Exposure to heavy metals

World Healdi Organization Recommended Healdi-Based Limits in Occupational Exposure to Heavy Metals, Report of a WHO Study Group, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, 1980. 

Bomhausen M, Hagen U. 1984. Operant behavior performance changes in rats after prenatal and postnatal exposure to heavy metals. Ires Med Sci 12 805-806. 

Wang T, Fu J, Wang Y, Liao C, Tao Y, Jiang G (2009) Use of scalp hair as indicator of human exposure to heavy metals in an electronic waste recycling area. Environ Pollut 157(8-9) 2445-2451. doi 10.1016/j.envpol.2009.03.010... 

Though distillable at considerably reduced pressure, phenyl azide explodes when heated at ambient pressure, and occasionally at lower pressures [1]. The energy of decomposition has been determined (130-260°C) as 1.36 kJ/g by DSC, and Tait24 was determined as 87°C by adiabatic Dewar tests, with an apparent energy of activation of 119 kJ/mol [2], It is best stored as a 3M solution in toluene. Exposure to heavy metals should be avoided [3],... 

Sauter, S., K.S. Buxton, K.J. Macek, and S.R. Petrocelli. 1976. Effects of exposure to heavy metals on selected freshwater fish. Toxicity of copper, cadmium, chromium and lead to eggs and fry of seven fish species. U.S. Environ. Protection Agen. Rep. 600/3-76-105. 75 pp. 

Itow, T., R.E. Loveland, and M.L. Botton. 1998. Developmental abnormalities in horseshoe crab embryos caused by exposure to heavy metals. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35 33-40. 

The statistical estimation of heavy metal concentrations in the Spruce Forest ecosystems of the Boreal climatic zone is the subject of wide variation, with coefficient of variation from 36 to 330%. However, we can note the clear trend in biogeochemical peculiarities and relevant exposure to heavy metal uptakes by dominant plant species. 

These quantitative values of exposure to heavy metals in the relevant pathway are of importance for environment risk assessment procedures in the forest ecosystems areas. 

Table 8. Biogeochemical exposure to heavy metals in the main botanical groups of Meadow Steppe ecosystems of East European Plain, accumulation, mg/kg by dry weight (after Dobrovolsky, 1994).

Despite the quantitative variability of salts and silicate dust particles in the plants of Arid ecosystems, we can easily discern a trend towards the selective uptake of trace elements. The calculation of coefficient of biogeochemical uptake (Cb) shows the rates of exposure to heavy metals in biogeochemical food webs. One can see that the elements contained in the plant species of both Steppe and Desert ecosystems are in equal measure susceptible to the influence of environmental factors. The most extensively absorbed are Sr, Cu, Mo, and Zn. Their values of Cb are more than unit. The group of other elements, like Ti, Zr, and V, are poorly taken up, with their values of Cb often dropping below 0.1 (see Figures 4 and 5). 

Vocaturo G, Colombo F, Zanoni M, et al. 1983. Human exposure to heavy metals Rare earth pneumoconiosis in occupational workers. Chest 83 780-783. 

Rehabilitation Methods for Exposure to Heavy Metals Under Environmental Conditions... 

Exposure to heavy metals in the industrial environment has caused global concern, because several substances have been shown to cause severe adverse effects among workers and children. This situation requires proper training and monitoring by associated agencies worldwide. 

These diary studies may also include weighing of the food. The protocol period of these studies may vary from one day up to one week and may be repeated. All of these study designs have advantages and disadvantages, and their results have to be used according to the aim of the exposure assessment (e.g. whether a microbial outbreak or chronic exposure to heavy metals is being studied). ... 

Pereira R, Ribeiro R, Goncalves F. 2004. Scalp hair analysis as a tool in assessing human exposure to heavy metals (S. Domingos mine, Portugal). Sci Total Environ 327 81-92. 

Spicer, J. I. and R. E. Wever. 1991. Respiratory impairment in crustaceans and molluscs due to exposure to heavy metals. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 100C 339-342. 

The committee recognizes the desirability of lowering exposure to lead and other heavy metals, especially in the case of infants and children. Overall exposure to heavy metals in general, and to lead in particular, is a public health concern. Although diet... 

