ABSTRACT
This study's aim was to determine the presence, as well as to evaluate the health and environmental impacts, of chemical elements from firearm shots during shooter practice at outdoor shooting ranges, both in the environment and on the shooters' hands. Two high-precision devices were used for measuring suspended particles that are released during discharge of Taurus PT 100 .40 caliber pistols. The analysis of collected data allowed the identification of specific distribution patterns of samples that were adsorbed. Moreover, samples were collected from the opisthenar area of the hand to investigate both the occurrence and deposition of particles and chemical elements through scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results indicate that copper, lead, and zinc concentration profiles will be able to delimit and reveal more precise details regarding shots made with nontoxic ammunition (NTA). In particular, the residual graphic analysis indicated that the majority of metal deposited in the shooter's hand is zinc. Further, the metals barium and lead also were detected. Due to the exposure to these elements, it could be concluded that engineering controls and administrative management should be sought in order to avoid human overexposure and environmental release of these airborne toxic metals.
Subject(s)
Firearms , Wounds, Gunshot , Barium/analysis , Humans , Metals/analysis , Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission , Zinc/analysisABSTRACT
Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide of the glycosaminoglycan family present in mammal tissues. In the eye, it can be found in the cornea, the sclera and the vitreous humor. Currently, it has been employed in several medical specialties, including ophthalmology. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the various current and future ophthalmic applications of this substance.
Subject(s)
Hyaluronic Acid/therapeutic use , Ophthalmology/methods , Humans , Hyaluronic Acid/administration & dosageABSTRACT
O ácido hialurônico é um polissacarídeo da família dos glicosaminoglicanos e está presente nos tecidos conjuntivos dos mamíferos. No olho, pode ser encontrado na córnea, na esclera e, principalmente, no humor vítreo. Atualmente, vem sendo empregado em várias especialidades médicas, incluindo a oftalmologia. O objetivo desse artigo é demonstrar as diversas aplicações oftalmológicas atuais e futuras dessa substância.
Hyaluronic acid is a polysaccharide of the glycosaminoglycan family present in mammal tissues. In the eye, it can be found in the cornea, the sclera and the vitreous humor. Currently, it has been employed in several medical specialties, including ophthalmology. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the various current and future ophthalmic applications of this substance.
