RESUMEN
Boron, the fifth element in the periodic table, is ubiquitous in nature. It is present in food and in surface and ocean waters, and is frequently used in industrial, cosmetic, and medical settings. Exposure to boron and related compounds has been recently implicated as a potential cause of chronic kidney disease in Southeast Asia. This observation prompted the present review of the published data on the effects of acute and chronic exposure to boron on renal function and structure in human beings and in experimental animals.
Asunto(s)
Boro , Riñón , Animales , Ácidos Bóricos/administración & dosificación , Ácidos Bóricos/envenenamiento , Boro/química , Boro/metabolismo , Boro/envenenamiento , Fenómenos Químicos , Química Física , Dieta , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales , Humanos , Lactante , Recién Nacido , Riñón/patología , Riñón/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Renales/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades Renales/patología , Enfermedades Renales/fisiopatología , Fallo Renal Crónico/metabolismo , Fallo Renal Crónico/terapia , Diálisis RenalRESUMEN
Wetland microcosms were used to evaluate the ability of constructed wetlands to remove extremely high concentrations of selenocyanate (SeCN-), arsenic (As), and boron (B) from wastewater generated by a coal gasification plant in Indiana. The wetland microcosms significantly reduced the concentrations of selenium (Se), As, B, and cyanide (CN) in the wastewater by 64%, 47%, 31%, and 30%, respectively. In terms of the mass of each contaminant, 79%, 67%, 57%, and 54% of the Se, As, B, and CN, respectively, loaded into the microcosms were removed from the wastewater. The primary sink for the retention of contaminants within the microcosms was the sediment, which accounted for 63%, 51%, and 36% of the Se, As, and B, respectively. Accumulation in plant tissues accounted for only 2-4%, while 3% of the Se was removed by biological volatilization to the atmosphere. Of the 14 plant species tested, cattail, Thalia, and rabbitfoot grass were highly tolerant of the contaminants and exhibited no growth retardation. Environmental toxicity testing with fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) larvae confirmed that the water treated by the wetland microcosms was less toxic than untreated water. The data from the wetland microcosms support the view that constructed wetlands could be used to successfully reduce the toxicity of aqueous effluent contaminated with extremely high concentrations of SeCN-, As, and B, and that a pilot-scale wetland should therefore be constructed to test this in the field. Cattail, Thalia, and rabbitfoot grass would be suitable plant species to establish in such wetlands.
Asunto(s)
Arsénico/aislamiento & purificación , Boro/aislamiento & purificación , Cianatos/aislamiento & purificación , Ecosistema , Compuestos de Selenio/aislamiento & purificación , Eliminación de Residuos Líquidos/métodos , Microbiología del Agua , Purificación del Agua/métodos , Animales , Arsénico/análisis , Arsénico/farmacocinética , Intoxicación por Arsénico/prevención & control , Biomasa , Boro/análisis , Boro/farmacocinética , Boro/envenenamiento , Cianatos/análisis , Cianatos/farmacocinética , Cianatos/envenenamiento , Cyprinidae , Larva/efectos de los fármacos , Larva/crecimiento & desarrollo , Raíces de Plantas/química , Brotes de la Planta/química , Plantas/metabolismo , Compuestos de Selenio/análisis , Compuestos de Selenio/farmacocinética , Compuestos de Selenio/envenenamiento , Distribución Tisular , Volatilización , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/aislamiento & purificación , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/farmacocinéticaRESUMEN
The boron contents of 68 edible common macrofungi of Hungary were analysed. The average boron content of the examples was 11.74 mg/kg dry mass, this is higher than the average value of green plants of Hungary (7.4 mg/kg dry mass). Although the highest boron contents were found in the examples from woods near Budapest, the differences between the various sites are not significant. It seems that the site has not an important effect on the boron content of mushrooms. Some taxonomical groups are examples of higher, others are examples of lower boron content. The highest concentration of boron (54.3 mg/kg dry mass) was found in the species Marasmius wynnei which indicates a bioconcentration of four to five fold to the average boron level. Significant bioaccumulation of analysed edible species was not established, but the poisoning mushroom Mycena pura has a very great (401-607 mg/kg dry mass) boron concentration. This accumulation is observed to the first time.
Asunto(s)
Basidiomycota/química , Boro/análisis , Boro/envenenamiento , Geografía , Humanos , Hungría , Intoxicación por Setas/epidemiología , Especificidad de la EspecieRESUMEN
Morphologic signs of hair disease of children aged 1 to 5 (town of Chernovtsy, Ukraine) with poisoning are presented. Using scanning electron and light microscopy revealed a number of morphologic signs in the radicular part and bulbs of hairs, which are commonly observed in thallium poisoning.
