Protective influence of antioxidant vitamins on hematological indices of rabbits fed crude-oil-contaminated diet

The effects of chronic exposure to petroleum on hematological parameters as well as the possible protective role of vitamins E and C were studied. The hematological parameters assessed were red blood cell (RBC) counts, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and white blood cell (WBC) counts. The RBC and hemoglobin concentration were significantly decreased in the blood of petroleum-fed rabbits. However, there was a significant increase in WBC in rabbits exposed to crude-oil-contaminated feed. Pretreatment with the antioxidant vitamins E and C restored these parameters to normal.     

A comparison of lead exposures in industrial “hot spots” in Jordan and Israel

The aim of this study was to compare two hot spots of lead (Pb) exposure in Israeli and Jordanian occupational settings. The study also sought to assess whether any differences in regulations and legislation regarding occupational health could be identified as a source of exposure disparities. Blood and hair specimens were collected from workers in a battery factory in Jordan and a secondary Pb smelter in Israel and compared. About 33% of the currently exposed group showed blood lead (BPb) levels above the internationally recommended concentration of 40 µg dL^?1. Although the differences of BPb levels between Israel and Jordan were not statistically significant, average levels were lower in Jordan. Beyond the difference in the factory types, disparity in exposure levels might be explained due to a combination of proclivities of factory management, public policies, existing medical surveillance and insurance, as well as cultural differences. Results reveal that despite existing regulations and the growing attention that is dedicated to Pb and metal occupational exposures, there are still hot spots for Pb exposure in Israel and Jordan. The contrasting experience found in the current study raises the possibility that information and technology exchange between the two countries Israel and Jordan, may be beneficial for improving occupational health policy in these two neighboring countries.     

Hematological study of petrol station workers exposed to unleaded petrol

This study was undertaken to assess the level of exposure of petrol station workers to toxic components of unleaded petrol and to investigate whether this exposure, under normal working conditions, is associated with any significant changes in hematological parameters. In this cross-sectional study, 400 subjects (200 exposed and 200 reference subjects) were included. Atmospheric concentrations of benzene (B), toluene (T), and xylene (X) (BTX) were measured and all subjects underwent complete blood counts and white blood cell differential tests. The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were lower than their recommended exposure limits. The results of blood tests showed that the means of red blood cell distribution width and hematocrit parameters, while within the normal range, were significantly different in the two groups. In conclusions, the average exposure level of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values for these chemicals. Additionally, overt hematotoxicity is unlikely to be the outcome of exposure to unleaded petrol under the conditions described in our study. Possible long-term consequences of subtle, clinically insignificant changes in the hematological parameters of exposed employees observed in this study deserve further investigation.     

Toxic trace elements and reproduction

Successful reproduction requires a well developed genital tract, including a good cooperation between hypothalamus, pituitary, ovaries and uterus on the female side and good sperm quality and motility on the male side. Heavy metals may interact with every single step of these processes, and after successful implantation the feto‐placental unit may be another target for heavy metal toxicity. In this review the reproduction process and the interaction of the heavy trace elements Cd (cadmium), Pb (lead) and Hg (mercury) are described.     

The acidobasic and complexation properties of Humic acids

Complexation of Humic Acids (HA) of different origin, like Fluka, and especially those extracted from bohemian brown coal, with cadmium(II) and lead(II) was studied at pH 5.0 using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. Conditions close to those present in the environment were chosen with 3‐ 10^‐4 moll^‐4 for HAs and 2. 10^‐8‐l . 10^‐5 moll^‐1 for Cd(II) and Pb(II). Stability constants evaluation was done assuming the electrode process is diffusion controlled and the complexes are labile. Obtained log K values were in the range 4.49–5.25 for Cd(II) and as expected the higher log K values 6.05–6.60 were found for Pb(II). There was no significant difference between complexation properties of HA extracted from bohemian brown coal and that of Fluka. The results obtained are in good agreement with the literature and those obtained by ISE in our laboratory.     

Linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) and bioaccumulation of heavy metals (Cu and Pb) in Ruditapes philippinarum

The effect of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) on copper and lead bioaccumulation in Ruditapes philippinarum was studied. The in vitro and in vivo effect of LAS on acid and alkaline phosphatase activities was also examined. For lead, significant differences (P<0.01) were observed between organisms exposed to lead and to the mixture of LAS and lead. In the case of copper, these differences were only significant in the digestive gland (P<0.05). In vitro acid phosphatase was inhibited by LAS and the mixture of LAS with copper showed the effect of decreasing the enzymatic activity. Nevertheless, in vivo no significant differences in the digestive gland and gills (P < 0.05) were observed.     

