Nerve conduction studies in sprayers occupationally exposed to mixture of pesticides in a mango plantation at Lucknow,North India

In this study, nerve conduction, organochlorine (OC) pesticide residues in blood and cholinesterase activity levels of pesticide sprayers employed in mango plantations at Lucknow, North India, were determined. Fifty-two sprayers from mango plantations who regularly spray mixture of pesticides like organophosphates (OP), OCs, and carbamates were considered as exposed group. Eighteen subjects with similar socio-economic status of exposed group, who do not handle pesticides, were selected as controls. Questionnaire-based interviews related to personal and occupational histories of the study subjects were carried out. Sprayers did not use any personal protective equipment during pesticide handling. The blood-pesticide analyses of sprayers show higher mean values of hexachlorohexane (HCH), γ-HCH, δ-HCH, total HCH, op-DDT compared with the controls. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activites were significantly reduced among sprayers. Risk of motor nerve conduction deficits was observed in sprayers with low AChE activity. Negative correlation of motor and sensory nerve conduction deficits was observed with the duration of exposure and age among sprayers. The study demonstrated that the prolonged exposure to mixture of pesticides, ergonomic factors, decline in cholinesterase activity may lead to nerve conduction dysfunction. The findings suggest the need for controlled use of pesticides in the plantation and indicated the need for training and implementation of hygiene practices like proper usage of personal protective equipments.     

Preparation,characterization and toxic activity of oxovanadium(IV) mixed-ligand complexes

New oxovanadium(IV) mixed-ligand complexes of the general composition [VO(L)(A)], where KHL?=?potassium salt of salicylideneglycine, A¹?=?bis(benzylidene)ethylenediamine, A²?=?bis (acetophenone)ethylenediamine, A³?=?di(2-pyridyl)amine, A⁴?=?bis(benzylidene)-1,8-diaminonaphthalene, A⁵?=?thiophene-o-carboxaldene-aniline, A⁶?=?thiophene-o-carboxaldene-p-anisidine, have been synthesized by the interaction of these ligands with vanadyl sulphate. The mixed-ligand complexes have been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, electronic and infrared spectra. An octahedral structure has tentatively been assigned to all of the mixed-ligand complexes. The mixed-ligand complexes show higher toxic activity against the Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Serratia mercescen as compared to the ligands, vanadyl sulphate and control (dimethyl sulphoxide). The mixed-ligand complexes were also tested against a standard drug (tetracycline).     

Mercury exposure in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients from Ganga plain region in India: A retrospective study

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive disorder that usually runs a fatal course within 2–5 years of onset, is characterized by loss of motor neurons in the cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord. In this study mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in blood samples of 40 ALS patients, of whom 24 ALS patients were from the Ganga plain region and their metal levels were found to be significantly higher. In contrast, Hg levels in the 16 ALS patients from non-Ganga plain regions whose levels were similar to those of the control subjects. Mercury in stream water samples and freshly deposited stream sediment were determined in the locations of patients’ native residences along the Ganga plain region and metal levels were found to be higher than the threshold guideline values for Hg in stream waters recommended by WHO. The geo-accumulation index in selected sites of freshly deposited stream sediment ranged from moderate to highly polluted. The high levels of Hg observed in ALS patients may potentially alter the redox status of neuronal cell components and induce cell-death pathways.     

Effects of Heating Season on Residential Indoor and Outdoor Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Black Carbon, and Particulate Matter in an Urban Birth Cohort

Exposure to air pollutants has been associated with adverse health effects. However, analyses of the effects of season and ambient parameters such as ozone have not been fully conducted. Residential indoor and outdoor air levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), black carbon (measured as absorption coefficient [Abs]), and fine particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM)(2.5) were measured over two-weeks in a cohort of 5-6 year old children (n=334) living in New York City's Northern Manhattan and the Bronx between October 2005 and April 2010. The objectives were to: 1) characterize seasonal changes in indoor and outdoor levels and indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios of PAH (gas + particulate phase; dichotomized into Σ(8)PAH(semivolatile) (MW 178-206), and Σ(8)PAH(nonvolatile) (MW 228-278)), Abs, and PM(2.5); and 2) assess the relationship between PAH and ozone. Results showed that heating compared to nonheating season was associated with greater Σ(8)PAH(nonvolatile) (p<0.001) and Abs (p<0.05), and lower levels of Σ(8)PAH(semivolatile) (p<0.001). In addition, the heating season was associated with lower I/O ratios of Σ(8)PAH(nonvolatile) and higher I/O ratios of Σ(8)PAH(semivolatile) (p<0.001) compared to the nonheating season. In outdoor air, Σ(8)PAH(nonvolatile) was correlated negatively with community-wide ozone concentration (p<0.001). Seasonal changes in emission sources, air exchanges, meteorological conditions and photochemical/chemical degradation reactions are discussed in relationship to the observed seasonal trends.     

