Water Quality for Cattle: Metalloid and Metal Contamination of Water.

Water is the most important nutrient for rangeland livestock. However, competition with municipalities, industry, and other water users often results in grazing livestock being forced to use water supplies that are less than perfect. Surface water in western rangleands are often contaminated by mineral extraction, irrigation runoff and other human activities. Mineral contaminants in drinking water are additive with similar contaminants in feedstuffs. The goal of this article is to provide producers and veterinarians with the basic background to make informed decisions about whether a given water supply is "safe" for livestock.

Intoxicación ocupacional por metales pesados / Occupational poisoning due to heavy metals

Se efectuó una revisión bibliográfica exhaustiva con vistas a demostrar la relación existente entre ciertas profesiones y las intoxicaciones por metales pesados. A tales efectos, en el presente artículo se describen las fuentes de emisión y las aplicaciones de dichos metales, así como las afecciones que provocan a la salud. Se constató que las intoxicaciones diagnosticadas en trabajadores de la provincia, en el período 2000-2016, estuvieron asociadas a diferentes empleos, tales como reparación de baterías, plomería, soldadura y odontología. A partir de lo anterior se exponen algunas recomendaciones a considerar en los campos salud ocupacional-metales pesados

An exhaustive literature review aimed at demonstrating the existent relationship between certain professions and poisonings due to heavy metals was carried out. To such effects, the emission sources and uses of these metals are described in this work, as well as the disorders that cause to health. It was verified that the poisonings diagnosed in workers of the province, during 2000-2016, were associated with different jobs, such as batteries repair, plumbing, welding and dentistry. From the above-mentioned, some recommendations to consider everything regarding occupational health-heavy metals are exposed

Poisoning deaths in Poland: Types and frequencies reported in Lódz, Kraków, Sosnowiec, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan during 2009-2013.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study has been to assess the characteristics of acute poisoning deaths in Poland over a period of time 2009-2013. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis was based on the data obtained from the patient records stored in toxicology departments in 6 cities - Lódz, Kraków, Sosnowiec, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan. Toxicological analyses were routinely performed in blood and/or urine. Major toxic substances were classified to one of the following categories: pharmaceuticals, alcohol group poisonings (ethanol and other alcohols), gases, solvents, drugs of abuse, pesticides, metals, mushrooms, others. Cases were analyzed according to the following criteria: year, age and gender of analyzed patients, toxic substance category and type of poisoning. The recorded fatal poisonings were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases. RESULTS: The record of 261 deaths were retrospectively reviewed. There were 187 males (71.64%) and 74 females (28.36%) and the male to female ratio was 2.52. Alcohol group poisonings were more frequently responsible for deaths in men compared to all poisonings, 91.1% vs. 71.6%, respectively (p < 0.05), and pharmaceutical agents were more frequently responsible for deaths in women, 47.4% vs. 28.4%, (p < 0.05). Methanol was the most common agent in the alcohol group poisonings, accounting for 43.75% (N = 49), followed by ethylene glycol, 39.29% (N = 44), and ethanol, 16.96% (N = 19). CONCLUSIONS: Epidemiological profile data from investigation of poisoning deaths in Poland may be very useful for the development of preventive programs. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(6):897-908.

Review of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases helps further define pathology of the novel paradigm for Alzheimer's with heavy metals as primary disease cause.

