Background: Cobalt (Co) is an essential trace element for mammals required for the synthesis of vitamin B12. It is not a cumulative toxin but chronic exposure induces negative effects on the organism. It was proven that cobalt passes via placenta appearing in the fetal blood and amniotic fluid and it is shown to possess an embryotoxic effect. Also, chromium (Cr) is recognized as a trace element...

Research conducted in recent years has increased public health concern about the toxicity of lead at low dose and has supported a reappraisal of the levels of lead exposure that may be safely tolerated in the workplace. In this article, which appears as part of a mini-monograph on adult lead exposure, we summarize a body of published literature that establishes the potential for hypertension, e...

We examined variation in plasma thyroxine (T4) in juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) collected from three sites within the Kissimmee River drainage basin (FL, USA). Based on historical sediment data, Moonshine Bay served as the low contaminant exposure site, Water Conservation Area 3A served as an intermediate contaminant exposure site, and Belle Glade served as the high ...

Operational discharges of hydrocarbons from maritime activities can have major cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems. Small quantities of oil (i.e., 10 ml) results in often lethally reduced thermoregulation in seabirds. Thin sheens of oil and drilling fluids form around offshore petroleum production structures from currently permissible operational discharges of hydrocarbons. Methodology was ...

The effectiveness of several sulfhydryl compounds in the treatment of paraquat intoxication has been previously tested based on their antioxidant ability. However, practical guidelines for their clinical use remain to be determined. As a preliminary pharmacokinetic study on sulfhydryl compounds, we attempted to establish the optimal concentration of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione, superoxide ...

Introduction: Radiation therapy is one of the main treatments for rectal cancer. In three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, exposure of healthy tissue around the tumor is unavoidable. The small intestine is the most important organ at risk of rectal cancer radiotherapy. Intestinal complications are a major factor limiting the dose radiotherapy for rectal cancer. The most com...

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of 209 persistent organic pollutants, whose documented carcinogenic, neurological, and respiratory toxicities are expansive and growing. However, PCB inhalation exposure assessments have been lacking for North American ambient conditions and lower-chlorinated congeners. We assessed congener-specific inhalation and dietary exposure for 78 adolescent c...