长江三角洲流域保护水生生物优先控制农药品种筛选

以长江三角洲流域为研究区域,首先明确了以保护水生生物为目标的优先控制农药品种的筛选原则,并以模型预测为基础,根据农药对水生生物的风险性,筛选形成了长江三角洲流域保护水生生物优先控制农药品种名录。名录共包含15种农药有效成分,一方面可为我国地表水农药生态基准的制定提供优先次序,另一方面对于长江三角洲流域地表水体农药污染控制具有重要的指导意义。     

甲胺磷在水-气界面挥发动力学研究

研究了挥发时间、温度和气流量对农药甲胺磷在水-气界面挥发行为的影响.挥发量采用气相色谱法检测,利用保留值定性,以外标法定量.研究结果表明,温度升高、气流量增大,使甲胺磷挥发量增大较快,二者是影响甲胺磷挥发的主要因素;挥发时间在4 h之内对甲胺磷挥发量影响较大,4 h之后基本无影响.通过试验还研究了甲胺磷在水-气界面的挥发动力学.根据实验结果,建立了甲胺磷在水-气界面挥发的动力学模型,比较实验值与动力学模型计算值,二者基本吻合,相对误差≤5%,这表明该动力学模型可以用于预测甲胺磷在水-气界面的挥发行为.     

地下水除草剂阿特拉津污染微生物治理的实验研究

采用了从农药厂阿特拉津生产车间排污口污泥中分离出的菌种AT菌,进行了农药阿特拉津的静态降解实验及其污染地下水的微生物治理模拟实验研究结果表明,AT菌在pH值为5.0～10.0时对农药污染质阿特拉津均具有降解能力,且适宜的pH值范围为6.5～8.0;在实验条件(t=10℃,pH=7.5)与野外含水层的条件基本一致情况下,难于生物降解的污染质阿特拉津的一次投菌降解率达到31.08%;同时环境因素也随着AT菌作用的变化而变化,其中,DO、pH随AT菌作用加强而其值减小.另外,设计了细菌的投放方式以模拟野外条件下的菌种投加条件.并且AT菌的作用会造成被治理含水层的渗透性能降低,实验后含水层的渗透系数下降60.54%.清水冲洗10d的渗透性恢复率为48.96%,说明清水渗透恢复的方法效果明显.     

深圳市冬、夏两季大气中有机氯农药的研究

利用大流量主动采样器,选择深圳市13个有代表性采样点,于2009年12月~2010年1月和2010年6月,分2个采样时期对深圳市大气中有机氯农药(OCPs)进行监测.结果显示,深圳市冬、夏大气中,13个点位总有机氯农药浓度变化范围分别为742~3522 pg/m3(平均值1769pg/m3)和507~2197pg/m3(平均值1163pg/m3).冬季大气中有机氯农药主要是DDTs、林丹、七氯、氯丹、六氯苯,占有机氯农药总量的87%;夏季大气中有机氯农药主要为DDTs、氯丹、林丹,三者总量占有机氯农药的89%.研究表明,深圳市大气中存在“新”DDT的输入,认为工业DDT是其主要来源,而γ-HCH以及氯丹的高检出与林丹和用于杀灭白蚁的氯丹的继续使用有关.     

Effects of repeated pesticide exposure on the peripheral and central nervous systems

This study was designed to compare organic farmers (comparison group) and pesticide-using farmers (pesticide group) in terms of neurobehavioral performance and sensorimotor function. The subjects were recruited in October 2004 from Chungnam Province and the neighboring Jeolla Province in western South Korea. Psychological assessment was carried out using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Bender Gestalt test. Neuroselective sensory nerve conduction threshold was measured at both left and right middle fingers by using an electrodiagnostic device to determine current perception thresholds (CPTs). Three independent CPT measurements were obtained from each test site by using sinusoidal stimuli at three frequencies. CPT testing showed no difference between the two groups. No significant differences were found in the large myelinated (2000?Hz stimulation; cutaneous touch, pressure), small myelinated (250?Hz stimulation; mechanoreceptive, pressure, temperature, fast pain) and small unmyelinated (5?Hz stimulation; polymodal nociceptive, temperature, slow pain, postganglionic sympathetic) C-fibers. Furthermore, there was no difference found between the pesticide and comparison groups in psychological variables, including intelligence quotient, orientation, memory, calculation, similarities, visual sensitivity, and psychomotor speed. In conclusion, chronic pesticide exposure has no apparent effect on either the peripheral or central nervous system in Korean farmers.     

