Is chemical exposure present in informal work associated with Sars-CoV-2 infection?

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To compare the incidence of covid-19 symptoms between informal home-based workers and a control group and to assess the association of these cases with blood elements concentrations and other relevant risk factors for Sars-Cov-2 infection. METHODS Welders chemically exposed to potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (n = 26) and control participants (n = 25) answered questionnaires on adherence to social distancing and signs and symptoms of the disease for five months during the covid-19 pandemic. After follow-up, covid-19 serology tests were performed on a subsample of 12 chemically exposed workers and 20 control participants. Before the pandemic, PTE concentrations in blood (As, Mn, Ni, Cd, Hg, Sb, Sn, Cu, Zn, and Pb) were measured by ICP-MS. RESULTS The chemically exposed group had higher lead and cadmium levels in blood (p < 0.01). The control group presented lower adherence to social distancing (p = 0.016). Although not significant, welders had a 74% greater chance of having at least one covid-19 symptom compared with control participants, but their adherence to social distancing decreased this chance by 20%. The use of taxis for transportation was a risk factor significantly associated with covid-19 symptoms. CONCLUSION The lower adherence to social distancing among the control group greatly influences the development of covid-19. The literature lacks data linking exposure to PTEs and Sars-Cov-2 infection and/or severity. In this study, despite chemical exposure, working from home may have protected welders against covid-19, considering that they maintained greater social distancing than control participants.

Sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with occupational contact dermatitis seen at a work-related dermatology service, 2000 - 2014

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Occupational dermatoses are common, especially contact dermatitis. Epidemiological studies on these dermatoses are scarce in Brazil and they are necessary as part of the public policy to protect workers' health. OBJECTIVES: To identify sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with occupational contact dermatitis seen between 2000 and 2014 at an occupational dermatology service. METHODS: It is a cross-sectional and retrospective study, based on information obtained from the service's database. RESULTS: Of 560 patients with conclusive patch test, 289 (46.9%) presented occupational dermatoses and 213 occupational contact dermatitis with predominance of the allergic type in relation to the irritative type (149:64 respectively). The odds of occupational dermatoses were higher among men and lower among patients aged 50 years or older and with higher level of education. Regarding the possibility of presenting occupational allergic contact dermatitis, only the gender variable was statistically significant. The professions most seen were cleaners, construction workers, painters, mechanics/metallurgists and cooks. The commonest allergens were nickel sulfate, potassium dichromate, cobalt chloride, carba-mix and formaldehyde. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The main limitations of this study are the fact that it was carried out in a tertiary service of occupational dermatoses and the lack of access to some allergens outside the patch test baseline series. CONCLUSIONS: It was possible to identify the sociodemographic and clinical profile of patients with suspected occupational contact dermatitis seen at the Service, beyond the professional groups and allergens related to a high risk of occupational contact dermatitis in this population.

Comparative study for morphological identification, chemical component analysis, and DNA barcode determination of three plants and their varieties in Genus Mentha / 药学学报

The morphological identification, chemical component analysis, and DNA barcode determination were investigated on Genus Mentha (including Mentha haplocalyx Briq., Mentha piperita Linn., Mentha spicata Linn. and Mentha cultivated) in order to reveal the origin of Herba Mentha as a drug, and ensure the accuracy in clinic application. The morphological characters, chemical composition analysis by GC-MS/MS and DNA content measure by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were reported in this study for inter- or intra- species divergence. Based on the morphology, axillary verticillasters was recognized as the typical character for Mentha haplocalyx Briq. Carvone was used as an index component for chemical composition analysis of Mentha spicata Linn. Gene clustering analysis divided 22 batches of samples into two molecular groups. Mentha haplocalyx Briq. is distinguishably different from Mentha spicata Linn. Mentha piperita Linn. and other cultivated plants were distributed between these two species. The results obtained by morphological identification, chemical composition analysis, and DNA barcode determination show good correlations, but each identification method has its limit. In view of the fact that hybridization of the plants in Genus Mentha is common, identification relying on only one method is not recommended.

