ABSTRACT
This is a cross-sectional study with a randomized choice of individuals aiming at studying the validity of the Brazilian biological exposure limits applied to lead level in the blood (PbB) and delta-aminolevulinic acid in the urine (ALAU), which are 60 mu/dl and 10 mg/g.creat., respectively. Thus, twenty workers, whose PbB and ALAU values have been below these limits over the past two years, were selected at random at a battery plant in the State of S. Paulo, Brazil. The workers were submitted to a variation of the WHO Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery. The results were compared with those obtained for workers of a control group also chosen at random. The lead workers showed memory, mood and motor coordination disorders. Comparing these results with those obtained from the control group, a significant difference was observed (p-value < 0.02). The results indicate that the Brazilian biological exposure limits above should be reconsidered.
Subject(s)
Lead/blood , Mental Disorders/blood , Nervous System Diseases/blood , Occupational Exposure , Cross-Sectional Studies , HumansABSTRACT
This is a cross-sectional study with a randomized choice of individuals aiming at studying the validity of the Brazilian biological exposure limits applied to lead level in the blood (PbB) and delta-aminolevulinic acid in the urine (ALAU), which are 60 micrograms/dl and 10 mg/g.creat., respectively. For this purpose, twenty workers, whose PbB and ALAU values have been below these limits over the past two years, were selected at random at a battery production plant in the State of S. Paulo, Brazil. The workers were submitted to a peripheral nerve conduction study. The results were compared with those obtained for workers of a control group also chosen at random. The lead workers showed a decrease in the velocity conduction of the radial nerves. Comparing this group with a randomized control group, a significant difference was observed (p-value = 0.0067). The results suggest that the Brazilian biological exposure limits above should be rearranged.
Subject(s)
Lead Poisoning/blood , Occupational Diseases/blood , Occupational Diseases/chemically induced , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/blood , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced , Adult , Case-Control Studies , Humans , Lead Poisoning/physiopathology , Lead Poisoning/prevention & control , Male , Maximum Allowable Concentration , Neural Conduction , Occupational Diseases/physiopathology , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/physiopathologyABSTRACT
In this study the levels of Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, determined in hair of healthy children (25-85 months), living at Araraquara (São Paulo, Brasil) are reported. Analytical determinations were carried out by using atomic absorption spectrometry employing an air acetylene flame. The results obtained are discussed with regard to effect of sex and age, as well compared with others analogous studies.
Subject(s)
Copper/analysis , Hair/chemistry , Iron/analysis , Lead/analysis , Zinc/analysis , Aging/metabolism , Brazil , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Sex Characteristics , Spectrophotometry, Atomic/methods , Spectrophotometry, Atomic/statistics & numerical dataSubject(s)
Mercury/adverse effects , Occupational Diseases/etiology , Adult , Dental Amalgam/adverse effects , Dentists , Female , Humans , Male , Mercury Poisoning/diagnosisABSTRACT
Os fatores que condicionaram a absorcao do chumbo, sua distribuicao e sua eliminacao pelo organismo humano sao apresentados neste artigo de revisao. Destacam os autores, em especial, a acao toxica do metal, com seus efeitos bioquimicos ao nivel do sistema hematopoietico, fazendo consideracoes sobre a excrecao urinaria da coproporfirina e do acido delta-aminolevulinico, sobre a atividade enzimatica da ALA-D, FEP e dos niveis de chumbo no sangue, e estabelecendo-os como parametros no controle laboratorial de individuos ocupacionalmente expostos
Subject(s)
Lead , Lead Poisoning , Occupational DiseasesABSTRACT
PIP: A questionnaire on drugs was distributed and administered in 25 schools at the university level in Brazil in an effort to empirically substantiate the status and pattern of drug use and misuse by university students for the purpose of providing effective and meaningful intervention. The total number of completed questionnaires was 2020. Stimulants and marihuana are used constantly or frequently by about 1% of the total number. 70% of the students drink alcoholic beverages sporadically or little; 13.1% drink regularly, and 0.9% very frequently. About 2/3 of the students who have used stimulants or marihuana did so before age 19.^ieng
