Five years of the system of monitoring the environmental impact on population health of the Czech Republic.

The data collected in the System of monitoring the environmental impact on population health of the Czech Republic in 1994-1998 were obtained routinely and in a stabilized manner in six subsystems: health consequences and risks related to air pollution, drinking water quality, noise, human dietary exposure, human exposure to toxic pollutants from the environment and monitoring of the health status and evaluation of selected indicators of demographic and health statistics. They represent a useful and comprehensive background for providing objective information on the health status of the Czech population and on pollution of different components of the environment in the Czech Republic. The results obtained in the period 1994-1998 show that no critical situation needing urgent countermeasures to be taken appeared in the localities monitored. However, some results are indicative of the necessity to take certain remedial measures to maintain all population exposure burdens as low as reasonably possible from the economical and social points of view. Generally, the admissible limit values and exposure limits are exceeded only sporadically in some localities while for most contaminants monitored only very low values compared to the limits can be found and such situations are mostly considered as non-systematic changes.

System of monitoring the environmental impact on population health of the Czech Republic.

The data collected in the System of monitoring the environmental impact on population health of the Czech Republic in 1994 and 1995 were obtained routinely and in a stabilized manner in six subsystems: health consequences and risks related to air pollution, drinking water quality, noise, human dietary exposure, human exposure to toxic pollutants from the environment and the monitoring of the health state and evaluation of selected indicators of demographic and health statistics. They represent a useful and comprehensive background for providing objective information on the health status of the Czech population and on pollution of different components of the environment in the Czech Republic to other countries in Europe and worldwide to facilitate their commercial and cultural contacts. The results of the calendar year 1995 show that no critical situation needing urgent countermeasures to be taken appeared in the localities monitored. However, some results are indicative of the necessity to take certain remedial measures to maintain all population exposure burdens as low as reasonably possible from the economical and social points of view. The set of problems was identified as important also in 1994. Generally, the limit values and exposure standards are exceeded only sporadically in some localities while for most contaminants monitored only very low values compared to the admissible limits can be found.

Model of multiple exposure to contaminants in monitoring the environmental impact on population health.

The model study is focused on possibilities of comprehensive evaluation of the multiple exposure of humans to selected inorganic contaminants (arsenic, cadmium, lead, zinc) monitored within the subsystems of the monitoring the environmental impact on population health (inhalation and ingestion exposure from air, drinking water and foodstuffs and biological monitoring). The mean daily intake of contaminants of average adults is assessed using the monitoring and literature data. The exposure balance showed that the total intake of individual contaminants studied did not exceed the limit values given by the exposure standards (acceptable daily intake). The highest value of exposure reaching 28% of the limit was reported for cadmium. The prevailing pathway of exposure is ingestion of foodstuffs: more than 95% in all contaminants under study. Information on the intake of contaminants is used as input in a linear multicompartmental model describing their kinetics and retention in the human organism. The results of the model computation are compared with the laboratory data obtained in the biological monitoring of adult urine. The model and monitoring sets of results were found to conform well for cadmium and zinc. For arsenic and lead the model values are roughly one order of magnitude lower than the monitored ones which should be considered as acceptable for the model studies of this type. The model study of contaminant monitoring data processing and evaluation suggests further applications of health risk assessment representing one of the basic outputs of monitoring the environmental impact on population health.

Intestinal parasites: a study of human appendices.

Histological sections of 414 appendices were examined parasitologically. Enterobius vermicularis was found in 8.7%, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides in 0.5%, trophozites of Dientamoeba fragilis in 4.8%, Endolimax nana in 2.2%, Entamoeba coli in 1% and cysts of Giardia intestinalis in 1.9% of cases. Appendicopathies associated with Enterobius were most frequent in the age group from 6 to 10 years (24.3%) and from 21 to 25 years (12.2%). Patients older than 15 years were practically women only. Dientamoeba was most frequent in the age group from 11 to 15 years (11.3%). In women D. fragilis was three times more frequent than in men. The coincidence of D. fragilis and E. vermicularis infections was 50%. No interactions were seen between the protozoans in the contents of the appendix and its mucous membrane. Statistical evaluation indicates possible etiologic role of E. vermicularis in the occurrence of acute appendicities. D. fragilis appears to be the most common intestinal protozoan parasite in Bohemia.

The possible mutagenic effect of the occupation of TV announcer.

