RESUMEN
Epidemiological studies have reported that exposure to toxic metals like cadmium (Cd) may promote the development of musculoskeletal diseases, such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and osteoarthritis (OA), among others. The objective of this review is to summarize the molecular mechanisms of inflammation and oxidative stress activated by Cd at the bone level, particularly in osteoporosis, RA, and OA. Cadmium can increase bone resorption, affect the activity of osteoclasts and calcium (Ca) absorption, and impair kidney function, which favors the development of osteoporosis. In the case of RA, Cd interferes with the activity of antioxidant proteins, like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). It also promotes an inflammatory state, inducing the process of citrullination, which affects the proteins of immune response. On the other hand, accumulation of Cd in the tissues and blood of smokers has been related to the development of some musculoskeletal diseases. Therefore, knowing the negative impact of Cd toxicity at the articular level can help understand the damage mechanisms it produces, leading to the development of such diseases.
Asunto(s)
Cadmio/toxicidad , Contaminantes Ambientales/toxicidad , Enfermedades Musculoesqueléticas/inducido químicamente , Animales , Cadmio/normas , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/normas , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , HumanosRESUMEN
Both raw and composted poultry manure is applied as soil amendment. The aims of this study were: (1) to develop phytotoxicity indexes for organic wastes and composts, and (2) to assess the correlation among phytotoxicity indexes, ecotoxicological endpoints and stability and physicochemical parameters during passive composting of poultry manure. Six 2-m(3) composting piles were constructed and four parameter groups (physicochemical and microbiological parameters, ecotoxicological endpoints, and biological activity) were determined at four sampling times during 92days. Extracts were used to carry out acute toxicity tests on Daphnia magna, Lactuca sativa and Raphanus sativus. Composting decreased average toxicity 22.8% for the 3 species and D. magna was the most sensitive species. The static respiration index decreased from 1.12 to 0.46mgO2gOMh(-1) whilst organic matter reduced by 64.1% at the end of the process. Escherichia coli colonies remained higher than values recommended by international guidelines. The D. magna immobilization test allowed the assessment of possible leachate or run-off toxicity. The new phytotoxicity indexes (RGIC0.8 and GIC80%), proposed in this study, as well as salinity, proved to be good maturity indicators. Hence, these phytotoxicity indexes could be implemented in monitoring strategies as useful ecotoxicological tools. Multivariate analyses demonstrated positive correlations between ecotoxicological endpoints (low toxicity) and biological activity (stability). These two parameter groups were associated at the final sampling time and showed negative correlations with several physicochemical parameters (organic and inorganic contents). The final poultry manure compost was rendered stable, but immature and, thus, unsuitable for soil amending.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Ambientales/toxicidad , Estiércol/análisis , Eliminación de Residuos/métodos , Pruebas de Toxicidad/normas , Animales , Carbono , Ecotoxicología , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Nitrógeno , Aves de Corral , TemperaturaRESUMEN
Human activities are associated with emissions of various metals into the environment, among which the heavy metals lead and cadmium stand out, as they pose a risk to human life even at low concentrations. Thus, accurate knowledge of the levels of these metals exhibited by the overall population, including children, is important. The aim of this study was to estimate the concentrations of lead and cadmium in the blood of adults, adolescents and children residing in the city of São Paulo, assess factors associated with higher lead and cadmium blood levels, and to establish reference values for this population. The study sample consisted of 669 adults over 20 years old, 264 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old and 391 children under 11 years old from both genders. The samples were collected at the end of 2007 and during 2008 in different city zones. Higher blood lead concentration was significantly associated with gender, smoking, offal intake, area of residence and age. The blood cadmium concentration was significantly associated with gender, smoking, consumption of distilled beverages and age. The reference values of lead and cadmium established for adults above 20 years old were 33 µg/L and 0.6 µg/L, respectively, for adolescents (12 to 19 years old) were 31 µg/L and 0.6 µg/L, respectively and for children under 11 years old were 29 µg/L and 0.2 µg/L, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the exposure levels of the investigated population to lead and cadmium are low.
