Concentrations of mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and aluminum in irrigation water wells and wastewaters used for agriculture in Mashhad, northeastern Iran

Contamination of water by toxic chemicals has become commonly recognized as an environmental concern. Based on our clinical observation in Mashhad, northeastern Iran, many people might be at risk of exposure to high concentrations of toxic heavy metals in water. Because wastewater effluents as well as water wells have been commonly used for irrigation over the past decades, there has been some concern on the toxic metal exposure of crops and vegetables irrigated with the contaminated water. To measure the concentrations of mercury, lead, chromium, cadmium, arsenic and aluminium in irrigation water wells and wastewaters used for agriculture in Mashhad, northeastern Iran. 36 samples were taken from irrigation water wells and a wastewater refinery in North of Mashhad at four times-May 2008, March 2009, and June and July 2010. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used to measure the concentration of toxic metals. Graphite furnace was used for the measurement of lead, chromium, cadmium and aluminum. Mercury and arsenic concentrations were measured by mercury/hydride system. Chromium, cadmium, lead and arsenic concentrations in the samples were within the standard range. The mean +/- SD concentration of mercury in irrigation wells [1.02 +/- 0.40 micro g/L] exceeded the FAO maximum permissible levels. The aluminum concentration in irrigation water varied significantly from month to month [p=0.03]. All wastewater samples contained high mercury concentrations [6.64 +/- 2.53 micro g/L]. For high mercury and aluminum concentrations, the water sources studied should not be used for agricultural use. Regular monitoring of the level of heavy metals in water and employing the necessary environmental interventions in this area are strongly recommended

Health aspects of organophosphorous pesticides in Asian countries

Organophosphorous [OP] pesticides are used frequently in agriculture, particularly in Asian countries over the past decades. Poisoning by these agents, either as acute or chronic in these nations, is a serious health problem. OP pesticides residue in fruits and vegetables that may not induce early clinical features, could also affect the human health. Therefore, medical and health professionals should be aware and learn more on the toxicology, prevention and proper management of OP poisoning. The well-known mechanism of OP toxicity is the inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase, resulting in an accumulation of acetylcholme and continued stimulation of acetylcholine receptors. Therefore, they are also called anticholinesterase agents. Determination of blood acetyl cholinesterase and butyryl cholinesterase activities remains a mainstay for the rapid initial screening of OP pesticides. Quantitative analysis of OP and their degradation products in plasma and urine by mass spectrometric methods is a more specific method, but is expensive and limited to specialized laboratories. Therefore, history of OP pesticides exposure and clinical manifestations of a cholinergic syndrome is sufficient for management of the exposed patients. However, electrophysiological tests may be required for the diagnosis of delayed neuropathy of OP poisoning. The standard management of OP poisoning includes decontamination, atropine sulphate with an oxime. Recent advances focus on blood alkalimsation and magnesium sulphate as promising adjunctive therapies. Preventive measures in OP exposure are of great importance in human health in developing countries. Therefore, regulations and controls on safe use of OP particularly in Asian countries are recommended

Occupational lead poisoning in workers of traditional tile factories in Mashhad, northeast of Iran

Occupational lead poisoning is a health problem in Iran. It has not previously been studied in traditional tile makers. To determine the prevalence of lead poisoning and its complications in traditional tile workers in Mashhad, Northwest of Iran, We visited workers in two traditional tile factories and collected data by direct history taking and physical examination. Blood and urine lead concentrations were measured by heated graphite atomization technique. Overall, 108 men with mean +/- SD age of 37 +/- 7.8 years were studied. The mean +/- SD length of daily lead exposure was 9.8 +/- 6 years. The mean +/- SD blood lead concentration was 520.5 +/- 323, 2 M9/L. The main objective clinical findings were the presence of lead line [64.8%], peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities [37%], depressed deep tendon reflexes in the upper extremities [25.7%], tremor [23.3%], peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities [17%] and abdominal tenderness [15.1%]. The subjective findings were mainly attributed to the central nervous system and included loss of memory [57%], moodiness [56.1%], agitation [47.7%], drowsiness [36.4%] and headache [29.9%]. There was no statistically significant correlation between the blood lead concentration and glomerular filtration rate. However, there were significant correlations between the blood lead concentration and each of the urine lead concentration [p<0.001], diastolic blood pressure [p=0.04], serum triglyceride level [p=0.043], high density lipoprotein level [p=0.012], and basophilic stippling [p=0.048]. Blood lead level, however, did not have any significant correlation with the presence of lead line. In traditional tile workers, lead toxicity is not uncommon and the toxic effects of lead were found more often on the teeth [bone], central and peripheral nervous system, hematological and lipid profiles than on the renal function

