Endocrine-disrupting Chemicals
A Commentary by the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals reported by Ashby et al. suggests that investigations of the broad aspects of endocrine disruption be first reduced to those of toxicities mediated by sex hormone receptors because of the enormous scope of physiological responses affected by the endocrine system and attendant regulatory responsibilities.
Bringing Outsiders In
Although underrepresented minorities--African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanics--make up 18% of the labor force, they comprise only 5% of scientists and engineers. Programs sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, described in the NIEHS, are seeking to increase these numbers by providing training opportunities, mentoring programs, and funding for minority researchers.
Developing a Habit
With social and public health policy pressure depressing domestic markets for tobacco products, U.S. and transnational tobacco companies are boldly going where they have not gone before--into developing countries to create new markets. The Focus article explores the spread of tobacco to new frontiers and its effect on economics and health.
New Century, New Diseases
Two compelling and controversial reports discussed in the Spheres of Influence charge that the contagious microbes that currently garner the most concern for the future may not be the diseases that provide the most cause for worry in the coming decades. Instead, say the reports' authors, diseases such as cancer, depression, and heart disease will pose the greatest problems for future generations.
Avian Respiratory System
An extensive Review by Brown et al. emphasizes the distinction in form and function of the lung-air-sac system of the avian respiratory system in comparison to the mammalian bronchoalveolar lung. The authors suggest that differences between vertebrate classes in physiological responses to toxic gases and particulates can be exploited in studies of the basic mechanisms of inhalant toxicology.
Passive Smoke and Babies
The risk of tobacco smoke exposure for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) was evaluated by questionnaire and by cord blood cotinine analyses. Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine used as a measure of passive smoke exposure and persists for up to four times as long in infants as in adults. Bearer et al. demonstrated that active smoking or perhaps even passive smoke exposure could be a risk factor for PPHN.
Asthma Risks from Indoor Air
A survey of 925 parents of Seattle grade school students by Maier et al. reported that there was an increased risk of asthma or of wheezing associated with tobacco smoke in the home and sometimes with that outside the home, as well as with household water damage. Similarities in indoor risk patterns between asthma and wheezing suggested they may have similar causes.
Air Pollution and Asthma in California
Lipsett et al. examined the relationship between air pollution and asthma in Northern California, where increases in particulate matter (PM10) were attributable to residential wood combustion. There was an association between emergency room visits for asthma and PM10, and for nitrogen dioxide, but not for ozone, suggesting that asthmatic conditions could have been exacerbated by exposure to airborne particulates from wood-burning fireplaces.
Lead Burden in Smelter Employees
The endogenous release of lead from bone of lead smelter workers was examined using X-ray fluorescence of bone in active or retired employees by Fleming et al. Blood lead assays were used to calculate cumulative blood lead indices to estimate lead exposure over time. There was a distinct nonlinear relationship between bone lead and blood lead concentrations, implying that the transfer of lead from blood to bone changed over time, possibly because of varying exposure conditions.
Cadmium Bioavailability from Soil
In a rodent animal model, Schilderman et al. estimated that the relative bioavailability of cadmium from ingestion of contaminated soil was estimated to be 45% of that from saline. The data showed incorporation of cadmium into a soil matrix substantially reduced the absorption of cadmium, suggesting that health risks from ingestion of cadmium-contaminated soil may be overestimated.
Last Update: March 12, 1997
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