Online 12 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Barrier Capacity of Human Placenta for Nanosized Materials

EHP-in-Press — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

New methods to monitor emerging chemicals in the drinking water production chain

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Annemarie van Wezel, Margreet Mons, Wouter van Delft (Critical Review from J. Environ. Monit.) Annemarie van Wezel, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b912979k To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

A comparison of total maximum daily load (TMDL) calculations in urban streams using near real-time and periodic sampling data

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Michael B. Henjum, Raymond M. Hozalski, Christine R. Wennen, Paige J. Novak, William A. Arnold (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Michael B. Henjum, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b912990a To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Atmospheric concentrations of ammonia and nitrogen dioxide at a tropical coral cay with high seabird density

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Susanne Schmidt, Katrina Mackintosh, Rob Gillett, Alex Pudmenzky, Diane E. Allen, Heinz Rennenberg, Jochen F. Mueller (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Susanne Schmidt, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b910922f To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

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Susceptibility to heat wave-related mortality: a follow-up study of a cohort of elderly in Rome

Environmental Health — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study investigated socio-demographic characteristics and pre-existing medical conditions as effect modifiers of the risk of dying during heat waves in a cohort of elderly residents in Rome. Methods: A cohort of 651,195 residents aged 65 yrs or older was followed from 2005 to 2007. During summer, heat wave days were defined according to month-specific thresholds of maximum apparent temperature. The adjusted relative risk of dying during heat waves was estimated using a Poisson regression model including all the considered covariates. Risk differences were also calculated. All analyses were run separately for the 65-74 and 75+ age groups. Results: In the 65-74 age group the risk of dying during heat waves was higher among unmarried subjects and those with a previous hospitalization for ...

Mesothelioma Case Filed Against DuPont

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:03:07 +0100

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against DuPont and 20 other companies for the passing of Ruby Neely, who died from the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma. Roger Neely, Ruby Neely’s son, filed the suit in Tennessee alleging his mother’s cancer was caused by asbestos fibers carried home on his father’s work clothes while employed at a nearby DuPont plant. Roger Neely’s father, Lively Neely, worked at the DuPont plant in Old Hickory, Tennessee for 20 years. During his employment, he unknowingly exposed his wife and himself to asbestos fibers. Lively Neely actually reached a settlement with DuPont during the 1980s before passing from an asbestos-related illness. He worked with asbestos insulation and around asbestos-laden equipment while at DuPont. Asbestos was used in a wide...

Steroid estrogens, conjugated estrogens and estrogenic activity in farm dairy shed effluents.

Environmental Pollution — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Gadd JB, Tremblay LA, Northcott GL Agricultural wastes are a source of steroid estrogens and, if present, conjugated estrogens may add to the estrogen load released to soil and aquatic environments. Dairy shed effluent samples were collected from 18 farms for analysis of steroid estrogens by GC-MS, conjugated estrogens by LC-MS-MS, and estrogenic activity by E-screen in vitro bioassay. 17alpha-estradiol was found at highest concentrations (median 730 ng l(-1)), followed by estrone (100 ng l(-1)) and 17beta-estradiol (24 ng l(-1)). Conjugated estrogens (estrone-3-sulfate, 17alpha-estradiol-3-sulfate and 17beta-estradiol-3,17-disulfate) were measured in most samples (12-320 ng l(-1)). Median estrogenic activity was 46 ng l(-1) 17beta-estradiol equivalents. Conjugated estrogens c...

Exposure of an anoxic and contaminated canal sediment: Mobility of metal(loid)s.

Environmental Pollution — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hartley W, Dickinson NM A derelict canal contains an estimated 9800 tonnes of anoxic sediment with highly elevated concentrations of trace elements. Lack of maintenance, reduced water levels and vegetation colonization threaten the stability of pollutants by removing existing waterlogged reduced conditions. A column leaching study of the sediment under increasingly oxidized conditions showed reductions in As mobility but increased heavy metal concentrations. In a reduced state, As mobility was higher (as a consequence of enhanced Fe and organic carbon solubility) whilst heavy metal concentrations in leachates were lower (due to markedly higher pH). Over 10 contiguous wetting and drying cycles, the consequences were profound; all trace elements were continuously leached with en...

Cadmium speciation and accumulation in periphyton in a small stream with dynamic concentration variations.

Environmental Pollution — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bradac P, Wagner B, Kistler D, Traber J, Behra R, Sigg L Accumulation of cadmium in periphyton was investigated under field conditions while Cd concentration and speciation were dynamically varying in a small stream during rain events. Speciation in water was determined in situ by diffusion gradient in thin-films (DGT) and by modeling of complexation with fulvic acids. During the rain events, dissolved Cd concentrations increased from 0.17 nM to 0.27-0.36 nM, and 70-97% were DGT-labile. Cd content in periphyton closely followed Cd concentrations in water, despite higher concentrations of Zn and Mn, and may be controlled by either free or DGT-labile Cd concentrations. Decrease of Cd content in periphyton after the rain events was slower than the decrease of Cd concentration in ...

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Toxicity of anti-fouling paints for use on ships and leisure boats to non-target organisms representing three trophic levels.

Environmental Pollution — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Karlsson J, Ytreberg E, Eklund B Leachates of anti-fouling paints for use on ships and leisure boats are examined for their ecotoxicological potential. Paint leachates were produced in both 7 per thousand artificial (ASW) and natural seawater (NSW) and tested on three organisms, the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, the macroalga Ceramium tenuicorne, and the crustacean Nitocra spinipes. Generally, leaching in ASW produced a more toxic leachate and was up to 12 times more toxic to the organisms than was the corresponding NSW leachate. The toxicity could be explained by elevated concentrations of Cu and Zn in the ASW leachates. Of the NSW leachates, those from the ship paints were more toxic than those from leisure boat paints. The most toxic paint was the biocide-free leisure boat pai...