Asunto(s)
Boro/envenenamiento , Enfermedades del Cabello/patología , Talio/envenenamiento , Preescolar , Cabello/efectos de los fármacos , Cabello/patología , Color del Cabello/efectos de los fármacos , Enfermedades del Cabello/inducido químicamente , Humanos , Lactante , Microscopía Electrónica de Rastreo , Intoxicación/complicaciones , Intoxicación/patologíaAsunto(s)
Boro/toxicidad , Animales , Boro/química , Boro/farmacocinética , Boro/envenenamiento , Perros , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Femenino , Cobayas , Humanos , Dosificación Letal Mediana , Masculino , Ratones , Exposición Profesional , RatasRESUMEN
Urinary borates calculated as boric acid were found to span 0 to 54 microgramme per ml urine for both Singaporean adults (population size: 507) and children (population size: 162). The normal dietary boron intake could account for the urinary boric acid levels observed. Of the hundred and fifty-three children who suffered from gastroenteritis in Singapore over the period from Jan to May 1989, two were found to have urinary boric acid exceeding 54 micrograms per ml urine. One of them was said to have consumed fish balls, bean curds and noodles prior to the onset of illness. These food items were among those likely to have added borates. Unfortunately, the dietary intake prior to the onset of illness of the other child was not recorded. Of the hundred and twelve adults affected by gastroenteritis in Dec 1988 in the Tiong Bahru area, one was found to have boric acid level of 117 micrograms per ml urine, indicative of added borates in the diet. The present study showed that borates related gastroenteritis incidents in Singapore over the time-period of our study at least, were few and far in between. With the on-going surveillance for the presence of added borates in both locally manufactured and imported food and the continued tight control over the importation and sale of borates, future incidents are likely to be minimal.
Asunto(s)
Boro/envenenamiento , Gastroenteritis/inducido químicamente , Adulto , Boro/orina , Niño , Preescolar , Gastroenteritis/epidemiología , Humanos , Lactante , Persona de Mediana Edad , Singapur/epidemiologíaAsunto(s)
Alopecia Areata/inducido químicamente , Intoxicación/complicaciones , Alopecia Areata/diagnóstico , Alopecia Areata/terapia , Antídotos/uso terapéutico , Bismuto/envenenamiento , Boro/envenenamiento , Niño , Preescolar , Terapia Combinada , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Cabello/análisis , Humanos , Lactante , Masculino , Intoxicación por Mercurio/diagnóstico , Intoxicación por Mercurio/etiología , Intoxicación por Mercurio/terapia , Intoxicación/diagnóstico , Intoxicación/terapia , Talio/análisis , Talio/envenenamientoRESUMEN
Twenty-six cows died after accidental exposure to boron fertilizer. Cows developed diarrhea, weakness, ataxia, signs of depression, and died, usually within a few hours. Seizure-like behavior was noticed in 2 cows, and 2 were suspected of aborting. High boron concentrations in tissues from affected cows confirmed ingestion of an appreciable amount of boron fertilizer. In an attempt to confirm the diagnosis of boron poisoning, boron fertilizer was administered to goats. A kid goat given 3.6 g of fertilizer/kg of body weight developed clinical signs similar to those seen in the cattle. Boron compounds such as sodium borate and boric acid have been considered generally nontoxic, and reports of livestock toxicosis are uncommon. This case report suggests that these compounds may be palatable under certain circumstances leading to ingestion of toxic quantities.
Asunto(s)
Boro/envenenamiento , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/inducido químicamente , Fertilizantes/envenenamiento , Animales , Bovinos , Enfermedades de los Bovinos/mortalidad , FemeninoRESUMEN
Dialysate from the REDY dialysis system was examined for toxic elements, special attention being paid to the content of zirconium and aluminium. Also investigated was the concentration of formaldehyde in the rinsing fluid of three consecutive washings. The amount of zirconium and aluminium found in the dialysate was negligible. The concentration of formaldehyde was alarmingly high after two consecutive washings, a considerable amount (less than 50 mg) still remaining after three washings. It is recommended that at least three consecutive washings be performed, and that, if possible, formaldehyde be substituted by another antiseptic. Of special interest was the finding of a very high concentration of boron in the dialysate. It is suggested that this metal, which is a potentially toxic substance, may emanate from the patient. It is concluded that use of the REDY system carries no obvious toxicological risk.