Pathologies of neurological diseases are increasingly recognized to have common structural and molecular events that can fit, sometimes loosely, into a central pathological theme. A better understanding of the genetic, proteomic and metabolic similarities between three common neurodegenerative diseases - Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) - and how these similarities relate to their unique pathological features may shed more light on the underlying pathology of each. These are complex multigenic neuroinflammatory diseases caused by a combined action by multiple genetic mutations, lifestyle factors and environmental elements including a proposed contribution by transition metals. This comprehensive dynamic makes disease decoding and treatment difficult. One case of ALS, for example, can manifest from a very different pool of genetic mutations than another. In the case of ALS multiple genes in addition to SOD1 are implicated in the pathogenesis of both sporadic and familial variants of the disease. These genes play different roles in the processing and trafficking of signalling, metabolic and structural proteins. However, many of these genetic mutations or the cellular machinery they regulate can play a role in one form or another in PD and AD as well. In addition, the more recent understanding of how TREM-2 mutations factor into inflammatory response has shed new light on how chronic inflammatory activity can escalate to uncontrolled systemic levels in a variety of inflammatory diseases from neurodegenerative, auto-inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. TREM-2 mutations represent yet another complicating element in these multigenic disease pathologies. This review takes us one step back to discuss basic pathological features of these neurodegenerative diseases known to us for some time. However, the objective is to discuss the possibility of related or linked mechanisms that may exist through these basic disease hallmarks that we often classify as absolute signatures of one disease. These new perspectives will be discussed in the context of a new paradigm for Alzheimer's disease that implicates heavy metals as a primary cause. Plausible links between these distinctly different pathologies are presented showing intersections of their distinct pathologies that hinge on metal interactions.

Immunology of metal allergies.

Allergic contact hypersensitivity to metal allergens is a common health concern worldwide, greatly impacting affected individuals with regard to both quality of life and their ability to work. With an estimated 15-20 % of the Western population hypersensitive to at least one metal allergen, sensitization rates for metallic haptens by far outnumber those reported for other common triggers of allergic contact dermatitis such as fragrances and rubber. Unfortunately, the prevalence of metal-induced hypersensitivity remains high despite extensive legislative efforts to ban/reduce the content of allergy-causing metals in recreational and occupational products. Recently, much progress has been made regarding the perception mechanisms underlying the inflammatory responses to this unique group of contact allergens. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of this enigmatic disease. Particular emphasis is put on the mechanisms of innate immune activation and T cell activation by common metal allergens such as nickel, cobalt, palladium, and chromate.

Metal fume fever and polymer fume fever.

INTRODUCTION: Inhalational exposure to metal-containing fumes generated by welding and related processes may result in the development of the clinical syndrome known as "metal fume fever." Polymer fume fever is a separate and distinct but related disorder that has been associated with inhalational exposure to specific fluorinated polymer products, such as polytetrafluoroethylene or Teflon(®). We undertook a review of the peer-reviewed medical literature as it relates to these two disease entities in order to describe their epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and prognosis. METHODOLOGY: We performed a search of the PubMed ( www.pubmed.com ) and Ovid MEDLINE (ovidsp.tx.ovid.com) databases for keywords "metal fume fever," "polymer fume fever," and "fume fever," covering the period 1946 to September 2014, which resulted in a total of 141 citations. Limiting the search to articles published in the English language yielded 115 citations. These 115 articles were manually reviewed for relevance. In addition, the reference lists in each article retrieved were reviewed for additional relevant references. This left 48 relevant citations. EPIDEMIOLOGY: Metal fume fever occurs most commonly as an occupational disease in individuals who perform welding and other metal-joining activities for a living. It is estimated that 1,500-2,500 cases of metal fume fever occur annually in the United States. Polymer fume fever was initially identified as an occupational disease but increased regulations have resulted in decreased incidence in the occupational setting. Overheating of Teflon(®)-coated cookware is one of the more common mechanisms for exposure. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: While the precise pathophysiology associated with the development of metal fume fever is yet to be elucidated, suggested pathophysiologic mechanisms include pro-inflammatory cytokine release, neutrophil activation, and oxygen radical formation. The pathophysiologic mechanism for polymer fume fever has not been definitively elucidated but may involve similar mechanisms to those proposed for metal fume fever. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Metal fume fever typically presents with generally non-specific complaints including influenza-like symptoms, fever, shaking chills, arthalgias, myalgias, headache, and malaise. Onset of symptoms typically occurs 4-10 h following the exposure to metal-containing fumes. While metal fume fever is typically benign and self-limited, severe cases of the disease have been reported. In patients with ongoing metal fume exposure over the course of a workweek, tachyphylaxis occurs resulting in improvement in symptoms over the course of the workweek and maximal symptoms occurring after an exposure-free period such as a weekend. The clinical presentation of polymer fume fever is indistinguishable from metal fume fever, with an exposure history being necessary to distinguish the two entities. DIAGNOSIS: Chest radiographs are typically normal in cases of metal fume fever and polymer fume fever; however, mild vascular congestion may be demonstrated and severe cases may feature diffuse patchy infiltrates. Laboratory studies are typically not necessary but may demonstrate leukocytosis with leftward shift or an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. TREATMENT: The primary treatment for both metal fume fever and polymer fume fever is supportive and directed at symptom relief. Oral hydration, rest, and the use of antipyretics and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin) are recommended. A careful workplace exposure assessment analysis conducted by an occupational medicine specialist or clinical toxicologist in concert with a qualified industrial hygienist should be performed. PREVENTION: A careful workplace exposure assessment including measurement of ambient zinc and other metal (e.g., chrome, nickel, copper and manganese) fume concentrations or concentrations of fluorocarbon polymer decomposition products at different locations within the workplace should be performed. PROGNOSIS: Metal fume fever is typically a benign and self-limited disease entity that resolves over 12-48 h following cessation of exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Metal and polymer fume fevers generally follow a benign course with spontaneous resolution of symptoms, though both have the potential to be serious, especially in those with significant preexisting cardiorespiratory disease.

The proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Chelation held in the USA: advances on new and old chelation therapies.

New developments on chelation have been discussed during the 20th International Conference on Chelation in Grand Rapids, MI, USA, which could affect the treatments of millions of patients worldwide. The complete treatment of transfusional iron overload in thalassaemia using the deferiprone (L1) and deferoxamine combination is a paradigm to be followed in the treatment of many other metal toxicity conditions. Encouraging results from clinical testing increased the prospects of the application of L1 as a pharmaceutical chelator antioxidant in renal, neurodegenerative and other conditions. The development of new chelators for the detoxification of heavy and radioactive metals is in the final stages of approval for clinical use. EDTA chelation for heavy metal detoxification has been used in millions of patients worldwide in the last 50 years and continues to attract many categories of patients because of low toxicity and therapeutic benefits. Major changes on chelation therapy policy have been introduced by the FDA in the USA in the last few years, including the approval of L1 in 2011, the release of reports with 2474 fatalities which include thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia patients in the period 2007-2011 in the case of deferasirox and the reappraisal of EDTA chelation therapy by NIH for patients who have suffered myocardial infraction. Major controversies in the use of chelating drugs worldwide include the risk/benefit assessment of different chelation protocols for different conditions and the commercial conflicts between generic and patented drugs.

[Migration of eight harmful elements from metal accessories that infants may swallow by mistake].

The International Standard ISO 8124-3:2010 "Safety of toys--Part 3: Migration of certain elements" controls the levels of migrated eight harmful elements (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium) from infants toys. Moreover, the Japanese Food Sanitation Law controls the levels of migrated lead from metal accessory toys. However, the levels of migrated harmful elements from metal accessories that are not infants toys are not controlled, since they are not covered by the ISO Standard or the Food Sanitation Law. Therefore, we investigated the level of eight harmful elements migrated from metal accessories that infants may swallow by mistake. The extraction test of ISO 8124-3:2010 was executed in 117 products (total 184 specimens), and the concentration of these eight elements was measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). As a result, 28 and one products released lead and cadmium beyond the maximum acceptable levels of the ISO standard, respectively. Metal accessories that infants may swallow by mistake should ideally not release harmful elements such as lead and cadmium.

Metalworking fluid exposure and cancer risk in a retrospective cohort of female autoworkers.