In a group of TV announcers, a significant increase in the number of classical aberrations was detected in peripheral blood: 7.5 +/- 3.477% in comparison with 3 control groups (A - 7 healthy women matched for sex, age and place of residence, B - 9 members of TV technical staff, C - 9 actors and actresses) with a mean aberration level of 2.96 +/- 1.136. SCE numbers were not increased in the TV announcers compared to controls. An increased frequency of reproduction failure has also been noticed in TV announcers (females). A decrease in the level of aberrant cells was noticed when the announcer had been on holiday, although this was not statistically significant. The possible mutagens in the working environment of TV announcers are discussed; there is a suspicion that azodyes, present in cosmetics or other chemicals, may be the mutagenic factor.

[Postcoital contraception]. / Postkoitálna antikoncepcia.

PIP: 40 women aged 18-36 used the Postinor brand, levonorgestrel-containing, pill from the Gedeon-Richter firm for 240 menstrual cycles. They did not have regular sexual intercourse: 26 were students, 2 were widows, 9 were women whose husbands commuted weekly to a workplace away from their home, and 3 were divorced. All of them had normal biphasic cycles validated both by basal temperature and hormonal cytology through 3 subsequent cycles. Average coital frequency during a menstrual cycle was 2.2. Every woman was instructed about the method of use: to take 1 pill, at the latest, 1 hour after coitus, and, if possible, maximum use should be once a week. In the event of repeated coitus, another tablet had to be taken 3 hours after coitus, and another the next day in case of another coitus. None of the women suffered form liver or gallbladder diseases. Before administering Postinor and 2 weeks after its use, hepatic tests and were done in all patients. The selected sample was nonsmoking, psychologically stable, and without bleeding disorders, and with normal colposcopic findings. The majority of women (25) experienced no side effects. 15 women (37.5%) had side effects: 6 (15%) had slight nausea, tachycardia, and a light headache. The spotting observed in 4 (10%) was controlled by Celaskon + 10% calcium gluconate iv 2-3 times. Omission of menstruation occurred in 4 cases, if the pill was taken several times in the second half of the cycle. There was 1 cases (2.5%) of failure because of belated use of the pill (2.5% hours after coitus). If properly used, Postinor proved to be an effective postcoital agent, without major side effects which could be recommended for occasional use.^ieng

[Changes in the chromosome map of mouse lymphosarcoma cells with prolonged irradiation]. / Izmeneniia khromosomnoi kartiny kletok limfosarkomy myshei pri dlitel'nom obluchenii.

In experiments on lymphosarcoma cells LS/BL, a study was made of changes in the chromosome pattern after long-term continuous irradiation at a low dose rate (35.8 X 10(-5) mC X kg-1 X s-1). To ensure reliable detection of changes in the chromosome length the method of automated computer analysis of the chromosome pattern with subsequent statistical evaluation was used. The radiation effect was manifested by a higher frequency of shape abnormalities in continuously exposed cells.

Computer-assisted analysis of human G-banded chromosomes.

The problem of data input into the computer was solved by means of an electromechanical scanner of our own design, which processes information from a positive photocopy. Classification of chromosomes in homologous pairs uses linear functions of discriminant variables. Evaluation of the quality of discriminant variables is based on multivariate generalization of analysis of variance and on Wilks' statistics. The success of the system described depends generally on the reproducibility of banding, on the loss of information during photographic process, on the parameters of the equipment used, as well as on the mathematical methods employed. The results were obtained from an analysis of 27 male and female diploid sets from the normal population and they are fully comparable with other systems, although no direct processing of the sets from the preparation is used.

Rigevidon (clinical trial of the preparation).

PIP: Clinical trials of a hormonal contraceptive called Rigevidon (Chemical Works of Gedeon Richter Ltd) were carried out on 134 patients during August 1979-March 1980. The users were observed for a minimum of 4 cycles and a maximum of 9. Of the 134 subjects, 92 (69.4%) started taking hormonal contraception for the first time with this regimen; 42 subjects (30.6%) had used other kinds of hormonal contraception previously. The compound was also administered to 7 patients suffering from infectious hepatitis more than 5 years previous to the clinical trial. Results of the trials were encouraging. 1 case (.74%) had laboratory tests showing serum transaminase increased above normal values; urine and blood pressure values were unchanged, howere. 1 other case had a disorder in the lower limb venous system (Homans positive, tachycardia). In 4 patients (2.98%) Rigevidon application was stopped because of bleeding that could not be controlled by increasing dose. In 7 subjects, the spotting occurred in the 2nd phase of the cycle, but it was reduced during 3 days by increased Rigevidon doses. No method failures occurred, and no subjects stopped taking the preparation for subjective reasons, weight changes, or headaches. Cervical pathology remained unchanged.^ieng