Coal-tar based pavement sealant toxicity to freshwater macroinvertebrates.

Environmental Pollution — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Bryer PJ, Scoggins M, McClintock NL Non-point-source pollution is a major source of ecological impairment in urban stream systems. Recent work suggests that coal-tar pavement sealants, used extensively to protect parking areas, may be contributing a large portion of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) loading seen in urban stream sediments. The hypothesis that dried coal-tar pavement sealant flake could alter the macroinvertebrate communities native to streams in Austin, TX was tested using a controlled outdoor laboratory type approach. The treatment groups were: control, low, medium, and high with total PAH concentrations (TPAH = sum of 16 EPA priority pollutant PAHs) of 0.1, 7.5, 18.4, & 300 mg/kg respectively. The low, medium, and high treatments were created via ...

Melatonin administration ameliorates cadmium-induced oxidative stress and morphological changes in the liver of rat.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: El-Sokkary GH, Nafady AA, Shabash EH The oxidative status and the morphological changes of liver of rats exposed to cadmium (5mgCd/kg body weight subcutaneously) for 22 days and the protective role of melatonin (10mg/kg b.w.) against the toxicity of cadmium was studied. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as the concentration of glutathione (GSH) was measured in the liver. The morphological changes were investigated using both light and electron microscopes. The exposure to Cd led to an increase of MDA levels and a decrease of both the activity of SOD and GSH concentration in the liver. In contrast, melatonin administration restored the previous changes to nearl...

Protective effects of Selenium (Se) on Chromium (VI) induced nephrotoxicity in adult rats.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study was focused on investigating the possible protective effect of Se against K(2)Cr(2)O(7). Female Wistar rats, used in this study, were divided into four groups of six animals each: group I served as control which received standard diet; group II received orally only K(2)Cr(2)O(7) (700ppm equivalent to 67mg/kgbw); group III received both K(2)Cr(2)O(7) and Se (0.5mg/kg of diet); group IV received Se (0.5mg Na(2)SeO(3)/kg of diet). The exposure of rats to K(2)Cr(2)O(7) for 21 days provoked renal damages with a significant increase in kidney malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, plasma creatinine, and uric acid levels, while catalase, glutathione peroxidase, non-protein thiol, Metallothionein and plasma urea levels decreased. Coadministration of Se in the diet of chromium-treated gr...

Heavy Metal Concentrations in Food Chain of Lake Velenjsko jezero, Slovenia: An Artificial Lake from Mining.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mazej Z, Al Sayegh-Petkovšek S, Pokorny B The concentration of metals (Pb, Cd, Zn, Hg) in different ecosystem components (lake water, sediment, plankton, macrophytes, and fish tissues) has been determined in Velenjsko jezero, an artificial lake resulting from mining activity. The risk to humans from consuming fish has been evaluated from the heavy metal load of fish muscle tissue. Heavy metals are transferred through the food chain at different levels, and Hg is found to be the element of the highest ecotoxicological concern. Although both sediment and plankton contain relatively low concentrations of Hg, this element accumulates in high levels in fish, especially in the benthivorous species Abramis brama danubii and predator species Perca fluviatilis. Moreover, Hg appea...

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Correlations between in situ sensor measurements and trace organic pollutants in urban streams

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Michael B. Henjum, Raymond M. Hozalski, Christine R. Wennen, William Arnold, Paige J. Novak (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Michael B. Henjum, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b912544b To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Mesothelioma Treatment: Imaging Scans May Improve Radiation Therapy

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:29:59 +0100

This study demonstrated the usefulness of PET-CT-based target volume delineation in patients with MPM. Co-registration of PET and CT information reduces the likelihood of geographic misses, and additionally, significant reductions observed in target volumes may potentially allow escalation of RT dose beyond conventional limits.” The study showed that radiation therapy may be improved with the use of co-registered PET-CT scans that produce more accurate target volume depictions. Researchers discovered promising results in this study and feel future research in this treatment approach is warranted. Thankfully, mesothelioma research studies like this clinical trial are being conducted throughout the globe and these studies help improve prognosis for mesothelioma patients worldwide. Addition...

Influence of Catastrophic Climatic Events and Human Waste on Vibrio Distribution in the Karnaphuli Estuary, Bangladesh

EcoHealth — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:05:07 +0100

Abstract Vibrios are bacteria of marine and estuarine origin that can cause human diseases, such as cholera, and also affect aquatic organisms. The impact of storm-driven changes in salinity and suspended particulate matter (SPM) on cultivable Vibrio counts (CVC) and distribution in Karnaphuli estuary, Bangladesh, was compared before and after a strong cyclone in mid May 2007 and after a monsoon landslide a month later. CVC were higher (~103 colony forming units—cfu/ml) at estuary’s mouth (salinity 20–15 parts per thousand, ppt) and steeply declined landwards. CVC and their proportion of total aerobic bacteria were highest after the cyclone and also increased after the landslide, likely due to higher SPM loads. The cyclone did not significantly change previous fecal co...

Plant and fungal biodiversity from metal mine wastes under remediation at Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ortega-Larrocea MD, Xoconostle-Cázares B, Maldonado-Mendoza IE, Carrillo-González R, Hernández-Hernández J, Garduño MD, López-Meyer M, Gómez-Flores L, González-Chávez MD Plant establishment, presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and other rhizospheric fungi were studied in mine wastes from Zimapan, Hidalgo state, Mexico, using a holistic approach. Two long-term afforested and three non-afforested mine tailings were included in this research. Fifty-six plant species belonging to 29 families were successfully established on the afforested sites, while unmanaged tailings had only a few native plant species colonizing the surrounding soils. Almost all plant roots collected were associated to AMF in these sites. The genus Glomus...

Arsenic contamination and potential health risk implications at an abandoned tungsten mine, southern China.

