Gender-based comparative toxicity of di-ethyl phthalate in Wistar rats

In recent years, the exposure of humans to phthalate esters through environmental contamination has increased. One among them is di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), which is used as a plastisizer for cellulose ester plastic films and sheets, solid rocket propellants, molded and extruded articles, as a component in insecticide sprays and various other substances, as well as in industrial applications. Release into the environment occurs primarily as a result of production and manufacturing of DEP and during the use and disposal of products containing DEP. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate gender-specific toxicity of DEP in Wistar rats. Rats of both sexes, weighing 125–130?g, were administered 50?ppm (w/v) DEP in water ad libitum for a period of 180 days and were given normal diet. Control animals received normal diet and water ad libitum. During the treatment, rats were weighed every week and water consumption per day was measured. After the completion of treatment, liver weight?:?body weight^?1 ratio, liver weight, body weight^?1, liver and serum enzymes, and other biochemical parameters of liver and serum were assessed. It was observed that there was no significant change in body weight^?1, liver weight, liver weight?: body weight^?1 ratio, and water consumption in both sexes. There were significant increases in liver acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and kidney glutathione levels, and nonsignificant changes in liver alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in DEP-treated male rats, whereas in DEP-treated female rats the liver showed significant decrease in ALP and SDH and nonsignificant changes in AST, ALT, and LDH activities. Serum ACP and LDH levels in DEP-treated male rats were significantly decreased, and in the case of DEP-treated female rats, only serum LDH levels were significantly decreased. There was no significant change in serum ALP, AST, and SDH levels in DEP-treated male and female rats as compared to control rats. Histology of the livers of both male and female rats showed loss of hepatic architecture, degenerative changes in hepatocytes, and vacuolation in hepatocytes in both the centrilobular and periportal areas. It can be concluded from this study that prolonged exposure to DEP at 50?ppm levels can be harmful to animals and humans. This is evident from the present study as certain significant changes in enzyme activities in the liver, serum, and histological alterations in liver were observed.     

Acidic bioleaching of heavy metals from sewage sludge

The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the use of controlled bio-acidification prior to land application as a decontamination process to remove heavy metals from sludge. The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria were naturally available in the sludge samples and were activated by providing sulfur and aeration at 28°C–30°C. Activation resulted in bio-acidification to pH 2 within 5–11 days. Successive inoculation of fresh sludges with 5% acidified samples reduced the acidification time to 2–3 days in most samples. Bio-acidification resulted in dissolving significant quantities of heavy metals from all sludge types tested. The maximum solubilization results were: 86%–97% for Ni; 48%–98% for Pb; 26%–71% for Cr; 18%–91% for Zn; 16%–90% for Cu; 7%–60% for Cd. Limited metal solubilization results were observed in the various control samples that accompanied the bio-acidified samples. The leaching results in the control samples were limited to 2%–19% for Ni, 0%–7% for Pb, 0%–5% for Cr, 0.3%–4% for Zn, 0.2%–4% for Cu and 0%–3% for Cd. The results confirmed that Ni and Pb were the easiest metals to dissolve from the various sludge types. On the other hand, the lowest solubilization results were observed for Cu and Cd, and moderate solubilization results were achieved for Cr. The bio-acidification process resulted in moderate gains in terms of improving the suitability of tested sludges for land application. Received: April 19, 1999 / Accepted: November 4, 1999     

Appraisal of salinity and fluoride in a semi-arid region of India using statistical and multivariate techniques

Various physico-chemical parameters, including fluoride (F⁻), were analyzed to understand the hydro-geochemistry of an aquifer in a semi-arid region of India. Furthermore, the quality of the shallow and deep aquifer (using tube well and hand pumps) was also investigated for their best ecological use including drinking, domestic, agricultural and other activities. Different multivariate techniques were applied to understand the groundwater chemistry of the aquifer. Findings of the correlation matrix were strengthened by the factor analysis, and this shows that salinity is mainly caused by magnesium salts as compared to calcium salts in the aquifer. The problem of salinization seems mainly compounded by the contamination of the shallow aquifers by the recharging water. High factor loading of total alkalinity and bicarbonates indicates that total alkalinity was mainly due to carbonates and bicarbonates of sodium. The concentration of F⁻ was found more in the deep aquifer than the shallow aquifer. Further, only a few groundwater samples lie below the permissible limit of F⁻, and this indicates a risk of dental caries in the populace of the study area. The present study indicates that regular monitoring of groundwater is an important step to avoid human health risks and to assess its quality for various ecological purposes.     