Asunto(s)
Cadmio/sangre , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/estadística & datos numéricos , Contaminantes Ambientales/sangre , Plomo/sangre , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil , Cadmio/normas , Niño , Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/normas , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Femenino , Humanos , Plomo/normas , Masculino , Valores de Referencia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Samples of foliose (Nephroma antarcticum) and fruticose (Usnea sp.) lichens were collected across a steep climatic and vegetation gradient in a remote, almost pristine region of SW Chilean Patagonia. Concentrations of major and trace elements in lichens from the rainforest were among the lowest ever reported worldwide for foliose and fruticose lichens and can be considered background levels for the region. The two lichen growth forms showed different elemental compositions mainly due to the greater capacity of foliose thalli to intercept elements from windborne and canopy-leached particles. The patterns of spatial variation in the chemical composition of lichens were effectively explained by statistical methods and reflected the different availability of wet and dry deposition along the steep climatic gradient. Baseline values established for N. antarcticum samples growing in temperate Nothofagus forests were therefore distinct from those of samples growing in more open, drier habitats. The fruticose Usnea sp. showed a higher affinity for atmophile Hg, low concentrations of lithophilic elements, and the same baseline composition whether from temperate forests or from dry, barren environments. The provided background and baseline values against which variations can be measured will be useful in the early detection of local or regional climatic and environmental change, especially in view of the planned construction of hydropower dams under the recently approved HidroAysén Project.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Líquenes/química , Oligoelementos/análisis , Chile , Clima , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Oligoelementos/normas , Usnea/químicaRESUMEN
We aimed to develop site-specific sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) for two estuarine and port zones in Southeastern Brazil (Santos Estuarine System and Paranaguá Estuarine System) and three in Southern Spain (Ría of Huelva, Bay of Cádiz, and Bay of Algeciras), and compare these values against national and traditionally used international benchmark values. Site-specific SQGs were derived based on sediment physical-chemical, toxicological, and benthic community data integrated through multivariate analysis. This technique allowed the identification of chemicals of concern and the establishment of effects range correlatively to individual concentrations of contaminants for each site of study. The results revealed that sediments from Santos channel, as well as inner portions of the SES, are considered highly polluted (exceeding SQGs-high) by metals, PAHs and PCBs. High pollution by PAHs and some metals was found in São Vicente channel. In PES, sediments from inner portions (proximities of the Ponta do Félix port's terminal and the Port of Paranaguá) are highly polluted by metals and PAHs, including one zone inside the limits of an environmental protection area. In Gulf of Cádiz, SQGs exceedences were found in Ria of Huelva (all analysed metals and PAHs), in the surroundings of the Port of Cádiz (Bay of Cádiz) (metals), and in Bay of Algeciras (Ni and PAHs). The site-specific SQGs derived in this study are more restricted than national SQGs applied in Brazil and Spain, as well as international guidelines. This finding confirms the importance of the development of site-specific SQGs to support the characterisation of sediments and dredged material. The use of the same methodology to derive SQGs in Brazilian and Spanish port zones confirmed the applicability of this technique with an international scope and provided a harmonised methodology for site-specific SQGs derivation.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Sedimentos Geológicos , Guías como Asunto , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/normas , Océano Atlántico , Benchmarking/métodos , Brasil , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Metales/análisis , Bifenilos Policlorados/análisis , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos/análisis , Agua de Mar/química , España , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
To show the influence of measurement uncertainties in performance evaluation of laboratories, data from 42 comparison runs were evaluated using two statistical criteria. The normalized standard deviation, D, used by US EPA, that mainly takes into account the accuracy, and the normalized deviation, E, that includes the individual laboratory uncertainty used for performance evaluation in the key-comparisons by BIPM. The results show that data evaluated by the different criteria give a significant deviation of laboratory performance in each radionuclide assay when we analyse a large quantity of data.