OBJECTIVES: Metalworking fluids (MWFs) have been associated with cancer of several sites, but the risks have been primarily examined in men or in studies that adjusted for gender in analyses. To evaluate whether risks were similar in women, we report cancer mortality risk among 4,825 female autoworkers within the united autoworkers-general motors autoworkers cohort. METHODS: Standardized mortality rates (SMRs) were calculated based on Michigan death rates (1980-2004). Internal comparisons (1941-2004) were examined using Cox regression for straight, soluble, and synthetic MWFs, and their corresponding oil- and water-based fractions. RESULTS: MWF exposure levels in the female cohort were generally less than two-third the MWF levels in the male cohort. Female autoworkers had an excess of cancer from all sites (SMR, 1.10; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 0.98-1.22) and lung cancer (SMR, 2.08; 95 % CI, 1.71-2.52). Colon cancer risk increased with straight (mineral oil) MWF exposure (exposure > median; hazard ratio = 3.1; 95 % CI, 1.2-8.0). A protective effect was observed for ovarian cancer with the soluble MWFs and water-based MWF metrics. Although bladder, rectal, and laryngeal cancers and malignant melanoma have been associated with straight MWF exposure and pancreatic cancer with synthetic MWF in men, there were too few deaths in this female subcohort to examine exposure-response relations for these sites. Results were null for lung and breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support an association between colon cancer and straight MWFs, but we found limited evidence of risk for other tumor sites at the lower exposure levels experienced by the female autoworkers.

Biomonitoring of genotoxic effects among shielded manual metal arc welders.

Hexavalent chromium Cr (VI) used in shielded metal arc welding is widely recognized to act as a carcinogen, mutagen and teratogen. The carcinogenic potential of metals is a major issue in defining human health risk from exposure. Hence in the present investigation, 66 welders and 60 control subjects with similar mean ages, smoking prevalences and alcohol consumption were enrolled for DNA damage analysis of buccal cells by micronucleus (MN) and comet assay. Welders showed a significant increase in micronucleated cells compared to controls and a larger mean comet tail length. The current study thus suggested that chronic occupational exposure to Cr (VI) during welding could lead to increased level of DNA damage. Understanding the complexity of the relationships between exposure, basal DNA damage and MN frequencies requires larger scale studies and application of complementary biomarkers.

Metal pollution indirectly increases oxidative stress in great tit (Parus major) nestlings.

Metals can cause oxidative stress by increasing the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), when there are insufficient amount of antioxidants to defend against the growing amount of free radicals. We aimed to find out the most reliable biomarkers to detect pollution-related oxidative stress in wild birds by comparing oxidative stress status in great tit (Parus major) nestlings at populations in polluted and unpolluted areas. We also studied with experimental manipulations whether dietary carotenoid levels have any role in great tits' antioxidant defence and whether their carotenoid-based plumage colour was connected to an oxidative stress status. We used antioxidants (GSH, carotenoids) and several antioxidant enzymes (GP, GR, GST, SOD, and CAT) as indicators of the oxidative stress. We found no direct connections between dietary metal exposure and antioxidant or antioxidant enzyme levels. The activity of GP was, however, slightly higher in the polluted environment. This was due to poorer condition and subsequently higher level of oxidative stress in the nestlings in the polluted area. We also found a positive association between GP and an ambient temperature during the nestling period, which may be due to higher metabolic activity of partly poikilothermic nestlings in warm weather. The activity of GST was positively related to the number of nestlings at the sampling time. Fledging success was better in an unpolluted area, where also the nestling body mass was higher. Carotenoid treatment increased the plasma carotenoid concentrations 2.1 fold in carotenoid-supplemented birds, but was not associated with the oxidative stress biomarkers or metal levels. The yellow plumage colour was associated with dietary carotenoid levels in both study areas, but not with the metal exposure or the oxidative stress status. Our results suggest that at the exposure levels found in our study area, the enzyme activities do not indicate metal-related oxidative stress. Instead, GP can be used as an indicator of growth related oxidative stress, which is greater in the polluted area. The activity of this enzyme was, however, not directly related to metal exposure, but more likely to some secondary pollution-related change in the nestling condition.

Chelation therapies: a chemical and biochemical perspective.

Chelation therapy occupies a central place in modern medicine and pharmacology, because continuous studies with laboratory animals and extensive clinical experience demonstrate that acute or chronic intoxications with a variety of metals can be considerable improved by administration of a suitable chelating agent. In this review the chemical characteristics, properties and uses of the most common chelating agents as well as those of some new and very promising agents of this type, are discussed. In the second part of the review the biological and biochemical impact of these agents, as well as their use for the treatment of some selected diseases and disorders, are also analyzed and discussed in detail.