Lewis, M., Worobey, J., Ramsay, D. S., and McCormack, M. K. 1992. Prenatal exposure to heavy metals Effect on childhood cognitive skills and health status. Pediatrics... 

Whyte, A.L.H., Raumati, H.G., Greening, G.E., Gibbs-Smith, E., Gardner, J.P.A. Human dietary exposure to heavy metals via the consumption of greenshell mussels (Pema canaliculus Gmelin 1791) from the Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand. Sci. Total Environ. 407, 4348 355 (2009)... 

World Health Organization (WHO). Recommended health-based limits in occupational exposure to heavy metals. Report of a study group. WHO Technical Report Series No. 647. Geneva, 1980. 

Environmental/ industrial exposure to heavy metals, light hydrocarbons, pesticides and sdicon-containing compounds all have heen associated with the development and/or progression of renal failure. Exposure to heavy metals, more particularly lead, cadmium and mercury has heen linked with the development of acute or chronic renal failure. The current hterature also contains a growing hody of information linking solvent exposure wifh renal injury. To what extent exposure to environmental/ occupational... 

The association between metal exposure and renal failure can be approached from two points of view. On the one hand environmental/industrial exposure to heavy metals, more particularly, lead, cadmium and mercury and other inorganic substances such as silicon has been linked to a reduced renal function and/or the development of acute or chronic renal failure [1]. This issue has been dealt with in other chapters of this book. On the other hand patients with chronic renal failure, especially those treated by dialysis are at an increased risk for trace element disturbances (Figure 1). Indeed in these subjects the reduced renal function, the presence of proteinuria, metabolic alterations associated with renal insufficiency, the dialysis treatment, medication etc. all may contribute to either accumulation or deficiency of trace metals. With regard to aluminum intensive research on the element s toxic effects has been performed in the past. Recently, new metal-containing medications have been introduced of which the potential toxic effects should be considered and put in a justified context. 

Exposure Registries. New York State has instituted a Heavy Metals Registry that monitors occupational exposure to heavy metals, including mercury. Cases are reported when mercury exposure is equal to or exceeds 50 g/L (ppb) in blood or 20 g/L (ppb) in urine. Between 1982 and 1986, 1,000 cases of mercury exposure were reported and linked to 47 companies. Most exposures (494 cases) occurred in workers in the alkali and chlorine industry, where mercury is used as a cathode because exposure occurs when the cells are opened the median blood mercury concentration was 76 g/L (ppb) (maximum concentration 916 g/L [ppb]). The second most frequent exposure category (213 cases) was the manufacture of industrial instruments, such as the manual assembly and fabrication of thermometers median blood mercury concentration was 145 g/L (ppb) and the maximum concentration was 889 g/L (ppb) (Baser and Marion 1990). 

The European Journal of Nutrition links aging and age-related disorders to acid-alkaline imbalances.1 In my book The Brain Wash, I discuss the dangers of exposure to heavy metals and pesticides, as well as the damage caused by alcohol consumption. These substances contribute to excess acidity in the body as our systems try to metabolize, neutralize, or eliminate them. Once they are in our bodies, it can be difficult to get rid of them. They promote inflammation and increase the formation of free radicals (charged molecules that attack healthy tissues). Both inflammation and free radicals are associated with brain diseases such as Alzheimer s. 

In plants, two kinds of metal-binding peptides or proteins are synthesized. Plant metallothioneins are inducible cysteine-rich entities very like those found in animals. Differential expression (induction) of metallothionein genes can be due to both variation of external heavy metal concentrations and the influence of various environmental factors. The principle role of plant metallothioneins seems to be in homeostasis rather than in metal detoxification. Plants are also known to have so-called phytochelatins, which are non-protein thiols specifically induced upon exposure to heavy metals. A close positive relationship between the concentrations of cadmium and phytochelatins in the plant shoot material has been observed and linked to the degree of growth inhibition (Keltjens and Van Beu-sichem, 1998). These observations make the use of phytochelatins promising for the assessment of heavy metal effect on plants. 

Honsi, T.G., Hoel, L. and Stenersen, J.V. (1999) Non-inducibility of antioxidant enzymes in the earthworms Eisenia veneta and E. fetida after exposure to heavy metals and paraquat. Pedobiologia, 43, 652-657. 

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