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Laboratorios/estadística & datos numéricos , Monitoreo de Radiación/estadística & datos numéricos , Radioisótopos/análisis , Brasil , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Guías como Asunto , Laboratorios/normas , Control de Calidad , Monitoreo de Radiación/métodos , Monitoreo de Radiación/normas , Radioisótopos/normas , Valores de Referencia , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Adverse effects caused by environmental lead pollution are well recognized. Being a widespread agent in the environment and a major harmful element to organic systems, mostly to children, lead has been investigated all over the world, aiming to improve measures regarding its control. The purpose of this chapter is to present a review of the situation of production, uses, assessment of exposure, and adverse effects from environmental lead contamination in Brazil. It also presents aspects of Brazilian legislation setting up maximum permissible levels of lead in several environmental compartments such as surface and drinking water, soils, sediment, urban air, and also in commercially sold food, vegetables, fish, and meat, in an effort to control industrial emissions. Epidemiological investigations on children's lead exposure around industrial and mining areas are revised, showing that many situations where lead contamination is potentially present still need to be addressed by governmental agencies. In Brazil, lead was withdrawn from gasoline by the end of the 1980s, and the last lead mining and primary smelting plant was closed in 1995, leaving residual environmental lead contamination, which has recently been investigated using a multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, there are hundreds of small secondary battery recycling plants all over the country, running smelting facilities that produce local urban areas of lead contamination.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/estadística & datos numéricos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Contaminación de Alimentos , Plomo/análisis , Adulto , Animales , Brasil , Niño , Contaminantes Ambientales/sangre , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Femenino , Peces , Análisis de los Alimentos , Humanos , Invertebrados/química , Plomo/sangre , Plomo/normas , Masculino , Materiales Manufacturados , Plantas/químicaRESUMEN
Since 1994, when the NIST/NOAA Quality Assurance Program in Chemical Measurements was discussed in Queretaro, CENAM, the National Measurement Institute (NMI) of Mexico, has become involved in the development of reference materials. In the field of biological and environmental reference materials, in particular, the NORAMET collaboration program with NIST and NRC, and the North-American Environmental Cooperation signed among three free-trade treaty organizations, have greatly helped the development of the materials metrology program in the newly established CENAM. This paper describes some particularly significant efforts of CENAM in the development of biological and environmental reference materials, on the basis of inter-comparison studies organized with local and governmental environmental agencies of Mexico. In the field of water pollution CENAM has developed a practical proficiency testing (PT) scheme for field laboratories, as a part of registration by local government in the metropolitan area, according to the Mexican Ecological Regulation. The results from these eight PTs in the last 5 years have demonstrated that this scheme has helped ensure the reliability of analytical capability of more than 50 field laboratories in three states, Mexico, D.F., and the States of Mexico and Queretaro. Similar experience has been obtained for more than 70 service units of stack emission measurements in the three states in 1998 and 1999, as a result of the design of a PT scheme for reference gas mixtures. This PT scheme has been accomplished successfully by 30 analytical laboratories who provide monitoring services and perform research on toxic substances (Hg, methylmercury, PCB, etc.) in Mexico. To support these activities, reference samples have been produced through the NIST SRMs, and efforts have been made to increase CENAM's capability in the preparation of primary reference materials in spectrometric solutions and gas mixtures. Collaboration among NMIs has also successfully overcome the inability of CENAM to prepare biological tissue for mercury assessment and marine sediments for analysis of trace metals. The importance of international collaboration is stressed not only in the NORAMET region but also in the SIM, to provide help for each other and achieve mutual recognition among member countries of the region.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/normas , Estándares de Referencia , Técnicas de Química Analítica/métodos , Técnicas de Química Analítica/normas , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Cooperación Internacional , MéxicoRESUMEN