Chemical and biological properties of toxic metals and use of chelating agents for the pharmacological treatment of metal poisoning.

Exposure to toxic metals is a well-known problem in industrialized countries. Metals interfere with a number of physiological processes, including central nervous system (CNS), haematopoietic, hepatic and renal functions. In the evaluation of the toxicity of a particular metal it is crucial to consider many parameters: chemical forms (elemental, organic or inorganic), binding capability, presence of specific proteins that selectively bind metals, etc. Medical treatment of acute and chronic metal toxicity is provided by chelating agents, namely organic compounds capable of interacting with metal ions to form structures called chelates. The present review attempts to provide updated information about the mechanisms, the cellular targets and the effects of toxic metals.

Poisoning deaths in China: type and prevalence detected at the Tongji Forensic Medical Center in Hubei.

The records of 218 poisoning deaths from a Department of Forensic Medicine in a University of China, Tongji Center for Medicolegal Expertise in Hubei (TCMEH), from 1999 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The majority (69.7%) of fatalities was between the ages of 20 and 49 years, and there was a male preponderance (male:female=1.7:1). The most common classes of substances involved in fatalities were rodenticide (19.7%), insecticide and herbicide (17.9%), carbon monoxide (16.5%), drugs (13.8%) and alcohols (12.4%). Ingestion was the predominant route of exposure (65.1%), followed in frequency by inhalation, injection and dermal. In vast majority (64.7%), the manner of death was accidental; suicidal intent was present in 25.2% of cases, homicide in 3.7%, and undetermined 6.4%. When compared to the former reports from the same institution, one for 1956-1984 and another for 1983-1999, an increase was found in the proportion of deaths due to rodenticides, CO, alcohols and drugs, as well as in accidental poisoning deaths. Poisoning deaths due to pesticides remain the major public health problem in China. Further regulatory enforcement should be carried out by government to restrict and manage the use of pesticides and rodenticides which are most toxic to humans.

Survey of the potential environmental and health impacts in the immediate aftermath of the coal ash spill in Kingston, Tennessee.

An investigation of the potential environmental and health impacts in the immediate aftermath of one of the largest coal ash spills in U.S. history at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston coal-burning power plant has revealed three major findings. First the surface release of coal ash with high levels of toxic elements (As = 75 mg/kg; Hg = 150 microg/kg) and radioactivity (226Ra + 228Ra = 8 pCi/g) to the environment has the potential to generate resuspended ambient fine particles (< 10 microm) containing these toxics into the atmosphere that may pose a health risk to local communities. Second, leaching of contaminants from the coal ash caused contamination of surface waters in areas of restricted water exchange, but only trace levels were found in the downstream Emory and Clinch Rivers due to river dilution. Third, the accumulation of Hg- and As-rich coal ash in river sediments has the potential to have an impact on the ecological system in the downstream rivers by fish poisoning and methylmercury formation in anaerobic river sediments.

Anti-cancer drugs interfere with intracellular calcium signaling.

(Neuro-)toxicity of metal and metal compounds is frequently highlighted. While specific metals or metal compounds are essential for cellular function, other metals are toxic and/or carcinogens. Metals can trigger accidental cell death in the form of necrosis, or activate programmed cell death in the form of apoptosis. The aim of anti-cancer therapy is induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. Therefore, there is an interesting twist in the toxicity of metals and metal compounds (e.g., arsenic trioxide, cisplatin); since they have a higher specificity to induce apoptosis in cancer cells (possibly due to the high turnover in these cells) they are used to cure some forms of cancer. A body of evidence suggests that second messengers, such as modulations in the intracellular calcium concentration, could be involved in metals induced toxicity as well as in the beneficial effects shown by anti-cancer drugs. Here we review the influence on calcium homeostasis induced by some metallic compounds: cisplatin, arsenic trioxide and trimethyltin chloride.