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Liu CP, Luo CL, Gao Y, Li FB, Lin LW, Wu CA, Li XD In an extensive environmental study, field samples, including soil, water, rice, vegetable, fish, human hair and urine, were collected at an abandoned tungsten mine in Shantou City, southern China. Results showed that arsenic (As) concentration in agricultural soils ranged from 3.5 to 935 mg kg(-1) with the mean value of 129 mg kg(-1). In addition, As concentration reached up to 325 mug L(-1) in the groundwater, and the maximum As concentration in local food were 1.09, 2.38 and 0.60 mg kg(-1) for brown rice, vegetable and fish samples, respectively, suggesting the local water resource and food have been severely contaminated with As. Health impact monitoring data revealed that As concentrations in hair and urine samples were u...

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Detection of free and covalently bound microcystins in animal tissues by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Neffling MR, Lance E, Meriluoto J Microcystins are cyanobacterial hepatotoxins capable of accumulation into animal tissues. The toxins act by inhibiting specific protein phosphatases and both non-covalent and covalent interactions occur. The 2-methyl-3-methoxy-4-phenylbutyric acid (MMPB) method determines the total, i.e. the sum of free and protein-bound microcystin in tissues. The aim of the method development in this paper was to tackle the problems with the MMPB methodology: the rather laborious workflow and the loss of material during different steps of the method. In the optimised workflow the oxidation recovery was of acceptable level (29-40%), the extraction efficiency good (62-97%), but the signal suppression effect from the matrix remained severe in our system (16-37%...

Organochlorine pesticides in soils of Mexico and the potential for soil-air exchange.

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Wong F, Alegria HA, Bidleman TF The spatial distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCs) in soils and their potential for soil-air exchange was examined. The most prominent OCs were the DDTs (Geometric Mean, GM = 1.6 ng g(-1)), endosulfans (0.16 ng g(-1)), and toxaphenes (0.64 ng g(-1)). DDTs in soils of southern Mexico showed fresher signatures with higher F(DDTe) = p,p'-DDT/(p,p'-DDT + p,p'-DDE) and more racemic o,p'-DDT, while the signatures in the central and northern part of Mexico were more indicative of aged residues. Soil-air fugacity fractions showed that some soils are net recipients of DDTs from the atmosphere, while other soils are net sources. Toxaphene profiles in soils and air showed depletion of Parlar 39 and 42 which suggests that soil is the source to the ...

Will photosynthetic capacity of aspen trees acclimate after long-term exposure to elevated CO(2) and O(3)?

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

We examined whether or not aspen plants grown under elevated CO(2) and/or O(3) will acclimate after 11 years of exposure at the Aspen Face site in Rhinelander, WI, USA. We studied diurnal patterns of instantaneous photosynthetic measurements as well as A/C(i) measurements monthly during the 2004-2008 growing seasons. Our results suggest that the responses of two aspen clones differing in O(3) sensitivity showed no evidence of photosynthetic and stomatal acclimation under either elevated CO(2), O(3) or CO(2) + O(3). Both clones 42E and 271 did not show photosynthetic nor stomatal acclimation under elevated CO(2) and O(3) after a decade of exposure. We found that the degree of increase or decrease in the photosynthesis and stomatal conductance varied significantly from day to day and from on...

Genotoxicity assessment in aquatic environment impacted by the presence of heavy metals.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Barbosa JS, Cabral TM, Ferreira DN, Agnez-Lima LF, Batistuzzo de Medeiros SR The aim of this study was to access the genotoxic potential of Extremoz Lake waters in Northeastern Brazilian coast, using the Allium cepa system, piscine micronucleus test and comet assay. In addition, heavy metal levels were quantified by atomic absorption flame spectrometry. The results of the A. cepa system showed significant changes in the frequency of chromosome aberrations and in the mitotic index compared to negative control. No significant changes were observed in micronuclei frequency in the erythrocytes of Oreochromis niloticus. The comet assay showed a statistically significant alteration in the level of DNA breaks of O. niloticus. Chemical analysis detected an increase in heavy metal leve...

Mesothelioma Testing Provided for Libby Residents

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:17:08 +0100

After declaring a public health emergency for the town of Libby, Montana in June earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will begin using a $6 million health care grant today, November 9, for treating patients with an asbestos-related disease. On November 16, that money will also be used to start screening community residents for potential asbestos-related issues, including those related to asbestosis, lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Montana Senator Max Baucus said, “Help has arrived on the ground for folks in Libby who are victims of asbestos-related disease. It’s imperative that people exposed to vermiculite asbestos get screened to identify any asbestos-related disease. If diagnosed with an asbest...

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Accumulation of free and covalently bound microcystins in tissues of Lymnaea stagnalis (Gastropoda) following toxic cyanobacteria or dissolved microcystin-LR exposure.

Environmental Pollution — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Lance E, Neffling MR, Gérard C, Meriluoto J, Bormans M Accumulation of free microcystins (MCs) in freshwater gastropods has been demonstrated but accumulation of MCs covalently bound to tissues has never been considered so far. Here, we follow the accumulation of total (free and bound) MCs in Lymnaea stagnalis exposed to i) dissolved MC-LR (33 and 100 mug L(-1)) and ii) Planktothrix agardhii suspensions producing 5 and 33 mug MC-LR equivalents L(-1) over a 5-week period, and after a 3-week depuration period. Snails exposed to dissolved MC-LR accumulated up to 0.26 mug total MCs g(-1) dry weight (DW), with no detection of bound MCs. Snails exposed to MCs producing P. agardhii accumulated up to 69.9 mug total MCs g(-1) DW, of which from 17.7 to 66.7% were bound. After depur...

Effects of temperature and fertilization on total vs. active bacterial communities exposed to crude and diesel oil pollution in NW Mediterranean Sea.

