ABSTRACT
Mercury is an industrial pollutant of global concern. Currently entomofauna is disappearing and chemical pollution is one cause, however, it is unknown whether mercury is an additional threat. Therefore, it is necessary to know the entomotoxicology of mercury. The aim of the present work was to perform a comprehensive literature review on the entomotoxicology of mercury. The toxicokinetics and toxicity of mercury in insects, the participation of insects in the mercury cycle and the fact that this element is a threat to entomofauna are characterized. Insects can be exposed to mercury through ingestion, tracheal respiration, and gill respiration. Organic forms of mercury are better absorbed, bioaccumulated and distributed than inorganic forms. In addition, insects can biotransform mercury, for example, by methylating it. Metal elimination occurs through feces, eggs and exuvia. Toxicity molecular mechanisms include oxidative stress, enzymatic disruptions, alterations in the metabolism of neurotransmitters and proteins, genotoxicity, cell death and unbalances in the energetic state. Moreover, mercury affects lipid, germ, and gut cells, causes deformations, disturbs development, reproduction, behavior, and locomotion, besides to alters insect populations and communities. In terrestrial ecosystems, entomofauna participate in the mercury cycle by bioaccumulating mercury from soil and air, predating, being predated and decomposing organic matter. In aquatic ecosystems insects participate by accumulating mercury from water and sediment, predating, being predated and transporting it to terrestrial ecosystems when they emerge as winged adults. There are still information gaps that need to be addressed.
Subject(s)
Mercury , Animals , Mercury/metabolism , Ecosystem , Insecta , Toxicokinetics , MetalsABSTRACT
FUNDAMENTOS: la seguridad alimentaria involucra diversos factores, desde enfermedades metabólicas hasta técnicas de agricultura sustentable que aseguran la producción de alimentos inocuos. MÉTODOS: se analizaron seis estudios relacionados con la salud y nutrición de la población realizados entre 2014 a 2017 en comunidad indígena de San Luis Potosí. RESULTADOS: se identificó la participación de 292 hogares, las madres se dedican al hogar y los padres son jornaleros, el ingreso promedio mensual por familia es de $1522,7 y el gasto en alimentos de $804,3. Todos los grupos de edad presentan malnutrición, tienen dieta poco diversa alta en carbohidratos. Presentan estrategias para obtener alimentos como regalos de terceros, intercambio o pedir dinero prestado. Los hogares se encuentran en inseguridad alimentaria, sufren de experiencias de hambre y ayunos prolongados. CONCLUSIONES: la comunidad indígena es vulnerable a presentar inseguridad alimentaria y nutricional por su bajo ingreso económico. Es importante garantizar la autosuficiencia alimentaria familiar y promover en consumo de dietas variadas basadas en la producción de alimentos locales
BACKGROUND: Food security involve different factors, since metabolic diseases to sustainable agriculture techniques that ensure the production of safe food. METHODS: Six studies related to the health and nutrition carried out between 2014 and 2017 in an indigenous community of San Luis Potosí were analyzed. RESULTS: Was identified the participation of 292 households, women are dedicated to homework and man are day laborers, the average monthly income was in $1522,7 and the food expenditure in $804,3 per family. All age groups presented malnutrition, have a little diverse diet high in carbohydrates. Present strategies to obtain food as gifts from third parties, exchange or borrow money. Households are in food insecurity, suffer hunger experiences andprolonged fast. CONCLUSIONS: The indigenous community is vulnerable to food and nutritional insecurity due to its low economic income. It is important to guarantee family food self-sufficiency and promote the consumption of varied diets based on local food production
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant , Child, Preschool , Child , Adolescent , Young Adult , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , 50328 , Food Quality , Nutrition Disorders/epidemiology , Feeding Behavior/ethnology , Mexico/epidemiology , Diet, Healthy/statistics & numerical data , Sustainable Agriculture/analysis , Health of Indigenous Peoples/statistics & numerical data , Nutrition Surveys/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Las poblaciones indígenas en México son las más vulnerables, debido a que viven en condiciones de pobreza extrema y menor cumplimiento de sus derechos fundamentales. Se ha demostrado que los niños son el grupo que recibe mayor impacto sobre el desarrollo psicológico y físico. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo describir la relación entre el nivel socioeconómico (NSE), habilidades intelectuales evaluadas con la Batería Woodcock-Muñoz y desnutrición en niños indígenas Tenek y Nahúa que viven en condiciones alta marginación. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre los niños y niñas de nivel NSE bajo, NSE muy bajo y el rendimiento en las pruebas cognitivas que evalúan habilidad intelectual, inteligencia cristalizada e inteligencia visual. Respecto de los indicadores de desnutrición se observó una diferencia estadísticamente significativa para desnutrición aguda entre el NSE bajo y NSE muy bajo. Los efectos del nivel socioeconómico sobre las habilidades intelectuales y el estado nutricional han sido demostrados ampliamente, pero pocos estudios se han realizado con indígenas. Los hallazgos con estas poblaciones son un llamado urgente para las políticas públicas, considerando que el decremento en puntuaciones de habilidades intelectuales, y la desnutrición, en mediano y largo plazo representan graves costos en la calidad de vida, economía y desarrollo humano...