En el trabajo son analizadas las principales estrategias elaboradas y desarrolladas desde las Ciencias Ambientales para la estimación del efecto generado por la introducción de sustancias extrañas (xenobióticos) en sistemas naturales, es decir los análisis químicos cuantitativos, los estudios ecológicos, los bioensayos, los estudios de microcosmos o de mesocosmos, y la utilización de indicadores bioquímicos. En este contexto, son discutidas con mayor detalle las principales características -y consecuentemente potenciales aplicaciones- de aquellos indicadores de la presencia de contaminantes de tipo bioquímico y/o celular, agrupados bajo la denominación de "biomarcadores" (indicadores bioquímicos). Esquemáticamente los indicadores bioquímicos se caracterizan por presentar las siguientes propiedades: - evidenciar la presencia de contaminantes a niveles subletales; - integrar adecuadamente el efecto de la presencia de diversos xenobióticos asequibles para los organismos y sus respectivos metabolitos; - incorporar las interacciones toxicológicas y farmacodinámicas; - predecir las consecuencias derivadas del tiempo y la frecuencia de exposición. Finalmente se discute la utilidad de los indicadores bioquímicos en programas de monitoreo ambiental, y en la predicción del efecto de la contaminación sobre la integridad de las poblaciones o comunidades afectadas, al ser utilizados en forma complementaria con las otras estrategias presentadas (AU)
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Salud Ambiental/normas , Medio Ambiente y Salud Pública , Contaminación Ambiental/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/clasificación , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Contaminantes del Agua/análisis , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/análisis , Bioensayo/métodos , Aductos de ADN/análisis , Acetilcolinesterasa/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Bioensayo/normas , Residuos Peligrosos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Biomarcadores , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos , Superóxido Dismutasa/análisis , Porfobilinógeno Sintasa/diagnóstico , Antioxidantes/diagnósticoRESUMEN
En el trabajo son analizadas las principales estrategias elaboradas y desarrolladas desde las Ciencias Ambientales para la estimación del efecto generado por la introducción de sustancias extrañas (xenobióticos) en sistemas naturales, es decir los análisis químicos cuantitativos, los estudios ecológicos, los bioensayos, los estudios de microcosmos o de mesocosmos, y la utilización de indicadores bioquímicos. En este contexto, son discutidas con mayor detalle las principales características -y consecuentemente potenciales aplicaciones- de aquellos indicadores de la presencia de contaminantes de tipo bioquímico y/o celular, agrupados bajo la denominación de "biomarcadores" (indicadores bioquímicos). Esquemáticamente los indicadores bioquímicos se caracterizan por presentar las siguientes propiedades: - evidenciar la presencia de contaminantes a niveles subletales; - integrar adecuadamente el efecto de la presencia de diversos xenobióticos asequibles para los organismos y sus respectivos metabolitos; - incorporar las interacciones toxicológicas y farmacodinámicas; - predecir las consecuencias derivadas del tiempo y la frecuencia de exposición. Finalmente se discute la utilidad de los indicadores bioquímicos en programas de monitoreo ambiental, y en la predicción del efecto de la contaminación sobre la integridad de las poblaciones o comunidades afectadas, al ser utilizados en forma complementaria con las otras estrategias presentadas
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Acetilcolinesterasa/análisis , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Bioensayo , Contaminación Ambiental/análisis , Contaminación del Aire/análisis , Aductos de ADN/análisis , Medio Ambiente y Salud Pública , Salud Ambiental/normas , Contaminantes Ambientales/clasificación , Contaminantes del Suelo/análisis , Contaminantes del Agua/análisis , Antioxidantes , Bioensayo/normas , Contaminantes Ambientales/análisis , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Residuos Peligrosos/legislación & jurisprudencia , Biomarcadores , Hidrocarburos Policíclicos Aromáticos , Porfobilinógeno Sintasa , Superóxido Dismutasa/análisisRESUMEN
Present working conditions in one of the most active areas of the maquiladora system along the Mexico-U.S. border are reminiscent of nineteenth-century U.S. sweatshops. This conclusion was reached after evaluating two separate but interrelated surveys among Mexican nationals living near the Mexico-U.S. border, one of community leaders (Paper I), and one of workers in maquiladora enterprises in the towns of Matamoros and Reynosa, Mexico (Paper II). Paper I evaluates the results of the community leaders' survey. Criteria for selection of the leaders were: level of responsibility in the community; knowledge of the industry in the region, and length of residence in the area (more than 3 years). Representatives from government, maquiladora industry management, labor union leadership, labor union activists, and community improvement activists were interviewed. Structured questionnaires with opportunities for open-ended answers were used by trained Spanish speaking interviewers. The questions covered community demographics, health care structures, governance of the region, knowledge of working conditions, and knowledge of environmental impact on the region and the community. Community leaders were ambivalent on the purported benefits of the development of these types of industries in their communities. A substantial majority (21 of 25) thought that the maquiladoras brought few positive developments, other than creating jobs. Serious concerns about overextending weak social infrastructures and about environmental deterioration were voiced. Immediate (preventive) measures appear necessary to develop community infrastructures and to protect environmental health.
