Cadmium in jamaican bush teas.

Samples of Jamaican plants used as bush teas were collected from households in high soil-cadmium (Cd) areas of central Jamaica and analysed by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry for total cadmium and for cadmium extractable with a hot water brew as prepared for human consumption to determine their contribution to dietary cadmium exposure. The concentrations ranged from < 0.03 to 6.

Radon monitoring in sites of economical importance in Jamaica.

The main task was to evaluate possible radon risk to the public and workers in four caves of economical importance. Green Grotto Cave is a large labyrinthine limestone cave, open to the tourism; kept Rn concentration in the range 30-40 Bq m(-3). Xtabil a coral limestone sea cave is part of a beach resort resulted in very low radon concentration of 10 Bq m(-3).

Seafood consumption and blood mercury concentrations in Jamaican children with and without autism spectrum disorders.

Mercury is a toxic metal shown to have harmful effects on human health. Several studies have reported high blood mercury concentrations as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), while other studies have reported no such association. The goal of this study was to investigate the association between blood mercury concentrations in children and ASDs.

Elements in human placentae in Jamaica.

Aim: To investigate the relationships, if any, between elemental content of the placenta with age of mother birthweight and the Apgar scores of a neonate.

Methods: Placental samples were collected, stored at -20 degrees C and then dried and analysed using neutron activation with the SLOWPOKE II reactor at the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS). A questionnaire was administered at the time of delivery to determine the level of fish consumption, numbers of dental amalgam fillings and use of cough syrups.

Minimal health impact from exposure to diet-sourced cadmium on a population in central Jamaica.

Elevated concentrations of naturally occurring Cd have been found mainly in the bauxitic soils of central Jamaica at levels up to 100-1,000 times higher than typical worldwide averages. Some food crops cultivated on these soils absorb significant amounts of Cd. Autopsy studies of kidney Cd concentrations confirm elevated human exposure, and some long-term residents in central Jamaica exceed the general population average by a factor of two.