Pet Waste Management by Chemical Recycling: A Review

The paper reviews the problem due to the use and disposal of synthetic polymers to the environment and its solutions; in particular poly (ethylene terphthalate). Wide spread application and non-biodegradability of the PET creates huge amounts of waste and disposal, tend to a serious problem. The most important cause for recycling and reprocessing the waste PET has arisen from the awareness and concern for environmental pollution. To manage this various methods of polymer recycling has been proposed. Among them chemical recycling, i.e. hydrolysis, methanolysis, glycolysis and aminolysis are reviewed in detail. Appropriate technology and waste disposal procedures based on the socio-economic aspect to solve this problem are suggested.     

Impact of gold mining associated with mercury contamination in soil,biota sediments and tailings in Kenya

This work considered the environmental impact of artisanal mining gold activity in the Migori–Transmara area (Kenya). From artisanal gold mining, mercury is released to the environment, thus contributing to degradation of soil and water bodies. High mercury contents have been quantified in soil (140 μg kg^?1), sediment (430 μg kg^?1) and tailings (8,900 μg kg^?1), as expected. The results reveal that the mechanism for transporting mercury to the terrestrial ecosystem is associated with wet and dry depositions. Lichens and mosses, used as bioindicators of pollution, are related to the proximity to mining areas. The further the distance from mining areas, the lower the mercury levels. This study also provides risk maps to evaluate potential negative repercussions. We conclude that the Migori–Transmara region can be considered a strongly polluted area with high mercury contents. The technology used to extract gold throughout amalgamation processes causes a high degree of mercury pollution around this gold mining area. Thus, alternative gold extraction methods should be considered to reduce mercury levels that can be released to the environment.     

Sorption and desorption of salinomycin sodium in clay, loamy sand, and sandy soils

Salinomycin sodium (BIO-COX) is polyether ionophore, commonly used in the poultry industries for the prevention of coccidial infections and promotion of growth. Salinomycin sodium (SAL-Na) is very toxic, and may be fatal, if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin than many other antibiotics, thus evaluating their fate in the soil environment is of importance. Sorption of SAL-Na was measured in clay, loamy sand, and sandy soil at different pH 4, 7, and 9, and desorption with phosphate buffer (pH 7) using batch equilibration technique. SAL-Na was sorbed by all the soils studied, the sorption of SAL-Na by the sandy soil increased as the pH decreased, while the sorption of salinomycin in clay and loamy sand soil increased as the pH increased. Desorption of salinomycin from the soil with phosphate buffer (pH 7) over the 24 h period was 80-95% of the amount added. The similar trend was observed in desorption with pH 4, 7 and at different concentrations and slight less desorption was observed in pH 9. When compared to clay and loamy sand soil, sandy soil was recorded maximum (95%) desorption.     

Indoor exposure to respirable particulate matter and particulate-phase PAHs in rural homes in North India

In order to evaluate the exposure of the northern India rural population to polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) inhalation, indoor pollution was assessed by collecting and analyzing the respirable particulate matter PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ in several homes of the village Bhithauli near Lucknow, UP. The home selection was determined by a survey. Given the nature of biomass used for cooking, homes were divided into two groups, one using all kinds of biomass and the second type using plant materials only. Indoor mean concentrations of PM_2.5 and associated PAHs during cooking ranged from 1.19 ± 0.29 to 2.38 ± 0.35 and 6.21 ± 1.54 to 12.43 ± 1.15 μg/m³, respectively. Similarly, PM₁₀ and total PAHs were in the range of 3.95 ± 1.21 to 8.81 ± 0.78 and 7.75 ± 1.42 to 15.77 ± 1.05 μg/m³, respectively. The pollutant levels during cooking were significantly higher compared to the noncooking period. The study confirmed that indoor pollution depends on the kind of biomass fuel used for cooking.     

Water pollution of Sabarmati River—a Harbinger to potential disaster

River Sabarmati is one of the biggest and major river of Gujarat that runs through two major cities of Gujarat, Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad and finally meets the Gulf of Khambhat (GoK) in the Arabian Sea. A study was conducted to evaluate the water quality of this river, as it could possibly be one of the major sources for filling up Kalpasar, the proposed man-made freshwater reservoir supposed to be the biggest one in the world. A total of nine sampling stations were established covering 163 km stretch of the river from upstream of Gandhinagar city to Vataman near Sabarmati estuary. Physicochemical (temprature, pH, salinity, chloride, total dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, phenol, and petroleum hydrocarbons), biological (phytoplankton), and microbiological (total and selective bacterial count) analyses indicated that the river stretch from Ahmedabad-Vasana barriage to Vataman was highly polluted due to perennial waste discharges mainly from municipal drainage and industries. An implementation of sustainable management plan with proper treatment of both municipal and industrial effluents is essential to prevent further deterioration of the water quality of this river.     

Prenatal diagnosis of lethal osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) by ultrasonography

Ultrasonography was performed during the second trimester (17 weeks) in a pregnancy at risk for osteogenesis imperfecta congenita (OI). The scan showed that the femur was short, bent and dense. Radiologic examination of the fetus after interruption of pregnancy showed typical X-ray changes of OI.