Exposure to heavy metals is suspected to influence breast cancer development, although epidemiological evidence regarding this association remains controversial. This study investigated the association between urinary heavy metal levels and breast cancer risk through a hospital-based case-control design, involving 50 breast cancer patients and 40 healthy females. Heavy metals were quantified using an inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometer (ICP-AES).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe concentrations of organochlorine and organophosphorus pesticides and metabolites were investigated in chicken kidney, liver and muscle samples obtained from chickens collected from four poultry farms in Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions in Tanzania. The samples were extracted by solid dispersion using cyclohexane:ethyl acetate. The extracts were cleaned by adsorption column chromatography.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigated the levels of pesticide residues in maize grains and flour and the effects of processing methods on their levels in maize products in samples collected in Dar es Salaam and Ruvuma regions. Analysis of cleaned-up extracts was done using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Twelve pesticides were detected in maize grains and their highest concentrations were up to 676.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigated the levels of pesticides and metabolites in vegetables from major markets in Dar es Salaam city, Tanzania. Samples of fresh cabbage, spinach, and onions from the markets were analysed for pesticide residues. Extraction was performed using acetone followed by dichloromethane : cyclohexane mixture and the extracts were cleaned up using Florisil.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe levels and patterns of organochlorine pesticides and degradation products in rainwater samples collected in relation to a contaminated site in Kibaha district, Tanzania were investigated. The compounds detected in the samples by GC-MS and isotope dilution methodology included DDT, DDE, DDD, HCHs, dieldrin, heptachlor, chlordane, endrin and hexachlorobenzene. The concentrations of total DDT and total HCH ranged 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe levels, compositions and distributions of organochlorine pesticides and metabolites were determined in soil samples collected 5-14 years after clean-up was carried out at seven contaminated sites in Tanzania. Samples were collected from various depths (5-10 cm, 30 cm, and 50 cm for most sites and up to 300 cm for one site. Determination of the analytes was performed using a high resolution GC-MS and isotope dilution technology.
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