Environmental Pollution — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Rodríguez-Blanco A, Antoine V, Pelletier E, Delille D, Ghiglione JF The dynamics of total and active microbial communities were studied in seawater microcosms amended with crude or diesel oil at different temperatures (25, 10 and 4 degrees C) in the presence/absence of organic fertilization (Inipol EAP 22). Total and hydrocarbon-degrading microbes were enumerated by fluorescence microscopy and Most Probable Number (MPN) method, respectively. Total (16S rDNA-based) vs. active (16S rRNA) bacterial community structure was monitored by Capillary-Electrophoresis Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (CE-SSCP) fingerprinting. Hydrocarbons were analyzed after 12 weeks of incubation by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Total and hydrocarbon-degrading microbial counts were h...

Inter-laboratory exercise on steroid estrogens in aqueous samples.

Environmental Pollution — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

The objective was to evaluate the performance of testing laboratories determining "Endocrine Disrupting Compounds" (EDC) in various aqueous matrices. As the main task three steroid estrogens: 17alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17beta-estradiol and estrone were determined in four spiked aqueous matrices: tap water, river water and wastewater treatment plant influent and effluent using GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. Results were compared and discussed according to the analytical techniques applied, the accuracy and reproducibility of the analytical methods and the nature of the sample matrices. Overall, the results obtained in this inter-laboratory exercise reveal a high level of competence among the participating laboratories for the detection of steroid estrogens in water samples indicating that GC-MS as well...

Effects of sub-chronic exposure to terbutryn in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.).

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Velisek J, Sudova E, Machova J, Svobodova Z The sub-chronic effects of terbutryn at concentrations 0.02 (reported concentration in Czech rivers), 4, 20, and 40mugL(-1) were assessed in one-year-old common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) exposed for 28 days and compared to a non-treated control group. Its influence on biometric parameters, hematology, blood biochemistry, and histology was investigated. Exposure to terbutryn at 0.02mugL(-1) showed no observable effect, whereas exposure to 4, 20, and 40mugL(-1) showed significantly higher erythrocyte counts, ammonia levels, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and lactate, but significantly lower mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and creatine. Cell shape changes and lipid inclusions we...

Prevalence, Emergence, and Factors Associated with a Viral Papillomatosis and Carcinomatosis Syndrome in Wild, Reintroduced, and Captive Western Barred Bandicoots (Perameles bougainville)

EcoHealth — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:40:46 +0100

This study examined the prevalence and distribution of BPCV1 and the associated syndrome in two island and four mainland (reintroduced and captive) WBB populations in Western Australia, and factors that may be associated with susceptibility to this syndrome. BPCV1 and the syndrome were found in the wild WBB population at Red Cliff on Bernier Island, and in mainland populations established from all or a proportion of founder WBBs from Red Cliff. BPCV1 and the syndrome were not found in the wild population on Dorre Island or in the mainland population founded by animals exclusively from Dorre Island. Findings suggested that BPCV1 and the syndrome were disseminated into mainland WBB populations through the introduction of affected WBBs from Red Cliff. No difference in susceptibility to ...

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Cytosolic distribution of Cd, Cu and Zn, and metallothionein levels in relation to physiological changes in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) from metal-impacted habitats.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Van Campenhout K, Goenaga Infante H, Hoff PT, Moens L, Goemans G, Belpaire C, Adams F, Blust R, Bervoets L In the present study the impact of environmental metal contamination in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) was investigated coupling disturbances in subcellular metal distribution to effect biomarkers. Gibel carp were caught at six different sampling sites in Flanders (Belgium), characterized by different degrees in environmental metal contamination. Tissue Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations and total metallothioneon (MT) levels were determined in gills, liver and kidney. Cytosolic metal distribution was measured in the main accumulating organs, liver and kidney, revealing tissue- and metal-dependent profiles. The MT pool dominated the cytosolic distribution profile. Althou...

Mount Sinai Medical Center Assessing Mesothelioma Impact in Libby, Montana

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:34:42 +0100

Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine have announced that thousands of residents and workers in Libby, Montana are at risk for developing mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos-contaminated vermiculite ore for nearly a century. Libby is the site where W.R. Grace and Company operated a toxic vermiculite mine that was highly contaminated with asbestos. Several parts of the town were also affected by asbestos exposure including playgrounds, roads and other residential areas. For decades, workers in Libby brought the toxic dust home on their clothes where they unintentionally exposed their families to asbestos. Lead by Dr. Stephen Levin, M.D., associate professor of preventative medicine at Mount Sinai, the research team will lead an investigation into various components of a...

Dynamics of PCB removal and detoxification in historically contaminated soils amended with activated carbon.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Vasilyeva GK, Strijakova ER, Nikolaeva SN, Lebedev AT, Shea PJ Activated carbon (AC) can help overcome toxicity of pollutants to microbes and facilitate soil bioremediation. We used this approach to treat a Histosol and an Alluvial soil historically contaminated with PCB (4190 and 1585 mg kg(-1), respectively; primarily tri-, tetra- and pentachlorinated congeners). Results confirmed PCB persistence; reductions in PCB extractable from control and AC-amended soils were mostly due to a decrease in tri- and to some extent tetrachlorinated congeners as well as formation of a bound fraction. Mechanisms of PCB binding by soil and AC were different. In addition to microbial degradation of less chlorinated congeners, we postulate AC catalyzed dechlorination of higher chlorinated congen...

Homogeneity of delta(15)N in needles of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) was altered by air pollution.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Kuang YW, Wen DZ, Li J, Sun FF, Hou EQ, Zhou GY, Zhang DQ, Huang LB The present study investigated the changes of delta(15)N values in the tip, middle and base section (divided by the proportion to needle length) of current- and previous-year needles of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana L.) from two declining forest stands suffering from air pollution, in comparison with one healthy stand. At the healthy stand, delta(15)N in the three sections of both current- and previous-year needles were found evenly distributed, while at the polluted stands, delta(15)N values in the needles were revealed significantly different from the tip to the base sections. The results implied that the distribution of delta(15)N among different parts or sections in foliages was not always homogeneous and ...