serum lead level of childern in emergency ward

Lead is neurotoxic metal and particularly harmful to the developing nervous system of young children. The U.S. Department of Health and Human services established a National goal to eliminate blood lead level more than 100 Microgram/lit in children age<7 years by 2010. Our perpous was to evaluate the serum lead blood level of 1-7 years old children in khorasan province. This cross sectional - descriptive study performed on 206 children aged one to seven years who were referred to pediatric out patients clinic and pediatric emergency service of Emam Reza medical center.Mashhad Iran from Jan. 200 1 - 2002 children age and blood lead levels were collected in special form. From all children before entrance to study 3 cc blood had been taken for blood lead level. Blood lead levels in all samples were measured by the same lab and same technician. Collected data were processed by descriptive statistics and frequency tables. In this study we measure blood lead levels in 206 children aged one to six years in Emam Reza Medical center pediatrics emergency service and out patients clinic. The mean age of children was 40/04 +/- 1 8/66 months and the mean blood lead level was 121/95 +/- 33/54 Mcg/lit and in 74/8% of children the lead levels were more than 100 Mc/lit. study showed the lead levels are more than other countries studies. Further epidemiologic studies should be performed for this very important heath problem of Mashhad children

[Correlation of delayed mustard gas ocular complications with severity of skin, respiratory, hematoogic, and immunologic complications]

To determine any possible correlation between delayed ocular complications with late-onset complications of mustard gas poisoning in other systems including skin, respiratory tract, and immunohematologic system. The study was conducted on 40 chemical war victims in Khorasan province, Iran. Ophthalmologic and dermatologic examinations and spirometry were performed for all patients. The severity of ocular, cutaneous, and respiratory complications were classified into four grades from mild to severe. Blood cell counts, flow-cytometric analyses, serum immunoglobulins and complement measurements were performed for all patients and for 35 healthy male controls. Hematological and immunological parameters were compared between the patients and the controls, using Mann-Whitney test. The correlation between these parameters and the severity of ocular complications in patients were determined, using Spearman's rank correlation test. Forty male patients [aged 43.8 +/- 9.8 years] with confirmed mustard gas poisoning 16 to 20 years after exposure were studied. Main ocular complications were found as vascular tortuosity [15%], limbal ischemia [12.5%], corneal opacity [10%], corneal vascularization [7.5%], and corneal epithelial defect [5%]. The values for WBC, RBC, HCT, IgM, and C3, as well as for the percentage of monocytes and CD3[+] lymphocytes were significantly higher [p<0.042] and the percentage of CD16+56[+] cells was significantly lower in patients than controls [P=0.006]. No significant correlation was found between the immunological parameters and the severity of ocular complications. The comparison of clinical complications in the skin, eyes, and respiratory system revealed a significant positive correlation between the respiratory and ocular complications [r=0.322, P=0.043]. Although sulfur mustard is known to cause long lasting systemic toxicity such as hematological and immunological complications, its adverse effects on the skin, eyes and the respiratory immunohematological complications

Evaluation of gastrointestinal complications of sulfur mustard poisoning in Iranian combatants

A total of 360 Iranian combatants who were exposed to mustard gas by the Iraqi forces in the war fronts were studied. Acute effects and gastrointestinal [GI] complications of sulfur mustard [SM] intoxication were studied separately in Iranian combatants admitted to Imam Reza Hospital from January 1984, to May 1988. In order to record the clinical and paraclinical findings, a special examination sheet and a questionnaire were designed. Routine laboratory tests such as CBC and ESR were performed for all patients and further investigation such as upper GI endoscopy were done as clinically indicated. Common GI symptoms were; nausea [47%], vomiting [42%], anorexia [40%], abdominal pain [35%], diarrhea [15%], melena [7%], and hematemesis [5%]. Based on physical examination and endoscopy, acute esophagitis and gastritis were diagnosed. In the chronic phase 298 patients were observed two months to six years after exposure. Common GI symptoms were recorded as nausea [45%], anorexia [42%], abdominal pain [38%], hematochezia [12%], and hematemesis [5%]. Based on upper GI series and endoscopy, gastritis [12%], duodenitis [8%], and duodenal ulcer [1%] were diagnosed. Other complications such as hepatomegaly and gastric carcinoma that were reported in the literature from the First World War experience, have not yet been observed in our patients. Only in one patient who was admitted for abdominal discomfort five years after SM poisoning, gastritis with intestinal metaplasia was observed on endoscopy and biopsy from the stomach