Calidad del agua y desarrollo sostenible / Water quality and sustainable development

La calidad del agua es un valor ecológico esencial para la salud y para el crecimiento económico. En el Perú, por su naturaleza mineralógica debido a la presencia del sistema montañoso de los Andes y por su economía dependiente de la actividad extractiva de minerales, se generan condiciones para la dispersión de contaminantes químicos, especialmente metales, que alcanza incluso al agua potable, determinando una exposición generalizada de la población a un riesgo crónico que ya empieza a ser inmanejable. La contaminación de las cuencas expone a las personas, al cadmio en la parte norte del Perú, al plomo en la central y al arsénico en el sur. El tratamiento fisicoquímico es cada vez más costoso para las empresas de agua potable. En ese contexto, los conflictos socio ambientales tienen en la presencia de metales pesados en sangre una evidencia suficiente para generar climas adversos para la economía y retraso en las inversiones, resultando en un círculo vicioso difícil de resolver. El análisis de las dos causas: naturaleza mineralógica y extracción minera, debe profundizarse para lograr una adecuada solución que priorice la salud de las personas, pero que a su vez también, promueva las inversiones para el crecimiento económico. El objetivo de la presente revisión es motivar el abordaje del problema por parte de las Autoridades Sanitarias y el desarrollo de estrategias de comunicación de riesgos para que el problema se enfrente de manera costo-efectiva con educación sanitaria, mientras que al mismo tiempo se sigue avanzando en el desarrollo de tecnologías mineras más ecoeficientes.

Water quality is an essential ecological value for health and economic growth. In Peru, due to its mineralogical nature by the presence of the Andean Mountain System and its economy dependent on the extraction of minerals, conditions exist for the dispersion of chemical contaminants, especially metals, which can reach the drinking water, causing a generalized exposure of the population to a chronic risk that is already becoming unmanageable. Pollution of watersheds exposes people to cadmium in the northern part of the country, to lead in the central regions, and to arsenic in the south. Physical-chemical treatment is becoming increasingly expensive for drinking water companies. In this context, the socio-environmental conflicts have evidence through the presence of heavy metals in the blood that is enough to generate adverse climates for the economy and delay in investments, resulting in a vicious circle that is difficult to resolve. The analysis of the two causes: mineralogical nature and mining extraction, must be deepened to achieve an adequate solution that prioritizes people's health, but also promotes investments for economic growth. The objective of this review is to motivate Health Authorities to address the problem and to develop risk communication strategies so that the problem can be addressed in a cost-effective manner through health education, while at the same time continuing to make progress in the development of more eco-efficient mining technologies.

Voice and speech signs and symptoms in individuals exposed to chemical agents: an analysis of medical records / Sinais e sintomas vocais e de fala em indivíduos expostos a agentes químicos: uma análise de prontuários

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify voice and speech signs and symptoms in patients exposed to chemical agents. Methods: an exploratory and descriptive study analyzing the data from the medical records of patients who sought health services at a toxicology outpatient clinic located in Southeastern Brazil. Results: a total of 139 medical records were obtained, 75 being selected. Twelve of the records selected contained data regarding voice and speech symptoms, including hoarseness (3), loss of voice (2), chronic throat inflammation (1), sore throat (1), secretion and burning in the throat (1), dry throat and mouth (1), lump in the throat associated with difficulty in swallowing (1), difficulty in articulating words (1), and difficulty in verbal expression (1). Diseases capable of causing phono-articulatory problems were detected in 6 cases. These symptoms affected individuals with occupational exposure to different substances, particularly community health agents (7) and pesticide applicators (7). Conclusion: individuals exposed to chemical substances experienced voice and speech problems, either due to a possible irritation caused by chemical agents or due to diseases developed during or after the exposure.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar a existência de sinais e sintomas vocais e em fala em pacientes expostos a agentes químicos. Métodos: estudo exploratório e descritivo, realizado mediante a análise dos registros contidos nos prontuários de pacientes atendidos em um ambulatório de toxicologia clínica, situado na região sudeste do Brasil. Resultados: 139 prontuários foram obtidos e 75 selecionados, destes, em 12 foram constatados sintomas e sinal pertinentes à voz e fala: rouquidão (3), perda da voz (2), inflamação constante da garganta (1), dores na garganta (1), secreção e ardência na garganta (1), secura na garganta e na boca (1), nódulo na garganta associado à dificuldade para engolir (1), dificuldade para articular as palavras (1) e dificuldade na expressão verbal (1). Em 6 destes, doenças capazes de ocasionarem impactos fonoarticulatórios foram detectadas. Os achados acometeram indivíduos sempre com exposição por contexto laboral, destacando-se a profissão de guarda de endemias (7) e o grupo químico de inseticidas (7). Conclusão: indivíduos expostos a substâncias químicas experienciaram problemas de voz e fala, seja devido à uma possível irritação ocasionada por agentes químicos, quanto por doenças desenvolvidas durante ou após a exposição.

