Cincuenta años del accidente nuclear de Palomares (Almería). Repercusiones médicas / Fifty years since the nuclear accident in Palomares (Almeria). Medical repercussions

En enero de 1966, 2 aviones de guerra norteamericanos colisionaron sobre el cielo de Palomares (Almería). Uno de ellos transportaba bombas termonucleares que, al impactar con el suelo, liberaron plutonio y otros materiales radiactivos. Inmediatamente se retiraron las tierras y vegetales más contaminados, y se puso en marcha el Proyecto Indalo destinado a estudiar los efectos del material nuclear sobre los habitantes y el entorno de Palomares. Un total de 1.077 habitantes han sido controlados desde entonces, y la versión oficial es que las radiaciones ionizantes no se han relacionado con ningún tipo de enfermedad. Sin embargo, el secretismo ha rodeado gran parte de las investigaciones, y no se ha realizado ningún estudio epidemiológico solvente en la zona. Actualmente quedan en Palomares unos 500g de plutonio y americio. A pesar de que el riesgo para la población parece ser bajo, este material radiactivo debería retirarse lo antes posible (AU)

In January 1966, 2 US military aircraft collided over the skies of Palomares (Almeria). One of them carried thermonuclear bombs, which released plutonium and other radioactive materials upon striking the ground. The most contaminated earth and plants were immediately removed. The Indalo Project was launched to study the effects of nuclear material on the inhabitants and environment of Palomares. A total of 1,077 inhabitants have been monitored since then, and the official version is that the ionising radiation has not been related to any type of disease. However, secrecy has surrounded much of the investigations, and no trustworthy epidemiological study has been conducted in the area. Approximately 500g of plutonium and americium remains in Palomares. Although the risk for the population appears to be low, this radioactive material should be removed as soon as possible (AU)

Fifty years since the nuclear accident in Palomares (Almeria). Medical repercussions. / Cincuenta años del accidente nuclear de Palomares (Almería). Repercusiones médicas.

In January 1966, 2 US military aircraft collided over the skies of Palomares (Almeria). One of them carried thermonuclear bombs, which released plutonium and other radioactive materials upon striking the ground. The most contaminated earth and plants were immediately removed. The Indalo Project was launched to study the effects of nuclear material on the inhabitants and environment of Palomares. A total of 1,077 inhabitants have been monitored since then, and the official version is that the ionising radiation has not been related to any type of disease. However, secrecy has surrounded much of the investigations, and no trustworthy epidemiological study has been conducted in the area. Approximately 500g of plutonium and americium remains in Palomares. Although the risk for the population appears to be low, this radioactive material should be removed as soon as possible.

[Fatal food poisoning by parathion]. / Intoxicación alimentaria mortal por paratión.

A case of family food poisoning by the organophosphate insecticide (OPI) parathion is revised. Poisoning was involuntary, affecting four brothers in one family that ate eggplant floured with parathion, which was mistaken for flour. As a result, 2 patients died suddenly and the other two had cardiorespiratory arrest, one dying from this while hospitalized, the other discharged without further consequences. The clinical diagnosis of poisoning was confirmed by the below-normal levels of plasmatic cholinesterase. Presence of parathion was detected in the gastric juices and blood of those poisoned as well as in the sample of the fried eggplant. We emphasize the need for public information campaigns on the storage and use of OPI in order to avoid this kind of accidents.

[Black widow spider (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus) bite. Presentation of 12 cases]. / Mordedura por araña viuda negra (Latrodectus tredecimguttatus). Presentación de 12 casos.

The most severe cases of arachnidism are those due to Latrodectus tredecimguttatus spider-bite. The Mediterranean area is the habitat of the L. tredecimguttatus species. In the last few years no series of patients with latrodectism has been reported in Spain. A retrospective study of the patients admitted for L. tredecimguttatus spider bite in the Torrecárdenas Hospital in Almeria, Spain from 1984 to 1994 was performed. Twelve patients were diagnosed with latrodectism. Eleven were bitten while carrying out agricultural tasks, 8 of which were performed in greenhouses. The mean time between the bite and the appearance of the general symptoms was 40 minutes (20-120 minutes), with the most common signs and symptoms being: pain and abdominal stiffness (10 cases), erythema (10 cases) or pain (8 cases) at the site of the bite, thoracic pain, pain in extremities and contractures and psychomotor alterations (6 cases). Laboratory findings were limited to leukocytosis (4 cases), increase in creatinphosphokinase count (4 cases) and proteinuria (3 cases). All the patients received analgesics, 6 were administered myorelaxants and calcium gluconate was given in 6 cases. The evolution was good without complications in all of the patients. Latrodectism is a rare phenomenon Spain. The diagnosis is difficult when there is absence of a clear history of spider bite and due to the lack of knowledge as to its semiology. Antivenom serum is not usually required.

[Poisoning caused by organophosphate insecticides. Study of 506 cases]. / Intoxicaciones por insecticidas organofosforados. Estudio de 506 casos.

A total of 506 cases of acute poisoning with organophosphorus insecticides attended at Hospital Torrecárdenas, Almería, from 1981 to 1992 were prospectively studied. In all cases a predetermined clinical and therapeutical protocol was followed. Eighty per cent of poisoning events were accidental in nature, most occurred in males, greenhouse workers, and the toxic agents was most commonly absorbed through the skin and airways. All patients presented initially with overt cholinergic symptoms. The presence of bronchorrhea, tremor-fasciculations, respiratory depression and a lower level of consciousness was associated with severe poisonings. Uncommon and exceptional complications included: 5 cases with complete atrio-ventricular block, 3 cases with pancreatitis, 17 cases with endogenous re-intoxications and 3 patients with central diabetes insipidus.