RESUMO
Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and neutron activation analysis showed the presence of mercury in organic extracts of seed grain and in tissues of hogs fed the contaminated grain. Mercury was also found in the urine, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid of humans who ate the contaminated pork. Mass spectral analysis confirmed the presence of organic mercury. This paper reports the first documented episode of indirect mercury poisoning in humans in the United States caused by the ingestion of contaminated meat from animals that had consumed mercury in their food supply.
Assuntos
Doenças Transmitidas por Alimentos , Carne , Intoxicação por Mercúrio , Análise por Ativação , Adolescente , Adulto , Ração Animal , Animais , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Troca Materno-Fetal , Mercúrio/análise , Mercúrio/sangue , Mercúrio/líquido cefalorraquidiano , Mercúrio/urina , Métodos , Gravidez , Espectrofotometria , SuínosRESUMO
Abate is a larvicide for Aedes aegypti, a vector of yellow fever, dengue, and haemorrhagic fever. It is less toxic than malathion or DDT. Tests in human volunteers had previously indicated it would be safe to add to drinking-water where the mosquito often breeds.In a 19-month test in Puerto Rico, Abate was added to the drums and cisterns in which a community of about 2000 persons stored their drinking-water. This use of Abate and other insecticidal measures (malathion spraying) gradually achieved control of A. aegypti during the first 4 months of treatment and control was maintained thereafter although the test area was surrounded by active breeding-sites. There was no accumulation of Abate in the water in spite of monthly additions of the compound. With minor exceptions, residents readily accepted this use of Abate. Careful surveillance failed to reveal any illness or significant side-effects attributable to measures adopted in the control programme. Abate is considered safe for full-scale field use according to directions.