A new dihydroflavone from Mirabilis himalaica / 药学学报

A new dihydroflavone:mirabiflavone (1), together with two known compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the roots of Mirabilis himalaica by using various chromatographic techniques, such as silica gel column, Sephadex LH-20 column, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their structures were elucidated as syringaresinol (2) and lariciresinol (3) by spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Research summary of Mongolian medicine Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

Background@#Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards (Hadan hailmal) is defecation of Olbo mouse with red and yellow foot in Olbo mouse family. Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards has bitter and little sweety flavor and cool and sharp quality and it has effects such as to remove hot, to stop pain and to to make urinate etc.@*Purpose@#To summarize chemical compounds, pharmacological effects, clinical usage and ancient source notes of Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards. @*Method@#Вy analys method to analyzed research articlest and ancient source of Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards in China Biological Medical Digest Data-base, Chinese Journals Full Text Data-base and ancient sources of Mongolian traditional medicine.@*Results and Conclusions@#Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards is produced juice from gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and tin on cliff during 4 to 6 months and otherwise Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards is called defecation of olbo mouse. It has many activity chemical compounds, such as nitrogen compound, volatile compound, Triterpenoid, fatty acid, flavone, and microelement and has many pharmacological effects such as anti gastric ulcer, anti inflammation, anti oxidant, anti cerebral ischemic injury, anti cytotoxicity and to improve immunology. In Mongolian traditional medicine, Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards mainly used to treat hot disease of stomach, liver and kidney, synovial disease, gout and rheumatism etc with single medicine and compound recipe ingredients of Trogopterus xanthipes Milne-Edwards. In Chinese medicine used to treat disease of digestive system and to stop pain etc.

RESEARCH SUMMARY OF GARDENIA JASMINOIDES ELLIS / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

Abstract:Purpose: In this paper summarize chemical compound and pharmacological effect of Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis.Background: Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis(Jurur) is one of always used medicine plants in Mongolian medicine. Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis has bitter flavor and cool quality and mainly used remove to hot of blood, remove to badgan and shar etc.Method: Вy analys methond and documents method to analyzed research articlest and material of Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis in China Biological Medical Digest Data-base and Chinese Journals Full Text Data-baseResult and Conclusion: Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis has variety of chemical compound, including Iridoid , Chlorogenic acid, Triterpenoid, Volatile oil and polysaccharide and has many pharmacological effect such as Cholecyst, liver protective effect, reduce to blood fat and blood press, anti-atherosclerosis and anti cerebral ischemic injury. Iridoid of Gardenia Jasminoides has main activity chemical compound for that’s pharmacological effect.Key words: Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis, chemical compound, pharmacological effect, Iridoid, liver protective effect.

RESEARCH SUMMARY OF GARDENIA JASMINOIDES ELLIS / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

Abstract: Purpose: In this paper summarize chemical compound and pharmacological effect of Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis. Background: Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis(Jurur) is one of always used medicine plants in Mongolian medicine. Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis has bitter flavor and cool quality and mainly used remove to hot of blood, remove to badgan and shar etc. Method: Вy analys methond and documents method to analyzed research articlest and material of Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis in China Biological Medical Digest Data-base and Chinese Journals Full Text Data-base Result and Conclusion: Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis has variety of chemical compound, including Iridoid , Chlorogenic acid, Triterpenoid, Volatile oil and polysaccharide and has many pharmacological effect such as Cholecyst, liver protective effect, reduce to blood fat and blood press, anti-atherosclerosis and anti cerebral ischemic injury. Iridoid of Gardenia Jasminoides has main activity chemical compound for that’s pharmacological effect. Key words: Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis, chemical compound, pharmacological effect, Iridoid, liver protective effect.

