Instilling Ethics
The NIEHS News (p. A472) describes the institute's Program in Environmental Health Policy and Ethics, which gives interns the opportunity to tackle issues such as environmental regulation and policy, the impact of new technologies on risk assessment and risk management, toxicogenomics, environmental justice, and protection of human subjects in research.
Tarnished Reputation
Worldwide, gold mining produces a lot of waste, including waste rock, acid
runoff, and tailings tainted with cyanide and heavy metals. The Focus (p.
A474) examines the problems associated with gold mining, the effects
of mining contamination on surrounding communities, and efforts to clean up
the industry.
On the Subject of People
Concerns about using humans as research subjects are surfacing after a string
of deaths during recent studies. The Spheres of Influence (p.
A482) takes a hard look at the problems, benefits, and ethical considerations
in the controversy over human subjects.
New Technology Hits Pay Dirt
Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one of the most serious problems caused by mining,
but it can be controlled by careful monitoring. The Innovations (p.
A486) explains a new probe that allows scientists to sample potential
AMD sites in situ, giving them more accurate results and the information
they need to remediate and prevent AMD.
Gastrointestinal Effects of Carrageenan in Animal Models
Tobacman's (p. 983) review of the association between exposure to carrageenan and the occurrence of colonic ulcerations and gastrointestinal neoplasms in animal models demonstrates that exposure to undegraded and degraded carrageenan was associated with these effects. The author provides a rationale for these findings.
Bone Resorption and Bone Lead Mobilization in Men
Tsaih et al. (p. 995) studied the influence of bone resorption rate on the release of lead from bone in 333 men from the Boston, Massachusetts, area. The authors used various techniques to measure cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen in 24-hr urine, lead content in cortical (tibia) and trabecular (patella) bone, and lead in blood and urine. The results provide evidence that bone resorption influences the release of bone lead stores (particularly patella lead) into the circulation.
Air Pollution and Daily Deaths in Spain
Schwartz et al. (p. 1001) examined the association of daily concentrations of black smoke and sulfur dioxide with daily deaths in eight Spanish cities that have different climates and different environmental and social characteristics. The authors concluded that the association of daily deaths with particle levels is more convincing than the association with sulfur dioxide.
Antioxidants Prevent Sidestream Smoke Damage
Zhang et al. (p. 1007) found that exposure to sidestream cigarette smoke (SSCS) from a burning cigarette for 30 min/day, 5 days a week, for 4 months increased interleukin-6 production in spleen and lipid peroxide level in mouse liver. The authors concluded that the SSCS in moderate intake levels increased oxidation and promoted inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 production, whereas antioxidants prevented these changes. (Also see Science Selections, p. A490)
Blood Arsenic Increases Reactive Oxidants in Humans
Wu et al. (p. 1011) investigated the effect of arsenic exposure on oxidative stress in humans by conducting a population study to determine the relationships of blood arsenic to reactive oxidants and antioxidant capacity at the individual level. The results suggested that ingestion of arsenic-contaminated well water may cause deleterious effects; persistent oxidative stress in peripheral blood may be a mechanism underlying the carcinogenesis and atherosclerosis induced by long-term arsenic exposure.
In Vitro Toxicity of Fine Particles
Long et al. (p. 1019) assessed the in vitro toxicity of 14 paired indoor and outdoor PM2.5 samples collected in 9 Boston-area homes. The bioassays were conducted using rat alveolar macrophages, and tumor necrosis factor was measured to assess particle-induced proinflammatory responses. The authors suggest that indoor-generated particles may be more bioactive than ambient particles.
In Vitro Estrogenicity of Chloro-s-Triazine Herbicides
Sanderson et al. (p. 1027) investigated a potential mechanism for the estrogenic properties of three chloro-s-triazine herbicides and six metabolites in several in vitro cell systems. The findings suggest that the estrogenic effects associated with the triazine herbicides in vivo are not estrogen receptor-mediated but may be explained partly by their ability to induce aromatase in vitro.
