Chronic effects of the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin in the leaf shredder Gammarus fossarum (Crustacea; Amphipoda) via two effect pathways.

Fungicides pose a risk for crustacean leaf shredders serving as key-stone species for leaf litter breakdown in detritus-based stream ecosystems. However, little is known about the impact of strobilurin fungicides on shredders, even though they are presumed to be the most hazardous fungicide class for aquafauna. Therefore, we assessed the impact of the strobilurin azoxystrobin (AZO) on the survival, energy processing (leaf consumption and feces production), somatic growth (growth rate and molting activity), and energy reserves (neutral lipid fatty and amino acids) of the amphipod crustacean Gammarus fossarum via waterborne exposure and food quality-mediated (through the impact of leaf colonizing aquatic microorganisms) and thus indirect effects using 2 × 2-factorial experiments over 24 days. In a first bioassay with 30 µg AZO/L, waterborne exposure substantially reduced survival, energy processing and affected molting activity of gammarids, while no effects were observed via the dietary pathway. Furthermore, a negative growth rate (indicating a body mass loss in gammarids) was induced by waterborne exposure, which cannot be explained by a loss in neutral lipid fatty and amino acids. These energy reserves were increased indicating a disruption of the energy metabolism in G. fossarum caused by AZO. Contrary to the first bioassay, no waterborne AZO effects were observed during a second experiment with 15 µg AZO/L. However, an altered energy processing was determined in gammarids fed with leaves microbially colonized in the presence of AZO, which was probably caused by fungicide-induced effects on the microbial decomposition efficiency ultimately resulting in a lower food quality. The results of the present study show that diet-related strobilurin effects can occur at concentrations below those inducing waterborne toxicity. However, the latter seems to be more relevant at higher fungicide concentrations.

Injuries to volunteer fire fighters in West Virginia.

The distribution and characteristics of workplace injuries for West Virginia volunteer fire fighters (VFFs) are described using 1992 workers' compensation data. Most of the injuries occurred in VFFs who were less than 30 years of age (62%). The most common type of injuries were those in the category of lacerations and contusions (28.9%), with a notable percentage of injuries due to smoke inhalation and respiratory problems (13.7%). The proportional rates related to falls in VFFs were almost twice the national figures for the same year (39.3% versus 22.3%). County population density was found to be directly associated with injury rates, even when adjusted for number of responses. Claims statistics mirror a similar geographical trend in overall workers' compensation claims for all injuries in West Virginia. The results of this study provide a foundation for additional follow-up studies in order to develop improved occupational safety policies and target educational programs aimed at the prevention of injuries in volunteer fire fighters. Several findings have already resulted in programmatic recommendations.