Responses of wild small mammals to a pollution gradient: Host factors influence metal and metallothionein levels.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Clémentine F, Cosson RP, Cœurdassier M, Francis R, Patrick G, Nadia C, de Vaufleury A, Renaud S We investigated how host factors (species, age, gender) modulated Cd, Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations, metallothionein levels (MTs) and their relationships in 7 sympatric small mammal species along a pollution gradient. Cd concentrations in liver and kidneys increased with age in all species. Age effect on other metals and MTs differs among species. Gender did not influence metal and MT levels except in the bank vole. Three patterns linking internal metal concentrations and MTs were observed along the gradient: a low metal accumulation with a (i) high (wood mouse) or (ii) low (bank vole) level of MTs accompanied by a slight or no increase of MTs with Cd accumulation; (iii) ...

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The impact of wood smoke on ambient PM(2.5) in northern Rocky Mountain valley communities.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ward T, Lange T During the winters of 2006/2007 and 2007/2008, PM(2.5) source apportionment programs were carried out within five western Montana valley communities. Filter samples were analyzed for mass and chemical composition. Information was utilized in a Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) computer model to apportion the sources of PM(2.5). Results showed that wood smoke (likely residential woodstoves) was the major source of PM(2.5) in each of the communities, contributing from 56% to 77% of the measured wintertime PM(2.5). Results of (14)C analyses showed that between 44% and 76% of the measured PM(2.5) came from a new carbon (wood smoke) source, confirming the results of the CMB modeling. In summary, the CMB model results, coupled with the (14)C results, support that wood smok...

Assessment of the emission of PCDD/Fs and dioxin-like PCBs from an industrial area over a nearby town using a selective wind direction sampling device.

Environmental Pollution — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

In this study, a selective sampling device was used to evaluate the impact of potential local sources of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin and dibenzofuran (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyl (dl-PCBs) emissions on the ambient air levels of such compounds in a town near an important industrial estate. Average concentrations of target compounds of up to 2.5 times for PCDD/Fs and 2 times for dl-PCBs were found to come from the industrial state confirming this area as the main responsible for the majority of such compounds reaching the town. This finding was supported by a PCDD/F and dl-PCB sample profile analysis and a principal component analysis (PCA), which established a direct link between the dioxin-like compounds found in the samples collected in the town and their source...

Localized accumulation of lead within and among bones from lead-dosed goats.

Environmental Research — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cretacci Y, Parsons PJ The principal aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of where lead (Pb) accumulates and how it is distributed, within the bones of dosed goats. Adult goats were periodically dosed with Pb over a number of years for the primary purpose of producing blood pools containing endogenously bound Pb, for the New York State Blood Lead Proficiency Testing Program. Bone samples (e.g., primarily tibia, femur, humerus, and radius) were collected post-mortem from 11 animals and were analyzed for Pb content by acid digestion and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS or GFAAS). Average tibia Pb levels were found to correlate strongly with the cumulative Pb dose (r(2)=0.81). However, the concentration of Pb in different bones and even within ...

Passerine Exposure to Primarily PCDFs and PCDDs in the River Floodplains Near Midland, Michigan, USA.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Fredricks TB, Zwiernik MJ, Seston RM, Coefield SJ, Plautz SC, Tazelaar DL, Shotwell MS, Bradley PW, Kay DP, Giesy JP House wren (Troglodytes aedon), tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor), and eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis) tissues collected in study areas (SAs) downstream of Midland, Michigan (USA) contained concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) greater than in upstream reference areas (RAs) in the region. The sum of concentrations of PCDD/DFs (SigmaPCDD/DFs) in eggs of house wrens and eastern bluebirds from SAs were 4- to 22-fold greater compared to those from RAs, whereas concentrations in tree swallow eggs were similar among areas. Mean concentrations of SigmaPCDD/DFs and sum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin ...

Land Use Change and Nutrients Simulation for the Siah Darvishan Basin of the Anzali Wetland Region, Iran.

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ghafouri M, Ghaderi N, Tabatabaei M, Versace V, Ierodiaconou D, Barry DA, Stagnitti F The Anzali Ramsar Convention wetland is located in an ecologically and economically important region in Iran. The wetland is largely surrounded by agriculture, natural forests and rangelands (approximately 36% and 63%, respectively). Urban areas consist of less than 1% of the total area. Urban land use produces the highest rates of nutrient transfer into the lake as TN, TP and BOD5 equal to 24, 2.4 and 79 Kg/ha/year, respectively, whilst, natural land use produces the lowest rate as 10, 1.3 and 27 kg/ha/year. These results will inform the future sustainable management of this important wetland in this ever increasingly water stressed region in Iran. PMID: 19894013 [PubMed - as supplied by...

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Interaction of Stress, Lead Burden and Age on Cognition in Older Men: The VA Normative Aging Study

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Peters JL, Weisskopf MG, Spiro III A, Schwartz J, Sparrow D, Nie H, Hu H, Wright RO, Wright RJ. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901115. [Online 6 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Association of Low Dose Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants with Global DNA Hypomethylation in Healthy Koreans

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Kim KY, Kim DS, Lee SK, Lee IK, Kang JH, Chang YS, Jacobs, Jr. DR, Steffes M, Lee DH. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901131. [Online 6 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Formaldehyde Exposure and Asthma in Children: A Systematic Review

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

McGwin Jr. G, Lienert J, Kennedy Jr. JI. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901143. [Online 6 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Interaction of Stress, Lead Burden and Age on Cognition in Older Men: The VA Normative Aging Study

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Peters JL, Weisskopf MG, Spiro III A, Schwartz J, Sparrow D, Nie H, Hu H, Wright RO, Wright RJ. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901115. [Online 6 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Association of Low Dose Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants with Global DNA Hypomethylation in Healthy Koreans