Levels of plasma B-esterases and glutathione-S-transferase activities in three South American toad species

We determined the normal levels of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carboxylesterase (CbE), and glutathione S-transferases (GST) activities in three South American toad species in order to establish reference values for field pesticide monitoring purposes. Interspecies variations in B-esterase and GST activities were examined according to body mass. In addition, comparative inhibition of BChE and CbE activities using malaoxon, and chemical reactivation of malaoxon-inhibited BChE activity using pyridine-2-aldoxime methochloride (2-PAM) were investigated. Bufo fernandezae had average activity values for BChE: 17.31 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; CbE: 621.49 nmol min^?1 ml^?1 and GST: 1.94 mmol min^?1 ml^?1 while B. arenarum enzymatic average activities were BChE: 9.51 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; CbE: 270.07 nmol min^?1 ml^?1, and GST: 1.59 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; finally Bufo schneideri had enzymatic mean values of BChE: 2.08 mmol min^?1 ml^?1; CbE: 301.95 nmol min^?1 ml^?1, and GST: 1.60 mmol min^?1 ml^?1. Moreover, we found an allometric relationship between plasma BChE and CbE activities and body size for the three toad species. We suggest that B. fernandezae would be the species with a higher tolerance capacity to organophosphorous insecticides compared to the other toad species, while B. schneideri may be the most vulnerable toad species to field pesticide exposure, although some other factors (e.g., brain AChE sensitivity or pesticide metabolism by phosphotriesterases) should be also taken into account. The malaoxon-inhibited BChE activity of the three toad species was reactivated in the presence of 2-PAM, and it is recommended as a specific and sensitive methodology in the assessment of field exposure to OP insecticides together to compare BChE activity levels between OP-exposed and nonexposed individuals.     

Hematological and biochemical alterations in sprayers occupationally exposed to mixture of pesticides at a mango plantation in Lucknow,India

The aim of this study was to examine the hematological and cholinesterase (ChE) activity levels of pesticide sprayers employed in mango plantations at Lucknow. Fifty-two sprayers from mango plantations who regularly spray mixtures of pesticides including organochlorines (OC), organophosphates (OP), and carbamates were included as exposed group. Twenty residents living close to mango plantations, but not involved in pesticide spraying were taken as controls. Pesticide residues for OC were analyzed in blood by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. There was a significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase activities in pesticide sprayers (n?=?52) relative to the control group (n?=?20). A significant difference in the frequency distribution of hematological variations in red blood cell, white blood cell, monocytes, neutrophils, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and platelet count was observed. Residues of OC pesticides including α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and total HCH were found to be significantly higher in the blood of sprayers compared to controls. Hematological variations were quantitatively more frequent among the sprayers with 5 years of pesticide exposure compared to the controls and to subjects with less than 5 years of exposure group. Hematological abnormalities in sprayers were correlated with pesticide exposure as evidenced by lower ChE activity as well as the presence of OC pesticides in blood. The poorly controlled use of pesticides in the plantation appeared to have produced sub-clinical intoxication in the sprayers and indicated the need for training and implementation of proper, safer hygiene practices.     

Effect of curacron toxicity on the total serum protein content of Cyprinus carpio

An experiment was conducted on freshwater fish Cyprinus carpio to study the effect of the pesticide curacron on total serum protein. Curacron is an organophosphate pesticide and used by the farmers to protect their crops. This pesticide reaches the aquatic ecosystem by direct or indirect means and affects aquatic fauna. LC50 for curacron for C. carpio was calculated by the log-dose/probit regression line method and found to be 0.38?ppm at 96?h. Three sub-lethal concentrations (0.1, 0.01, and 0.001?mL?L^?1) were selected to expose the fish for 1, 7, 14, and 21days. Changes in total serum protein were observed at all pesticide concentrations and exposure periods. Total serum protein was decreased from control. At 1 and 7 days, the decrease was quantitative at all concentrations, while at 14 and 21 days, the fall was significant at all concentrations. Hence, human population may be at risk by consuming these contaminated fish.     

The effects of pesticides on greenhouse workers and their produced products

Pesticides are chemicals used in agriculture but are known to produce adverse effects on humans. In this study, blood activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and levels of malondialdhyde (MDA) were determined in 44 greenhouse workers (24 tomato workers, 20 clove workers) and in tomato (24 samples) and clove (20 samples) products. At the end of this study, blood MDA levels and activities of ALT, AST, and LDH levels in greenhouse workers were significantly increased while SOD and CAT activity levels fell significantly. Pesticide residues were not found in agricultural worker blood. Malathion residues (average 0.8?ppm) were detected in tomatoes (8 samples) in these greenhouses. Data suggest that the health of the greenhouse workers may be adversely affected by pesticides.     

Bacillus thuringiensis pesticide exposures reported to Texas poison centers

One of the most common types of microbial pesticides used is Bacillus thuringiensis. Although generally considered safe, exposures to B. thuringiensis pesticide do occur where management by healthcare providers is sought. The objective of this investigation was to describe B. thuringiensis pesticide exposures reported to Texas poison centers. Cases were all B. thuringiensis pesticide exposures reported to Texas poison centers during 2000–2010. The distribution of cases was determined for various demographic and clinical factors. Of 115 total cases, 64% occurred during May–July. The rate per 1,000,000 population was 14.3 in central Texas and 4.4 in the rest of the state. Of the patients, 56% were of an age 20 years or older and 55% were male. The exposure routes were 57% by ingestion, 30% by dermal contact, and 11% by inhalation. The patient was managed on site in 93% of the exposures and only one exposure was judged to be potentially serious. B. thuringiensis pesticide exposures reported to Texas poison centers were more frequently reported from the central region of the state. The majority of exposures occurred during April–July, involved adults and males, occurred by ingestion or dermal route, were managed on site and did not result in serious outcomes.