Indigenous populations in Mexico are the most vulnerable in the country, due to the extreme poverty conditions in which they develop and the lessened observance of their fundamental rights. There is proof that children is the group that receives a higher impact on psychological and physical development. The objective of the present work is to describe the relation among the socioeconomic level (NSE), intellectual Abilities evaluated with the Woodcock Muñoz Battery and malnutrition in Tenek and Nahua indigenous children that live under high marginalization conditions. Findings show significant differences among males and females with low NSE, very low NSE and lower performance in the cognitive tests that assess intellectual skills, crystallized intelligence and visual intelligence. In regards to the malnutrition indicators, a statistically significant difference was observed for acute malnutrition between the low NSE and the very low NSE. The effects of the socioeconomic level on intellectual skills and the nutritional condition have been widely demonstrated, but few studies have been performed with indigenous. The findings with these populations are an urgent call for public policy, considering that the decrease in the intellectual Abilities scores, and malnutrition, in the mid and long term represents severe costs to the quality of life, economy and human development...
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adolescent , Female , Child , Aptitude , American Indian or Alaska Native , Intelligence , Cognition , Socioeconomic Factors , Surveys and Questionnaires , Social Marginalization , Mexico , Indigenous Peoples , Poverty , Health of Indigenous Peoples , Child Nutrition DisordersABSTRACT
A metallurgical industry in San Luis Potosí city, México, has contaminated the zone by lead (Pb) and arsenic (As). Since 1989 were reported by our group high concentrations of Pb in blood (PbB) and As in urine (AsU) in the local children. In present work, a Risk Communication Program (RCP) was generated to inform the children about the environmental risks of the site where they live, and to change conducts to diminish the exposure to Pb and As. We worked with 170 children (5 to 7 years) of the zone. The RCP was applied and the evaluation was realized by means of analysis of drawings, questionnaires and biological monitoring. In drawings of the children appeared toxic elements such as Pb, contaminated soil, cigarettes, among others. In the questionnaires applied to the children and family parents it was possible to estimate a change in the knowledge and in some conducts with regard to the pollutants, their effects and their exposure. There was not a decrease in the levels of PbB and in the levels of AsU. These were due probably because the principal route of exposure is not only the soil that had been contemplated previously.
Subject(s)
Arsenic Poisoning/prevention & control , Environmental Exposure/prevention & control , Environmental Health , Health Behavior , Health Education/methods , Lead Poisoning/prevention & control , Child , Child, Preschool , Communication , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Una industria metalúrgica en la ciudad de San Luis Potosí, México ha contaminado el sitio con plomo (Pb) y arsénico (As) principalmente. Desde 1989 se han reportado por nuestro grupo altas concentraciones de Pb en sangre (PbS) y As en orina (AsO) en los niños del lugar. En el presente estudio se generó un Programa de Comunicación Riesgos (PCR) para informar a los niños sobre los riesgos ambientales del sitio donde viven y que cambiaran conductas para disminuir la exposición al Pb y al As. Se trabajó con 170 niños (5 a 7 años) de la zona. Se aplicó el PCR y se realizó la evaluación mediante análisis de dibujos, cuestionarios y monitoreo biológico. En los dibujos de los niños se encontraron elementos tóxicos tales como el Pb, la tierra contaminada, entre otros. En los cuestionarios aplicados a los niños y a los padres de familia se pudo apreciar un cambio en los conocimientos y en algunas conductas respecto a los contaminantes, sus efectos y su exposición. No se encontró una disminución en los niveles de PbS ni de AsO. Esto quizás porque la principal ruta de exposición no es únicamente el suelo, como se había contemplado anteriormente.
