Amber in prehistoric Iberia: New data and a review.

Provenancing exotic raw materials and reconstructing the nature and routes of exchange is a major concern of prehistoric archaeology. Amber has long been recognised as a key commodity of prehistoric exchange networks in Europe. However, most science-based studies so far have been localised and based on few samples, hence making it difficult to observe broad geographic and chronological trends. This paper concentrates on the nature, distribution and circulation of amber in prehistoric Iberia. We present new standardised FTIR analyses of 22 archaeological and geological samples from a large number of contexts across Iberia, as well as a wide scale review of all the legacy data available. On the basis of a considerable body of data, we can confirm the use of local amber resources in the Northern area of the Iberian Peninsula from the Palaeolithic to the Bronze Age; we push back the arrival of Sicilian amber to at least the 4th Millennium BC, and we trace the appearance of Baltic amber since the last quarter of the 2nd Millennium BC, progressively replacing Sicilian simetite. Integrating these data with other bodies of archaeological information, we suggest that the arrival of Baltic amber was part of broader Mediterranean exchange networks, and not necessarily the result of direct trade with the North. From a methodological perspective, thanks to the analyses carried out on both the vitreous core and the weathered surfaces of objects made of Sicilian simetite, we define the characteristic FTIR bands that allow the identification of Sicilian amber even in highly deteriorated archaeological samples.

Assessment of nickel and cobalt release from jewelry from a non-nickel directive country.

BACKGROUND: A directive restricting nickel release from jewelry and other skin-contact products has not been initiated in Thailand or in the United States. The prevalence of nickel and cobalt allergies is increasing, and the main cause of sensitization seems to be jewelry. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate nickel and cobalt release from jewelry available in Thai marketplaces and to study the factors associated with nickel and cobalt release. METHODS: Used costume jewelry items were collected from volunteers. They were tested with the dimethylglyoxime and cobalt tests. RESULTS: Five hundred fifty-one items, including belt buckles, bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, and watches, were tested; 216 (39.2%) gave positive dimethylglyoxime tests, and 206 (37.4%) gave positive cobalt tests. The factors that determined nickel or cobalt release were shopping location and jewelry price. Cobalt-containing jewelry could be identified by its dark color. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of the jewelry sold in Thai markets release nickel or cobalt.

Bioaccessibility of As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Sb in toys and low-cost jewelry.

Children can be exposed to toxic elements in toys and jewelry following ingestion. As, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Sb bioavailability was assessed (n = 24) via the in vitro gastrointestinal protocol (IVG), the physiologically based extraction test (PBET), and the European Toy Safety Standard protocol (EN 71-3), and health risks were characterized. Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb were mobilized from 19 metallic toys and jewelry (MJ) and one crayon set. Bioaccessible Cd, Ni, or Pb exceeded EU migratable concentration limits in four to six MJ, depending on the protocol. Using two-phase (gastric + intestinal) IVG or PBET might be preferable over EN 71-3 since they better represent gastrointestinal physiology. Bioaccessible and total metal concentrations were different and not always correlated, indicating that bioaccessibility measurement may provide more accurate risk characterization. More information on impacts of multiple factors affecting metals mobilization from toys and jewelry is needed before recommending specific tests. Hazard index (HI) for Cd, Ni, or Pb were >1 for all six MJ exceeding the EU limits. For infants (6-12 mo old), 10 MJ had HI > 1 for Cd, Cu, Ni, or Pb (up to 75 for Cd and 43 for Pb). Research on prolonged exposure to MJ and comprehensive risk characterization for toys and jewelry exposure is recommended.

A construção de políticas públicas em rede intersetorial para a erradicação do trabalho infantil em Limeira-SP / The construction of public policies on intersectoral network for the eradication of child labor in Limeira-SP

Limeira-SP é uma cidade que abriga um dos principais pólos de produção de joias e bijuterias, que tem como característica o uso da mão de obra informal nos domicílios, envolvendo crianças e adolescentes nas atividades de montagem, soldagem e cravação de peças. Pesquisa no município revelou que 27por cento dos alunos da rede estadual de ensino trabalham montando e soldando joias e bijuterias, uma população 8.340 indivíduos envolvidos em tarefas repetitivas e perigosas para a saúde. O diagnóstico desta situação motivou a mobilização de instituições públicas e da sociedade civil na criação de uma rede intersetorial articulada pela Comissão Municipal de Erradicação do Trabalho Infantil de Limeira COMETIL que opera desde 2007. O objetivo deste projeto é avaliar o alcance, limites e possibilidades das ações intersetoriais desenvolvidas pela COMETIL, no período de 2007 2010, de modo destacar as estratégias utilizadas e avaliar as mesmas. Foi empregada metodologia qualitativa do tipo estudo de caso baseadas em: a) participação de pesquisadores que são membros da COMETIL (nos moldes de pesquisa-ação); b) análise de documentos e; c) entrevistas semiestruturadas com 13 indivíduos na identificação de problemas socias; o papel da mídia na divulgação dos dados; a relevância de ações pautadas na promoção da saúde que visam a sensibilização da população e o desenvolvimento de habilidades técnicas entre os servidores público; a proeminência da articulação intersetorial e, sobre tudo, o apoio de instituições como o Ministério Público do Trabalho e Ministério do Trabalho e emprego; a necessidade de avançar nas ações de vigilância em saúde; e, por fim, a potencialidade da estratégia de territorialização para o desenvolvimento de ações no campo da Saúde e do Desenvolvimento Social. A Análise dos resultados possibilitou perceber as estratégias exitosas adotadas pela Comissão, bem como constatar os limites da articulação em rede em curso e apontar novos rumos para a superação dos...

Financing of internal displacement: excerpts from the Sri Lankan experience.

This paper investigates how internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, financed their first year of displacement. We conducted extensive fieldwork in August 2007 in numerous welfare centres in Batticaloa that have received persons displaced from the Mutur divisional secretariat (DS) in the Trincomalee district. The sample was selected from the village of Sampur in Mutur DS. The displaced from Sampur are of Tamil origin and our findings reveal certain coping strategies that may be particular to this community, including the selling or mortgaging of gold jewellery to address the effects of displacement. We found that the IDPs in this region rely heavily on jewellery and other forms of savings to ensure their survival. There is also strong evidence to support the critically important coping role played by livelihoods. These coping strategies have enabled the IDP households in the present sample to live marginally above the poverty line.