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Kim KY, Kim DS, Lee SK, Lee IK, Kang JH, Chang YS, Jacobs, Jr. DR, Steffes M, Lee DH. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901131. [Online 6 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

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Formaldehyde Exposure and Asthma in Children: A Systematic Review

EHP-in-Press — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

McGwin Jr. G, Lienert J, Kennedy Jr. JI. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0901143. [Online 6 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

The Brooklyn Traffic Real-Time Ambient Pollutant Penetration and Environmental Dispersion (B-TRAPPED) study

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Russell W. Wiener (Editorial from J. Environ. Monit.) Russell W. Wiener, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b919335a To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

The effect of a tall tower on flow and dispersion through a model urban neighborhood. Part 1. Flow characteristics

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

David K. Heist, Laurie A. Brixey, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, George E. Bowker, Steven G. Perry, Russell W. Wiener (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) David K. Heist, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b907135k To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

The Brooklyn Traffic Real-Time Ambient Pollutant Penetration and Environmental Dispersion (B-TRAPPED) field study methodology

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Intaek Hahn, Christopher R. Fortune, Charles E. Rodes, Jeffrey W. Portzer, Sangdon Lee, Russell W. Wiener, Luther A. Smith, Michael Wheeler, Jeremy Seagraves, Mark Stein, Alfred D. Eisner, Laurie A. Brixey, Zora E. Drake-Richman, Lydia H. Brouwer, William D. Ellenson, Richard Baldauf (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b907126c To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

The effect of a tall tower on flow and dispersion through a model urban neighborhood. Part 2. Pollutant dispersion

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Laurie A. Brixey, David K. Heist, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, George E. Bowker, Steven G. Perry, Russell W. Wiener (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Laurie A. Brixey, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b907137g To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

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Building characterization and aerosol infiltration into a naturally ventilated three-story apartment building

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Charles E. Rodes, Douglas W. VanOsdell, Jeffrey W. Portzer, Jeremy Seagraves, Intaek Hahn, Stacy W. Henkle, Russell W. Wiener (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Charles E. Rodes, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b907139n To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Time-series analysis to study the impact of an intersection on dispersion along a street canyon

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Alfred D. Eisner, Intaek Hahn, Christopher R. Fortune, Zora E. Drake-Richman, Laurie A. Brixey, M. Talih, Russell W. Wiener, William D. Ellenson (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b907134m To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Establishing a link between vehicular PM sources and PM measurements in urban street canyons

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Alfred D. Eisner, Jennifer Richmond-Bryant, Russell W. Wiener, Intaek Hahn, Zora E. Drake-Richman, William D. Ellenson (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Alfred D. Eisner, J. Environ. Monit., 2009, DOI: 10.1039/b907132f To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

Mesothelioma Trimodality Therapy Benefits Patients

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:53:07 +0100

In a study recently published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, mesothelioma researchers found a trimodality therapeutic approach of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation to be effective in treating malignant pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. A long latency period of 20 to 50 years complicates the diagnostic process and usually leads to a diagnosis at a late stage of cancer development. Because most cases of malignant mesothelioma are diagnosed in a late stage of development, treatment options are often limited to palliative measures intended to improve quality of life. Researchers are avidly searching for a cure for this rare cancer, as current treatment therapies typically fail to fully combat the cancer. According to the study�...

Adverse effects of erythromycin on the structure and chemistry of activated sludge.

Environmental Pollution — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study examines the effects of erythromycin on activated sludge from two French urban wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Wastewater spiked with 10 mg/L erythromycin inhibited the specific evolution rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) by 79% (standard deviation 34%) and the specific N-NH(4)(+) evolution rate by 41% (standard deviation 25%). A temporary increase in COD and tryptophan-like fluorescence, as well as a decrease in suspended solids, were observed in reactors with wastewater containing erythromycin. The destruction of activated sludge flocs was monitored by automated image analysis. The effect of erythromycin on nitrification was variable depending on the sludge origin. Erythromycin inhibited the specific nitrification rate in sludge from one WWTP, but increased the nitrifi...

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Assessing urban habitat quality based on specific leaf area and stomatal characteristics of Plantago lanceolata L.

Environmental Pollution — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study has evaluated urban habitat quality by studying specific leaf area (SLA) and stomatal characteristics of the common herb Plantago lanceolata L. SLA and stomatal density, pore surface and resistance were measured at 169 locations in the city of Gent (Belgium), distributed over four land use classes, i.e., sub-urban green, urban green, urban and industry. SLA and stomatal density significantly increased from sub-urban green towards more urbanised land use classes, while the reverse was observed for stomatal pore surface. Stomatal resistance increased in the urban and industrial land use class in comparison with the (sub-) urban green, but differences between land use classes were less pronounced. Spatial distribution maps for these leaf characteristics showed a high spatial variat...

II: Effects of a dopamine receptor antagonist on fathead minnow dominance behavior and ovarian gene expression in the fathead minnow and zebrafish.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study considered haloperidol's potential effects on behavior and ovarian gene expression. Male fathead minnows exposed to 50mug haloperidol/L for 96h were found to be significantly more dominant than control males. In terms of molecular signaling, investigated using oligonucleotide microarrays, there was little similarity in the identity and functions of genes differentially expressed in the ovaries of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) versus zebrafish (Danio rerio) exposed under the same conditions. Results suggest that non-lethal concentrations of haloperidol do not induce ovarian molecular responses that could serve as biomarkers of exposure to D2R antagonists, but may impact behavior. PMID: 19896709 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Ecotoxicology and Environment...