Caracterização do perfil auditivo de frentistas de postos de combustível / Characterization of hearing profile of gas station attendants

RESUMO Introdução Pesquisas voltadas para as populações com baixas exposições a solventes, ou exposições dentro dos níveis de tolerância permitidos em âmbito ocupacional ainda são restritas. Objetivo Caracterizar o perfil auditivo de frentistas de postos de combustíveis. Métodos Estudo transversal, constituído por dois grupos, pareados por gênero e idade: Grupo Controle - 23 indivíduos sem exposição a ruído ou agentes químicos; Grupo Experimental - 21 frentistas de postos de combustíveis. Foi realizada avaliação audiológica, composta por audiometria tonal liminar, logoaudiometria e medidas de imitância acústica. A análise estatística utilizou cálculo de média, desvio padrão, valor mínimo e máximo, teste Qui-quadrado e coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados Foram verificadas alterações auditivas nos frentistas, caracterizadas por comprometimento no sistema auditivo periférico, sugerindo ação tóxica da exposição a combustíveis. Houve correlação entre idade e tempo de exposição a solvente. Na comparação entre os grupos, o reflexo acústico demonstrou maior número de alterações no grupo experimental, com diferença para os reflexos acústicos ipsilaterais da orelha direita e contralaterais da orelha esquerda. Conclusão Não houve diferença entre os grupos para os limiares auditivos, porém, a diferença verificada nos reflexos acústicos ipsilaterais e contralaterais no grupo experimental sugere comprometimento retrococlear. Diante das evidências observadas neste estudo, considera-se relevante incluir a pesquisa do reflexo acústico na avaliação auditiva dos frentistas, bem como a integração desta categoria profissional aos programas de prevenção de perda auditiva.

ABSTRACT Introduction Researches into populations with low solvent exposures, or exposures within tolerance levels allowed in the occupational field are still restricted. Purpose To characterize the hearing profile of gas station attendants. Methods Cross-sectional study, constituted of two groups, matched by gender and age: Control Group - 23 subjects without exposure to noise or chemicals; Experimental Group - 21 gas station attendants. An audiological evaluation was performed, composed by pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry and acoustic impedance tests. The statistical analysis used average calculation, standard deviation, minimum and maximum value; Chi-square Test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The significance level was 5%. Results Hearing loss was verified in gas station attendants characterized by impairment of the peripheral auditory system, suggesting toxic effects of exposure to fuels. There was a correlation between age and solvent exposure time. Comparing the groups, the acoustic reflex showed more alterations in the experimental group, with a difference for the ipsilateral acoustic reflexes of the right ear and contralateral ones of the left ear. Conclusion There was no difference between the groups for the hearing thresholds; however, the difference observed in the ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflexes in the experimental group suggests retrocochlear impairment. Due to the evidence observed in this study, it is considered relevant to include the acoustic reflex research in the auditory evaluation of the gas station attendants, as well as the integration of this professional category into hearing loss prevention programs.

Avaliação das intoxicações por domissanitários em uma cidade do Nordeste do Brasil / Poisoning with household cleaning products in a city in Northeast Brazil / Evaluación de las intoxicaciones por productos domésticos en una ciudad del Nordeste de Brasil

This study analyzes toxic exposures to household cleaning products based on data from the Center for Notification and Treatment of Poisoning (CEATOX) in Campina Grande, Paraíba State, Brazil, from 2007 to 2010. The data were collected from the reporting forms from the Information System on Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), analyzed with SPSS (Version 17). Chemical identification was performed in urine samples using high-resolution chromatography techniques (GC-MS and HPLC-UV). Six hundred and sixty cases of poisoning were reported, with pesticides as the principal causal agents (42.2%). Poisoning with household cleaning products occurred mainly in children (30.1%) and/or females (55.21%) who were exposed to the product accidentally (55.4%) by the oral route (82%). These data indicate that poisoning with household cleaning products in Campina Grande should be treated with specific prevention and control measures, including evaluation of ease of access to pesticides, in order to reach the goals set by the Brazilian National Health Plan for 2012-2015.

