Aluminum cation feed toxicity to male mice

Alumnum phosphide is used in fumigation, where phosphin is liberated and AL [OH][3] is formed as a secondary residue which may contaminate wheat or flour. The toxic effect of Al residue of 0.2 gm/kg/b.wt. in administered wheat [173-183 gm/mice] was investigated. Acetyl cholinesterase [AChE] wa not significantly affected. Both acid and alkaline phosphatases [APas and AlPase] were slightly stimulated. On the other hand, adenosine triphosphatae [ATPase] activity and levels of the Neurotransmitters amino acids gamma-amino butric acid [GABA] and glutamic acid were significantly inibited suggesting that these biochemical targets may be the main site of action of Al toxicity

Special problems associated with pesticide use and its management in Gaza Strip

Gaza Strip is a semi- arid region of roughly 365 Km[2] [46 Km long and 6-10 Km wide] which lies on the Mediterranean Sea, with an estimated population of over 900,000. Its warm climate favors cultivation of many strategic crops including citrus, olives, almonds, grapes, and other subtropical fruits, vegetables and flowers. Gaza Strip is bound to the industrialized countries for exporting their cash crops and importing all production equipment and materials including pesticides and fertilizers. It suffers from catastrophic environment and degraded infra-structure, water shortage, water pollution with high salinity and micro-pollutants, lack of sewage and solid waste treatment, maritime pollution, uncontrolled and heavy use of pesticides, overpopulation and overcrowding, poverty and low standards of living, their deficient economy and infrastructure hinder their ability to regulate efficiently registration of pesticides. Special problems related to the misuse and overuse of pesticides have become widely recognised and documented in recent years. For example, internationally suspended, banned and cancelled pesticides which are considered mutagenic and carcinogenic are still used in the agricultural environment of Gaza Strip. Its inhabitants are at high risk due to the acute and chronic adverse health effects induced by pesticide exposure under both occupational and environmental conditions. This has led to strong public demand for solutions in the form of information exchange, assistance in the development of legislations, and guidelines on advertising and labelling. These, and other measures, have been sought in a variety of international fora. Gaza Strip legislations, regulations technical capabilities, and medical care need to be upgraded to a reliable standard. This is essential for the global welfare because any hazardous pesticides dumped or released in the enviroment in Gaza Strip can reappear as residues in imported raw foods or destroy terrestrial and aquatic life, through their transportation within the atmosphere, or in liquid discharges to soil and water bodies. International assistance and support from United Nations Agencies, mainly WHO, UNEP, FAO, ILO, IPCS, IRPTC, and other relevant international organization, are badly needed