Environmental Genome Project
The NIEHS is launching an Environmental Genome Project designed to lead to a better understanding of the relationship between genes and the environment. The $60 million project, described in the NIEHS News, will sequence diversity data for the U.S. population on more than 200 genes and develop a central database of polymorphisms for these genes.
Consider the Alternative
Imagine a car that gets 300 miles per gallon. Impossible, you say? Would you settle for 125 mpg? Automobile manufacturers are vying to develop and incorporate new technologies for alternative-fueled vehicles that will be both more energy efficient and less polluting of the environment. The possibilities and pitfalls of such technologies are examined in the Focus article.
Innocents Abroad?
With the spread of international trade and travel, exotic species of plants, animals, and microorganisms are stowing away on ships and airplanes, hitchhiking across borders, and sneaking through customs in suitcases. The Spheres of Influence article tells how these species can jeopardize their new homes by killing off native plants and animals, and can endanger human health.
X Marks the Spot
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer software packages that link epidemiological, demographic, and other types of data with a point, line, or area on a map. The Innovations article describes how GIS technology offers scientists a powerful new tool for environmental risk assessment--for example by graphing the occurrence of a particular disease or birth defect with incidences of environmental exposures--and the limitations of plotting data.
Using GIS in Environmental Epidemiology
Advantages and limitations of geographic information systems (GIS) in environmental epidemiologic research were reviewed by Vine et al.. A GIS is a powerful computer mapping and analysis technology for integrating large quantities of geographic data with demographic information and environmental exposure levels. Collaborative efforts between epidemiologists, biostatisticians, environmental scientists, GIS specialists, and medical geographers are needed to fully utilize the potential of GIS technology in environmental health research.
Infant Mortality and Particulate Air Pollution
The potential association between infant mortality and particulate matter ten microns or less (PM10) was investigated by Woodruff et al. using records from the National Center for Health Statistics and the EPA's aerometric database. About 4 million infants born between 1989 and 1991 in 86 metropolitan areas were evaluated; postneonatal mortality rates were correlated with low, medium and high PM10. Among normal birth weight infants, high PM10 exposure was associated with increased respiratory mortality and sudden infant death syndrome.
Particulate Air Pollution and Cardiorespiratory Diseases
Burnett et al. measured ambient air pollution mix in the summers of 1992, 1993, and 1994 in Toronto, Canada. The parameters included particulate mass, aerosol chemistry, and gaseous pollution. Positive associations were observed for all ambient air pollutants for both respiratory and cardiac diseases. The authors recommend that effects of particulate matter on health be assessed in conjunction with temporally covarying gaseous air pollutants.
Asthma and Fungal Spores
The effects of air pollutants and aeroallergens were examined in 22 asthmatics during an 8-week air inversion in Southern California by Delfino et al.. Beta-agonist inhaler use was associated with fine particulate air pollution while maximum temperature was strongly protective, probably because of retreat to air conditioning and diminished indoor allergens during hot, dry periods. Fungal spore concentrations were associated with all asthma indicators, suggesting that fungal spores adversely affected the daily respiratory status of some asthmatics.
Trihalomethane Exposure in Competitive Swimmers
Lindstrom et al. measured trihalomethane exposures in competitive swimmers and found evidence of a small but measurable body burden resulting from inhalation and dermal exposure, with dermal exposure more important than the inhalation route. There was rapid uptake of chloroform and bromodichloromethane, suggesting that exposures and potential risks of trihalomethanes associated with vigorous swim training warrant further investigations.
PCB and DDE Metabolites in Humans
Weistrand and Noren found that methyl sulfonyl metabolites of chlorinated biphenyls and p,p´-DDE were similar in adipose tissue and lung of seven Swedish autopsy cases, but the pattern in liver differed in predominance of certain chlorinated biphenyls, indicating noncovalent, possible protein binding of these metabolites.
Arsenic Speciation in Human Urine
An interlaboratory comparison of arsenic analyses in spiked human urine was conducted by Crecelius and Yager. The study indicated that there was relatively good agreement on concentrations of three species of arsenic (inorganic arsenic, monomethylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid) at concentrations relevant to research on metabolism of arsenic in humans. Accuracy and precision were relatively poor at concentrations <5 g/l.
Trace Metals in Antarctic Snow
Seasonal variations of 36 elements and chloride, sulfate, and nitrate concentrations were analyzed in Antarctica drift snow by Ikegawa et al.. A bulk deposition of major and trace elements plus non-sea salt sulfate probably reflects the atmospheric peculiarity of the austral spring in 1991, characterized by volcanic emissions from Mt. Hudson and Mt. Pinatubo.
Last Update: June 25, 1997