Este trabalho analisa as exposições tóxicas a domissanitários registradas pelo Centro de Informação e Assistência Toxicológica de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil, no período de 2007 a 2010. Os dados foram coletados das fichas de notificação do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), analisados pelo software SPSS (Versão 17), e a identificação química em amostras de urina foi feita por técnicas cromatográficas de alta resolução (CG-MS e HPLC-UV). Foram registradas 660 intoxicações e, considerando as variáveis de estudo, observados como principais agentes causais os agrotóxicos (42,2%).Os intoxicados por saneantes domésticos na região são predominantemente crianças (30,1%), e/ou do gênero feminino (55,21%), que se expõem ao produto acidentalmente (55,4%) pela via oral (82%). Diante desses dados, conclui-se que a intoxicação por domissanitários em Campina Grande e região deve ser tratada com ações específicas de prevenção e controle junto à população, como a avaliação da facilidade de acesso aos venenos agrícolas, para que se consiga atingir as metas estabelecidas pelo Plano Nacional de Saúde, para o quadriênio 2012-2015.

Este trabajo analiza las exposiciones tóxicas a productos domésticos registradas por el Centro de Información y Asistencia Toxicológica de Campina Grande, Paraíba, Brasil, durante el periodo de 2007 hasta 2010. Los datos fueron recogidos mediante la información proporcionada por el Sistema de Notificación de Enfermedades (SINAN) y analizados por el software SPSS (versión 17). La identificación química en muestras de orina fue realizada mediante alta resolución con técnicas de cromatografía (GC-MS y HPLC-UV). Se registraron 660 intoxicaciones y, teniendo en consideración las variables del estudio, se observó que los principales agentes causales eran los pesticidas (42,2%) y que los envenenados por productos domésticos de limpieza en la región eran en su mayoría niños (30,1%) y mujeres (55,21%), expuestos a un producto accidentalmente (55,4%) y por vía oral (82%). Con estos datos, se concluye que la intoxicación por productos de uso doméstico en la región debe ser tratada con acciones específicas para la prevención y el control, como la evaluación de la facilidad del acceso a venenos agrícolas para alcanzar los objetivos establecidos por el Plan Nacional de Salud.

Current status of Indian medicinal plants with antidiabetic potential：a review

In India, indigenous remedies have been used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus since the time of Charaka and Sushruta. Plants have always been an exemplary source of drugs and many of the currently available drugs have been derived directly or indirectly from them. The ethnobotanical information reports that about 800 plants may possess anti-diabetic potential. Out of several Indian medicinal plants 33 plants were reviewed. The most effective antidiabetic Indian medicinal plants are Acacia arabica, Aegle marmelose, Agrimonia eupatoria, Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Aloe vera, Azadirachta indica, Benincasa hispida, Beta vulgaris, Caesalpinia bonducella, Citrullus colocynthis, Coccinia indica, Eucalyptus globules, Ficus bengalenesis, Gymnema sylvestre, Hibiscus rosasinesis, Ipomoea batatas, Jatropha curcus, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Morus alba, Mucuna pruriens, Ocimum sanctum, Pterocarpus marsupium, Punica granatum, Syzigium cumini, Tinospora cordifolia, Trigonella foenum graecum. A wide array of plant derived active principles representing numerous chemical compounds has demonstrated activity consistent with their possible use in the treatment of diabetes.

Exposición a órganoclorados por ingesta de leche pasteurizada comercializada en Cartagena, Colombia / Estimating exposure to organochlorine compounds from consuming pasteurised milk in Cartagena, Colombia

Objetivo Estimar la exposición de pobladores adultos a compuestos órganoclorados a partir de la ingesta de leche pasteurizada comercializada en la ciudad de Cartagena. Métodos Estudio observacional descriptivo de 47 muestras de lotes de producción de distintas marcas de leche pasteurizada y comercializada en la ciudad de Cartagena. El contenido de materia grasa en las muestras de leche fue determinado por Cromatografía de gases. Asimismo, fueron encuestadas 596 personas mayores de edad de las cuales se indagó la frecuencia de consumo de productos lácteos con el fin de estimar la ingesta diaria potencial y admisible y evaluar el riesgo a ingesta de organoclorados. Resultados Las personas encuestadas se encuentran expuestas a compuestos órganoclorados mediante la ingesta de 12,1 mg/g/día a través del consumo de leche pasteurizada comercializada en la ciudad de Cartagena. El 100 por ciento de las muestras analizadas se encontró contaminada con alguno de los plaguicidas objeto de estudio. La población objeto de estudio presenta una ingesta diaria (IDP) de compuestos órganoclorados superior a lo permitido, a la luz de la FAO/OMS. Conclusiones No es posible recomendar a la población cartagenera no consumir leche, pero si recomendar a las autoridades competentes encargadas de exigir a las productoras que inicien campañas de mejoramiento de la calidad de la leche desde el punto de vista toxicológico.