Asunto(s)
Contaminación Ambiental , Industrias , Salud Laboral , Cambio Social , Servicios de Salud Comunitaria , Salud Ambiental , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Femenino , Identidad de Género , Humanos , Industrias/normas , Masculino , México , Salud Pública , Eliminación de Residuos , Estados Unidos , Mujeres TrabajadorasRESUMEN
La atención de la salud en el hospital requiere del concurso de personas, tecnologías y equipamientos que desde un espacio permiten el cumplimiento de sus objetivos. La interacción de éstos elementos determina la presencia de riesgos tanto para los pacientes como para el personal, si no se cumplen ciertas normas de bioseguridad. El enfoque de riesgo aplicado al sistema de atención hospitalaria constituye un interesante punto de vista del presente trabajo
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Condiciones de Trabajo , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Atención de Enfermería/normas , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/normas , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/educación , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/tendencias , Contención de Riesgos Biológicos/normas , Condiciones de Trabajo , Desinfectantes/efectos adversos , Desinfectantes/inmunología , Desinfectantes/toxicidadRESUMEN
La atención de la salud en el hospital requiere del concurso de personas, tecnologías y equipamientos que desde un espacio permiten el cumplimiento de sus objetivos. La interacción de éstos elementos determina la presencia de riesgos tanto para los pacientes como para el personal, si no se cumplen ciertas normas de bioseguridad. El enfoque de riesgo aplicado al sistema de atención hospitalaria constituye un interesante punto de vista del presente trabajo
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Atención de Enfermería/normas , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/normas , Condiciones de Trabajo , Contención de Riesgos Biológicos/normas , Desinfectantes/efectos adversos , Desinfectantes/inmunología , Desinfectantes/toxicidad , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/educación , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/tendencias , Condiciones de TrabajoRESUMEN
Apoyado en la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas, celebrada en Estocolmo, Suecia, en el año de 1972, se crea este decreto en 1986, como un instrumento legal especial, para el cuidado del medio ambiente, a través del cual se pretendía que la planificación del desarrollo nacional sea compatible con la necesidad de proteger, conservar y mejorar el medio ambiente. Algunos de los aspectos mencionados son: contaminación atmosférica, el mantenimiento de la cantidad del agua para el uso humano y otras actividades cuyo empleo sea indispensable, la adecuada protección y explotación de los recursos minerales y combustibles fósiles, así como la contaminación por ruido y visual, entre otros. Lo componen 42 Artículos, 10 artículos de los cuales han sido derogados por el decreto 90-2000.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Salud Ambiental/normas , Ecosistema , Equilibrio Ecológico/legislación & jurisprudencia , Ecología/normas , Ambiente , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Límite Permisible de Riesgos Laborales/políticas , GuatemalaRESUMEN
influencias en el medio ambiente circundante de los residuos de polvos y fibras de las industrias algodoneras en la provincia del Chaco, en las campañas algodoneras de los años 1991, 1992 y 1993. Contenido: Desmotadoras. Hilanderías. Tejedurías. Plantas de elaboración de algodón hidrófilo. Plantas de elaboración de aceite de semillas de algodón. Métodos de control y fiscalización. Protección de la salud del trabajador. Límites establecidos para las condiciones en los ambientes laborales. Límites de contaminantes atmosféricos. Metodología de análisis de riesgos. Planillas de evaluación de riesgos. Datos complementarios
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Argentina , Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , Gossypium/efectos adversos , Lugar de Trabajo/normas , Medición de Riesgo/análisis , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental/prevención & control , Riesgos Laborales/legislación & jurisprudencia , Salud Laboral/legislación & jurisprudencia , Bisinosis/prevención & control , Exposición Profesional/legislación & jurisprudencia , Exposición Profesional/normas , Industria Textil/educación , Industria Textil/métodos , Lugar de Trabajo/legislación & jurisprudencia , Medicina del Trabajo/educación , Contaminantes Ambientales/normas , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/efectos adversos , Contaminantes Ocupacionales del Aire/normas , Contaminación Ambiental/análisis , Contaminación Ambiental/estadística & datos numéricos , Riesgos Laborales/estadística & datos numéricos , Salud Laboral/estadística & datos numéricos , Seguridad Industrial , Aceite de Semillas de Algodón/normasRESUMEN
influencias en el medio ambiente circundante de los residuos de polvos y fibras de las industrias algodoneras en la provincia del Chaco, en las campañas algodoneras de los años 1991, 1992 y 1993. Contenido: Desmotadoras. Hilanderías. Tejedurías. Plantas de elaboración de algodón hidrófilo. Plantas de elaboración de aceite de semillas de algodón. Métodos de control y fiscalización. Protección de la salud del trabajador. Límites establecidos para las condiciones en los ambientes laborales. Límites de contaminantes atmosféricos. Metodología de análisis de riesgos. Planillas de evaluación de riesgos. Datos complementarios