ABSTRACT
The cement dust is one of the causes of pollution in the environment. In the present study, the cadmium concentrations of soil and plant specimens taken from a rural area exposed to cement factory emissions were determined and also the blood concentrations and sensitivity conditions in humans residing in this rural area were investigated. The 108 soil (36 for control) and plant specimens were collected from eight different directions of the cement plant located in Cukurhisar town in Eskisehir city. Blood samples of the individuals residing in this area were taken from 258 subjects (258 for control) following a physical examination, and patch tests were also applied. The results show that the cadmium concentrations of the soil and plant specimens taken from different places in different directions of the factory were higher than in the control areas. The physical examination of subjects did not reveal results different from those of the control group except for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. The analysis of venous blood samples showed that cadmium concentrations were found to be within the reference values given for both groups, but higher in the subjects (p<0.001). According to the results of patch tests, sensitivity to cadmium was found to be more frequent for the subject group than the control group (p<0.05). Those results show that, although clinical tools revealed no toxic effects for the subject, except contact dermatitis, the cement plant increases cadmium pollution on the surrounding environment.
Subject(s)
Cadmium/analysis , Construction Materials , Dust , Environmental Exposure , Environmental Pollutants/analysis , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Cadmium/blood , Case-Control Studies , Dermatitis, Contact/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Contact/epidemiology , Environmental Monitoring , Environmental Pollutants/blood , Epidemiological Monitoring , Female , Humans , Industry , Male , Middle Aged , Plants/chemistry , Reference Values , Rural Population , Soil Pollutants/analysis , TurkeyABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to determine the nickel concentrations of soil and plant specimens taken from a rural area exposed to cement factory emissions and also to determine the blood concentrations and sensitivity conditions observed in humans residing in this rural area. The study was carried out in Cukurhisar, a town in Eskisehir-Turkey, between May 2000 and March 2001. Beside the 108 soil (36 for control) and plant specimens, which were taken from 8 directions from the cement factory, blood samples of the individuals residing in this area were taken from 258 subjects (258 for control) following a physical examination, and patch tests were also applied. The nickel concentrations of the soil and plant specimens taken from different places in different directions of the factory were higher than in the control areas. The physical examination of subjects did not reveal results different from those of the control group except for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis. The analyses of venous blood samples showed that nickel concentrations were found to be within the reference values given for both groups, but higher in the subjects (p < 0.001). According to the results of patch tests, sensitivity to nickel was found to be more frequent for the subject group than the control group (p < 0.05). According to these results, clinical tools revealed no toxic effects for the subjects, except contact dermatitis. However, sensitivity to patch tests showed that this subject group has been affected compared to the control group and that this effect increased with age.
Subject(s)
Nickel/blood , Nickel/pharmacology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Case-Control Studies , Dermatitis, Contact , Female , Humans , Industry , Male , Middle Aged , Nickel/chemistry , Patch Tests , Plants/metabolism , Rural Population , Sensitivity and Specificity , Soil Pollutants , Time Factors , TurkeySubject(s)
Anus Diseases/etiology , Dermatitis/etiology , Enterostomy/adverse effects , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
Two newborn infants with ichthyosis, one with lamellar ichthyosis and one with nonbullous ichthyosis form erythroderma, who presented at birth with a collodion baby appearance, were treated with acitretin (1 mg/kg/day). Clinical improvement was achieved shortly after treatment. The second case received oral retinoid for 3.5 months and was followed for nine months. The result was excellent. The treatment resulted in a satisfactory improvement in the skin condition of the first case. The tolerance to the drug was good. Side effects were not observed. It was concluded that early management of severe ichthyosis cases could prevent life-threatening events such as hyperthermia, disturbance in electrolyte and fluid balance, and infection.