Objective Estimating adult residents' exposure to organochlorine compounds from drinking milk being marketed in the city of Cartagena. Methods This was a descriptive observational study; 47 samples were taken from different production lots of brands of pasteurised milk being sold in the city of Cartagena. The milk samples' fat content was determined by gas chromatography. 596 adults were also surveyed whose dairy product consumption frequency had been investigated to estimate potential and acceptable daily intake and assess the risk of consuming organochlorines. Results The people surveyed here were exposed to organochlorine compounds through consuming 12.1 mg/g/day in pasteurised milk being sold in the city of Cartagena. 100 percent of the samples tested were contaminated with one of the pesticides being studied. The study population had a daily intake (IDP) of organochlorine compounds greater than that permitted by FAO/WHO guidelines. Conclusion It cannot be recommended that people in Cartagena do not drink milk; however, the competent authorities can be requested to require dairy-product producers to launch campaigns to improve the quality of milk from a toxicological point of view.

Mercúrio total em cabelo de crianças de uma população costeira, Cananéia, São Paulo, Brasil / Total hair mercury in children from a coastal population in Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil

Os níveis de mercúrio (Hg) total em cabelos estão diretamente relacionados à alimentação, particularmente ao consumo de peixes por populações costeiras com grande representação caiçara. No presente estudo foram avaliados os níveis de mercúrio total em cabelos de crianças com idade entre 4 e 12 anos, pertencente a três escolas públicas da cidade de Cananéia, São Paulo, Brasil. Os resultados obtidos (mediana e intervalo) para mercúrio total foram de: 0,04mg.kg-1 (0,01-0,77mg.kg-1), 0,39mg.kg-1 (< 0,01-3,33mg.kg-1) e 0,39mg.kg-1 (< 0,01-2,81mg.kg-1) considerando as escolas ES1, ES2 e ES3, respectivamente. Em geral, os valores encontrados estiveram bem abaixo do valor preconizado pela Organização Mundial da Saúde para uma população adulta não exposta ao mercúrio (2,0mg.kg-1). Os baixos valores observados e a inexistência de valores de referência para mercúrio total em cabelos de crianças brasileiras possibilitam a consideração desses valores como possível referência nacional em cabelos de populações costeiras, uma vez que foram obtidos em região de baixo impacto ambiental.

Mercury (Hg) levels in hair are directly related to eating habits, especially fish consumption by coastal populations with a large contingent of traditional fishing families. This study assessed total Hg levels in children's hair. The study group was selected from three public elementary schools in Cananéia, São Paulo State, Brazil (ages 4 to 12 years). The results (median and range) for total Hg levels in children's hair were: 0.04mg.kg-1 (0.01-0.77mg.kg-1), 0.39mg.kg-1 (< 0.01-3.33mg.kg-1), and 0.39mg.kg-1 (< 0.01-2.81mg.kg-1) for schools ES1, ES2, and ES3, respectively. The values were well below the level set by World Health Organization for an adult population unexposed to Hg (2.0mg.kg-1). However, since there are no existing reference values for total Hg in children's hair, these results can be used as a contribution to establishing reference values for total hair Hg in Brazilian children living in coastal areas.

Toxical Mechanism of Lead and Analysis of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry on Clinical Lead in Blood / 医疗卫生装备

The exposure of lead in environment has caused a major public health problem all over the globe.Because of rapid industrialization and constant existence of lead in environment,it is necessary to screen,monitor and intervene in the content of lead of human body during a long time.The toxical and harmful influence of lead on human body,especially on children are expounded.The content index of lead in the body set by international and national standards as well as its evaluation basis are included.The most frequently used testing method of blood lead is also described: atomic absorption spectrometry and its operative process.