Short-term exposure to sublethal tebuconazole induces physiological impairment in male zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sancho E, Villarroel MJ, Fernández C, Andreu E, Ferrando MD The aim of the present study was to assess the physiological response of male zebrafish Danio rerio to the fungicide tebuconazole and recovery in fungicide-free water. Acute toxicity tests were carried out and the median lethal concentration (LC(50)) from 24 to 96h was calculated. The fish were exposed to a sublethal fungicide concentration of 230mug/L for 7 or 14 days and allowed to recover for 7 or 14 more days, respectively. Whole-body levels of vitellogenins, triglycerides, cholesterol, glucose, lactate and proteins as well as the activities gamma-glutamil transpeptidase (gamma-GT), alanin aminotransferase (AlAT), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed; corpulence factor (k) wa...

Responses of phytoplankton upon exposure to a mixture of acid mine drainage and high levels of nutrient pollution in Lake Loskop, South Africa.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Oberholster PJ, Myburgh JG, Ashton PJ, Botha AM The relationships between water quality and the phytoplankton community within Lake Loskop were studied during the late summer and autumn of 2008 to evaluate the impacts of acid mine drainage and high nutrient concentrations. The higher concentrations of metal ions and sulphate had adverse effects on certain phytoplankton species in the inflowing riverine zone of Lake Loskop, in comparison to the reference site in the lacustrine zone of the lake, which was dominated by the larger and slower growing late summer species of Coelastrum reticulum Nägeli, Straurastrum anatinum Meyen ex Ralfs and Ceratium hirundinella Müller. The high nutrient concentrations (nitrogen: 17mgl(-1) and orthophosphate: 0.7mgl(-1)) during the mid-s...

Acute toxicity and effects of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ionic liquids on green algae.

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Ma JM, Cai LL, Zhang BJ, Hu LW, Li XY, Wang JJ In the present study, the acute toxicity of 1-Alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C(n)mim]Br) on the green algal Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella ellipsoidea was determined. The length of alkyl side chain of these imidazolium ionic liquids were C(4), C(6), C(8), C(10) and C(12). The primary production of S. obliquus was also assessed after they were exposed to 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.50 and 1.00mg/L of [C(10)mim]Br for 96h. The results showed that the acute toxicity of these ionic liquids was positively correlated with the alkyl chain length. Meanwhile, the concentration of the ionic liquid strongly influenced the primary production of algae. These results indicate that [C(n)mim]Br with longer alkyl length have toxic effects on the ...

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A systematic approach to choosing an automated nutrient analyser for river monitoring

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Ulrike Bende-Michl, Peter B. Hairsine (Perspective from J. Environ. Monit.) Ulrike Bende-Michl, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b910156j To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

November eFactor

Environmental Factor - NIEHS Newsletter — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:12:26 +0100

Birnbaum Speaks at Milwaukee Town Hall Trainees Turn Out in Record Number for National Postdoc Appreciation Day Fellows and Investigators Showcased at Annual NIH Research Festival First Annual Meeting of the NIEHS Centers for Neurodegeneration Science Shaughnessy Represents NIEHS at Biotech Conference Harry Gives Special Guest Lecture at Stereology Workshop Sister Study Exceeds Recruitment Goal: Now the Real Work Begins WETP Grantees Look at Global Issues in Worker Safety NIEHS Center Intern Recognized by EPA Head Superfund Announces Wetterhahm Award Winner NIEHS Center Director Honored by Oregon State WETP Grantee To Be Nominated for FEMA Post Editorial Recognizes NIEHS-Funded Research Kim Receives Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program Award NIEHS-F...

Mesothelioma Compensation: $20 Million Settlement Awarded to Maryland Resident

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:26:54 +0100

A Baltimore city jury has recently awarded more than $20 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma cancer after being exposed to asbestos during the late 1960s. Jocelyn Farrar, a 57-year-old nursing professor at the University of Maryland, believes she developed malignant mesothelioma after experiencing secondary asbestos exposure from washing her grandfather’s work clothes as a teenager. John Hentgen, Farrar’s grandfather, worked with asbestos-containing insulation on a regular basis and likely carried home asbestos on his clothes. While doing laundry, Farrar inhaled asbestos fibers which later became lodged in the lining of her lungs. Exposure to asbestos, the primary cause of mesothelioma, can occur by either inhaling or ingesting microscopic asbestos fibers. If inhaled, the li...

Toxicity of Metals to the Bivalve Tellina deltoidalis and Relationships Between Metal Bioaccumulation and Metal Partitioning Between Seawater and Marine Sediments.

Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: King CK, Dowse MC, Simpson SL The Australian benthic bivalve Tellina deltoidalis tolerates a wide range of sediment and water conditions, is easy to handle in the laboratory, and is a useful species for undertaking whole-sediment toxicity tests. The sensitivity of T. deltoidalis to metals was investigated in 10-day metal-spiked sediment exposures for Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn and in water-only exposures for Cu and Zn. The survival of T. deltoidalis in 10-day exposures to metal-spiked sediments was 88-100% for Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations of 75, 420, 1,000, and 4,000 mg/kg, respectively. The 4-day LC(50)s for dissolved Cu and Zn were 0.18 and 13 mg/L, respectively. The 8-day LC(50) for Cu was 31 (24-34) mug/L. Cu and Zn concentrations in the tissues of T. deltoidalis increase...