Assessing BMP effectiveness: multiprocedure analysis of observed water quality data

Observed water quality data obtained from eight stream monitoring locations within Richland–Chambers Watershed in north central Texas were analyzed for trends using box-and-whisker plots, exceedance probability plots, and linear and Mann–Kendall statistical methods. Total suspended solids decreased at seven out of eight stations, and at two of these stations, the decrease was significant. Mixed results were obtained for nitrogen across the stations. A nonsignificant and significant increase in nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen (nitrite + nitrate N) was noticed in two stations each, whereas at the other four stations showed nonsignificant decrease. The results of organic nitrogen (Org N) was similar to nitrite + nitrate N except that the two stations that showed significant increase in nitrite + nitrate N showed nonsignificant decrease in Org N. Mixed results were also noticed for orthophosphorus (Ortho P) including nonsignificant decrease at two stations, significant decrease and increase at one station each, and nonsignificant increase in four stations. In general, total phosphorus (TP) decreased at all stations, significantly at some, except one station where it increased significantly. Decreasing trends in sediment, Org N, Ortho P, and TP were likely related to implementation of best management practices (BMPs). Increasing trends in dissolved constituents including Ortho P and nitrite + nitrate N were likely due to increased surface residue as a result of some BMPs such as conservation tillage.     

Drinking water quality and chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu): synergic effects of fluoride,cadmium and hardness of water

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - High prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) in some regions of the world is suspected mainly due to a toxin-mediated renal failure....     

Studies on the utility of plant cellulose waste for the bioadsorption of crystal violet dye

Several synthetic dyes employed in textile and food industries are discharged into aquatic environment. These visible pollutants in water damage environment, as they are carcinogenic and toxic to humans. The use of cost effective and ecofriendly plant cellulose based adsorbents have been studied in batch experiments as an alternative and effective substitution of activated carbon for the removal of toxic dyes from waste water. Adsorbents prepared from sugarcane baggase, were successfully used to remove certain textile dye such as crystal violet from an aqueous solution. The present investigation potentiate the use of sugarcane baggase, pretreated with formaldehyde (referred as Raw Baggase) and sulphuric acid (referred as Chemically Activated Baggase), for the removal of crystal violet dye from simulated waste water. Experiments were carried out at neutral pH with various parameters like dye concentration, temperature, contact time and adsorbent dosage. Efficiency of raw baggase was found better than chemically activated baggase for adsorption of crystal violet dye. The data obtained perfectly fits in the Freundlich adsorption isotherm.     

Gap acceptance behavior at unsignalized intersections: Effects of using a phone and a music player while driving

Objectives: The present study is an attempt to analyze and compare the distraction effects caused by the use of a phone and a music player at unsignalized intersections.

Method: Eighty-eight participants performed simulated driving experiments where they faced a sequence of gaps in the major road traffic at 2 unsignalized intersections. In this process, their driving behavior was evaluated in terms of gap acceptance probability, accepted lag, and maneuver completion time. These parameters were modeled with a generalized estimating equation (GEE) method by considering distraction, demographic factors, driving history, maneuver types, and driving attributes in the approach and completion zones as independent variables.

Results: The results showed that gap acceptance probability decreased by 46% during the conversation task, whereas it increased by 66% during the music player task. Lower gap acceptance could be a compensatory behavior adopted by drivers during the conversation task, whereas no such measure was adapted during the music player task. The results indicate that a higher approach speed during the music player task might have led to increased gap acceptance. Further, though the effect of distraction on the accepted lag was not evident, the completion time was reduced during the conversation task.

Conclusions: Overall, the results suggest that drivers are more likely to adopt a compensatory measure in complex driving situations only if they perceive a high risk. Hence, drivers are exposed to a greater risk while operating a music player, because this is not perceived as risky behavior.     

Weather variability trends in Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh,India: influence on cropping systems and adaptation strategies

Environment, Development and Sustainability - Weather variability over the long run exhibits the trends of change in climate and forewarns for development and deployment of adaptation measures....     

Effects of arsenic exposure during early postnatal period on Leydig cells of rat testis

The effects of sodium arsenite exposure from postnatal day (PND) 1 to PND 14 on Leydig cells of Wistar rat testes were investigated at PND 15 and 21. Gross morphometric observations of testes did not reveal a significant change in the numerical density and volume of the testes in exposed animals compared to controls either at PND 15 or 21. However, there was significant decrease in testicular weight at PND 21 in treated animals. Measurement of nuclear area of Leydig cells revealed a decrease in nuclear area of these cells in exposed groups at PND 15 and 21. A significant decrease in the total number of Leydig cells was apparent at PND 21 in the treated group. The observations of the present study are indicative of adverse effects on rat testes Leydig cells following exposure to low doses of sodium arsenite during critical window periods. The persistence of these observations at PND 21 is suggestive of irreversible damage to testicular tissue.     

Impact of arsenic(V) on testicular oxidative stress and sperm functional attributes in Swiss albino mice

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The arsenic (As) is a multi system effector including reproduction. The present study examined the association of graded doses of As(V) on testicular...