A Global Overview of Exposure Levels and Biological Effects of Trace Elements in Penguins

Exposure and Risk Assessment with Respect to Contaminated Soil: Significance of Biomarkers and Bioavailability

International Journal of Toxicology ◽

10.1080/109158197227044 ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 16 (4-5) ◽

pp. 419-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Urvashi Rangan ◽

Christine Hedli ◽

Michael Gallo ◽

Paul Lioy ◽

Robert Snyder

Keyword(s):

Health Risk ◽

Exposure Assessment ◽

Health Risks ◽

Contaminated Soil ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Chemical Exposure ◽

Subsequent Exposure ◽

Gastrointestinal Barrier ◽

Exposure Levels

The evaluation of health risk from chemical exposure is evolving in concept and practice. The ability to sensitively detect levels of chemicals in the environment has served as the traditional foundation for determining exposure levels and consequent health risks. More recently, however, other parameters have been constructed to probe the pathway between environmental levels of a chemical and the biological effects of subsequent exposure. Among these, two that are discussed in this paper are bioavailability and biomarker determinations. Chemicals in the environment often are associated with a medium such as airborne particulate, water, or soil. The interaction between the chemical and its medium is dependent on the physicochemical properties of the system. In some cases, such as 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in soil, the chemical becomes partially and irreversibly bound to the medium. Animalingestion studies of TCDD-contaminated soil suggest that some of the TCDD remains bound to the soil and does not cross the gastrointestinal barrier during digestion, and therefore only a fraction of the TCDD enters the blood and becomes bioavailable. The characterization of bioavailability provides for more accurate exposure assessment. Biomarker information potentially can validate exposure assessment information from bioavailability studies, elucidate specific biological effects from chemical exposure, and investigate genetic susceptibility issues that may increase the likelihood that an individual or population will experience increased health risks. Benzene-induced chromosome damage is discussed as an example of a significant biomarker that has demonstrated the potential for providing information useful for accurately prediction health risk.

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Carbon nanotubes – Characteristic of the substance, biological effects and occupational exposure levels

Medycyna Pracy ◽

10.13075/mp.5893.00504 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna Świdwińska-Gajewska ◽

Sławomir Czerczak

Keyword(s):

Carbon Nanotubes ◽

Occupational Exposure ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Exposure Levels

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Household Electrosmog

American Journal of Health Sciences (AJHS) ◽

10.19030/ajhs.v4i3.8009 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 131-136

Author(s):

Wathiq Abdul-Razzaq ◽

Ryan K. Bushey

Keyword(s):

Electromagnetic Wave ◽

Electromagnetic Radiation ◽

Health Effects ◽

Wave Energy ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Microwave Oven ◽

Electromagnetic Energy ◽

Wave Radiation ◽

Household Appliance ◽

Exposure Levels

Electromagnetic wave energy is prevalent in the environment and is generated by numerous sources. This invisible electromagnetic wave/radiation pollution is termed Electrosmog. When exposed to this electromagnetic energy, health effects in humans have been observed and subsequent standards for emission have been set. A common household appliance that generates this energy is the microwave oven. This study evaluates the intensity of electromagnetic radiation leakage from microwave ovens subject to standard exposure levels and the possibility of biological effects at levels below the standards. We have taken the exposure levels into account in an effort to generate comparisons between microwave ovens according to their age. These comparisons have allowed us to create awareness of the possibility of harmful levels of electromagnetic radiation in our homes.

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Trace Metal Cycling

Biogeochemistry of Estuaries ◽

10.1093/oso/9780195160826.003.0024 ◽

2006 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas S. Bianchi

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Metals ◽

Chemical Weathering ◽

Large Scale ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Plant Root ◽

Chemical Properties ◽

Igneous Rocks ◽

Weathering Processes ◽

Anthropogenic Loading

Like many other elements, natural background levels of trace elements exist in crustal rocks, such as shales, sandstones, and metamorphic and igneous rocks (Benjamin and Honeyman, 2000). In particular, the majority of trace metals are derived from igneous rocks, simply based on the relative fraction of igneous rocks in comparison with sedimentary and metamorphic rocks in the Earth’s crust. The release of trace metals from crustal sources is largely controlled by the natural forces of physical and chemical weathering of rocks, notwithstanding large-scale anthropogenic disturbances such as mining, construction, and coal burning (release of fly ash). As discussed later in the chapter, adjustments can be made for anthropogenic loading to different ecosystems based on an enrichment factor which compares metal concentrations in the ecosphere to average crustal composition. Biological effects of weathering, such as plant root growth and organic acid release associated with respiration also contribute to these weathering processes. As some trace metals are more volatile than others, release due to volcanic activity represents another source of metals with such properties (e.g., Pb, Cd, As, and Hg). Just as Goldschmidt (1954) grouped elements (e.g., siderophiles, chalcophiles, lithophiles, andatomophiles) based on similarities in geochemical properties, trace metals also represent a group of elements with similar chemical properties. One particularly important distinguishing feature of these elements is their ability to bond reversibly to a broad spectrum of compounds (Benjamin and Honeyman, 2000). Thus, the major inputs of trace metals to estuaries are derived from riverine, atmospheric, and anthropogenic sources. Although trace elements typically occur at concentrations of less than 1 ppb (part per billion) (or μg L−1, also reported in molar units), these elements are important in estuaries because of their toxic effects, as well as their importance as micronutrients for many organisms. The fate and transport of trace elements in estuaries are controlled by a variety of factors ranging from redox, ionic strength, abundance of adsorbing surfaces, and pH, just to name a few (Wen et al., 1999).

