Impact of REACH legislation on the production and importation of CMR (carcinogen, mutagen and reproductive) and explosive chemicals in Italy from 2011 to 2015.

On 1 June 2007, the European Commission issued the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) to protect both the environment and human health. We analyzed the impact of REACH in the Italian market considering the presence of chemicals, their diversity, importation and production during the period 2011-2015, with particular attention to products with toxic or explosive properties. There was a reduction of the chemicals on the market, in terms of tons but also the absolute numbers of types of compounds. The production reduction was particularly noticeable for explosive chemicals: -14.7%. CMR products did not show any statistically significant reduction in term of tons: -2.3%.

Impact of 'gutkha and pan masala ban' in the state of Maharashtra on users and vendors.

BACKGROUND: Gutkha and pan masala contain harmful and carcinogenic chemicals. Hence, Maharashtra Government banned their manufacture, storage, distribution and sale on 19 th July 2012 for a year. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to determine the impact of the ban on gutkha and pan masala on its users and vendors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross- sectional study was conducted among gutkha and/or pan masala users and tobacco vendors in the selected area of Mumbai city, 4-6 months after the implementation of the ban. The parameters studied included knowledge regarding the ban, usage or discontinuation of use of the banned products, product availability, withdrawal symptoms among quitters, etc., RESULTS: A total of 68 users and five tobacco vendors were enrolled in this study. Although all users were aware about the ban on gutkha, very few knew about the ban on pan masala. Only 5.9% of users knew that currently the ban had been declared for only 1 year. Electronic media was the main source of information regarding the ban as reported by 45.6% users. All users and vendors were in favor of the ban. After the ban, 23.53% gutkha users quit their habit while 55.88% reduced their gutkha consumption. Non-availability of gutkha was the most important reason stated by the gutkha users for quitting or reducing the consumption. In spite of the ban, gutkha is still available in the market, but at an increased cost or in a different form. CONCLUSION: Nearly 23.53% of gutkha users have quit their habit post-ban despite its availability through illegal sources.

Effect of formaldehyde on cell proliferation and death.

Formaldehyde (HCHO) may reach living organisms as an exogenous agent or produced within cells. The so-called formaldehydogenic compounds like S-adenosyl-L-methionine, N-hydroxymethyl-L-arginine, 1'-methyl ascorbigen, methanol, E-N-trimethyl lysine and methylamine are special exogenous sources of HCHO. Endogenous HCHO can be formed from hydroxymethyl groups during enzymatic methylation and demethylation processes. HCHO, as a highly reactive compound, is considered to be involved in the induction of apoptosis, consequently in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative processes. The biological action of HCHO is dose-dependent. In vitro studies on tumour cell and endothelial cell cultures showed that HCHO in the concentration of 10.0 mM caused necrotic cell death, 1.0 mM resulted in enhanced apoptosis and reduced mitotic activity, while 0.5 and 0.1 mM enhanced cell proliferation and reduced apoptotic activity. Among formaldehydogenic compounds N-hydroxymethyl-L-arginine, 1'-methyl ascorbigen and the HCHO donor resveratrol may be considered as potential inhibitors of cell proliferation. Endogenous HCHO in plants apparently play a role in regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation. The genotoxic and carcinogentic effects of HCHO is due to production of DNA-protein cross-links. Low doses of HCHO, reducing apoptotic activity may also accumulate cells with such cross-links. Experimental data point to the possible therapeutic use of methylated lysine residues and methylated arginine residues in the case of neoplasms.

Detección inmunológica de los aductos albumina-aflatoxina en niños con infección crónica por el virus de la hepatitis B / Inmunological detection of aflatoxin-albumin adducts in chronic in children with infection by hepatitis B

Está reconocido el valor de las aflatoxinas como agentes carcinogénicos, mutagénicos, teratogénico y su asociación con el virus de la hepatitis B. Por otra parte es asociada la incidencia del carcinoma hepatocelular en dicha infección viral, en vista de lo cual se realizó estudio de los niveles de aductos albúmina-aflatoxina en suero determinado por método de ELISA en niños entre 3 y 15 años del servicio de gastroenterología pediátrica del instituto nacional de gastoenterología de Cuba. Nuestra muestra estuvo constituida por 70 niños: 40 con diagnóstico de hepatitis crónica activa (HCA), 10 portadores de antígeno de superficie positivo del virus de la hepatitis B y 20 controles. En el grupo de HCA se obtuvieron un 32.5 por ciento de positivos con nivel máximo del 25 pg de lisina-aflatoxina/mg de albúmina, los portadores con un 20 por ciento (12.3 pg de lisina-AF/mg de albúmina) y los controles con 15 por ciento (5pg de lisina-AF/mg albúmina). Podemos observar que los niveles de aductos albúmina-aflatoxina de los pacientes de HCA presentaron valores de hasta 5 veces por encima de los controles. Este estudio sugiere la validez de los aductos de albúmina-aflatoxina como un marcador de exposición crónica a este cancerígeno y su importancia en relación con el virus de la hepatitis B