A metallurgical industry in San Luis Potosí city, México, has contaminated the zone by lead (Pb) and arsenic (As). Since 1989 were reported by our group high concentrations of Pb in blood (PbB) and As in urine (AsU) in the local children. In present work, a Risk Communication Program (RCP) was generated to inform the children about the environmental risks of the site where they live, and to change conducts to diminish the exposure to Pb and As. We worked with 170 children (5 to 7 years) of the zone. The RCP was applied and the evaluation was realized by means of analysis of drawings, questionnaires and biological monitoring. In drawings of the children appeared toxic elements such as Pb, contaminated soil, cigarettes, among others. In the questionnaires applied to the children and family parents it was possible to estimate a change in the knowledge and in some conducts with regard to the pollutants, their effects and their exposure. There was not a decrease in the levels of PbB and in the levels of AsU. These were due probably because the principal route of exposure is not only the soil that had been contemplated previously.
Subject(s)
Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Arsenic Poisoning/prevention & control , Environmental Exposure/prevention & control , Environmental Health , Health Behavior , Health Education/methods , Lead Poisoning/prevention & control , Communication , Mexico , Program Development , Program Evaluation , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
En la actualidad los niños en América Latina enfrentan viejas y nuevas amenazas químicas, físicas, biológicas y sociales que aumentan los riesgos en salud. Por ejemplo, los niños se exponen a numerosas sustancias químicas (contaminantes) y ahora además enfrentan a los compuestos de la nanotecnología; se exponen a las radiaciones solares y electromagnéticas junto al incremento en la temperatura dado por la nueva crisis climática; asimismo, mantienen su exposición a la contaminación biológica presente sobre todo en el agua no potable pero ya enfrentan el riesgo de los organismos transgénicos. Finalmente, la violencia familiar o social representa un factor de riesgo para la seguridad humana y los niños son un sector de la población particularmente vulnerable a ella. Para enfrentar estas amenazas nuestro grupo ha creado una propuesta de trabajo denominada CHICOS que incluye el trabajo bajo aspectos Comunitarios, Hospitalarios, de Investigación, con énfasis en la Capacitación, la Orientación a la comunidad y la Seguridad humana. Con esta estructura pueden generarse Programas de Intervención Basados en Evidencia (PIBE) que necesariamente deben ser multidisciplinarios a fin de atender amenazas de tan distinto origen. El fin último es reproducir la estrategia para que paulatinamente vayan estableciéndose grupos de salud ambiental infantil en América Latina.
In Latin America children today are facing new and old chemical, physical, biological and social threats. They are exposed to chemical pollutants, to solar and electromagnetic radiations, to biological contaminants and now to new threats such as: nanotechnological products, an increase in the ambient temperature due to the climate crisis, and to transgenic organisms. Furthermore, violence either within the family or in the society is also a risk factor for which children are a vulnerable population. In order to design multidisciplinary Evidence-Based Intervention Programs (PIBE) our group is proposing a new academic structure: CHICOS. This structure includes activities in different areas: the Community, the Hospital, Research, Capacity Building, community Orientation (risk communication), and human Safety. The idea is to build groups around this structure in different countries with one goal: to start working in Children's Environmental Health Issues.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Child Health , Early Medical Intervention , Environmental Health , Environmental Pollution , Health Promotion , Latin AmericaABSTRACT
La exposición a contaminantes ambientales implica un riesgo para la salud, principalmente para la población infantil. Una estrategia de intervención puede ser un Programa de Comunicación de Riesgos (PCR). Para que un PCR sea efectivo es necesario conocer la percepción de la comunidad sobre la exposición a riesgos ambientales. El conocer la percepción de los niños es fundamental para el diseño de los PCR que serán implementados en cada comunidad. En este trabajo se utilizó el dibujo como una herramienta para conocer la percepción de los niños de una comunidad rural-indígena y de niños de una comunidad urbano-marginada. La actividad consistió en la formulación de dos preguntas, las cuales respondieron los niños por medio de la elaboración de un dibujo. Las preguntas se formularon para conocer la percepción en los escenarios dentro y fuera de la casa. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que los niños perciben la mayoría de las problemáticas ambientales detectadas con anterioridad por nuestro grupo y se encontraron diferencias por comunidad. Además se encontró que algunos niños percibieron problemáticas que no habían sido detectadas por los investigadores.
The exposure to environmental pollutants implies a risk for health, mainly for the children population. A strategy of preventive intervention may be a Risks Communication Program (RCP). In order for a RCP to be carried out in an effective form, it is necessary to know the perception of the community about the exposure to environmental risks. Knowing children perception is essential for designing PCR to be implemented in each community. In this work the drawing was used as a tool to understand the perception of the children from a rural-indigenous community and from a marginalized urban community. The activity consisted on the formulation of two questions, which children answered sketching a drawing. The questions were formulated to know their perception in two sceneries: inside and outside their home. The obtained results indicated that the children perceive most of the environmental issues previously detected by our group and there were some differences between communities. In addition, it was found that some children perceived problems that had not been identified by the researchers.