Effect of Fiber Size on Chemiluminescence of Macrophages
Ohyama et al. (p. 1033) examined the time course for induction of lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence in human monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to Japan Fibrous Material standard reference samples (glass wool, rock wool, micro glass fiber, refractory ceramic fibers, refractory mullite fiber, potassium titanium whisker, silicon carbide whisker, titanium oxide whisker, wollastonite) and how fiber length or width might modify the response of cells. The authors suggest that the release of superoxide from macrophages occurs nonspecifically for various types of mineral fibers depending on fiber length.
Lung Particle Concentrations and Air Pollution
Brauer et al. (p. 1039) examined the parenchymal particle content of 11 autopsy lungs from never-smoking female residents of Mexico City, a region with high ambient particle levels, and 11 control residents of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, a region with relatively low particulate concentration. Total particle concentrations in the Mexico City lungs were significantly higher than in lungs from Vancouver residents. These observations indicate that residence in a region with high levels of ambient particles results in pulmonary retention of large quantities of fine and ultrafine particle aggregates, some of which appear to be combustion products.
Sensory Responses of Nonsmokers to ETS
Junker et al. (p. 1045) determined odor detection thresholds of sidestream tobacco smoke and investigated sensory symptoms at very low exposure concentrations. Odor detection threshold concentrations for sidestream smoke were three and more orders of magnitude lower than measured environmental concentrations, and eye and nasal irritations were one order of magnitude lower. These findings have practical implications for defining indoor air quality standards where environmental tobacco smoke emissions occur. (Also see Science Selections, p. A490)
Gaseous Pollutants in Particulate Epidemiology Studies
Sarnat et al. (p. 1053) collected air pollution data from a multipollutant exposure study in Baltimore, Maryland, during both summer and winter. Their results indicate that ambient PM2.5 concentrations are suitable surrogates for personal PM2.5 exposures and that ambient gaseous concentrations are surrogates, as opposed to confounders, of PM2.5. The authors suggest that the use of multiple pollutant models in epidemiologic studies of PM2.5 may not be suitable and that health effects attributed to the ambient gases may actually be a result of exposures to PM2.5.
Antiandrogens Disrupt Sexual Characteristics in Male Guppies
The fungicide vinclozolin and the principal DDT metabolite p,p´-DDE, both androgen receptor antagonists, have been demonstrated to induce demasculinization in rats, but whether the effects are similar in fish remains to be demonstrated. Baatrup and Junge (p. 1063) exposed guppies to vinclozolin and p,p´-DDE and measured sexual characteristics relevant to the male reproductive system. They concluded that demasculinization is consistent with an antiandrogenic action of vinclozolin and p,p´-DDE, and is likely to compromise reproductive capability in guppies.
Agricultural Pesticide Use in California
Gunier et al. (p. 1071) used a geographic information system to calculate pesticide use density in order to quantify agricultural pesticide use in California block groups for a childhood cancer study. The authors based their calculations on California's mandatory agricultural pesticide reporting system. The distribution of agricultural pesticide use and number of potentially exposed children suggests that pesticide use density would be of value for a study of childhood cancer. (Also see Science Selections, p. A491)
Iron Deficiency and Higher Blood Lead in Children
Bradman et al. (p. 1079) compared blood lead levels of iron-deficient and iron-replete children living in low, medium, or highly contaminated environments. Measurements of lead in paint, soil, dust, and blood, age of housing, and iron status were collected from 319 children 1-5 years of age. The largest difference in blood lead levels of iron-deficient and iron-replete children was among those living in the most contaminated environments. Improving iron status, along with reducing exposures, may help reduce blood lead levels among most children, especially among those living in highly contaminated areas.
The Potential Impact of Violence on Asthma in Inner City Children
Wright and Steinbach (p.1085) report four cases in which violence precipitated asthma symptoms in urban pediatric patients. The authors suggest that intervention strategies to reduce the exposure to violence, reduce stress, and counsel victims may complement traditional treatment in these patients.
Last Updated: October 16, 2001