A comparative study of two factor analytic models applied to PAH data from inhalable air particulate collected in an urban-industrial environment

RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Uwayemi M. Sofowote, Laurie M. Allan, Brian E. McCarry (Paper from J. Environ. Monit.) Uwayemi M. Sofowote, J. Environ. Monit., 2010, DOI: 10.1039/b909663a To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above. The content of this RSS Feed (c) The Royal Society of Chemistry (Source: RSC - J. Environ. Monit. latest articles)

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Dose evaluation and measurement of radon concentration in some drinking water sources of the Ramsar region in Iran

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

Preliminary integrated indoor radon measurements in Transylvania (Romania)

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

A 6.5-year continuous record of sea surface salinity and seawater isotopic composition at Harbour of Ishigaki Island, southwest Japan

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

The potential for releasing methane from artificial lakes in Central Germany - a 13C study

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

Characterisation of spatial variability and patterns in tree and soil 13C at forested sites in eastern Canada

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

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Food webs in Mongolian grasslands: The analysis of 13C and 15N natural abundances

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

Natural abundances of 15N and 13C in leaves of some N2-fixing and non-N2-fixing trees and shrubs in Syria

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

L-[1-13C]phenylalanine breath test in patients with chronic liver disease of different etiologies

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:45:37 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

Mesothelioma Research: Preventing Tumor Growth at Site of Chest Instrumentation

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:42:43 +0100

Mesothelioma researchers recently published a review in the medical journal Lung Cancer on current measures for preventing tumor growth at sites of chest intervention where surgery occurred or where medical instruments such as a catheter were placed. Mesothelioma cancer is a rare disease caused almost exclusively by asbestos exposure. In the United States approximately 2,000 to 3,000 people are diagnosed with the cancer each year. Diagnosis can be challenging because the disease has a latency period of 20 to 50 years following exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, mesothelioma treatment options are also compromised by the long latency period since symptoms do not arise until the cancer has reached late stages of development. Printed in the November 2009 issue of Lung Cancer, the study asses...

Effect of alcohol consumption on the liver detoxication capacity as measured by [13C2]aminopyrine and L-[1-13C]phenylalanine breath tests

Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:55:39 +0100

(Source: Isotopes in Environmental Health Studies)

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Assessing pesticide concentrations and fluxes in the stream of a small vineyard catchment - Effect of sampling frequency.

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

This study reports on the occurrence and behaviour of six pesticides and one metabolite in a small stream draining a vineyard catchment. Base flow and flood events were monitored in order to assess the variability of pesticide concentrations according to the season and to evaluate the role of sampling frequency on the evaluation of fluxes estimates. Results showed that dissolved pesticide concentrations displayed a strong temporal and spatial variability. A large mobilisation of pesticides was observed during floods, with total dissolved pesticide fluxes per event ranging from 5.7 x 10(-3) g/Ha to 0.34 g/Ha. These results highlight the major role of floods in the transport of pesticides in this small stream which contributed to more than 89% of the total load of diuron during August 2007. ...

Blood biomarkers and contaminant levels in feathers and eggs to assess environmental hazards in heron nestlings from impacted sites in Ebro basin (NE Spain).

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Barata C, Fabregat MC, Cotín J, Huertas D, Solé M, Quirós L, Sanpera C, Jover L, Ruiz X, Grimalt JO, Piña B Blood biomarkers and levels of major pollutants in eggs and feathers were used to determine pollution effects in nestlings of the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea and the Little Egret Egretta garzetta, sampled on three Ebro River (NE Spain) areas: a reference site, a site affected by the effluents of a chlor-alkali industry and the river Delta. The two impacted heron populations showed mutually different pollutant and response patterns, suggesting different sources of contamination. In the population nesting near the chlor-alkali plant, elevated levels of hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in eggs, and mercury in feathers in A. purpurea...

Recent levels of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments of the sewer system in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Environmental Pollution — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Authors: Hoai PM, Ngoc NT, Minh NH, Viet PH, Berg M, Alder AC, Giger W The occurrence, temporal trend, sources and toxicity of PCBs and organochlorine pesticides were investigated in sediment samples from the sewer system of Hanoi City, including the rivers Nhue, To Lich, Lu, Set, Kim Nguu and the Yen So Lake. In general, the concentrations of the pollutants followed the order DDTs > PCBs > HCHs (beta-HCH) > HCB. However, the pollution pattern was different for the DDTs and PCBs when the sampling locations were individually evaluated. The concentrations of the DDTs, PCBs, HCHs, and HCB ranged from 4.4 to 1100, 1.3 to 384, <0.2 to 36 and <0.2 to 22 ng/g d.w., respectively. These levels are higher than at any other location in Vietnam. Compared to measurements from 1997, t...

Impact of Smoking and Tobacco Chewing on the Risk of Arsenic-Induced Skin Lesions

EHP-in-Press — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Lindberg AL, Sohel N, Rahman M, Persson LA, Vahter M. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0900728. [Online 3 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

Impact of Smoking and Tobacco Chewing on the Risk of Arsenic-Induced Skin Lesions

EHP-in-Press — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Lindberg AL, Sohel N, Rahman M, Persson LA, Vahter M. 2009. Environ Health Perspect: doi:10.1289/ehp.0900728. [Online 3 November 2009] (Source: EHP-in-Press)

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A Review of Current Toxicological Concerns on Vanadium Pentoxide and Other Vanadium Compounds: Gaps in Knowledge and Directions for Future Research

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B: Critical Reviews — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:01:57 +0100

(Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B: Critical Reviews)

Recent Advances in Research on Radiofrequency Fields and Health: 2004-2007

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B: Critical Reviews — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:01:57 +0100

(Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B: Critical Reviews)

Mesothelioma Diagnostic Test Launched by Pharmaceutical Company

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:35:53 +0100

Prometheus Laboratories Inc. recently announced the nationwide commercial launch of the diagnostic test ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx, in addition to two other diagnostic products. The company originally received United States rights to the three cancer tests from Rosetta Genomics in April this year. The three tests Prometheus acquired rights to were initially labeled miRview™ meso, miRview™ mets and miRview™ squamous. Now they are called ProOnc Mesothelioma Dx, ProOnc TumorSource Dx and ProOnc Squamous Dx. Rosetta Genomics developed the tests after studying microRNA technology, which consists of non-coding genes that are sensitive to biomarkers. According to Harvey Pass, M.D., Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Division of Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology at New ...

Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Phthalates

Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B: Critical Reviews — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:01:51 +0100

(Source: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part B: Critical Reviews)