高铝粉煤灰资源化过程重金属环境影响研究

针对高铝粉煤灰碱石灰烧结多资源利用工艺过程中重金属元素迁移规律和潜在环境影响量化问题,基于物质流分析方法,分析该工艺中重金属元素的边界输入输出和内部迁移规律.结果表明,输入端54%的铅元素由工业过程废弃物即高铝粉煤灰带入,其余来自工业原材料.输出端64%的铅元素进入产品,其余部分进入废弃物.该工艺主要环境排放节点在烧结和水泥生产环节.通过定义相对环境排放指数(REEI),比较分析该工艺与拜耳法工艺重金属排放情况.结果表明,该工艺单位氧化铝产量铅元素净排放显著降低,铬元素环境排放量与拜耳法基本持平,说明高铝粉煤灰碱石灰烧结多资源利用工艺不仅可以实现高铝粉煤灰的综合利用,也可以显著降低氧化铝产品的重金属环境影响.     

辽河干流消落区沉积物重金属污染特征研究

通过测定辽河干流消落区10个断面中0~5cm、5~15cm、15~30cm深沉积物中重金属Pb、Cu、Zn、Cd含量,揭示消落区干－湿交替下沉积物重金属的污染特征.采用原子吸收分光光度计测定重金属含量,并采用地质累积指数与潜在生态危害指数评估重金属污染状况.结果表明,除Cd外,Cu、Zn与Pb的含量均值分别为31.4mg/kg、28.14mg/kg、43.75mg/kg,均低于中国土壤环境质量标准I级土壤标准;Cd含量均值1.438mg/kg,是中国土壤环境质量标准I级土壤标准的7.19倍,是辽河水系沉积物平均值的1.29倍,辽宁省土壤背景值的13.31倍,表明研究区Cd污染严重.地质累积指数评价表明,Pb、Cu、Zn的污染程度低于1级,Cd达2级中度污染以上,在通江口达3.92,为5级强污染;据潜在生态危害评价,达牛渡口上游干流潜在生态危害指数为强以上,通江口生态危害指数最高,且生态危害主要来源于Cd.相关性分析表明,Pb、Cu与Zn间相关性极显著,可能有相同的污染源,Cd有单独的污染源.     

应用in vitro法评估土壤性质对土壤中Pb的生物可给性的影响

选取22种典型土壤样品,应用2种in vitro(体外模拟)试验方法——SBET法(simple bioaccessibility extraction test,生物有效性简化提取法)和PBET法(physiologically-based extraction test,生物原理提取法),定量阐明土壤性质对Pb的生物可给性的影响. 结果表明:①SBET法中Pb的生物可给性为18.78%~77.08%,平均值为44.14%;PBET法中Pb的生物可给性为0.72%~50.51%,平均值为13.77%. 除赤红壤和贵州黄壤外,其余20种土壤样品均表现为SBET法中Pb的生物可给性显著高于PBET法,并且随着土壤pH的增长,2种方法的差距更加显著. ②逐步回归分析结果表明,在SBET法中,对土壤Pb的生物可给性影响最大的因子是土壤中w(黏粒),其次为pH,二者可以解释69.49%的Pb的生物可给性的变化;在PBET法中,对土壤Pb的生物可给性影响最大的因子是pH,其次为w(黏粒),二者可以解释73.65%的Pb的生物可给性的变化. 研究结果说明,污染土壤中Pb的生物可给性可以根据土壤pH和w(黏粒)进行预测.      

CRT含铅玻璃及其冶炼废渣的铅浸出毒性研究

通过评估阴极射线管(CRT)含铅玻璃及其冶炼后废渣的环境影响,有助于CRT玻璃回收和处置.本文采用醋酸缓冲液法(HJ/300-2007)研究了CRT的三种含铅玻璃及其铅冶炼后废渣的铅浸出特性,结果表明锥玻璃、颈玻璃和熔接玻璃铅浸出浓度均超出危险废物浸出标准,其中熔接玻璃中的铅极易溶出,在CRT玻璃中毒性最大;而铅冶炼废渣中的铅也极易溶出,废渣中的含铅量应低于1.5%才可视为一般固体废弃物.除了铅在化合物中的含量,铅的赋存结构使铅化合物浸出毒性差异很大.