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Reproductive Health Risks Associated with Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Pesticides

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126576 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6576

Author(s):

Aleksandra Fucic ◽

Radu Duca ◽

Karen S. Galea ◽

Tihana Maric ◽

Kelly Garcia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Effects ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Medical Surveillance ◽

Environmental Chemical ◽

New Findings ◽

Occupationally Exposed ◽

Occupational And Environmental Exposure ◽

Exposure Profile ◽

Exposure Levels ◽

Potential Impact

A marked reduction in fertility and an increase in adverse reproductive outcomes during the last few decades have been associated with occupational and environmental chemical exposures. Exposure to different types of pesticides may increase the risks of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease, but also of reduced fertility and birth defects. Both occupational and environmental exposures to pesticides are important, as many are endocrine disruptors, which means that even very low-dose exposure levels may have measurable biological effects. The aim of this review was to summarize the knowledge collected between 2000 and 2020, to highlight new findings, and to further interpret the mechanisms that may associate pesticides with infertility, abnormal sexual maturation, and pregnancy complications associated with occupational, environmental and transplacental exposures. A summary of current pesticide production and usage legislation is also included in order to elucidate the potential impact on exposure profile differences between countries, which may inform prevention measures. Recommendations for the medical surveillance of occupationally exposed populations, which should be facilitated by the biomonitoring of reduced fertility, is also discussed.

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Preface

Pure and Applied Chemistry ◽

10.1351/pac20108202iv ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 82 (2) ◽

pp. iv

Author(s):

Francesco Cubadda

Keyword(s):

Trace Elements ◽

Trace Element ◽

Food Chain ◽

Scientific Community ◽

Biological Effects ◽

Toxic Element ◽

Feed Additives ◽

Potential Health ◽

Element Species ◽

The Impact

Diet is the main source of trace elements, and exposure to dietary trace elements has a direct impact on the health of hundreds of millions worldwide. Insufficient intake of essential trace elements is a global issue. Deficiencies of iron, zinc, iodine, and selenium result in millions of people being affected by various diseases, with very serious consequences in those countries where malnutrition is widespread. On the other hand, the impact of toxic element species such as inorganic arsenic and methylmercury on entire populations has come to the fore again as a priority for both the scientific community and health authorities. The presence of trace elements in feeds, either as contaminants or as nutritional or zootechnical additives, and their transfer across the food chain to humans also raises questions within the scientific community and regulators.Different facets of trace elements, from essentiality to toxicity, were addressed throughout the 3rd International IUPAC Symposium on Trace Elements in Food (TEF-3). The meeting was organized by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and held on 1-3 April 2009 in Rome, Italy. The objective was to gather experts with different backgrounds to discuss all aspects of trace elements in food in relation to human health, with special emphasis on biological effects of elements. The main topics included essentiality, toxicity, bioaccessibility, bioavailability, speciation, sources and transfer in the food chain, effects of processing, food and feed fortification, supplementation, international legislation and standards, analytical developments, analytical quality assurance and reference materials. In accordance with practice in previous events of this series (Warsaw, 2000, and Brussels, 2004), TEF-3 provided a forum for the exchange of new ideas and experiences in trace element research, and a basis for influencing policy, advisory practice, and risk-management tools to protect public health.Over 200 participants, representing some 40 countries, joined the event. In addition to the 15 invited lectures, delegates from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America enriched this edition with 20 oral and about 130 poster contributions. TEF-3 actually resulted in a lively interdisciplinary symposium on current and emerging research and development efforts.Special emphasis was placed on the following topics:- analytical techniques for element speciation studies in food and food supplements- reliability and quality control of analytical data on trace elements in foodstuffs- detection, characterization, and potential health risks of inorganic nanoparticles- arsenic speciation and toxicology- gender differences in susceptibility to toxic trace elements in food- exposure assessment of toxic element species- assessment of risks and benefits of the organic forms of trace elements as feed additives- metabolism of metal(loid)s by intestinal microorganisms- absorption and metabolism of iron, zinc, and other essential elements- use of stable isotopes to study trace mineral metabolism- selenium and iodine speciation and biological effectsAdvancements in the above-mentioned areas were discussed, and special attention was paid to the means in order to prevent adverse health effects on those individuals and populations most vulnerable to trace-element inadequacies, excesses, or imbalances.The following collection of papers based upon authoritative lectures presented at TEF-3 addresses many of the topics discussed during the symposium. Overall, it provides an excellent overview of the state of the art in the area of trace elements in food and sheds light on future challenges and subjects of research.Francesco CubaddaConference Chair

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